The Truth About Satellite HD Receivers
DIRECTV® likes to make a big deal out of their satellite HDTV channels offering. But, when it comes down to it, no one in the business offers more satellite HDTV channels than DISH Network® with over 200 HD channels. But, all the satellite HDTV channels in the world won’t mean much if your satellite HD receiver isn’t up-to-snuff. And as for that facet of your TV-watching experience, you can’t do better than a DISH Network satellite HD receiver. Don’t believe us? Read on.
DISH Network vs. DIRECTV Satellite HD Receivers
DIRECTV satellite HD receivers come in only one variety, the DIRECTV HD receiver. This model differs from their three other receivers in that it is HD-compatible, but it does not feature DVR capabilities. This means that, unlike HD DVR DIRECTV receivers, it does not allow you to stop, record, and fast-forward live TV. Rather, it just converts the satellite HDTV channels coming into a DIRECTV customer’s home into signals an HD TV can display.
Among the standard goodies that come gratis with DIRECTV HD receivers are the abilities to link them to HD DVR DIRECTV receivers to record programming in multiple rooms; to check lottery numbers and horoscopes using the remote’s “Active” button; and to check what’s playing up to seven days in advance. Likely, these features seem impressive, considering you don’t have to pay as much for a DIRECTV HD receiver as you would for an HD DVR DIRECTV receiver. But here at InternetLion.com we encourage you to take a second look at DIRECTV’s terms and conditions.
According to the DIRECTV website, the biggest “catch” to signing up for the basic, CHOICE DIRECTV package is that you’ll have to pay extra to receive the company’s satellite HDTV channels. This is the deceptive part of DIRECTV’s advertising, which seeks to pass the company’s “Choice” off as nearly as cheap as comparable DISH Network deals. But the truth is if you want all those extra satellite HDTV channels (as well as an HD DIRECTV receiver or HD DVR DIRECTV receiver) you’ll have to pay an HD service fee of $10/mo. That means you’ll be paying $15/mo. more for DIRECTV’s basic CHOICE service, which is $29.99/mo. for the channel package itself plus the $10/mo. HD service fee, than if you simply ordered DISH Network’s basic package, the “America’s Top 120” pack, which is priced at $24.99/mo. You can add HD Free For Life to the DISH Network introductory level America’s Top 120 pack, with 24-Mo. Agreement and AutoPay with Paperless Billing. To receive a similar offer of HD Free for Life from DIRECTV instead of paying the $10/mo. service fee, you must order the CHOICE XTRA package, or higher, with pricing starting at $34.99/mo; that’s still $10/mo. more than the DISH Network America’s 120 pack.
The ViP922 SlingBox DISH Network DVR
But perhaps the greatest difference between DISH Network and DIRECTV receivers and DVR/receivers is that their technology is hardly comparable. Take, for instance, both satellite providers’ high-end DVR/receivers: The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR/receiver falls far short of the industry standard set by DISH Network’s ViP922 SlingBox DISH Network DVR. You see, the Plus’s satellite receiver software only allows you to set recordings and watch some sporting events from your smart phone or laptop.
The ViP922 SlingBox DISH Network DVR’s satellite receiver software, in contrast, allows you to watch and record anything anywhere – including from your laptop and compatible smart phone. You can receive the ViP922 SlingBox DISH Network DVR and its satellite receiver software for no cost apart from a $10/mo. service fee, with 24-Mo. Agreement.
Better yet, DISH Network is currently offering new subscribers up to three HD receivers for FREE and a free upgrade to a satellite HD DVR, including the revolutionary ViP922 SlingBox DISH Network DVR! Also included in this introductory offer is HD Free for Life that we mentioned above, so you can always enjoy Free satellite HDTV channels on your new FREE satellite HD receivers – FOR LIFE, with 24-Mo. Agreement and AutoPay with Paperless Biling.
This is truly an incredible offer. Be sure to click here to learn more about this great offer and other benefits of switching to DISH Network today!
Disclaimer: Please note that this article was written when the satellite TV provider DISH was branded as DISH Network. As of 2/1/2012 DISH Network has changed their branding name to DISH. Article post date: 12/24/2010.
