Free Direct TV vs Dish Network

Video on Demand Overview

by Brendan on April 26, 2012

Have you ever just missed your favorite show or movie? It can definitely be frustrating but if you’re a DIRECTV customer, you still have plenty of ways to catch it. A key feature of all their modern receivers, you can access Video on Demand simply by connecting to your home’s internet – you’ll then be able to view over 7,000 shows and movies. Here’s how it works:

First off, get connected

At the back of your receiver you’ll find a input for an ethernet port (just like your computer). Connect directly to that or if you have WI-FI signal, it’s even easier. Just make sure the receiver is acquiring a sufficient signal from your router and you’re all set. If you run into any problems, simply call up DIRECTV’s customer service and they’ll walk you through it.

Find missed episodes or entire seasons

One of the best parts of VOD is the option to download the entire season (or individual programs) of your favorites shows. That includes all the premium movie channels: HBO, Cinemax, STARZ, Showtime and more. Recently, to promote VOD, they’ve also been premiering special shows on Video on Demand BEFORE they’re broadcast to the general public. Check your program guide for all the upcoming promotions.

Get plenty of free movies

If you’re a NETFLIX freak, DIRECTV’s VOD includes a solid cross-section of their movie library. Covering a variety of categories, you’ll find top (and even fun/obscure) movies from every generation, all 100% free. Even better, DIRECTV is always adding to their collection so every time you check in, you’ll probably find new additions to each category.

Hollywood blockbusters and early releases

With new streaming and VOD companies seemingly popping up every month, they’re all fighting to get first dibs at movies just out of their theatrical run. DIRECTV has managed to win over a few studios, so you’ll actually find a few movies on their VOD before you will on NETFLIX or anywhere else.

With most of the freshly released flicks, you’ll have to pay a small rental fee (usually in the $5-$8 range). However, one of the nice upsides of having the VOD on your DIRECTV box is all the movies you rent will take full advantage of the size/sound of your primary TV (vs having to watch on your iPhone or iPad).

It’s only getting better

DIRECTV’s Video on Demand is still relatively new, but it’s made some solid strides over the past year. Real-time/multi-TV streaming, customized programming suggestions and social sharing are all hot right now and I’m sure DIRECTV is experimenting with each of them. With a strong motivation to stay at the top of the satellite TV heap, any new feature introduced by a competitor is likely to find a home with DIRECTV in the not-so-far future. Their VOD is probably not robust enough to ditch your NETFLIX subscription just yet, but give it a few months and you just might be surprised.

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Dish Network Installers

by Brendan on April 18, 2012

If you’ve gone through the process, you know one of the biggest steps in getting satellite TV is setup and installation. There’s no shortage of Dish Network Installers out there, so you really need to make sure you go with a reputable and trustworthy company. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most important things to look out for before your install day.

Review your TV and room setup

When the installer arrives with your equipment, the first thing they’ll ask you is which TVs and rooms you’d like hooked up. Chances are you’ve already given it some thought, but if not, it’s always a good idea to finalize your preferred setup beforehand. That is, figure out which rooms currently get the most use and if that’s best setup long-term.

If you rent, get your forms ready

If you’re renting (especially in an apartment), Dish Network installers won’t move forward unless they have a release form from the building’s landlord or owner. You can view and print a generic copy of a permission form here. To cover your bases, it’s a good idea to give your landlord a call before you even order service. Some complexes don’t allow certain providers, for any number of reasons (exclusive contracts with cable, DISH or DIRECTV, line-of-sight issues, etc.). This day and age, with DISH installations being free and visually unobtrusive, most owners prefer to keep their renters happy and let them decide.

Local is usually better

For the most part, a local installer is usually in your best interest. They’re familiar with the area (e.g, won’t get lost getting to your place!), easier to contact before or after the install and they’re more invested in getting it done right. Major dish retailers have a team of installers available in most metropolitan cities and suburbs. When you call up, ask if they have someone local. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker, but local does offer a bit of additional piece of mind.

Conclusion

When you’re ready to get DISH, finding a reputable and licensed Dish Network Installer is an important first step. You have a lot of options out there and unfortunately won’t know you’re in for a long day until during/after a bad install job. We’ve worked with all the top DISH retailers and we’ve consistently been impressed with a handful of companies. Ongoing training, re-certification and customer service testing have kept their installers at the head of the pack. Check out the blue box below to learn more about our top pick. If you’re still a bit uncertain about DISH, read more about the pros and cons of Dish Network.

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Dish Network Promotions for New Customers

March 8, 2012

It’s a motto as old as advertising itself: treat your new customers well and your current ones even better. That’s certainly the case in the competitive world of satellite TV, where dish network promotions for new customers make it incredibly easy for new subscribers to save right from day one. Here’s a quick overview on [...]

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Pros and Cons of Dish Network

February 26, 2012

Just as with any major purchase (especially service related), it’s important to take a closer look at everything it offers…and, often more telling, what it doesn’t. In this article, we’ll take you through the pros and cons of Dish Network, from programming and customer satisfaction to pricing and packages. If you’d like to compare both [...]

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DIRECT TV to increase their rates

January 30, 2012

DIRECT TV has released a statement that it will hike subscriber rates by 4% sometime in February 2012. Announced online, they’re pinning the blame on increasing programming costs, which are up 10% this year. So, they’re basically passing along 40% of the fee increase to their customers (on average – those on larger/premium programming plans [...]

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Pros and Cons of Direct TV

December 18, 2011

When you’re in the market for satellite TV (or anything important, really), one of the best things to do is compare the pluses and minuses of the service. For those of you looking heavily at DIRECT TV, we’ve put together a list of the most important pros and cons of DIRECT TV. Note that we [...]

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The Facts on Satellite Direct TV

November 8, 2011

If you’re an avid TV watcher and are looking for the best in price, programming and customer service, you’re probably interested in one of the two top satellite tv services. Satellite, Direct TV and DISH all have merits but there’s good reason Direct TV is at the head of the pack. They’ve been around since [...]

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How to find the Best DISH TV Packages

November 5, 2011

For most, they’ve already made the decision to go with satellite TV over the inflated costs and technical limitations of traditional cable TV. One of the next steps is to decide whether to go with DIRECT TV or DISH. The biggest advantage DISH Network has over DIRECT TV is in price. For any programming package, [...]

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Dish Network goes after Netflix

October 17, 2011

Just a few short months ago, Netflix was the undisputed king of DVD home delivery and online streaming. After a hiccup with the now-defunct Qwikster and a 60% price hike, they’re deep into damage control mode. Sensing an opportunity to capture market share, Dish Network has leveraged their recent Blockbuster takeover and is heavily advertising their latest offer: order Dish and get the new Blockbuster “Movie Pass” free for 12 months (DVD-by-mail and Internet video).

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DirecTV turns iPad into Remote

March 19, 2011

With DirecTV’s release of its iPad app, it’s turned the popular mobile device into a remote control. The free app lets use browse through movies, shows and sports without having to change the channel on your TV. After you’ve found a program you want to watch, simply switch to your home’s Wi-FI connection and tap [...]

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