blogs

Every year people start looking early for a place to take their families for vacation, whether its Disney World in Florida, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Niagara falls, or the Carnaival in Brazil (not for Kids). Some people look for vacations where there are a lot of activities going on, but there are a few of us especially parents vacationing without kids who want to go somewhere quite and just relax and enjoy the history of the world. So for those of you who are looking to vacation somewhere without Taxi’s zooming around everywhere, police sirens, or yelling and screaming these 5 locations that can be seen on the travel channel are your ideal vacation spots.

The Dolomites, Italy

Probably one of the prettiest resort towns you will ever see, the mountains are glaciers that slant at a 90-degree angle. Heading up to hills you drive through windy green valleys that leads you right up to the Italian Alps where you can ski, rock climb or paraglide. Or you can just relax on your resort deck and take in the beauty as you catch up on the books you have been neglecting to read due to your busy schedule.

Sulamain- Too Sacred Mountain, Kyrgyzstan

The slopes of Sulamain is the ideal place for people seeking spiritual heeling or cures. It’s home to ancient central Asian cultures and the forgotten Islamic centers. People looking to find hidden ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) that may lead to clues will find this to be the ultimate destination.

The Wadden Sea, Germany and the Netherlands

Germany use to be home of the Berlin Wall until it came down 20 years ago, people still venture out to various cities like Frankfurt or Darmstadt, mostly for Oktoberfest. However there is more to Germany than just the beer, visitors can also take in the stunning views of the Wadden Sea. It is one of the most beautiful ocean lines you can ever see, containing miles of mud channels, and seagrass that is home to more than 12 million birds every winter.

Ruins of Loropéni, West Africa

This is one of the most historic places on earth that many people around the world are not aware of. Even historians are not sure what the exact reason why the ruins were built for, many speculate it was a hub for the gold-trade others believe it was a hub for the slave trade. Whatever the real use was, the abandonment in the 19th century left hardly any evidence behind. This is the place for people who love to try and find the true meaning behind ancient monuments.

Mount Wutai, China

You want peace and quite this place is for you, Mount Wutai is the home of 53 Buddhist monasteries. It’s has the breathe taking mountain scenery that you see in many Asian movies like Crouching Tiger hidden dragon, The last Emperor, or The Last Samurai. When get to the top all you see is treeless mountains that seem to go on forever. When you wake up in the morning and look outside you are greeted with a foggy sunrise that makes you feel like you have been sleeping in heaven.

Have you ever been such a fan of one particular TV actor that you wish you could see more of that star in the movies? I was watching House as I do every Monday night and I was trying to figure out why Omar Epps is not in more movies. He is very good-looking, talented, and his fame seems to be on the rise at least on TV. He plays a major role on the hit television show House as Doctor Eric Foreman. He starred in the other hit hospital TV show ER as Dr. Dennis Gant from 1996-1997. We’ve seen a great deal of Omar Epps throughout the years on television and many of us feel like we know him and are waiting to see him on the big screen again!

Epps has been in many movies, the most notable ones being The Program and Higher Learning when he played the role of Malik Williams. He was a track star at Colombia University having a difficult time with his studies. He befriended the beautiful Tyra Banks who became his tutor and his girlfriend. This movie was a shocking look at racism, sexism and more. It was surprising because it takes place at a University where most people would assume these issues would not be common. The movie reminded us that acts of hatred like these are still happening whether they are on the streets or in an educational setting.

Omar also starred in Alfie and Against the Ropes both of which were released back in 2004. I didn’t find either of these two movies interesting but it had nothing to do with Epps’ performance- the films just weren’t that great. His most recent work on the big screen is A Day in the Life released this past summer. This film focuses on a typical day for rapper Sticky Fingaz and the actors rap their dialogue throughout the rap-musical. What is going on with Omar’s choices in movies? I’d like to see him take on another impressive role in a blockbuster hit and I guarantee he will be one of the most talked about actors out there. Omar Epps is more than capable of delivering an award-winning performance. He gained the interest of the NAACP when he won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, an Image Award for his effective performance on House. He received this award both in 2007 and 2008.

