Sound Advice: Consider more than expenses for TV provider

Q What do you recommend for pay TV? We have Comcast, but it's getting expensive, so we are thinking of switching. What do you think of Dish Network and DirecTV? If we change to satellite, what do we do about Internet service?

A I have Dish Network for subscription TV and have used it continuously for more than 16 years.

I switched to Dish from cable, because I was dissatisfied with cable's picture quality, customer service and price. In the past 16 years, I have never had a reason to leave Dish or look elsewhere. In fact, I have been incredibly satisfied, especially with the picture quality and equipment, the latter having won accolades throughout the consumer electronics industry.

Dish Network's recent acquisition of Blockbuster makes it an even more compelling choice. Dish subscribers can add Blockbuster Movie Pass to their subscriptions for $10 a month to get video games, DVDs and Blu-ray discs mailed to them from an online queue and video streaming to their TV or portable device. (Think Netflix, but with games, too.)

Dish Network is the premier choice for those who are serious about home entertainment. It typically costs less than cable, as well.

DirecTV also is excellent, and everyone I know using its service is satisfied. DirecTV's exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket package makes it a good choice for those who don't get to watch their favorite NFL team on local TV each week.

Note that you must have a clear view of the southern sky to use a satellite service.

Although you aren't satisfied with what you're paying for your cable package, cable companies vary by region, and some are doing a truly excellent job in delivering quality and value. You can compare cable providers with their competition at www.jdpower.com under the Telecom tab.

If finances are your only motivation, changing providers might not result in a net monthly savings. You are probably getting a discounted package that combines cable TV, Internet and possibly telephone. Dish Network and DirecTV have partners to provide discounted single-bill bundles for your TV, Internet and phone. Depending on the partner and what you order, it might result in the same monthly expense.

But even if you end up with a similar monthly bill, you might find that at least you are using better equipment, receiving more channels or getting better service.