Satellite Dish companies are stepping up the war for new customers on the airwaves and the cable companies are answering with their own advertising campaigns. It seems like we are bombarded every day with advertisements from the television providers asking for our money and trust in their product. So who has the best deals? Let’s look at the individual players in this “war”.

Satellite Dish providers sell you a dish that attaches to the roof of your house (or some other convenient location) that can “track” the provider’s satellite and bring the signal into your home. Most of the dish companies are offering the dish as a free incentive to subscribing to their service so this cost is absorbed by them, which is very nice. The usually ask you to sign a contract for 18 months and they offer a relative low monthly payment for basic channels. (I am old enough to remember the only thing available was black and white reception and only 3 channels. Now you have several hundred channels available to watch. It must take hours just to find out what is on them all).

If you want the other extra nice program packages it is an additional monthly cost. The addition of what you really want, movies, sports, etc. These can really bring the monthly cost up to the point of threatening your budget. Additional incentives to get your business are: Lower monthly charges for the first couple of months, DVD and HDTV. Some of these add-ons are only offered free for the first couple of months and then their charges are added to you monthly payment. Watch these as they will add up quickly. Is it really necessary to have everything? Just order what you can afford.

. If you should want to move during your contract period it is nice to know that they will move your equipment to your new residence and you do not have to go through all the trouble of starting over. There may be a fee for this service but you never have to worry about moving to an area where you cannot get reception and that is really nice. They frown on your trying to cancel the contract and there is usually a stiff penalty so be sure that you want to pay the monthly fees before you sign up.

The Satellite Dish programs are all very good and offer installation for several rooms, free installation, free upgrade and outstanding customer service.

Cable providers offer pretty much the same packages but there are some draw backs to their offers. The most disturbing is the lack of coverage in large parts of the country. I live in an area where the cable is available across the street but not on my side of the street. That seems a little strange to me but that is the way it is and nothing I can do or say will change it. Cable offers to relocate your service if you move within their territory for coverage and they will “refer” you to another cable company if you move out of their territory, but not all cable companies are the same and you may be looking at higher costs and fees that are not in your best interests.

Let me ask you a question, where does the cable company get their signal? Answer, from satellite dish companies. Now it seems reasonable to me that if you cut out the middle man and go straight to the provider you should save money. What happens if the satellite dish companies decide to raise the rates for the cable company? Your rates go up. (I think that the government has a control on this so it is unlikely that it will happen, but then I thought the government had control over the rates of the phone and utilities companies and my rates seem to go up every year anyway).

The good old fashion antenna in the attic is another choice, reception is not very good, no additional perks like DVD or HDTV but the cost is right. ZERO Cost.

If you grab hold of the antenna wire, stand on one foot with your thumb in your mouth and turn just the right way reception will improve, but it is hard to watch the TV and stand on one foot very long so maybe you can wire up the dog.

So what is the conclusion here? Which is better for you? As always it comes down to what you can deal with. Maybe our parents were right after all. We watch too much TV, go outside and play. Costs less and is better for us, but since that is not going to happen I think the best option is Satellite Dish. Reasonable cost, good program selection, good incentive offers and can be moved to any location in the world.

About the Author

Jerry Hubbard is an Internet Marketing Consultant and Business owner. Jerry resides just outside of Boulder Colorado at the foot of the Colorado Rockies. He has authored many articles to help and encourage the “Newbie” Internet Marketeer to succeed. He maybe reached at ipower@agoldenbiz.com Yahoo messenger: jhub56 Skype: hubgl59 http://urltrak.com/?531:IPP:

Written By: Jerry Hubbard

Dish network service is offered all over the U.S. including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. It is not viewable outside US. To catch the proper signal for Dish network proper size of dish is required. Usually a local retailer is able to help the consumer for suggesting the correct size of the dish required to catch proper signals in the local area.

Dish network broadcasts mostly all types of sports channels that show baseball, basket ball, college football, soccer, English Premier League. It also broadcasts all national channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports World, ESPN Classic, USA, WGN, TBS or TNT, etc. Dish network also offers pay-per-view option for various sports channels. It also offers Horse racing TV and TV games. All premier American track races are available on TVG featured by Dish network. Along with the interactive and sports program, dish network also airs regular HDTV Channels under the HD Pak. This pack includes HDNET, HDNET Movies, ESPN HD, Discovery Theater and TNT HD, for $9.99 per month. The VOOM original pack offers Rush HD, HD News, Gallery HD, Rave HD, Animania HD, Ultra HD, Equator HD, Monsters HD, Guy TV HD, and The Majestic HD.

