My search for reality in TV revealed satellite TV and TV's future, now.

I never dreamed of TV becoming amazing again - I was the guy with 12 o'clock blinking green on his VCR. Yes, I said VCR. So getting the hang of today's TV wasn't a piece of cake.

Recently, during an emergency replace-ectomy of my dying Zenith behemoth, I realized I was in deep trouble. Never mind DVD. Who knew of progressive scan or digital convergence, aspect ratios, digital comb filters, anti-glare coatings and so many lines of resolution? I knew about a tv satellite dish, but...

This was a long way from the TV I was nurtured on?

I remember seeing Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show gyrating inside a black & white-glass-globe-picture-tube about as small as the window on a front-load washer. ...Man did the warm glow of that box-at-the-end-of-a-wire get me excited.

Oh, I watched plenty alright! And you know what? I can't ever remember complaining about getting up from the couch to change the channel... or to adjust the antenna. Then again, Wagon Train on a 19 inch "color set" was as good as it got for a while.

I lost track of television's high technologies after that I suppose. I saw TVs getting bigger and I did get hip to cable and the remote control - but distracted by life and a million other things - today's satellite TV and the whole awesome new experience almost passed me by.

It wasn't until my first trip to a home-electronics super-store - to replace a dinosaur, 25 inch Zenith color console in a polished-wood-cabinet that matched our living-room furniture long ago - that I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore... but rather, lost.

Lost in a new-world-unknown.

A world where I discovered satellite tv on flat screens square and wide and thin plasmas that hung on the wall. Flat-panel LCDs framed in silver and perched upon slender, tilting pedestals.There were TVs that connect to your computer and one giant-screen, rear-projector that eats digital camera's memory-sticks and can show your photos of grandma on vacation fleecing the casinos - in larger than life - and surround sound.

Oh, TVs are still getting bigger, alright. But now they're also amazing again and I'm excited. And with that "excitement and amazement", comes downright confusion. How do they do that? What of "all this" is right for me?

I like the idea of a tv satellite dish on my roof, but it's a new-tech jungle out there my friend. Prepare if you too are from Kansas.

Those links above will help you get a clue about "what's out there" before you buy "what could become" the most incredible entertainment experience you and your living room - and Elvis could ever dream-up. And for a far better price than you might be thinking.

Keep your eyes on the Planet and I'll fill you in soon on why I don't leave my house anymore.

Danny Planet is author of Danny's Planet, the hippest free zine out there, hundreds of articles, web pages, radio commercials and celebrity ghost scrawling. To see what Danny's up to, visit him at Satellite TV and get your seat on Danny's Planet Ark

How Satellite TV Works

Digital high definition satellite television is increasing in popularity, with Dish Network recently reporting crossing the 12 million subscriber threshold and growing, and there are probably more uninformed as to actual workings of satellite TV than informed. How does Dish Network make television programming so realistic in image and sound?

Dish Network, owned and operated by EchoStar Communications, receives digital satellite signals from their fleet of nine satellites. Plans are underway at present for EchoStar to launch their tenth satellite this month - February - increasing their ability to bring you more and better entertainment. Communications/television satellites orbit synchronously at an elevation of about 22,000 miles above the Earth remaining over certain land masses/areas so that a receiver dish can remain stationary on the side of a home or in a yard. The advanced research and growth of Dish Network is directly attributed to their continued enhancements in the area of home entertainment programming.

Dish Network obtains select programming from providers like Life Time, HBO, CNN, ESPN, Cinemax, Showtime, STARZ, and other sources. These providers, also known as 'uplink' sites initially beam their signals to the satellites. Dish Network's, whose broadcast facility is located in Colorado, satellites then digitize the signaling for quality, encrypt the signals, and then transmit a digital high definition rebroadcast to installed receivers in subscriber homes providing the best in home entertainment services. Each satellite has what is called a target area or 'footprint', and programming from a given satellite can only be received within that particular target area or 'footprint'. The 1980's and 1990's dish receivers were huge, some being about 10 feet in diameter, but now it is completely portable so it is easy to take your receiver with you as you travel in recreational vehicles or boats - just place your dish facing a Southern sky and signals are easily received.