Epps’ became interested in acting at a very young age and actually began writing screenplays at the young age of ten! He attended Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, the school that is famous for helping to shape the talents of Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and many actors, artists, musicians, writers and much more. Epps has an ear for music as well. He and his brother started the rap group Wolfpak in 1991, before the launch of Epps’ acting career. Epps has been keeping up with his music and his CD titled The Get Back was released in 2004.

I would like to see Omar Epps in a positive leading role. He has taken on many characters that find themselves on the wrong side of the law. It is unlike me to crave a good romantic comedy since I’m much more horror oriented but I would pay to see one with Omar Epps. I think he would do wonderfully in a heart-warming film similar to One Fine Day or one of the great Tyler Perry films. America will fall in love with him all over again and Epps career in film many take off to new levels!

For blockbuster hits including your favorite actors in award-winning performances, check out Starz InBlack and 5StarMax for built-in entertainment!

The first thing I saw when I turned to sportscenter on ESPN this morning was the police escorting Mike Tyson on his way out of LAX airport in Los Angeles. I could not believe it, all I could think of was what did he do this time. Like most people when it comes to Tyson and police around him I just assume he did something awful, this time I am glad I was wrong.

After a long flight from Europe and on his way home to Las Vegas, Tyson his wife and their 10 month old child were walking through the airport when paparazzi photographer Tony Echevarria got in Tyson face and started taking pictures of the former heavyweight boxing champion. Feeling his families personal space was being invaded and not respected, Tyson and Echevarria began to exchange words, which later resulted in Tyson punching him once sending Echevarria right down to the ground.

When Airport security intervened witness told them that Echevarria was indeed being to aggressive and Tyson was just protecting his family. Other Witness said they just saw Tyson hit the man, but didn’t know how it started. After being held for questioning they both were released and want to press charges against one another.

I think its ridiculous that the paparazzi can’t respect peoples space even if they are celebrities, and then when they get attacked they want to press charges. I mean what do you expect is going to happen when your get into the face of Mike Tyson. This is a guy who bit Evander Holyfield’s ear of during a boxing match, then threatened Lennox Lewis whole family at a pre-fight press conference then attacked Lewis and everybody who got in his way. Tyson is not your typical celebrity walking through the airport, paparazzi should know to keep their distance. If it was a celebrity like Will Smith or Tom Cruise then maybe you could get away with being see close. But Tyson, everyone knows has two sides to him sometimes he is funny and seems gentle, but say the wrong thing or make him feel threatened you should know World War III is coming at you.

For now both men have been released and Tyson’s lawyers are using eyewitnesses who saw the whole event transpire to help free his client of any wrongdoing. Tyson’s lawyer feels that the fact that many people gathered in bathroom and took pictures while Tyson was in there, then being confronted by Echevarria was too much for anyone to handle. He also noted that Tyson was very cooperative with airport security after the event and seemed remorseful that he had to hit the guy in order to protect his family. Echevarria was treated for a cut to his head and later released from the hospital. For once it seems like Tyson was actually doing the right thing.

When the twin towers came down on 911 every American at that moment who witnessed it live or on CNN put aside their differences and voiced their hatred toward those responsible for the attacks. Now 6 years after George W. Bush sent troops over for the first time to bring down the Taliban and Al Qaeda allies responsible nothing seems to have change except for the many American lives that have been lost.

In just about every way through the six degrees of separation each American knows someone who lost their life in the war on terror. I like most people agreed that sending troops over there at the time was a good idea, but now I do feel they should return so the lives lost of so many young soldiers don’t continue to grow.

There are always the conspiracy theories that the war is hiding the real underlying problem something most of us will never know. But one thing I do know is we should not be sending more troops over to stop the Taliban advances. I’m sorry but why is it always up to the United States to solve every other countries problem when we have our own. Last time I checked we were in a recession, many of Americans are losing their jobs, houses, cars, life savings, and not to mention one of our own Soldiers went rogue on Ft Hood military base in Texas and took the lives of his fellow soldiers right before Veterans Day.