The price reception and channel selection is better than cable but in some area customer service and access to local channels can cause problems. Dish network offers wide range of channels to select from their laid out menu. The TV comes in quick with excellent reception of channels without any snow or fuzz.

Dish network offers one year warranty on their products. The receiver and the remotes also works in superb manner. Remote is capable of multi-tasking. The picture quality and the reception of the signals are unprecedented as compared to the cable network. The satellite TV offers DVD quality of picture and perfect sound quality as well.

Dish network offers a wide variety of channels to view. It is suggested to activate the parental lock immediately after the purchase of the dish network system. Dish network also offers various shopping channels for the ones who love shopping from home. It has lesser commercials to air which is quite pleasant as compared to the cable TV network.

Dish network allows you to watch separate programming on two televisions with one Dish TV network receiver. This can be achieved with the help of dual-tuner Dish player that allows watching programming on two televisions. It also allows to record, pause and replay live TV. Some of the Dish players also support Picture-in-Picture support.

Some people do not like the steel colored dish and like to paint the dish to blend with the color of the house. It is definitely not at all recommended as painting the dish results in loss of signals. Moreover, obstruction due to building, trees, mountains, high tension power lines also result in loss of signals. Dish should be installed in such a place where it receives clear signals free from any obstruction.

About the Author:

James Croydon, Satellite Installation Engineer and DirecTV Offer advisor – focusing on Dish Network Offer and DirecTV DVR

Written By: James Croydon

The evolution of television has seen dramatic acceleration recently. Satellite TV has truly revolutionized the global viewing experience. You no longer have to rely on awkward rabbit ear antennae to bring viewing pleasure. Satellite dishes have become as ubiquitous as the roof antenna was in the early years. The world can now be accessed through numerous, and diverse channels, and programming.

The number of options available with satellite television is overwhelming. Since the broadcast signals used in satellite television are digital, as compared with old analog, the results are crystal clear audio and visual transmissions. Broadcasts can be done in HDTV, or high definition television, which is the latest television technology. Digital transmissions allow a greater degree of flexibility for broadcasters.

In addition to picture and sound excellence, there is a virtual library of movies, sporting events, and news programs to choose from. More than the basic channels of yesteryear. Satellite receivers, when put together with the properly built and positioned satellite dish, hook up with access to more than 225 digital-quality channels. The receiver can also provide an on-screen program guide that can be customized to suit viewers needs. The receiver also has a built-in “Locks and Limits” feature, which gives control to limit channels or programs.

More recently, a spectacular Digital Video Recording feature, DVR, has emerged. This gives the viewer the ability to record, replay, and splice programming scenes as many times, and in as many ways, as desired. That’s what the combination of HDTV and DVR will give: complete control.

Unlike commercial television, which broadcasts free programming, satellite television is not without cost. To get satellite TV, you need a dish antenna, and a receiver designed to work with the chosen service. You can buy the hardware from the satellite company, an electronics store, or a satellite-system dealer/installer for about $100 and up. There is a monthly subscription fee, in addition to the cost of the hardware; this varies according to the level of service. In the past, bad weather could adversely effect the signals, however new technology and improvements have made this a rare issue.

All considered, satellite television is an investment well worth it. Satellite service can include you in a world revolution that is changing the face of how information and entertainment is done in this world. The sky is the limit with satellite services, literally, when it comes to speed, features, and innovation.
About the Author

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Direct Satellite TV Network Visit http://satellite-tv-usa.net/ for more information.

Written By: Jay Stockman

Well, there are several options available to viewers, depending on your requirements. You have the choice of Sky Digital, Fixed European Satellite & Motorised Satellite Systems. But in this article, were going to cover Sky Digital and the benefits it provides the viewer compared to the old analogue.

So, Why Sky Digital:
As opposed to the old analogue system, where you had to have a 60cm satellite dish installed, Sky Digital is now available through what is called a mini-dish, which is much less of an eyesore as the conventional system.