This process allows Dish Network to deliver digital high definition and standard satellite services all over the world and to offer subscribers over 256 channels of quality programming plus 50 channels of Sirius music in CD quality clarity. Dish Network offers the most complete and diverse packages available with premium movie channels, 500 commercial-free movies each month, excellent sports channels, interactive gaming with local and national weather and traffic updates, multi-cultural international programming, educational channels, VOOM high definition channels, and children's and adult channels. A Parental Lock feature is included for absolute control in family viewing. Dish Network offers free equipment and installation and specified services for a limited time. As a gift to first-time subscribers, Dish Network includes a Digital Video Recorder - free - to further enhance viewing enjoyment. The DVR allows you to digitally record and store up to 100 hours of programming in 100 percent digital high definition imaging and sound. This lets the viewer record, fast-forward, rewind, and pause - even stopping live broadcasting for annoying interruptions - and then resuming with no problems. You can create your own instant replays with your DVR as well as a library of your favorite movies, sports events, or music.

Click on Dish Network now for complete information on packages and pricing. Comparison-shopping will confirm that you can have the best and most for about the same amount you are now paying for average television programming. Ordering is easy - online or by telephone. A friendly Dish Network representative will answer any questions, take your order, and schedule installation for a time that fits with your busy schedule.

Now you are informed as to how your new Dish Network digital satellite television home entertainment system operates.

Mitchell Medford is a popular reviewer of consumer electronics and has served as a product development consultant for several consumer electronics manufacturers including Dish Network. For more information on satellite TV, HDTV, and Dish Network DVR< receivers, visit his website: http://newtechnologytv.com

HD Satellite TV -- Compare HDTV Services

HD Satellite TV

HD (high definition) refers to the quality of the picture being transmitted to your television set.

Picture quality is measured in scan lines. The more scan lines that are transmitted to your TV, the clearer the picture.

For instance, analog (over-the-air) TV has 525 scan lines per image. HDTV, on the other hand, has up to 1,080 lines per image -- almost twice as many lines of resolution giving you twice the clarity of analog TV.

There's a huge difference between watching TV on a regular TV set as opposed to watching an HD TV. The HD picture is sharper and the colors are brighter. The picture is so realistic it's almost like watching a scene through a window.

HD Satellite TV Features

Here are the main features of HD satellite TV:

* High resolution picture -- HDTV produces a super-sharp image, resulting in a clearer, more lifelike picture.

* Widescreen picture -- you get a full-width picture just like you see in the movies.

* Digital audio -- HD audio programming is broadcast Dolby Digital format so you get a three-dimensional surround-sound listening experience.

HD Satellite TV Providers

Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer HD programming. Here's a rundown on their HD satellite TV channel lineups ...

DISH Network HD Satellite TV

DISH Network offers two HD satellite TV programming packages:

The DISH Network HD Pak

This package includes HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPNHD, Discovery HD, and TNT in HD.

The DISH Network Voom Pak

This package includes Ultra HD, Monsters HD, Rave HD, Equator HD, Gallery HD, Anamania HD, Rush HD, HD News, Guy TV HD, and Majestic HD.

In addition to the above packages you can also get HBO HDTV, Showtime HD, DISH on Demand Pay-Per-View in HD, and CBS HDTV.

In order to receive HD programming from DISH Network you must have an HD receiver. When you order satellite TV service from DISH Network you can get an HD receiver free.

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

DIRECTV HD Satellite TV

DIRECTV offers one HD satellite TV programming package:

The DIRECTV HD Package

This package includes ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, and Universal HD.

In addition to the above package your can also get HBO HD, Showtime HD, and DIRECTV Pay-Per-View, plus ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and the WB channel.

Sports packages include NFL Sunday Ticket HD and NFL Sunday Ticket SuperFan HD.

