Satellite TV -- What You Should Know
In the last 10 years more than 27 million people have switched from cable and over-the-air TV to satellite TV. But is satellite TV really that much better?
Let's find out ...
Satellite TV
Satellite TV is a television system whereby a broadcast center sends a signal containing TV programs to a satellite in orbit above the earth.
The satellite captures the signal and sends it back to earth, where it is picked up by a satellite dish and relayed to a TV set.
In order to receive a satellite TV signal you must have a satellite system -- a dish to capture the signal, and a receiver to unscramble the signal and send it to your television.
Satellite TV History
In 1962, the first satellite TV signal was sent from Europe to North America via the Telstar satellite. The first first commercial satellite, Early Bird, was launched
in 1965, and Satellite TV reception in the U.S. began in 1980.
Early satellite TV systems were expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. The dishes were large -- 10 to 12 feet in diameter -- and the receivers and antenna rotators were bulky and complicated.
In 1994 the first DBS (direct broadcast satellite) was put into orbit, issuing in the era of the mini dish and the slim-line receiver, making it possible for anyone, even apartment renters and condo owners, to have satellite TV.
Satellite TV Providers
There are two major satellite TV providers in the U.S.A -- DIRECTV and DISH Network.
DIRECTV
With 14.5 million customers, DIRECTV is the oldest and largest satellite TV provider in the USA.
DIRECTV is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction among all satellite and cable TV companies by J.D.
Power and Associates.
DIIRECTV offers the following equipment and services:
* A Free satellite TV system -- one dish and four receivers.
* Free installation and instruction on using the system.
* 250 channels with digital-quality picture and sound.
* 500 commercial-free movies per month.
* Up to 67 pay-per-view programs and events daily.
* 67 commercial-free XM radio channels.
* Toll-free, 24/7 customer service.
DIRECTV offers the most sports programming of the two satellite TV providers.
DISH Network
With more than 12 million customers, DISH Network is the second-oldest satellite TV provider, and is the fastest-growing provider.
DISH Network is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among all the satellite and cable TV companies by J.D. Power and Associates.
DISH Network offers the following equipment and services:
* A Free satellite TV system -- one dish and four receivers.
* Free installation and satellite TV system instruction.
* 256 channels with digital-quality picture and sound.
* 500 commercial-free movies a month.
* Up to 60 pay-per-view programs and events per day.
* 50 commercial-free Sirius radio channels and 52 music channels.
* Toll-free, 24/7 customer service.
DISH Network has the biggest variety of movies and shows of the two satellite TV providers, and offers the cheapest basic service package.
Satellite TV Dealers
There are more than 80 online dealers and thousands of offline dealers across the U.S.A.
Some dealers are reputable and will give you an honest deal, but a number of dealers will lure you into subscribing to their service, then hit you with hidden fees, provide you with shoddy installation, and give you zero customer service.
Before you subscribe to a satellite TV service, you should read their service agreement carefully and call their customer service to clarify anything that isn't clear to you.
Note: Click on the links below for information on dealers that are reputable and give the best service at the best price.
Satellite TV Benefits
The main benefit of having satellite TV service is you can access up to 375 channels of TV programming. That gives you a lot more viewing options than cable or over-the-air
TV.
In addition to regular TV programming, satellite TV allows you to tune into pay-per-view movies and special events, and to listen to more than 100 channels of commercial-free music on satellite radio.
Another benefit of satellite TV is the quality of the TV picture. Satellite TV is broadcast in digital format which produces a super sharp picture. Additionally, you have the option of ordering HD (high definition) TV for an even more lifelike picture.
Another benefit is the ability to record your favorite programs and to pause or fast-forward live TV using a DVR (digital video recorder).
Last, but not least, you get all the equipment you need to view satellite TV, including installation, absolutely free.
Conclusion
If you have over-the-air TV and don't watch much television then satellite TV probably isn't for you.
If, however, you watch a lot of TV or you have cable TV, then I recommend clicking on the links below to see what satellite TV has to offer.
With over 375 channels to choose from plus satellite radio, pay-per-view,
movies, and programming packages starting at less than a dollar a day, you can't go wrong with satellite TV.
Click on the following link for more information on free satellite TV systems and service, or these links for ordering information, the latest offers, and free bonuses from DISH Network satellite TV or DIRECTV satellite TV.
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Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver Guide
Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver
A DIRECTV DVR (digital video recorder) is a recording device that sits inside a DVR receiver. It utilizes DIRECTV's DVR Service (what used to be TiVo) to allow you to digitally record and store satellite TV programs. Here's a list of features and how you can get one for free.
DIRECTV DVR Receiver Features
A DVR receiver allows you to watch what you want, when you want. With it, you can record your favorite shows plus pause and replay live TV.
Here are some of DIRECTV's DVR features:
* One-touch recording - Record programs with a single touch of a button. No more trying to figure our complicated VCR settings.
Your shows will be automatically recorded even if they move to a different time slot.
* Dual recording - Record your favorite programs while watching another program. You can even record two programs at the same time,
Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver Guide 
Dvr > Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver Guide
DISH Network Satellite Equipment - What's Free and What's Not?
In order to compete with DIRECTV and the cable companies, DISH Network is giving away satellite TV systems to people who subscribe to their service. But what equipment do you get for free, and what equipment do you have to pay for?
Free DISH Network Satellite Equipment
Here's the equipment you get for free when you subscribe to DISH Network:
Satellite TV Dish
A satellite TV dish captures the signal from a satellite orbiting above the earth. The signal is sent to an LNB (low noise block) converter which amplifies the signal and sends it to a receiver.