Now with President Barack Obama and his War Council going over plans to send more troops ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 over to help out. It seems that this war was definitely a bad idea from the start. All the people who put this in motion are no longer in the White House leaving the new residents and staff with something that just a lose, lose situation.

If the War Council and everybody else involves decides to send more troops, there will sure be more people voicing their negative opinions about the war and the support for those in charge. If they do not send more troops then everything that was done would be a waste and lives would be lost for nothing. I for one do not want to think that our proud soldiers went over there to protect our country for no reason.

Right now there are around 68,000 U.S troops on tour in Afghanistan while there are only 40,000 allied forces. I am no military genius by why don’t the Afghanistan government build up their own military to stop the terrorist reeking havoc on their country. If we are willing to go halfway around the world to find the people responsible for taking down the twin towers, why aren’t they?

An interesting comparison between Verizon FiOS the first communications service provider to offer fiber optic connections directly into your home and Dish Network a leader in satellite television. Both companies offer tons of HD, great features, such as remote operation of your DVR receiver, interactive guides and menus, multi-room DVR units, and robust programming options, like NFL RedZone, and Video-on Demand. In all Verizon FiOS provides customers with 320-total channels, 75-HD channels, and Dish Network 295-channels, 140-HD channels. It is important to note that the FiOS Multi-room DVR has significantly less capacity (80-hours of Standard definition programming and 20-hours of HD programming), compared to Dish Network's ViP722 HD-DVR (355-standard definition, 55-HD programming).

Verizon, like cable companies has the ability to offer video, Internet and voice solutions to its customer base. Dish Network concentrates its efforts in delivering the very best television experience possible at the most affordable prices possible. Dish does partner with many DSL and phone providers for those looking to acquire all three services. Verizon bundles aren't available everywhere, because FiOS is not yet available everywhere. Check your local area.

There is no doubt when it comes to television that these two providers are hands down the most innovative, in terms of technology and quality they offer customers. With these two the decision may come down to value, price and content provided in each package - lets examine the options.

FiOS offers just two programming options, FiOS TV Essentials and FiOS TV Extreme HD, lets start with FiOS TV Essentials. This package offers customers, more than 250-channels; 14-available in HD. The package includes local channels, on-demand options and some 95-commerical free music selections. The price on this package is $47.99 per month.

Dish Network’s comparable package, Classic Silver-200 provides customers with more than 220-channels, 70 of which are available in HD. The package includes local channels, video-on-demand options and Sirius Satellite Radio Stations; the price is normally $52.99 per month, but in promotion for the first year of service at $37.99 per month.

FiOS TV Extreme HD offers over 320-channels, 65 available in HD. The package includes all of the programming found in TV Essentials, plus 14-sports channels and over 60 additional channels, 40-of which are in HD. This package is priced at $57.99 per month.

Dish Network counters FiOS TV Extreme with Classic Gold-250, which provides over 260 channels, 80 of which are available in HD. Sports offerings here include, the Big Ten Network, CBS College Sports Television, all of the ESPN Networks, Golf Channel, NBA TV, NFL Network, Tennis Channel, Speed Channel, Versus and other regional sports networks. The package is normally $62.99 per month, but in promotion for $47.99 for the first year.

With FiOS if you wish to add Premium Movie channels to your lineup such as, HBO, Showtime, Starz or Cinemax, your options are as follows:

•HBO, Cinemax and the FiOS Movie Bundle - 70 movie channels for $35.00 per month.
•HBO & Cinemax bundled - 25-movies channels for $21.99 per month.
•Cinemax offers 12-channels for $11.99 per month.
•FiOS Movie package has 45-channels (including, Showtime, Starz, The Movie Channel, Encore, Flix, IFC and Sundance) for $14.99 per month.
•FiOS Epix package, the first and only service to offer unlimited access to every monthly movie choice on TV, On Demand, and Online is $9.99 per month.

