Not being regular TV viewers, we had never subscribed to a Cable TV Connection. However, I have had opportunity to check out quite a few different cable operators at a lot of locations all across Mumbai.
About a month back we decided to check out dishtv, because we had heard good reports about the quality of signal via DTH.
How DTH Works?
For those not aware about DTH, you might like to read this page on WikiPedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_To_Home
To explain in short, to access television via DTH, you install a Satellite Dish and a Decoder, also called DigiBox or Set Top Box. The dish gets the signal from the satellite and sends it to the decoder, which in turn decodes the signal and gives it to your television set.
The decoder is connected to your TV via the Video in port. This means that you can continue to run your normal cable connection along with dishTV (but why would you do that?)
DishTV Installation
In order to get Dish TV installed at your residence, you need to visit one of the DishTV dealers from https://dishtvindia.in/static/DealerLocator.asp
We signed up for the Maxi Plan. The installation charges were Rs. 4000/- and you get three months subscription with it. The Maxi Plan gives you about 163 channels including Radio and Movie on Demand.
The hardware is installed at your residence and your box is activated. Even without the activation you can view around 72 free-to-air channels. The activation took five days.
In addition to the Hardware, you are given a Pre-activated Viewing Card which is similar to your prepaid mobile simcard.
For more information check https://dishtvindia.in/static/aboutEquipment.asp
Using
Using is extremely simple and is just as you would normally use your television. However, I will admit that it does take a while to familiarize yourself with the interface.
Software upgrades take place on the fly and the new software took a while to figure out.
You can view scedules of many channels. You can sort your channels in Favorites.
You don’t have a custom sort, but you won’t need it because the channels are already sorted with respect to genre. e.g. movie channels, sports channels, news channels etc.
Renewing
You have several methods of renewing your subscription. You can buy the prepaid vouchers (known as dishtv Itz Prepaid Card) from the dealer and call up their helpline and renew it.
Altenatively, you can renew your accound online by using the prepaid voucher. You can also renew by SMS.
They have also given you the option of paying by Cash, Money Order, Demand Draft or Cheque.
For the more tech savvy (or lazy) you can renew your subscription via Credit Card through their web interface.
For more information visit https://dishtvindia.in/static/paymentModes.asp
The Charges
This varies from plan to plan. The Maxi Plan is currently Rs 350/- per month, while you can subscribe to Welcome package at Rs 250/- monthly.
The schemes are available at https://dishtvindia.in/static/dishtvSchemes.asp
Changing Location?
Are you planning on shifting house? Well, take your dish and the set top box with you. Since, the signal is via satellite, you can access this from anywhere in India (though I believe it can be accessed anywhere in the world, as long as you are able to renew!)
Some Cons
Like said earlier, the user interface does take a while to figure out.
The schedule doesn’t refresh very easily and is missing for many channels.
The information about the programs can be bettered.
The earlier version of the software had some hanging problems, but I guess that has been bettered in this version. What I liked was the autoupdate of the software :)
I highly recommend going in for DishTV. You pay approximately the same amount as you would your cable operator, but you get much better quality picture and sound. You don’t have to worry about the hassles of being at their mercy. (Yes I know how troublesome that can be)
My two thumbs up for DishTV!