Furthermore, Sky digital will cater for all audiences, from entertainment channels with comedy and dramas, movies including latest releases, music channels for you to keep up to date with the latest chart releases, or listen to your favourite genre, then theres the radio stations, cartoon channels and news/documentary stations. There is a whole list of channels, available on different packages ranging from 15 to 42.50 (not including additional premium channels) per month.

What else can Sky do? Well, theres

The Interactive Services:
The interactive services provided by Sky (telephone connection required and charged at a per minute rate) give the viewer the option to purchase goods through their Sky Digital Receiver.

By pressing a button on their controller, you will access the interactive services page, and then can choose whether to go shopping for goods, from a range of stores you can find on the high street and online, so youll never have to leave your sofa again!

If your not interested in shopping but after entertainment, there are a range of games available to play, as well as competitions to participate in, a friends & dating section, and also a health and lifestyle section providing information on a wide range of related issues. You can also check availability and whats on at your local cinema!

The Sky+ & Multi Room Systems:
Ever wanted to watch a film when another film you wanted is being shown at the same time on a separate channel? We all have, and it is frustrating, having to choose which of the two your going to watch.

Well, with Sky+, youll have that problem no more. You can keep up-to-date with your favourite soap, and record another programme at the same time, and it will be stored in your Sky+ receivers Hard Drive for viewing later. No more will you and your partner have to argue on who is going to miss their programme this week!

Sky+ also gives the viewer the ability to pause what youre watching. No, not just the recording, but what your watching in real time can be stopped. So, when you receive those annoying sales calls in the middle of the night, and your just getting into your film and dont want to miss any of it, you can now hit pause, answer the call then get back to film and carry on where you left of! Then when the film is ended, switch back to real-time to carry on viewing as normal.

With Sky+, an upgrade to your dish will have to me made, and a new receiver will have to be installed, which will have an integrated hard drive to record your programmes.

With the dish upgraded, you will also be able to have your existing box moved to another room in your property, so if your family want to watch cartoons, and your more interested in a film or the news, you can watch both, at the same time, in separate rooms (additional monthly fees will apply). This is called Sky Multiroom.

This can be extended as much as you want, providing you have the correct equipment installed.

Freesat From Sky:
Not want to pay a subscription, but still want Digital TV channels? Why not opt for the Freesat service available from Sky.

Very similar to a normal Sky system, but you dont have to pay a monthly subscription, and will get a number of free digital channels (approximately 200) for your viewing pleasure.

Sky HD:
Sky HD is High Definition Television broadcast from Sky. Not familiar with HD?

HD or HDTV is the latest generation of digital TV, providing life-like picture quality, at least four times superior to current standards. It will provide extremely clear and fine picture detail with richer colours, improving the visual experience.

At launch, HDTV is thought to be available from Sky. In order to view programmes broadcast in ‘High Definition’, a soon to be released HDTV Sky Receiver with Sky+ technology will be required. In addition, the benefit of High Definition will only be apparent through a HDTV television (ideally plasma or LCD).

Please note, not all Plasma & LCD televisions currently available are HDTV compatible. It is expected to become available in the first quarter of 2006.

About the Author: http://www.aerial-satellites.co.uk One of the UK’s largest independant TV Aerial & Satellite TV Installation Companies.

Written By: Mark Barnes

Between the two satellite TV providers — DISH Network and DIRECTV — you can get more than 256 different channels of TV programming, pay-per-view movies and events, your local channels, and commercial-free music channels.

Satellite TV channels are bundled into various packages. Here’s a rundown on what satellite TV packages are available:

Dish Network Satellite TV Packages

Dish Family Pak — 40 program channels for $19.99 per month.

America’s Top 60 — 85 program channels for $29.99 per month.

America’s Top 120 — 175 program channels including 60 Sirius satellite radio channels for $39.99 per month.

America’s Top 180 — 232 program channels including 60 Sirius satellite radio channels for $39.99 per month.

America’s “Everything” Pak — 375 program channels including 60 channels of Sirius satellite radio, premium movie channels from Showtime, Starz!, HBO and Cinemax, and DISH Network HDTV programming for $74.99 per month.