Dish Network allows you to subscribe to each premium movie channel individually, for example:

•HBO has 8-channels, $15.99 per month
•Showtime has 10-channels for $12.99 per month
•Cinemax 5-channels, for $12.99 per month
•Starz 8-channels for $12.99 per month
•Playboy - $15.99 per month

Bundling Premium channels is very straightforward with Dish Network as well:

•Bundle any two premiums - $22.00 per month
•Bundle any three premiums - $31.00 per month
•Bundle any four premiums - $40.00 per month
•Bundle all five premiums (32-channels) for $50.00 per month

Of course you can always subscribe to Dish Network's Americas Everything Pak and get every channel offered, including all of the Premium Movie channels, and Multi-Sports pack for $102.98 per month, $87.98 for the first year of service.

Verizon FiOS offers promotions only if you get television and Internet services, then you would receive $150 cash back in the form of a prepaid gift card issues by MetaBank - you only get this offer once you have service for 60-days and assuming you have no late payments on your account.

If its sports you desire FiOS offers:

•Football - NFL Network and NFL Red Zone $49.99 for the season
•Baseball - MLB Network, (FiOS does not offer MLB Extra Innings)
•Basketball - NBA League Pass, (FiOS does not offer NBA TV)
•Hockey - NHL Center Ice, Versus, (FiOS does not offer NHL Network)
•College Sports - ESPN Full Court, ESPN Game Plan, Big Ten Network
•Soccer/Other Sports - Setanta Sports, WWE, MLS Direct Kick, Fox Soccer Channel, Speed Channel - Plus all of the ESPN networks and Regional Sports Networks

Dish Network Sports compares this way:

•Football - NFL Network and NFL Red Zone, however Red Zone won't cost you $50 like it does with FiOS. Customers can add the Multi-Sports package to their lineup for $5.99 per month and get Red Zone as part of that package as well as over 30-other sports networks.
•Baseball - you can watch your local teams, but MLB Network and MLB Extra Innings are not found here.
•Basketball - NBA League Pass is available and NBA TV is available in Classic Silver and above.
•Hockey - Dish offers Versus, NHL Network and NHL Center Ice
•College Sports - ESPN Full Court, ESPN Game Plan, Big Ten Network and CBS College Sports are all part Dish Networks, sports offerings.
•Soccer/Other Sports - MLS Direct Kick, Setanta Sports, Cricket, WWE, UFC and more - Plus all of the ESPN networks and Regional Sports Networks.

When it comes to choosing a television provider, value usually rules the day for most consumers and the comparisons reveal that Dish Network offers the most for your hard earned money.

In recent months DIRECTV has begun a campaign of falsehoods directed at Dish Network in an effort to slow Dish’s momentum in the marketplace. Customers haven’t been fooled by DIRECTV’s claims and here is why:

Dish Network Does Not Carry Local Channels

For some time now it has been stated Dish Network has lost local programming for affiliates like CBS ABC NBC…. this is not true. Dish Network carries local programming in 184 local markets, encompassing 97% of the country. By comparison DIRECTV services only 150 local markets or 94% of the country. In fact Dish Network delivers local channel in high-definition to 93% of the country. DIRECTV services just 84% of the country with HD locals.

Dish Network charges for Local Channels

Not true! Local channels are included in all Dish Network programming packages. The misconception comes from Dish Network offering customers a $5.00 discount if they choose not to get locals. Also there are some International programming options that require the customer to add a local channel package for $9.99. DIRECTV requires one of two a base packages be purchased for International customers, Basic $12.99 or Preferred Choice $34.99.

Dish Network loses channels

Not true! Dish Network has been adding channels to its lineup month over month more than any other service provider. Programming like The NFL RedZone Channel, which has launched to tremendous reviews. DIRECTV has recently lost Versus, hope you’re not a hockey or PBR fan. In fact Dish Network now carries more than 295-channels in its America’s Everything Pak. DIRECTV, just 265 in its Premier Package.

Dish Network has Inferior HD Quality

Not true! This all marketing done by DIRECTV to justify their higher prices. Dish Network is the first Satellite Provider to broadcast in 1080P true high definition. Dish Network is currently offering 140-HD channels to DIRECTV’s 130.

