A Dish network HD experience

fsense · Post by **fsense** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:53 pm

A recent post of mine on another subject morphed into a discussion of some point relating to Dish Network. I just got my new Dish service installed today and learned a lot, some of it relating to what was discussed in my other post. So, thought I'd lay out what I've learned, as much of this is impossible to find unless you experience it. Here goes:

1. If all you're interested in is HD service, Dish still offers their "Turbo HD" packages with special pricing. But, you can't order it online and can't get a true idea of what you'll be getting with the info on their website. I called Dish three different times for pricing and got three different answers. What I required was theTurbo HD package that included the Versus channel. If you look at the website, you'll see that their Gold level package is the only one to which Versus on HD can be added. So, their approach is to sell you the Gold level package at a lower price ($49.99/month) with only the HD channels. Since I have an outdoor antenna for OTA signals, my only option was the DVR so the total was around $56/month.

2. Before ordering, I ask the rep on each of my three calls what the aiming information was for the HD satellites so I could see if there was any chance to get a good sightline at my home. Each of the reps gave me a different answer. The one rep who came closest thought she was giving me azimuth angles, but the numbers were really satellite numbers! The installer is the only person who has a clue what sighting angles are, so don't bother asking anyone else. The elevation angle was surprisingly high for my location in NC - about 45 degrees as opposed to about 32 degrees for my previous SD service from Dish.

3. One would think that since I have the "HD only" package, that I'd get nothing but the HD stations. The installer explained that the way it really worked was that I'd also get all the non-HD stations that happened to be on the same three satellites the HD service came from. In most cases, that means that I would get both HD and SD versions of the same channel. But, there are several channels that don't have an HD offering, such as the DIY channel, so getting that one at no extra cost was a nice touch. The sales rep said I'd have to subscribe to the full Gold package to get that - not true.

4. Local stations - this one is very interesting. We have a total of 18 digital stations within antenna range, about half of those HD. Previously, I had my antenna connected directly to the TV but the Dish manual showed connecting it to the DVR. I did that and found a menu item that allowed me to scan for digital channels and so the 18 local digital stations now appear on my Dish guide. The signal is fed by the DVR through the HDMI cable to the TV. The locals don't show any programming in the guide, so you can't schedule a DVR recording of one of those channels, but you can hit the record button and it will successfully record one of those stations. Oh yes - the Dish receiver doesn't come with an HDMI cable - just component and S-Video cables. The installers will sell you a HDMI cable for $20. I find that I can't get a signal on an HD station 90 miles from here when running the antenna through the DVR's tuner. The same station is received very well when using the tuner in my Sony TV.

5. The 2-year commitment: The sales rep emphasized that I had to sign a 2 year agreement to get the Turbo HD package. When the install was complete and the installer showed me the contract to sign, I had the option to sign it or pay a $99 installation fee. So, if you want to try the Turbo HD but are not sure you want it for the long run, pay the $99.

6. The Dish remote control: While the remote was easily programmed to handle my Sony TV, it couldn't be configured to work with my Pioneer receiver. Thinking I'd just use my All-In-One learning remote I've had for a few years, I found that it wouldn't learn a few of the Dish control buttons. Guess it's time for a new universal learning remote.

7. Signal quality: A quick viewing of some HD channels on Dish was a pleasant surprise. The quality is there, not quite up to the OTA stations locally, however. It was also surprising how many of the HD channels are still broadcasting a 4:3 format.

bobby_c · Post by **bobby_c** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:10 pm

You'll find if you subscribe to your local channels through Dish, if available, for $5 a month, you will be able to program the DVR just like any other channel, including the OTA channels. This will allow you to record three things a the same time, two satellite and one OTA. You can even watch a recorded show at the same time.

fsense · Post by **fsense** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:40 pm

Yes, but the problem is I can't get the local channels I need via Dish. Some key ones are not local to this market and the only way I can get them is via a good antenna. In the spring, it's common for local channels to pre-empt local programming for local college basketball I could care less about. The same networks in nearby markets do not carry the games.

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:40 am

You don't have to give up your OTA channels just because you pay for DISH locals. What bobby_c was trying to tell you is that if you subscribe to DISH locals you'll get the guide info for the OTA channels as well, allowing you to do normal recording just like the DISH channels. My DirecTV receiver works the same way. I get program information for all OTA channels, even the ones that DirecTV doesn't carry. I would assume DISH works the same way. Easy enough to try it and see.