When signing up for Dish Network be sure to sign up with an authorized dealer.
Dish Network Review
By The Guru
This Review Was Updated: July 20th 2009
Many people have found that satellite television is the right kind of service for their home needs. It’s not uncommon for bars and hotels to have satellite TV’s playing the days sports games, as satellite TV subscribers have access to some of the best sports programming available.
If you are looking at getting Satellite TV you’ve probably heard of Dish Network. If you are in the continental United States you have two options when it comes to Satellite TV providers – Dish Network and DirecTV. We decided to sign up for Dish Network and see if the service to lives up to what it promises. Below are the Pros and Cons of our Dish Network experience.
Pros
1. Affordable Pricing
With pricing starting at under $30, Dish Network is clearly one of the most affordable tv providers out there. Their typical program is $29.99 a month, and it includes 100 of America’s top channels as well as 30 HD channels. If you’ve got a high definition TV they have a 100% HD programming package called Turbo HD that starts at $29.99 a month. Basic cable (if you are even in cables access area) is $20 a month in itself, and that’s for fewer than 30 channels. Overall we were impressed by the programming package price points.
2. Great Hardware
We love the idea of being able to incorporate a DVR to our home theater setup. In fact, if you are with Dish Network, you can obtain a DVR for a surprisingly low cost ($200 by itself, or free on an 18-month contract). The DVR that comes with the contractual commitment is capable of storing over 100 hours of television programming, sending an audio/video signal to more than one television, and can actually act on two separate TV’s.
Upgraded DVR options allow for HD recording, HD playback, larger hard drives (for more television storage), and more overall functionality. We have yet to see another major competitor come along and match the effectiveness of Dish Network’s DVR solutions.
3. Turbo HD is Great
The base package offered by Dish Network offers 30 high definition channels, and the expanded packages offer as much as 34. Keep in mind that these high definition channels are not including the high definition pay-per-view channels where you can rent high definition movies.
With the latest LCD and plasma TV’s offering unreal image quality, having to restrict your high definition enjoyment to Blu-Ray or HDVD movies is unreasonable. There is no other network that can compete with the high-definition content available from Dish Network.
4. Solid Package Selection
I really liked the flexibility that Dish Network gave me when choosing a programming package. Although at first I thought they may have had a few too many packages to choose from, I realized that there really is a package for everyone.
-
Dish Family Package: $19.99 a month
Dish Network provides 40 channels, including popular sports, movie, and news channels, for $19.99 a month. Users can also opt to include specialized or local channels for a small monthly premium. -
America’s Top 120: $29.99 a month
Over 100 channels are included for $29.99 a month, including the Disney channel and the Discovery Channel. As well, America’s Top 120 offers 30 high definition channels for you to enjoy on your high definition television. -
America’s Top 200: $54.99 a month
Just as the name implies, America’s Top 200 includes 200 of the top channels in America. You’ll find a huge selection of premium channels, movies, specialty channels, and commercial-free music channels. Pricing is $54.99 a month with local channels. -
America’s Top 250: $59.99 a month
Over 250 channels, including premium services like the Speed Channel and the Golf Channel, high-quality streaming music, and all of your favorites. This package, along with local channels and high definition content, is $59.99 a month. -
America’s Everything Pak: $89.99 a month
This package features over 295 channels, including 31 movie channels offered by Showtime. This package has everything that’s worth watching, including local channels, and is $89.99 a month.
Cons
1. Sports Packages
If you are an avid sports fan then you may be a bit dissapointed with Dish Networks current sports packages. Although they have some solid packages, they lack NFL Sunday Ticket which is HUGE on DirecTV. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a deal breaker with most sports fans, but if you are a die hard NFL football fan you may want to look at DirecTV.
2. No Online DVR Scheduling
DirecTV just added a really cool feature that allows you to schedule your DVR to record shows right from your computer. This means that if your at work and remember that there is a show you want to record you can just go on your computer, set your DVR, and when you get home the program will be recorded. Although this isn’t a necessity, its definitely something we want to see Dish Network add in the near future.