Dish Network is plagued by installation problems

Not true! With accessible call centers and a departments devoted to making sure your installation is a pleasurable experience there would be no reason for a customer to experience an installation problem. A Dish Network installer will even install a satellite dish on a pole at no cost to the customer. DIRECTV installers charge $150 for pole mounts. Dish Network installations take place within 2-4 days typically. DIRECTV 5-7 days on average.

Dish Network out sources its Customer Service Centers overseas.

Absolutely incorrect! Dish Network has customer service centers in Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Oklahoma, to ensure a customer speaks to a representative that can understand what they are experiencing and unlike DIRECTV these are free calls.

Dish Network has poor signal strength

With new satellites launched in November 2008 Dish Network has Satellites devoted to both sides of the country, known as the Eastern Arc and Western Arc. The Arc’s provide Dish Network with greater elevation angles than DIRECTV giving Dish Network customers better satellite signal and better picture quality. The placement of this satellite has ensured Dish Networks signal remains second to none with a 99.9% reliable rating.

Dish Network has inferior sports programming

Dish Network provides college and pro basketball with ESPN Full Court, NBA League Pass and NBA TV. Hockey is covered through NHL Center Ice, NHL Network, and Versus (not carried by DIRECTV). Soccer, College Football and even International sports like Rugby and cricket are covered. The main differences between DIRECTV and Dish Network when it comes to sports are Baseball and Football. DIRECTV carries MLB Extra Innings at a cost of $180 per season, Dish does not. You can watch your local baseball teams on Dish Network, but if you are into paying for out-of-market baseball games than DIRECTV would be the place to go. When it comes to the NFL, Dish Network has launched the NFL Network RedZone Channel, which is getting tremendous reviews. DIRECTV’s signature programming is the NFL Sunday Ticket, which they have paid nearly $750-million for the exclusive rights to. Sunday Ticket programming will cost you $300 for the season and an extra $100 to get DIRECTV’s version of the Red Zone Channel. With only 3% of DIRECTV customers subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket, perhaps that explains DIRECTV’s higher rates. Incidentally, you can watch NFL games on Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network in crystal clear high-definition on Dish Network.

Dish Network has inferior equipment

Dish Network possesses an HD-DVR, the ViP722 that can be utilized on 2-TVs at once. Providing High-Definition and DVR on one TV and Standard Definition and DVR on the other. This receiver was voted CNet Editors Choice best in class. Dish Network does all it’s manufacturing in-house, which allows them to expand technology and keep costs low for their customers. Currently in development is a sling system, which will allow a dish customer to access their TV, and DVR through any Internet connection. This includes your cell phone!

Probably the most obvious question asked when comparing Dish Network to the nations leading cable provider is how well does the service work. Dish Network has a 99.9% signal reliability rate, while Comcast enjoys nearly the same outage performance, high 90’s. So either service will deliver on its promise of reliability.

Always the most important issues, after reliability are programming and cost. Both Comcast and Dish Network have all of the popular channels both broadcast and cable as well as sports, premium movies, adult and International offerings.

Comcast's Starter Cable package is regularly $53.39 per month, with a 6-month promotional rate of $29.99. The package includes Comcast's basic channel lineup, with music channels added in, roughly 80-channels total.

Dish Network counters with its Classic Bronze 100+ package, providing over 120-channels, with local channels and regional sports networks included. This package is normally $44.99 per month, but in promotion for the first year at $29.99 per month.

Comcast Digital Preferred has more than 100-digital channels and 45-music stations and starts at $68.34 per month. It is in this package that Comcast makes available its on-demand service, but be careful, not all of the programming is free, just what you subscribe and pay for.

It is at this level that Dish Network's overwhelming value comes into play, with two packages, Classic Silver 200 and Classic Gold 250 both offering more for less than Comcast's Digital Preferred. Classic Silver 200 has over 220-channels and is a bargain at $52.99 per month, but Dish discounts it to $37.99 per month for the first year. Classic Gold 250 has more than 260-channels, over 100 more than Comcast's Digital Preferred and at a regular rate of $62.99 per month it is nearly $6 cheaper. Classic Gold is also in promotion for $47.99 per month for the first year.

