Jon Buda says

I looked into the HD DVR solution from Dish as well to pair with my HDTV, but there was literally about 2 channels worth watching in HD, and local channels weren't available in HD, so what's the point? I opted for the standard DVR instead.

You might as well wait honestly since the HD standard is going to eventually change and your receiver will be obsolete.

As for the Dish support though, my installation went smoothly, but JC's experience sounds like a Dell support issue to me.

Josh Williams says

Yeah, see we live in Dallas, where HD is king thanks to Mark Cuban. The local channel support here is pretty solid. And I watch a lot of sports.

Jeff Teschke says

I've heard the same thing about Dish. That's too bad. Perhaps DirecTV is better? Right now, we're using an HD DVR through the standard cable company. It works pretty well, but the UI is terrible. There's a possible project for ya!

When will Tivo support HD? Geez. Also, does anyone have experience with DirecTV? We're moving and are thinking about getting it.

David O'Hara says

I've been a DirecTV subscriber for almost 10 years now and have only had problems (which required a call to service/support) a few times. That being said, those calls were some of the most painful few hours of my life. Customer service apparently is not the strong suit of ANY service provider that I have used to date (don't even get me started on Vonage) but I have to say that the DirecTV service itself is pretty solid. Plus, only they have the NFL Ticket so I can watch all the NY Giants games. :)

JC says

Now that I've callmed down after yesterday's experience, I think I can give an objective opinion about Dish. The Dish equipment, channels, and up-time has been great, so far. The fact that I don't have the right equipment and that I can't talk to anyone who can't stop reading their on-screen script repeating the same thing over-and-over prefaced by the phrase: "I'm sorry for inconvienience Mr. Mcritzer."

I think one of the most frustrating things to hear is someone trying to patronize you who is just reading a script and doesn't really understand what's going on! Not to mention that their "system" doesn't let them do anything unless it falls within specific promo parameters, and that a supervisor is some phantom fax machine on an island somewhere near Austrailia.

Anyway, I'd just like to get the equipment I was promised. Is that too much to ask?

Tony says

My Dad sells both Dish Network and DirecTV. I think your problem could be partially due to the fact that Dish is smack dab in the middle of a transition to MPEG-4 capable hardware (particularly important for the HD stuff). Out of curiosity, what reciever model did you order (and what did you get)?

JC says

Tony, I was told I would receive two 942 DVR receivers for my two HDTV's. When the guy shows up to do the install I had one 942 receiver and one 311 receiver. So my second HDTV can't use any of the HD channels.

Thanks for the reply!

Tony says

I don't understand why they'd sell you the 942 anyway, instead of the ViP622, which is it's MPEG-4-capable replacement that became available at the beginning of the month. Infact, the 942 isn't even listed on the Dish Network DVR page.

I've never been a Dish customer myself (gotta have the NFL package, you know?), but I've never heard of them treating customers this badly. If you bought from an independent dealer, maybe they can help sort this out...

Tony says

JC,
I just talked to my dad and happend to to mention this. He said you can't lease two 942s.

920-666-5487 says

Two 942's would be quite a bit of money. Sorry installation is NOT free and you will DEFENITLY not get two 942's free unless you somehow know the owner of the retailer you are having install your system. There is a 300 plus dollar "upgrade fee" getting just one 942. You have to look more when you decide to spend so much money on expensive HD TV's. Regardless of the facts I hate to tell you it would be rather interesting to have two TV's in true high definition. TV 2 of the 942 is a back fed coax, which in most cases the technician will barrel into a pre-excisting line, or in most cases run a brand new line. True HDTV is through the composite cables as well as a digital sound and picture cord for TV 1. Its going to be hard to have any technician fish composite and RCA cables through your walls for true high definition for your tv2 image. Take the time to really find out what your getting before installation. Every detail and every aspect.

Joe says

Please, I can't stress enough to stay away from Dish Network. Absolutely the worst customer service. Just think, if they treat you like CRAP before you are a customer just wait until you sign that contract! Also, even with standard definition the picture is much worse than the DirecTV I used to have. Great HD programming is great if thay provide it at the price contracted for. Two months after entering into an 18 month agreement they let me know my equipment was obsolete and I would have to pay an additional $50 plus sign a new agreement if I wanted to continue to receive HD. WHAT?

Michael says

Wow, I guess I have been lucky, I've had Dish for a while now and I have had not problems at all. Equipment and service has been great.