Satellite TV Receiver
A satellite TV receiver processes the satellite TV signal and sends it to a television. DISH Network will give you free satellite TV receivers that will allow you to watch four different shows on four different televisions. These receivers feature an electronic program guide, parental locks, and DISH Home Interactive...
Dvr > DISH Network Satellite Equipment - What's Free and What's Not?
Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
You've seen the online and offline ads -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!"
But is satellite TV really free?
The answer to that question is yes ... and no.
Yes, the equipment you get -- the satellite TV dish and satellite TV receiver -- is free. But no, the programming service will cost you money.
Let's examine the facts.
Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- Dish Network and DirecTV.
Dish Network Satellite TV Service
When you order a free satellite TV system from Dish Network, you will be asked to pay a $49.99 activation fee. This fee will be credited to your programming bill, so in essence, your satellite TV system is free. Installation of your satellite TV system is also free.
With Dish Network you have the option...
Dvr > Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
The Coming Television Revolution
The revolution is just getting started and will begin to make its mark this year. By 2010, it will begin to take off. By 2025, it will be the standard for all TV viewing. It's called Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV for short. IPTV works with a set-top box connected to any broadband interface and to a TV.
It will allow users to choose among thousands (and eventually hundreds of thousands) of hours of programming, including movies, sports, classic TV, etc., and download their selections from the internet to the hard drive of the set-top box. Initially, set-top box hard drives will be able to store up to 300 hours of programming at a time, but capacity will expand as the technology becomes more refined. Also, download times will become shorter and shorter as broadband connection speeds become faster and faster. Eventually, a two-hour movie will be fully downloadable in a couple of minutes. Once the programs are downloaded to the hard drive, they can be viewed on the connected...
The Coming Television Revolution
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DirecTV vs. Dish Network -- Which Is Better?
The satellite TV systems and services offered by DirecTV and Dish Network are almost identical -- both offer more than 250 program channels, all-digital programming, HDTV (high definition TV) options, and DVR (digital video recording) capabilities.
So when you compare DirecTV to Dish Network you'll discover the biggest differences between them are the subscription fees and programming.
Here is a blow-by-blow comparison of DirecTV vs. Dish Network ...
Satellite TV Equipment
Direct TV offers free satellite TV equipment (the dish and receivers), and free installation in up to four rooms of your home. If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.
Dish Network gives you free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to four rooms of your home. You can get a DVR receiver or an HDTV receiver at no charge.
Satellite...
Dvr > DirecTV vs. Dish Network -- Which Is Better?
Digital Video Recorders
Digital video recorders (DVR) are recording equipment that can record and store digital video on a computer. These can record audio as well as video data from multiple sources.
A DVR is basically a hard drive that can be connected to the computer and to other video sources such as a VCR. It has a tuner which captures the signal using a cable, antenna, or a satellite. The analog signals are compressed and converted into digital signals, which are then stored on the hard drive. A built-in MPEG-2 decoder converts the digital signal back into analog signal when it has to reach the television for viewing.
Each DVR has an operating system within the hard drive.
There are several advantages to digital video recorders. They do not require a recording medium like tapes, as the data is stored on the DVR itself. Another main advantage is that the recording and playback can be done at the same time. Using this, even a live program on the TV can be paused, in the...
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Mazda Combines Sporty And Space In The CX-7 SUV
Mazda has certainly made sure that they would be able to create a vehicle that would not only catch the attention of all prospective buyers and everybody else in the market for a vehicle but would also be able to provide enough, if not more than enough, room and space for passengers and for cargo. And it has been made a reality in the 2007 Mazda CX-7.
This new vehicle is a successor for the Mazda MPV and it has been built as a wagon with four doors. It entered the market...
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Kid Galaxy Introduces Innovative Toys and Games for 2005
Kid Galaxy, a company known for its fun, whimsical and remarkably creative radio-controlled toys, expands its most popular lines just in time for Toy Fair 2005. Expertly engineered with unique designs and attractive price points, each of these colorful, imaginative toys provides hours of fun. In addition, there's the bonus of extra entertainment as Kid Galaxy's R-C toys always do something completely unexpected. Even the controllers are cleverly designed to match each individual toy in color...
Kid Galaxy Introduces Innovative Toys and Games for 2005 Dvr Satellite TV -- What You Should Know toyo tires
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Christmas Tree Tradition Began in Riga, Latvia and Was Not Martin Luther's Tree
(ContentDesk) December 13, 2005 -- Twas the week before Christmas and Santas elves were preparing for this date; so let us set the First Christmas Tree legend straight. Many sources credit the first Christmas Tree to Martin Luthers walk in the forest near Riga Latvia in the year 1510. The Martin Luther Tree actually occurred several decades later, however, and was not the Riga Tree.According to Mike Johnson, General Manager of Patricia Tourist Office in Riga Latvia, when searching for the historical...
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Dvr > Christmas Tree Tradition Began in Riga, Latvia and Was Not Martin Luther's Tree
Cruise Critic and NLG Sign Content Licensing Agreement
PENNINGTON, NJ (ContentDesk) May 19, 2004 -- Cruise Critic the Internet's leading consumer information-based online cruise travel site, and NLG, one of the nation's largest online and offline leisure travel companies, have signed a content licensing agreement. As a result, NLG will...
Cruise Critic and NLG Sign Content Licensing Agreement Dvr
Dvr > Cruise Critic and NLG Sign Content Licensing Agreement