Comcast Preferred Plus is next and is normally $100.99 per month, but is in promotion for $49.99 per month for the first six months. The package includes the entire Digital Preferred lineup, plus all of the premium movie channels, (HBO, Starz, Showtime and Cinemax).

Comcast Digital Premier is the cable giant's best package, which is all of the programming found in Preferred Plus and includes also a 25-channel sports package for $119.99 per month and discounted to $79.99 for the first six months.

Preferred Plus and Digital Premier are the two packages Comcast targets to perspective customers, as being loaded with entertainment value, but true TV lovers will want to explore Dish Network's ultimate television experience known as America's Everything Pak. With over 295 channels, including 31-premium movies offerings from HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, a 32-channel Multi-Sports package, and Sirius Satellite Radio stations, the package is a bargain at $102.99. In fact you can add all 140 high-definition channels that Dish offers and still pay less than Comcast's Digital Premier. This package is also in promotion for new customers at just $87.99 for the first year.

Comcast includes High-Definition programming with each level of it's service, but selection is limited to around 30-channels and Comcast charges $7 per month for an HDTV receiver. It seems a much better value, assuming you are serious about HD programming to pay $10 per month and receive Dish Network's 140-HD channels.

A slight edge in sports goes to Comcast, mainly because of baseball. Comcast carries the MLB Network, as well as MLB Extra Innings, where Dish Network has yet to reach an agreement. You can still watch your local teams play on Dish Network, but you won’t be able to subscribe to out-of-market games. MLB extra Innings is normally around $180 for the season, hence the slight edge.

Another area of advantage with Comcast is bundled services, (television, Internet and phone). Dish Network does partner with DSL and phone providers though, so in this area it will be personal preference and weighing Dish Network's superiority in television with Comcast's high-speed Internet options. Keep these things in mind, however when considering a Comcast Triple Play bundle, you could potential be without all three services, should there be an outage, also many Comcast customers report their bills going up by 40-50% after the initial promotion ends.

When it comes to equipment and technology within that equipment, Comcast is left wanting. Dish Network's ViP722 Duo HD-DVR is considered the most superior receiver in the industry and has received editor’s choice awards three consecutive years. Outclassing Comcast in storage capacity for both standard-definition and high-definition, functionality, the Dish receiver can provide a fully functional DVR in multiple rooms and ease of use. Superior technology doesn't do anyone any good if its not easy to use. Dish Network gets full marks here and best for last; the receiver is free to new customers. Comcast charges $13.99 per month for its DVR service, while Dish Network is just $5.98.

Finally some customer service considerations. While most customers will admit that it is not high on their factors list when weighing their options for new service, it should be noted that Customer Satisfaction surveys from last year place Comcast dead last. Only Charter Communications was rated as poorly. Dish Network placed a close second, behind fellow satellite provider DIRECTV.

If you are in an area serviced by Cox Cable, you are not without options for your television service. The following is a comparison of Cox and Dish Network, so it will be a little easier to see how they stack up against each other.

Cox Communications, or Cox Cable is the third largest cable company in the United States, behind only Comcast and Time Warner. It is important to note that Dish Network boasts higher subscriber numbers than Cox overall and has made significant gains in Cox's largest coverage areas; Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, California and Florida. Dish is on nearly equal footing in other Cox areas most notably, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Virginia and Nebraska.

Like other "Big Cable" providers Cox has the ability to offer customers Internet and Phone service and spends a lot of their advertising efforts on triple play packages or bundles. Dish Network concentrates on providing the very best television value, price and technology to its customers. If you are a consumer in the market for more than just television service, Dish Network also has partnerships with satellite Internet, DSL and phone providers. The overwhelming quality of their television offerings makes it important that these are considered by customers falling into this category.