In order to receive HD programming from DIRECTV you must have an HD receiver. When you order satellite TV service from DIRECTV you can get an HD receiver free (after a $199 rebate).

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

The Bottom Line

The only drawback to having HD satellite TV is the cost. If you don't already own an HD TV set, then you'll have to buy one. And the HD programming fees are another expense that will add to your satellite TV bill.

However, if you want to see your favorite shows in near lifelike clarity and you can afford the extra expense, having HD satellite TV is definitely worth the added cost.

Click on the following link for more information on free satellite TV systems and service, or these links for ordering information, plus the latest bonuses 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 HD satellite TV.

Satellite TV Packages -- Get the Best for Less

Satellite TV Packages

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

America's Top 60 -- 60 program channels including local channels.

America's Top 120 -- 120 program channels including local channels, plus 32 Sirius satellite radio channels. America's Top 180 -- 180 program channels including local channels, plus 50 Sirius satellite radio channels.

America's "Everything" Pak -- 230 program channels including local channels, 50 channels of Sirius satellite radio, premium movie channels from Showtime, Starz!, HBO and Cinemax, and DISH Network HDTV programming.

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

Eclip, The Erotic Network, Extasy, Hot Zone, Playboy (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 -- 135 program channels, including local channels and 50 XM radio channels).

Total Choice Plus -- 155 program channels, including local channels and 67 XM radio channels.

Total Choice Premier -- 215 program channels, including local channels and 67 XM radio channels.

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, and Universal HD, Pay-Per-View, and adult programming.

International Program Packages

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

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.

The Future Of Dish Network And Satellite TV

If you have Dish Network or thinking about getting it or another satellite TV service, it?s good to know what the future holds for satellite TV. So, here?s a glimpse into the future.

This article may be considered science fiction, just like Arthur C. Clark once had a scientific vision about 3 satellites orbiting the earth in geostationary orbits to make global communications possible. Everything in this article is merely a scientific vision and an extrapolation of current technologies into the future.

What would be the future of Satellite TV? That may seem to be a difficult question, but extrapolating what we know about the past into the future and some educated guesses, we may very well end up with a reasonable picture of what the future of satellite TV looks like. The future of satellite TV will be guided by these properties:

1. Receive and Transmit
2. Equipment Size and Costs
3. Satellite Capacity and Coverage
4. Antenna Size
5. New Technologies

1 Receive and Transmit

What would be possible if you could not only receive, but also transmit? And in the same bandwidth as you receive? That would change the whole world. It is possible now to use the satellite for Internet purposes, but in a very simple and inefficient way. You receive via satellite, but transmit via phone. Upload capacity is completely limited by the dial up connection.

The idea of being able to transmit to a satellite from your home is new and will probably one day be reality. At the moment companies can use satellites to connect offices all over the country via satellite. Bandwidth is limited, or very expensive. Another problem for home use is the size of the satellite dish. At least 4 foot for small bandwidth and up to 10 feet or even more for higher bandwidths. In point 3 this bandwidth issue is explained in more detail.

2 Equipment Size and Costs

Your Dish Network or Satellite TV equipment at home may seem small, but it is small because all it has to do is receive. Transmitting requires different equipment. Not so much in the house, but on the roof at the antenna there is need for a relative big transmitter. Also these are still pretty expensive and for domestic use just not affordable.

In the future this will change. Equipment will get smaller, and cheaper. Eventually when satellites are able to relay much more data than now (see point 3), having 10.000.000 transmitters on the ground won't be a problem.

3 Satellite Capacity and Coverage

This will always be the bottle neck of satellites; how much data can they relay and how small an area can they cover. A satellite has multiple dishes and each dish can cover a part of the earth; small parts like just one state or big parts like the whole continental United States.

In the future satellites will be able to relay much more data, and cover much smaller areas. Especially the smaller coverage areas will be important. Having full capacity available for just a small area means higher bandwidth available for a small amount of people. Especially in urban areas it will be great to have a satellite cover just one neighborhood.