DISH Network Movie Channel Packages

10 Showtime Channels, 8 Starz Channels, 8 HBO Channels, 5 Cinemax Channels, Showtime Unlimited/Starz Super Pak, HBO The Works/MultiMAX from Cinemax, HBO The Works/Showtime Unlimited, HBO The Works/Starz Super Pak.

DISH Network Sports Packages

Multi-Regional Sport, The Outdoor Channel, MLB Extra Innings, ESPN College Grand Slam, NBA League Pass, ESPN Full Court, ESPN Game Plan, NHL Center Ice, MLS Direct Kick, English Premier League.

DISH Network International Programming Packages

Dish Latino, Dish Latino Dos, Dish Latino Max, Chinese Great Wall Package, African, Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, South Asian, Tagalog, and Urdu.

DISH Network Adult Channels

Playboy, Spice Ultimate, TENClips, TENXtsy, Private Fantasy (note: all DISH Network satellite TV systems include parental locks.

Note: For more information on current DISH Network programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.

DIRECTV Satellite TV Packages

Total Choice — 155 program channels, including 50 XM radio channels for $41,99 per month.

Total Choice Plus — 185 program channels, including 50 XM radio channels for $46.88 per month.

Total Choice Premier — 250 program channels, including 67 XM radio channels for $96 .99 per month.

DIRECTV Premium Services Packages

HBO7 HBO channels (including HBO HD), STARZ (4 STARZ channels, 2 Encore channels, and 6 EncoreSM Theme channels), Showtime Unlimited (5 Showtime channels, 2 channels of The Movie Channel, 1 FLIX channel, and 1 Sundance channel), Cinemax (3 Cinemax channels),

Sports Pack (more than 25 specialty and regional sports networks, plus NBA.com, Fox Sports World, and The Golf Channel).

DIRECTV Sports Subscriptions

NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, ESPN Game Plan, MLB Extra Innings, NHL Center Ice, ESPN Full Court, MLS Direct Kick, Barclays English Premier League, Mega March Madness, Cricket Ticket

Additional Programming Packages

HD Package (ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, TNT HD, Universal HD, and Pay-Per-View.

International Program Packages

Para Todos, Phoenix TV, Jade World, Filipino, South Asian, Vietnamese, and Italian programming.

DIRECTV Adult Programming

A Taste of Spice, Playboy TV, Spice Platinum, The Hot Network, The Hot Zone, and Spice HD.

Note: For more information on current DIRECTV programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.

Click on the following link for more information on free satellite TV systems and service, or these links for ordering information, plus the latest satellite TV packages information and free offers from DISH Network satellite TV or DIRECTV satellite TV.

Brian Stevens is the senior editor for www.TheSatelliteTVGuide.com. and has written extensively on satellite TV packages.

Written By: Brian Stevens

As the owner of a satellite TV website I get asked a lot of questions, so I decided to write a satellite TV FAQ (frequently asked questions) article to answer the most commonly asked questions.

If you have questions I haven’t answered in this satellite TV FAQ, you can visit my website to get more satellite TV information by clicking on one of the links below this article.

1. What is satellite TV and how does it work?

A satellite TV center broadcasts a TV signal to a satellite in the sky. The satellite sends the signal back to earth, where it is picked up by a satellite dish, converted to a TV picture by a receiver, and displayed on a TV screen.

2. I’ve heard you can get satellite TV for free. Is this true?

Yes, you really can get a satellite TV system for free. However, you do have to pay for satellite TV programming service in order to get a free system.

3. Where can I get a satellite TV cost comparison?

Programming service from DISH Network starts at $19.99 a month, while service from DIRECTV starts at $41.99 a month. You can get a complete cost comparison between DIRECTV and DISH Network by clicking on the links below.

4. Can I get my local channels on satellite TV?

You can get your local channels in most areas of the USA included at no charge. In the few areas where you can’t get local channels you can hook up an antenna to your satellite TV receiver to get them.

5. Can I record my favorite programs with satellite TV?

You can record satellite TV programs with the DVR (digital video recording) receiver you can get from your satellite TV dealer, or with your VCR. Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer free DVR receivers when you order one of their program packages.

6. What’s on satellite TV?

Satellite TV providers offer more than 375 channels of television programming including movie channels, sports packages, pay-per-view movies and events, commercial-free music, adult programming, and international programming. For more information on what’s available, click on the links below.

