Reply #34: Well, it's DirectTV or Comcast.

[Xithras]

Comcast may be a bit bluer than DirecTV, but around here their service reliability is problematic, they are outrageously expensive ($100+ a month for a digital service with DVR and channels matching what I have now), and they have been constantly fighting to get rid of our public access stations.

In my books, both companies are abhorrent, so I will go with the company that at least provides a lower price and better service. If that is DirecTV, it can't be helped.

I've been a loyal Dish Network subscriber since installing my original Dish 300 system back in 1998 (still have it out in the garage), but PVR service has become too important to me. I'm not a slave to my TV, and only watch it now because I have the ability to record and watch shows when its convenient to me. I have home decorating programs recorded from two years ago detailing specific projects that I want to do to my house. I have more than a dozen cooking shows recorded detailing dishes that I want to try out. My wife records her soap opera every day, because she's at work and can't watch it. I have the last two episodes of the 4400, and the last three Stargate Atlantis shows recorded because I haven't had a chance to watch them yet. I will watch them when I have time, but it's on MY schedule, not the networks. I could never go back to the old way of watching TV now.

If Dish can't offer PVR service, I can't use Dish. It's that simple. If that benefits people we don't like, it's unfortunate, but it can't be helped. Dish should have paid for the patents when they had the chance.