Cox Basic/Expanded cable has a price tag of $47.95 per month for Standard Digital, $52.95. Dish Network offers no less than three packages with more channels and lower prices. Dish Network's Classic Bronze has over 120-channels and is regularly $39.99 ($24.99 for the first year). Classic Silver has more than 220-channels and is regularly $52.99 - the same as Cox's expanded Digital tier, with significantly more channels. When you consider that you can get this package for ($37.99 for the first year, it's hard to see any value in Cox). Classic Gold from Dish Network adds even more value $62.99 regularly for more than 260-channels and is in promotion right now for $47.99 for the first year.

For the cost of having one television in your home outfitted with Cox's Standard Digital Service $52.95, you can set up your home with Dish's Classic Bronze get over 120-channels in digital format, add more than 60-channels in High-Definition and get one TV set up with an HD-DVR and have digital picture and DVR on a second TV and still be at Cox's price for one TV with digital channels and no DVR service.

Where the comparison really begins to get unfair is Cox fees for additional digital boxes ($6.00 per month) DVR/HD boxes ($12.00 per month) HD-DVR capable boxes ($18.00 per month) Dish Network by comparison charges $5.00 per month for additional receivers, $7.00 per month for additional HD receivers and $12.00 per month for additional HD-DVR receivers. It is also important to understand that Dish Network's technology advantages over Cox in terms of receivers allows Dish customers to operate two TV's with full programming and DVR capabilities while using just one receiver and saving cost.

If you are in the market for HD programming you will be comparing Dish Network's industry leading 140-HD channels, to Cox Cable's 20-50 channels. Cox's HD availability will vary greatly depending on where you live. Cox will argue that there are no additional charges for HD with them, but given the disparity between Dish and Cox, I will gladly pay the additional $10.00 per month.

When it comes to sports programming, both providers are pretty similar. The differences being, Dish Network carries the NFL Network Red Zone channel, Cox does not. Cox however, has MLB Extra Innings, Dish does not.

The choice seems pretty clear when comparing the video services of both companies. Dish Network has significant advantages in the areas of cost, value, programming and technology. If on-demand services, you know, being able to watch what you pay for already, whenever you want, out-of-market baseball games, or bundled services (starting at $129.99) are your thing, than Cox may be the right choice for you. For everyone else it's clearly Dish Network.

On the surface comparing Dish Network to Time Warner, the nations second largest cable company, may seem like a mismatch. The results however, will shock you.

As Dish Network begins to make inroads against giant cable companies like Time Warner and competition heats up, it is Dish Network that competes with increased value and technology, while Time Warner seems more interested in increasing its bottom line with rate increases, that are not accompanied by any additional benefits for its customers.

Like most cable companies, Time Warner has become enamored with trying to make money off of its customers with three services (television, Internet and phone) rather than one. This has unfortunately caused the quality and value of its television service to be greatly diminished. Dish Network concentrates solely on making its television service the very best in the nation and their efforts have not gone unnoticed by consumers.

Let's examine the numbers:

With Dish Network pricing is very straightforward, promotions are easy to obtain and understand, packages are loaded with value and prices are the same nationwide. Time Warner in most cases is harder to figure out than Congressional Bill. Prices in New York will be different than prices in Ohio. Packages available in California may not be available in Texas and promotions in Los Angeles may be very different in San Diego. For comparative purposes we will examine one of Time Warner's most economical areas in North Carolina.

Time Warner's Premium One Digital Tier (140-channels) is $71.95 per month, it includes local channels, but DVR service is an additional $10.95 per month. Time Warner includes HD channels for Free, but there are only 18-HD channels.

Time Warner's Basic Service (45-channels) is $34.83 per month and to move up a Tier (95-channels) the price jumps to $56.66 per month. If you need a second TV serviced it will cost an additional $7.23 per month.

Dish Network has no less than three packages that provide customers with significantly more value than Time Warner’s offerings. Dish Network's Classic Bronze package has 120-channels and is regularly $39.99 per month and is currently in promotion for $24.99 for the first year. Classic Silver has 220-channels and is priced normally at $52.99, $37.99 for the first year. Classic Gold has over 260-channels and at $62.99 is still nearly $10-per month cheaper than Time Warner's best package and provides 120-more channels. If that isn't shocking enough you can get Gold for $47.99 for the first year.

