Which is a better service and why--Dish Network or DirectTV?

Question

I'm trying to decide between the two and want to understand which is the better choice. I'm considering:

- Quality of signal (esp. weather problems as I live in Denver, CO) -- sales reps from both companies have told me that "they have fixed those problems" but I'm not sure whether to believe them or not.

- Number of total channels

- Number of HD channels

- Must have DVR

- Number of channels you can record at the same time

- DVR must be able to record HD

- Size of DVR

- Ability to store additional content on an external hard drive on a home network

- Ability to play photos, music, and video from an external hard drive on a home network--in particular, what music formats and what video formats can be played

- Pricing (though less important than the others)

Answer 1

I have Directv in Denver.  I've never had a reception problem from any type of weather, rain, clouds, snow - even on the dish.  I'm happy with Directv HD and they have more HD channels than Dish.  I think they have more channels overall.  If you're getting HD, I highly recommend Directv.  I have HD DVR and it works great - I'll never go without it again.  I don't know about the external storage - they do have a USB port in the back because I've considered it.  The music/video question - I have no idea, but I would trust Directv's technology over Dish, considering Dish can't seem to get their HD satellite in the right orbit which is why they're behind on HD content.

When they're installing the DVR make sure you have them run 2 lines into the DVR while they're there, so you can record 1/watch another channel at the same time.  They're bad about running only 1 line to save time and will come back later to run the other, but that wastes another call/and or day waiting for them (I ran the 2nd line myself).