7.Can I get a satellite dish for TV and the Internet?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a satellite dish for TV and the Internet through DirecWay. Click on the links below for more information.

8. How soon can I get a free satellite TV system installed?

Installation times for DIRECTV and DISH Network vary depending on your location, but you can usually get a satellite TV system installed in your home within one to five days from the time your order your service.

9. Can I get satellite TV if I live in an apartment or condo?

Yes. Many apartment and condo residents install their satellite TV dish on their balcony or patio. You can also install your satellite dish on a movable stand if permanent mounting is not allowed.

10. Does satellite TV offer international programming?

DISH Network offers Armenian, Asian, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, South Asian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Urdu program channels.

DIRECTV offers Chinese, Filipino, Italian, South Asian, Spanish, and Vietnamese program channels.

11. Does satellite TV have parental locks?

DISH Network and DIRECTV offer parental locks to block your children from viewing programs you feel are unsuitable for them.

12. Can I get HDTV with satellite TV?

Yes. Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer HD (high definition) TV. DISH Network will give you two free HDTV receivers when you order their HDTV programming. DIRECTV receivers are free after a $99 rebate.

13. Does satellite TV have TiVo and DVR (digital video recording)?

DIRECTV offers DVR with TiVo service, while DISH Network offers DVR with Video-On-Demand which is similar to TiVo.

14. Can I get DIRECTV or DISH Network outside the U.S.A.?

Not at this time. Satellite TV service from DIRECTV and DISH Network is only available in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

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.

Brian Stevens is the senior editor for www.TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written extensively on satellite TV FAQs.

Written By: Brian Stevens

Getting the best deal on satellite TV service can be confusing.

There are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA — DISH Network and DIRECTV — but each one has numerous independent dealers who offer a variety of different deals on satellite TV systems and service.

So how do you know which satellite TV provider has the best satellite TV deal? And how do you tell which of their dealers can offer you a great deal plus great service?

I’ve spent the last three weeks researching the Internet to find out which satellite TV provider has the best service, and which dealers are the most reputable and offer the best deals.

Here’s what I found …

DISH Network Deal

Program packages: DISH Network offers four program packages. Prices start at $19.99 per month for their Dish Family package which has 40 channels, and go up to $74.99 for their “Everything” Pak which has 375 channels.

Equipment: Basic equipment — the dish, receivers, and installation — is free. Options such as HDTV (high definition TV) and DVR (digital video recording) receivers may be free or cost extra, depending on the dealer.

Broadcast quality: DISH Network broadcasts all its programming in digital format and offers the most HDTV channels of the two satellite TV providers.

Customer satisfaction: DISH Network is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Best deal: The best DISH Network deal I found online is offered by AllSat. They’ve been one of DISH Network’s top dealers since 1996, and offer outstanding customer service.

When you order one of DISH Network’s programming packages through AllSat, you get a free satellite TV dish, up to four free receivers, and free installation.

In addition, you can get free DVR (digital video recording) receivers so you can record your favorite programs, and up to two free HDTV receivers so you can watch your programs in high definition.

Note: For more details and ordering information on this satellite TV deal, plus the latest special offers and free bonuses, click on the links at the bottom of this article.

DIRECTV Deal

Program packages: DIRECTV offers three program packages. Prices start at $41.99 per month for their Total Choice package which has 155 channels, including 31 music channels, and go up to $96.99 for their Total Choice Premier Package which has 250 channels.

Equipment: Basic equipment — the dish, receivers, and installation — is free. Options such as HDTV and DVR receivers may be free or cost extra, depending on the dealer.

Broadcast quality: DIRECTV broadcasts all its programming in digital format and offers a number of channels in HDTV.

Customer satisfaction: DIRECTV is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Best deal: The best DIRECTV deal I found online is offered by iSatellite. They are one of the highest-rated DIRECTV satellite TV dealers in the USA.

iSatellite is currently offering a free satellite TV dish, up to four free receivers, and free installation when you order one of DIRECTV’s programming packages through them.

You can also get free DVR receivers (after a $99 mail-in rebate). HDTV receivers are are also free after a $99 rebate.

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.

Brian Stevens is the senior editor for www.TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written extensively on satellite tv deals.