4 Antenna Size

This is a very important issue. Small antennas of 18 inches already exist and are used by satellite TV providers such as Dish Network, but these can receive only. The opening angle of an antenna like this is too big to get enough signal power to reach the satellite. In the future however, antennas will get better and eventually small antennas can be used to transmit to the satellite.

5 New Technologies

This will be the really interesting part. New technologies may open up possibilities that are never heard of before.

Imagine watching a movie in 3D, you sitting on your couch but watching a show as if you are in the audience when the TV show was recorded. You're not really having a TV at home anymore, but a 3D entertainment room. (for those of you who like StarTrek, a not so strange idea). Normal Satellite TV will still be available of course.

In the future Satellite TV will open up so many possibilities that it is hard to imagine what our lives will be like in 30, or even just 20 years from now. To give an idea of how fast things are going. 50 years ago, there was nothing in space that was made by humans. Now there are even satellite graveyards (specific orbits where obsolete satellites are "parked"). The possibilities of satellite TV technology are growing faster every year. What took 10 years to develop 30 years ago is now done in 2 years.

Dish Network and Satellite TV is one of the driving forces for satellite technologies because the need to please million of subscribers is much stronger than the need to please the relative limited needs of communications for commercial purposes. The future of satellite TV is so bright, that a supernova would pale in comparison!

I am first and foremost an observer of life. I enjoy analyzing and exploring all aspects of life on planet Earth, and expressing my personal perspective on the nitty gritty of it all. As a result of my observations, I have become a freelance writer. http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

Getting To Know The Satellite TV System

We are living in the information age, with access to anything at our fingertips via the Internet and our televisions. With cable television and satellite TV systems, we have access to hundreds of channels that are address just about every interest: sports, music, cooking, home decorating, children's shows, movies, cars, history, and many more. Satellite TV systems in recent years have stolen some of cable TV's thunder in their ability to offer more channels, for a better price, and often with better reception than standard cable TV. But, cable TV is striking back, and has leveled the playing field in recent years. Since its inception, satellite TV has provided a viable option to the television consumer.

Satellite TV is brought into the home via communications satellites high in the atmosphere, as opposed to cable TV, which brings its service into the home via underground cables. Home satellite TV service began in the 1980's with the introduction of systems that received the same signals used for cable TV distribution. Early satellite TV systems were quite expensive, and the satellite dishes were often as large as 12 feet in diameter.

DBS, or direct broadcast satellite, is known commonly as "mini-dish systems", and is what is available to consumers today. DBS requires special equipment for the home (a satellite dish and a receiver box) that is encrypted by the specific service provider chosen by the customer. The satellite equipment uses a special card to decode the signal in order to allow viewing access to the paying customer. The card is used to permit only the customer paying for that specific service to view the premium channels (if subscribed to), as well as the free channels available to everyone.

In the infancy of satellite TV systems, all channels for free an open for public consumption, including what we know today as premium channels, such as HBO. This was highly appealing and gave satellite TV systems a huge opportunity for growth. However, when HBO decided to encrypt their signal in 1986, other cable services followed suit, and satellite sales plummeted. There was simply too much expensive equipment to purchase in addition to paying monthly fees for TV channels. Thus cable TV moved in.

Satellite TV saw a resurgence in the 1990's when the mini-dish systems became an affordable and reliable alternative to cable TV. Cable TV costs were climbing due to lack of competition, and consumers took advantage of the new choice they were offered. DirecTV was the first high-capacity home satellite TV system, and it was made available in 1994. Several other services, like Dish Network and Primestar followed soon after, creating competition among satellite TV service providers, as well as competition with the cable TV industry. So much competition was good news for consumers. Prices came down, and incentives were offered to lure customers from one service provider to another.

Cable TV has since leveled the playing field with the introduction of digital cable, offering even more reliable reception, more reasonable costs, just as many channels, and such perks as no contract obligations.

