I’ve had both Direct & DishNetwork
outages are rare…i maybe have 1-2 per year that are less then 5mins long & usually caused by bad thunderstorms.
if you’re getting HD then go with Dish Network.
if you’re not getting HD then go with the better price or the one that has the better channel lineup for you.
go to their websites & check out the packages.
as far as regular definition channels the 2 are pretty similar but they do have a few that are exclusive to one another.
also look & @ the programming packages…one might offer a package with everythign you want & if you go with the other you might have to upgrade to a better package to get a certain channel you like.
one FYI regarding HD.
if your taking to a direct TV rep. & they tell you they are expanding & have 100 or so HD channels & try to convince you they have more then Dish…THEY DONT!!
when they say they have 100 channel…thats “capability” not the actual ammount you’ll get.
so that 100 includes the regualr stuff like ESPN, TNT, Etc… & all the locals for every city which you won’t get…you’ll only get Pgh.
so in acutallity they have about 10-15 right now…& its slowly supposed to expand to 20 something. to catch up with Dishnetwork.
Dish 25-35 or so depending on if you get the premium (HBO, Showtime, etc…)
i have locals & HD silver package & i get about 28-30 HD channels.
Just be careful cause Direct really tries to push that HD expansion & i was tempted to switch back but after a few days of research found out the REAL Deal.
they try to sell you on the potnetial they have for HD…when i don’t care about thier potential i want the channels now…if in 2yrs Direct has the better lineup i’ll switch back, but for now i’ll stay with who has the channels i can whatch now.