Written By: Brian Stevens

In the world of satellite TV there are satellite TV providers — the companies who provide satellite TV programming, and satellite TV dealers — the companies who sell the programming and the equipment you need to watch it.

In the U.S.A. there are currently two major satellite TV providers — DISH Network and DIRECTV — and hundreds of satellite TV dealers who sell their services and systems.

Due to the recent rise in popularity of satellite TV, satellite TV dealers have sprung up all over the Internet promising the best deals, the best service, and everything else under the sun. But after you sign up for their service they sock you with hidden service fees, provide you with shoddy installation, and offer zero customer service.

So how do you know which satellite TV dealers are the most reputable, will give you the best service, and will sell you DISH Network or DIRECTV’s services at the best possible price?

I’ve spent hundreds of hours researching online satellite TV dealers. Here’s a rundown on the top four dealers — the cream of the crop:

DISH Network Satellite TV Dealers

**** Allsat (Highly Recommended)

Established in 1995, when DISH Network first started broadcasting, Allsat is one of the oldest and most reputable online satellite TV dealers. Allsat began as an offline satellite TV store, then went online in 1997.

Their prices, reputation, and service are second to none.

Allsat currently offers:

* A free DISH Network satellite TV dish
* Up to four free receivers plus remotes
* Free professional installation
* Free DVR (digital video recording) receivers
* Free HD (high definition) receivers
* Free 25 movie channels
* 24/7 customer service
* Lifetime equipment warranty
* Free bonus gifts (click on the link below to view current offers).

*** VMC (Recommended)

VMC is one of the largest and most well known satellite TV dealers in the U.S. They installed the satellite TV system in the U.S. Capitol building.

VMC currently offers:

* A free 4-room satellite TV system
* Free professional installation
* Free digital video recorders
* Free HDTV receivers
* Free 25 movie channels
* 24/7 customer service
* Lifetime equipment warranty

DIRECTV Satellite TV Dealers

**** iSatellite (highly recommended)

iSatellite is one of DIRECTV’s top satellite TV dealers. Though relatively new to the satellite TV scene, they are one of the fastest growing, most respected online dealers in the U.S.

iSatellite currently offers:

* A free satellite TV dish
* Up to four free receivers plus remotes
* Free professional installation
* Free DIRECTV DVR receiver (after $99 mail-in rebate)
* Free HDTV receiver (after $199 mail-in rebate)
* Free premium movie packages
* 24/7 customer service
* One-year equipment warranty
* Special offers (click on link below to view current offers).

*** Rapid Satellite (recommended)

In business since 1999, Rapid Satellite is one of DIRECTV’s highest rated satellite TV dealers. They have thousands of customers in hundreds of cities across the U.S.A.

Rapid Satellite currently offers:

* Free 4-room system
* Free installation
* Free DIRECTV DVR (after $99 rebate)
* Free HDTV receiver (after $199 rebate)
* Free premium movie packages
* 24-hour customer service
* One-year equipment warranty
* Special offers (click on link below to view current offers).

Note: For more information on current DISH Network or DIRECTV programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.

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.

Brian Stevens is the senior editor for www.TheSatelliteTVGuide.com. and has written extensively on satellite TV dealers.

Written By: Brian Stevens

If you’ve watched any television in the last 24 hours you’ve probably seen an ad for a satellite television company. Often times these commercials promise many things to entice you into making a purchase. Free months of service, free equipment, and free installation are often mentioned as reasons why you should go with a particular service. These days it is extremely confusing when trying to make an informed buying decision.

There are two main companies that are currently selling satellite television service. Both DISH Network and DirecTV offer excellent programming, a clear signal, and a quality customer service experience. So, you might be asking yourself, which one is better? Good question. Let me provide a few of the differences and similarities so that you may make a decision.

Channel Selection – Both satellite companies offer similar channel selections. From my experience DirecTV offers a wider range of programming. You’ll have to decide for yourself which channels are most important and then check each provider to see whether they’re carried. If your a sports fan, both providers offer all of the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL packages for your viewing pleasure.

