| The numbers of those who just connect their TV | | | | basis - Dish Network is marginally ahead here. |
| to a simple roof top antenna can probably be | | | | Housewives at home - not working |
| counted on the fingers of one hand. I assume you | | | | - Requirements: recording capability, good film |
| are not one of those minimalists who need 30 | | | | channel availability, good HD TV. |
| minutes of news programming to get by in a day. | | | | - Recommendation: Dish Network. |
| Most likely, you are one of those millions who | | | | Elderly people |
| want 200+ channels in their home and are | | | | - Requirements: good film channels, good news |
| wondering which of the biggies to choose. | | | | coverage, religion channels. Internet, sports, |
| There are hundreds of websites offering detailed | | | | simpler choice of equipment. |
| price lists, programming analysis and freebies. I will | | | | - Recommendation: Dish Network |
| not attempt to compete with them. By a simple | | | | Immigrant workers in the USA |
| comparison of costs, you are unlikely to get a | | | | - Requirements: language content from the |
| good idea of the content and value of these | | | | relevant region, good news coverage. |
| channels. Therefore, we need to look at the | | | | - Recommendation: DirecTV |
| viewing audience and see what the specific | | | | Young working families |
| requirements of user groups are. On pricing, let | | | | - Requirements: strong sports content, easy shift |
| me make a few general statements first: | | | | of residence, good HDTV, and easy shift of |
| - Nothing is free. When any of the networks | | | | residence. |
| offers you free equipment and installation, it is | | | | - Recommendation: DirecTV for strong sport and |
| only deferring payments over a year. Both | | | | Dish Network for easy mobility |
| DirecTV and Dish Network require you to commit | | | | While both the networks offer you a number of |
| on a one-year subscription. | | | | accessories, the variety available with Dish |
| - If you are an average watcher - say 2-3 hours | | | | Network is larger. The key accessories are: |
| per day - then, over a two-year subscription - | | | | - IR to UHF converter for the remote - That |
| your costs with DirecTV or with Dish Network will | | | | means that even if you have hooked up four |
| be very similar. | | | | TVs as both the networks do free, you could |
| To help you decide, I have broken down viewing | | | | only operate the receiver with the remote if you |
| audience into a few well-defined sub-groups. We | | | | were in the same room as the receiver. The IR |
| will look at the networks from their differing | | | | to UHF converter makes your remote radio |
| perspectives. | | | | controlled. This means that you can now operate |
| Working Families - viewing primarily in evening | | | | it from any room in the house. Installation is |
| hours or on weekends | | | | simple; just plug it into the mains! |
| - Requirements: parental control on specific | | | | - Wireless Phone Jack - Sometimes, you may not |
| channels (children may be unsupervised during the | | | | have a phone jack near the receiver. However, |
| day), control over pay per view, adequate children | | | | your receiver needs to communicate with the |
| programming and info-entertainment channels. OK | | | | network for a pay per view TV experience. Just |
| sports coverage. Availability of Internet, local | | | | plug the wireless phone jack to a phone jack and |
| channels. | | | | an electrical outlet. The phone signals now travel |
| - Recommendation: either DirecTV or Dish | | | | on the electrical line to the receiver. |
| Network is good enough. Select on least cost | | | | |