John says

I have been a Directv subscriber since the vary first day. The First 9 years was great. The Equipment worked as described. The customer service was the best I have ever encountered. I must have installed over a 150 units (I'm not an installer).
One year ago I purchased an HDTV TV an wanted to upgrade my Directv system. Boy was I in for a surprise, I bought an H10-250 DVR box (599.00)and a new 3 LNB dish. To my surprise I had to sign a two year contract to get HD service. I have had nothing but heartache since then. The customer service has been absolutely the worst. What JC said, has to be the pat answer for them as well.

"I can't talk to anyone who can't stop reading their on-screen script repeating the same thing over-and-over prefaced by the phrase: "I'm sorry for inconvienience Mr. Mcritzer.""

On top of that they informed me that the unit I purchased was absolete. I have done some research on the new unit (H20-700) and have come to the conclusion that I has more bugs, At this point, I am going to wait and see what the Telcos are offering.
I bought my Directv because I was tired of cable. I recommend that if you are looking for HD DVR service you do your homework. Get everything in "WRITING"

V2RRT says

I've also had Dish Network for the past 5 years and never had a problem with it; but, I too, bought my receivers and installation from a local independent contractor. I'm about to see how it goes with upgrading to the HD DVR through this same satellite contractor.
Cross your fingers!

loretta darrillo says

DISH Network is the worst, hands down, when it comes to automated phone service. I've gone through the phone system instruction seven times in an attempt to resolve my technical problem. This annoying automated male voice asks me, after pressing the correct number for technical support, to "check the batteries on your remote." I do so, because I don't want to appear scatterbrained in the opinion of the automated voice. God forbid. Batteries good.
The voice begins each sentence or question with 'Okay...' or "Let's see..." in an apparent attempt to ingratiate me. I did a reboot. I reset the remote. I went through this each of the seven times I've called. I even had a new receiver sent to replace what I assumed was a broken receiver. Not the problem.
For my last foray into the beloved world of customer service, the human person (for whom I waited an astounding 46 minutes) told me I must go through the steps by phone before a technician is sent, or pay the price out-of-pocket for the call, which is $29.95 per hour, including drive time. I refused to go through the steps yet again. I asked to have a technician sent and reminded them of my warranty. I overheard this actual human person, Tiffany, speaking to another actual human person about how she finally "did" her brother's friend, and hopes no one finds out. I was almost so bored with the aforementioned 46 minutes of mind-numbing phone hell to actually care about her sex life. Really. She returns to the line to tell me that I will have to speak to a supervisor. This sounds like a fabulous idea to me. Then, dead line. Ooops, we were cut off. Damn, I won't find out who was on top and if they cuddled afterwards. I call back. This time, after chatting with automated Dish Man, a conversation sprinkled with my, "Sure thing, co*ksu*ker!" to his cheerful requests, I get a human in 22 minutes. I note that this is less than half of my original wait. I count my blessings. I tell this new human, who has just completed a weeklong community course in English as a Second Language, that for two months I've been experiencing the same problem, and I need help. I want a human to come to my home. I remind her that I’m still under warranty and throw in that DishMan has called me a valued customer at least twenty times. She is unimpressed, but schedules the human technician after two jaunts of "Um, hold on a minute...I need to,… um,...just hold on, okay?" She schedules the service call. I rejoice in that fact that although I’ve used foul language with automated DishMan, I’ve kept my actual conversations with the humans quite professional; cordial even. “Thanks for your help, honey-dumplin, I’ll be home on Thursday awaiting my technician!” (No, I didn’t SAY ‘honey-dumplin,’ I only thought it.)
I’m supposed to have a technician here between 8 am and noon today. I mean "was supposed to have..." I called in at 12:30pm to the automated system only to be told by DishMan, "Okay, I see that you have a service call scheduled for (second automated voice; this time female) Thursday, March 15th, 8 am to 12 pm. (now back to male voice) Please continue to wait for the allotted time." Then I’m rerouted to the main menu. Okay, I think, perhaps they meant Eastern time. Cool. I think I'm being quite reasonable, considering that I'm a bit limited to television programming because I live in a remotely rural area. I am also not afforded the luxury of finding and killing DishMan with my bare hands, but I digress. Now, it’s 2:40. I’ve called back, spoken to a human (31 minutes this time) and, while I didn’t use an epithet, I did become belligerent. They tell me the technician is “en route.” He must be flying right behind the monkeys that are exiting my a$$.

Anonymous says

to everyone who wrote about the scripted responses when calling, you have no idea how much of a jacka$$ it makes us feel like to have to do it, but if we don't we could lose our jobs. it's all in the name of "making sure every customer has the same experience and there is no room for miscommunication and different answers." complete b.s. and i hate doing just as much as you guys hate hearing it.