Music Channels – I’m a huge fan of this optional service. If you enjoy satellite television or are just interested in commercial-free radio you might be interested in learning that both satellite tv providers have teamed up with satellite radio providers to offer you a great additional service. DISH Network is working with Sirius satellite radio to bring you music channels on your television while DirecTV has partnered with XM satellite radio. Both bring excellent sound and musical choice to the television.

Price – The price of service varies greatly depending upon the package of service you select. Since price changes so frequently my best advice is to compare both and see which provides the better deal.

Free Equipment – Both DISH Network and DirecTV now offer HDTV and DVR service. If you have an HDTV television you may be able to get a free receiver that will allow you to receive transmissions in HDTV. Both satellite tv providers now offer this option.

In conclusion, you really can’t go wrong with whichever choice you make. Whether you go with DirecTV or DISH Network is dependent upon your personal preferences.

About The Author

Michael Hizer is a successful internet marketer and expert in satellite television and online shopping. You can find the best deals in satellite television at http://www.bestdishdealonline.com.

bestdishdealonline@yahoo.com

Written By: Michael Hizer

Lets face it, Internet readers, most of us are guys. And as red-blooded American guys, we all have mens desires, mens needs. Dont play coy. You know what Im talking about. We want it faster, more creative, more imaginative, and not to put too fine a point on it, slimmer. We know well have to pay for it eventually we always dobut wed rather not break the bank just for a little nighttime fun. Theres a wide variety out there to choose from, so point us in the right direction and well happily engage in the hunt. But why do they make us work so hard to get it? Sure, were tech-savvy geeks, even nerds, but does that mean everything has to be some huge intellectual puzzle? Is there a way to make these people give up the goods with a bare minimum of confusion? Im talking, of course, about home consumer electronics, specifically satellite television systems.

Look, Im sorry if I led you on, but I hope Ive provided a more interesting introduction to the world of home satellite equipment than most industry vendors have. Take a look, for example if you dare at RapidSatellite.com, a one-stop Internet shopping point for satellite TV. A recent search turned up the following entries:

DIRECTV DVR80 3-Room 70 Hour DIRECTV DVR Satellite TV System w/ TiVo (1) DVR80 (2) D10 with Standard Dish, Multi-Switch & Standard Installation

DIRECTV DVR80 3-Room 70 Hour DIRECTV DVR Satellite TV System w/ TiVo (1) DVR80 (2) D10 with Triple LNB Dish & Standard Installation

DIRECTV 3-Room 70 Hour DIRECTV DVR System w/ TiVo (2) TiVo Receivers (1) Hughes Director Receiver with Standard Dish, Multi-Switch & Standard Installation

DIRECTV 3-Room System (1) HR10-250 200 Hour (STD) 35 Hour (HDTV) DIRECTV High Definition DVR w/ TiVo (2) DIRECTV Receiver System with Triple LNB Dish & Standard Installation

A little help here? Those ads are about as welcoming as a brick wall, and they present us with more acronyms than the U.S. military. For pure reading pleasure, they rank somewhere between Finnegans Wake and the book of Leviticus. Am I buying satellite TV service, or naming robots for science fantasy sequels?

Relax, Luke Skywalker. Scanning through orbital space may not be like dusting crops, but well work our way through this thing together. Lets start with the first ad.

DIRECTV DVR80 3-Room 70 Hour DIRECTV DVR Satellite TV System w/ TiVo (1) DVR80 (2) D10 with Standard Dish, Multi-Switch & Standard Installation

Okay, first things first. DirecTV is a national satellite TV subscription service owned by Hughes Electronics and, in large part, Fox Entertainment. In order to watch DirecTV programming, one must first by a dish to collect the signals beamed to Earth by the satellite. Then one must buy a set-top box to decode those signals. Lastly, one must have a TV of some kind to display the imagery represented by those signals. The first ad is trying to sell us a hardware package thatll allow us to watch DirecTV, but it adds a few nifty bells and whistles. For example, this package includes another device called a DVR80. And what exactly is that? It looks like a license plate.