Conclusion
Finding a satellite solution that adequately meets your needs is never an easy task. Overall we were impressed with Dish Networks variety of programming packages and reasonable prices. Dish Network has the best programming out there for families and HDTV buffs and should have enough to satisfy just about everyone even though they do lack some sports programming like NFL Sunday Ticket.
You can get more information and sign up for Dish Network here.
|
Topics: Dish Network, Reviews | 41 Comments »
41 Responses to “Dish Network Review”
The Guru - April 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Adam - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I switched to Dish from Comcast which I now wish I did years ago, I have all of the same channels plus HD now and I think I’m paying about $20 less a month then when I was with Comcast.
JohnD - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
i recently got dish network as well and love it.
soccer32 - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I have Dish on 4 TV’s throughout the house and it works great, just wish they had Sunday Ticket, but I’m not going to switch to DirecTV and pay more just for that.
TheMoneyBlogger - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Dish is great for families because it’s the most affordable TV service out there when you compare them all side by side, I switched over with my family a few years ago.
Bob Sanders - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
can someone tell me where I go to upgrade my service? i love dish but want to upgrade to an HD package.
thanks.
Jen - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Just signed up for Dish, so far signing up has been easy and they scheduled my installation date for the first day that I could be home for it.
Markus - July 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
another fan of Dish Network here, I guess I’ve had it for about 2 years – very happy with what I pay and the HD content is very good as well.
DrDave - September 12th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I haven’t had a problem with Dish. Recommended.
Order Dish Network - Satellite TV Guru - September 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
[...] you still have questions you can read our complete Dish Network review, or check our our Satellite TV Buyers [...]
lisa - December 1st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
We recently switched from Cox to Dish and the pic is great ‘when it works’. The price is great, but I’m guessing I’m getting what I am paying for. When it rains we lose signal, when the wind blows we lose signal, when it’s foggy, and now for no apparent weather related reason. We called customer service…said they’d send someone out between 8 and noon. We took off to wait…no one showed or called. We called…and oops…they didn’t have anyone working in our area so they’d be at our house this afternoon….so waiting to see if they show up.
manuel - January 24th, 2010 at 12:34 am
I have had comcast for 8 years and I wish I would have switched over to dish 8 years ago. The HD is just as good or better and the price is so much cheaper with dish. I am totally satisfied. My brother in law convinced me when he switchedfrom dish to uverse and then told me that dish had better hd sports than uverse. I then knew that dish was good and had to get it. I was a die hard comcast supporter and now feel like a fool for being so blind. If you like HD get dish so many channels that comcast does not have and for less.
john - March 13th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Switched to DISH from Cablevision when they had the HGTV/Foodnetwork issues.I have never been more satisfied.Goodbye to the never ending Cablevision comercials that I had to pay to watch.The HD never stops amazing me.All this for $54.99 with two HD boxes.I would highly recomend it, especially if you can get dsl.
Alaska Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
[...] our full Alaska Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Arkansas Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
[...] our full Arkansas Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Nevada Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
[...] our full Nevada Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Pennsylvania Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
[...] our full Pennsylvania Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
New Hampshire Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
[...] our full New Hampshire Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Minnesota Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
[...] our full Minnesota Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Wyoming Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
[...] our full Wyoming Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Kentucky Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
[...] our full Kentucky Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Alabama Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
[...] our full Alabama Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Vermont Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
[...] our full Vermont Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
West Virginia Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
[...] our full West Virginia Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Massachusetts Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
[...] our full Massachusetts Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Montana Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
[...] our full Montana Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Connecticut Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
[...] our full Connecticut Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Indiana Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
[...] our full Indiana Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Kansas Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
[...] our full Kansas Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
North Carolina Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
[...] our full North Carolina Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Rhode Island Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
[...] our full Rhode Island Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Missouri Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
[...] our full Missouri Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
New Mexico Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
[...] our full New Mexico Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Michigan Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
[...] our full Michigan Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Hawaii Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
[...] our full Hawaii Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Oregon Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
[...] our full Oregon Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
New Jersey Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
[...] our full New Jersey Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Georgia Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
[...] our full Georgia Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Iowa Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
[...] our full Iowa Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
South Carolina Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
[...] our full South Carolina Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Ohio Dish Network Deals - Satellite TV Guru - December 12th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
[...] our full Ohio Dish Network Review to learn more. Special Dish Network Offer For Satellite TV Guru [...]
Leave a Comment