Local channels are included in all of Dish Network’s packages; DVR service is just an additional $5.98 and services two televisions. Time Warner is nearly double that price for DVR service on one TV. Time Warner's current DVR capacity is 80-hours in standard-definition and 35-hours in high-definition - compared to Dish Network's 350-hours in SD and 55-HD. Now HD service will cost you an additional $10.00 with Dish Network, but they have 140-HD channels.

Movie lovers will be overwhelmed by Dish Network's America's Everything package which offers more than 295-channels for $102.99 / $87.99 for the first year. The package has 32-Premium Movie Channels from HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax.

Sports fans will also flock to Dish Network. NFL Network and NFL Red Zone channels are staples with Dish Network and not available with Time Warner. Time Warner does carry MLB Extra Innings, which runs about $200 per season, and MLB Network, where Dish Network does not. Coverage of your local baseball teams is available through Dish, however.

If you are looking to bundle television, Internet and phone, or watch out of market baseball games, Time Warner may be a consideration. If you are looking to get more for your hard-earned money, Dish Network is the clear choice for value.

You've heard the old saying, "if it were a fight they'd have stopped it". This is exactly the feeling that arises when comparisons are done between AT&T U-verse and Dish Network. The comparison is somewhat skewed by the fact that AT&T U-verse is still in its early stages of development. Anyone who’s been a beta tester for a software product can attest to the pain involved with that, but then again, you usually receive the software for free. Do you really want to pay good money for something that is still being tweaked?

Perhaps all a consumer needs to know about the U-verse product is that while AT&T has advertising it, they have also been selling DIRECTV and in fact, once were partnered with Dish Network and sold both quite aggressively in markets where U-verse was fully deployed.

Admittedly both U-verse and Dish Network are very reliable services, so customers cannot go wrong with either service there, but there are major differences concerning price, programming options and value. Of course in areas where U-verse is available, AT&T will want you to buy more than one of their services, so we will attempt to compare apples with apples and compare the television options.

AT&T U-verse offers a Family package and a U100 package; curiously both are $49 per month. The Family package has 70-channels and the U100 has 130 channels. Anyone else seeing the obvious problem with both packages being priced the same?

Dish Network offers three packages with considerably more value. The first being their Classic Bronze package with over 120-channels and priced regularly at $39.99, and in promotion for $24.99 for the first year. Next is the Classic Silver package with over 220-channels, priced regularly at $52.99 and, also in promotion for $37.99 for the first year. The most overwhelming value is the Classic Gold package with more than 260-channels double the amount U-verse would provide for just $13-more a month, regularly $62.99 - yes - you guessed it, also in promotion for $47.99 for the first year. AT&T U-verse can provide a package with up to 230-channels, but pricing on this U-200 package starts at $64.00 per month.

AT&T's best programming package is the U-450, a package containing nearly 400-channels, including premium movie channel packs for HBO and Cinemax, and a sports package that contains roughly 20-regional sports networks from around the country. This package is regularly $109.00 per month.

The equivalent for Dish Network to the U-450 is the America's Everything package, which contains more than 295-channels, 31-premium movie channels from HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax and a 32-channel Multi-Sports package, which offers NFL Red Zone, NHL Network, NFL Network and NBA TV.

Both AT&T U-verse and Dish Network offer free installation and free equipment for their customers, however Dish Network includes their CNET Editors Choice Award Winning ViP722 Duo HD-DVR among its free offerings. Both U-verse and Dish Network charge just $10 per month for HD-programming, with U-verse offering 110-HD channels and Dish Network coming in at 140-HD channels. DVR service is a bit tilted in Dish Network's favor, award-winning receivers and a storage capacity advantage of 350-hours of standard-definition and 55-hours of high-definition programming, compared to AT&T's 233-hours SD and 65-hours HD.

Although AT&T U-verse is now positioned as a solid alternative to your local cable company, its availability is still quite limited. Still, if you are fortunate to live in an area where it is available, it is very hard to ignore the technology, programming and cost advantages of Dish Network, where value is the name of the game for consumers.