Thread: DishTV UI

I have always considered that TataSky had one of the best user interface (UI) and I always rued the fact that how poor the DishTV UI is in comparison.

The other day, I visited my dealer for some other work (he also repairs AV equipment and my old 21" BPL TV required some work). My dealer is also a dealer for TataSky, BigTV and Videocon D2H. I watched the other DTH platforms and I came to the opinion that DishTV has the poorest UI of all. In fact, I would call it awefull, pathetic, etc.

Here are my main issues:

• If you wish to change channels using the number keys, the acceptable delay is too small. If you do not enter the numbers quickly, the STB will change the channel using the first two digits only (usually it will default to ch 90)
• If you enter a wrong channel number, the STB will change to the channel that is closest to the number (Some may call this is as a nice feature)
• The info bar rarely displays any information on current program or next program. Usually, it shows "no info available"
• EPG is rarely effective as future program info is rarely available
• Channel switch delay is very irritating - this is a problem with BigTV also

There are other small nagging issues also. Suffice to say that all other DTH platforms have much better UI.

I completely agree with your opinion that Dish TV has the worst UI. But I differ with your third point that the info bar rarely displays any information on current program or next program. In fact I have noticed that the information is shown for the so called paid channels(Sony, ZeeTV, Asianet Plus etc) and not for the free channels(DD, 9XM etc)

My parents at my native switched back to local cable TV precisely because of the unconvenient UI of Dish TV.

In general elderly people find it difficult to get used with the UI of any DTH Platform they take time to get used to it and when the software gets updated and UI changes again they get confused and find it difficult.

Originally Posted by Vignesh Iyers

I completely agree with your opinion that Dish TV has the worst UI. But I differ with your third point that the info bar rarely displays any information on current program or next program. In fact I have noticed that the information is shown for the so called paid channels(Sony, ZeeTV, Asianet Plus etc) and not for the free channels(DD, 9XM etc)

Yes and no. The information bar shows current program information but most of the times it is outdated. For example, if it is 9 PM and the info bar shows the program of 8:00 to 8:30 pm as current.

And the channel switching because of wrong (number) button pressed makes me really mad - enough to tear my hair out. For example, the '0' button is just above the 'Mute' button. Many times, the '0' is pressed instead of 'Mute' (I mute when ad's are running). And the &#*@$ STB switches the channel to '90'.