Good guess! No, a DVR80 is a brand of receiver manufactured and sold by RCA. To be more precise, it receives DirecTV signals as well as TiVo interactions. TiVo is a kind of DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, manufactured by the TiVo company. A Digital Video Recorder does exactly what it claims to do: It records video, not on tape as a VHS video recorder would, but as digital data in a dedicated hard drive. The DVR80 is capable of recording up to seventy hours of digital material, just as promised obliquely in the ad. What the ad doesnt make clear is that the amount of material the hard drive can store depends on how detailed the information is. Just as a VHS tape can hold anywhere from two to six hours of material, depending on the image quality, so do DVR image recordings suffer when recorded at the seventy-hour setting. The DVR80 has Dolby Digital sound capability and comes with a universal infrared remote control. When sold separately, it retails for anywhere between $100 and $150.

The comparison to VHS tends to minimize what TiVo can do. The hardware and allows for instant replays of live TV, plus the ability to skip through commercials while a program is airing. The Season Pass feature tracks the users favorite shows, even if they change network time slots, and records them each week automatically. Its even capable of predicting which unfamiliar shows the user might like, based on his or her previous recordings. Simply put, TiVo is neato.

But what in blue blazes is a D10? Isnt that Eminems Detroit rap posse? No, that would be D12, Slim Shady. A D10 is nothing more than the set-top box that receives DirecTV signals. It features an Advanced Program Guide interface, and is capable of receiving signals from several DirecTV satellites to the tune of over 225 channels. The box itself costs about $50 retail. A multi-switch is, well, a switch designed to allow more than one set-top box to receive information from the same satellite dish receiver. Some models feature built-in amplification. The model offered with this package has three different outputs to send video to TVs in three different areas of a house. Other multi-switches are designed to allow one satellite dish receiver to provide video to more than one home. As might be easily guessed, DirecTV does not encourage the sharing of its video offerings by entire neighborhoods of houses. It does, however, promise to install these devices for you, at a combined package cost of only $47.95. What a bargain! Its a good thing RapidSatellite doesnt charge by the acronym.

The second ad presents only one new complication, the Triple LNB Dish. A Triple LNB Dish, also known in DirecTV parlance as a Phase III Mulitsatellite Dish, is an 18 by 20 dish receiver that collects broadcast signals from three different satellites. Customers with high-definition TV sets will definitely want to upgrade to Triple LNB, because without it, its impossible to receive satellite broadcasts in HDTV. LNB stands for low-noise block. Its the device that hangs off the arm of the satellite dish and looks sort of like a flashlight. So what does it do? To find out, we first have to crane our necks and stare up into orbit. The DirecTV satellite at 101 degrees has 32 transponders, numbered 1 to 32 for some reason, each of which sends a group of channels. Back on Earth, an LNB converter responds to changes in the voltage transmitted by the DirecTV receiver by looking at either the odd- or even-numbered channels. A Triple LNB Dish, not too surprisingly, includes three LNB converters, each operating independently of the other two. That way, three different DirecTV receivers can look at three different stations on three different transponders. Long story short, it means Mom can watch HGTV while Dad checks out Sports Center. Meanwhile, their progeny have gathered around a third TV set to enjoy Aqua Teen Hunger Force, all at the same time. Thanks to DVR and TiVo technology, its entirely possible that all three programs were recorded weeks ago.

As for the third ad, a Hughes Director is the standard receiver offered with basic DirecTV packages. How standard? Many DirecTV vendors are now offering the device free with purchase of a dish receiver. Still, its a perfectly adequate receiver, with many of the features offered by the snazzier DVR80. While it cant record video, it does offer a WatchWord search feature that scans through DirecTV program menus and alerts the user when favorite shows are about to come on.

The HR10-250 receiver is a much pricier alternative, cashing in at somewhere around a thousand bucks. Still, as Ferris Bueller once noted, It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. It contains four tuners and a built-in DVR with TiVo. These four tuners allow for two HD shows to be recorded at once, even as the user watches a third prerecorded show. The 250 gigabyte hard drive holds about 30 hours of HDTV, or as many as 200 hours of non-high-def video (at 480 lines of pixels). PCWorld critic Cathy Lus review of the HR10-250 decided, Cost aside, the DirecTV HD DVR is the best way that I’ve found to watch and record HD. She gave it four and a half stars out of five. Thats pretty good for a machine whose profoundly uninspired name makes it sound like a tax form.
About the Author

Sarah Gustafson is a freelance writer and contributing author to http://www.dishtvreview.com, a site that provides satellite TV news and consumer buying advice.

Written By: Sarah Gustafson