Price Paid:  $300.00 from internet

Summary:
IT COMPLETLY SUCKS ;this system has been nothing but problems since we got it. Right now the boX in the living room has ceased working for the last two days(IT DOES'NT EVEN TURN ON ANYMORE), and the one in the bedroom stopped showing public channels last week. Service support is unexistent, and if you do find someone to help ( which I have'nt ) help is the last thing you'll ever get from them. If whoever reads this has anything to care about this company, or anything to do with this company, I have to let u know that your service with us COMPLETELY SUCKS. YOU CHARGE MORE THAN TIME WARNER AND YOUR SERVICE IS BY FAR THE WORSE I'VE EVER HAD. YOU CAN'T EVEN COMPARE TO CABLE, AND OH YES THE SIGNAL SUCKS EVEN MORE. THANK U FOR THE RIP OFF BUT NO MORE OF THIS CRAP. Our contract expires in september, if I don't get resolve on this, I'm going to make sure this message gets out there to those that like I used to believe that the dish would be a good investment.

Strengths:
THE FAT ASSED BILL WE GET EVERY MONTH !

Weaknesses:
PICK ONE

Similar Products Used:
TIME WARNER DIGITAL, WILL KICK THAT ASS ON ANY GIVEN DAY, JUST TRY IT !

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Dish Network

Summary:
I've had the Dishplayer for about two years. During that time, I've grown to hate it's quirks and bugs. Recordings that end after one minute, sound drop-outs, lost recordings, complete freezes, and total system errors abound.

Tonight I've had enough and I'm getting rid of it.

Strengths:
The moron who wrote this POS software has no control (that I know of) over any other part of my life.

Weaknesses:
Everything else.

Similar Products Used:
Sony SAT-W60

Price Paid:  $199.00 from sears

Summary:
I have had my DishPlayer 500 for almost 2 years and have been very dissapointed with DishNetwork. The unit continually flips out due to "software problems" that are somehow never DishNetworks fault, according to their tech support. The latest line is that it is WebTV's poor software causing the unit not to record or pause. I do not use WebTV but still have the problem. DishNetwork simply shrugs their shoulders and could care less. I am leaving for the competition as they seem to value the business.

Strengths:
Good features when they work

Weaknesses:
Hard to believe lack of care from DishNetwork.

Similar Products Used:
Direct TV

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Dishnetwork promotion

Summary:
I've had this system for over a year now and I'm on my third Dishplayer. Hardware has been reliable but whoever wrote the software for this system needs some serious schooling. Every week is kind of exciting as I won't know what new way it's going to find to screw up. It regularly loses my personal menu setups. Turns on by itself and won't turn off (have to unplug it). Recording feature quits working. Screen blacks out momentarily then turns back on. System powers down by itself while I'm watching. Etc. etc. etc. Tech support can only give you reset codes to enter which usually works but for only a few weeks or so. Bottom line, avoid this system.

Strengths:
Has not grown legs and attacked me.

Weaknesses:
Software

Similar Products Used:
DirecTV

Price Paid:  $149.00 from from Dish Network promotion

Summary:
This is basivcally like TiVo for your Dish system, with the satelite receiver built in and fairly well integrated into one box. Functions well MOST of the time. It's great to be able to set up recordings and watch them whenever you want... at the same quality as the original satelite broadcast. You can also pause live TV. Original unit has only about 10-12 hour recording capacity... but it;s easy to drop a larger hard drive in. I recently pulled the 17GB drive and put in a 45GB drive. Now I ahve over 30 hours of digital recording available. Menu system is mostly usable and Dish does upgrade the software occasionally to add new features or enhance current ones. Overa;;, I'm very happy with my DishPlayer.

Strengths:
pretty decent recording quality

Weaknesses:
can be a little moody at times, long channel changes, slight out of sync occasionally