Satellite TV systems do have their drawbacks for the consumer. Though the high-quality picture is a definite bonus, the reception is highly subject to atmospheric interference, such as bad weather and sunspots. This can knock out service for hours at a time, and can be very frustrating. In addition, if you subscribe to a satellite TV system because you live in a remote location, and cable TV is not available to you, you might not have access to local TV channels. This might require using an antenna to try to get local network broadcasts. Further, the lure that satellite TV once had, that being the quantity of additional channels available over cable TV, is a thing of the past. Digital cable has opened more options to consumers, offering them just as many, and sometimes more, channels as a satellite TV system.

A satellite TV system is an affordable and often reliable alternative to cable TV. Sometimes satellite TV is the only alternative, due to location. Satellite TV offers the same extras as cable TV, with DVR (Digital Video Recorder) capabilities, pay-per-view channels, and music choice channels. And because of the competition among the satellite TV service providers themselves, the equipment prices are often greatly reduced, and sometimes even free of charge. A satellite TV system can be a viable alternative to cable TV.

Learn the essential information for picking the right satellite system at Satellite TV System

Types Of Satellite TV Systems ? TVRO And DBS

You may think that there is only one type of satellite TV system?but you?re incorrect. There is, in fact, two different formats of satellite TV: TeleVision Receive Only (TVRO) and Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS). Each satellite TV system is built differently and functions in its own fashion. Dish Network, for example, is a DBS system. However, not all satellite TV systems are DBS.

Below is a break down of each system. Read through it and gain a better understanding of the TVRO and DBS satellite TV systems.

TVRO ? TeleVision Receive Only

TVRO was the first satellite system available for home viewing of satellite TV. It required a relatively big dish of 3 to 6 feet in diameter and worked in C-Band. Frequencies of around 4 G Hertz are called C-Band and require bigger dishes because the wave length of these frequencies is longer than in Ku-Band which requires a much smaller dish of about 18 inches. Ku-Band is at 12 to 14 G Hertz.

TVRO systems also need a movable dish because it needs to get all the channels of many satellites. C-Band satellites have much less channels available than Ku-Band satellites and therefore more satellites are needed to provide enough channels. Possibilities that exist with TVRO systems is that you can also receive free channels and independent feeds from for instance news companies. You could for instance receive the unedited material that is broadcasted from a news crew somewhere in the coverage area of the satellite. They transmit their materials to their headquarters using a C-Band satellite. Many of these types of feeds are not scrambled and are available to everyone with the proper equipment.

TVRO systems are often referred to as Big Dish TV, C-Band Satellite TV and BUD (Big Ugly Dish).

DBS - Direct Broadcast Satellite

Satellite TV via DBS is done in the Ku-Band. These satellites work on higher frequencies and can transmit higher power signals. This means that much smaller dishes can be used to receive the signal. A small dish of 18 inches is already enough to receive all satellite TV by Satellite TV. This makes it possible to have satellite TV from an apartment on the 10th floor, if you have a clear line of sight to the south. This is the system used by Dish Network and other satellite TV providers.

DBS is for everyone. The satellite dish is so small that it is not an obstacle like with for instance the TVRO dishes of 3 to 6 feet. Once installed the dish needs no maintenance since it is aimed at just one satellite. Some dishes actually have 2 or more feeds which makes it possible to receive the signals from more than 1 satellite.

There are no free channels available on DBS satellites as these are often owned and used by the satellite TV provider it self, such as Dish Network, while TVRO satellites often are used by those who rent space on the satellite for a limited time. TVRO systems are meant for, for instance, transport of unedited materials between continents, but also within one continent.

DBS is meant for everyone with a simple, low cost installation of the system. Often the installation is for free as it really is very easy to do. The only thing that is needed is a bit of knowledge of where to find the satellite and the tools that make this even easier. A qualified installer will find the satellite and point it to maximum reception within minutes.

I am first and foremost an observer of life. I enjoy analyzing and exploring all aspects of life on planet Earth, and expressing my personal perspective on the nitty gritty of it all. As a result of my observations, I have become a freelance writer. http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

Free satellite TV offers! - is it for real?

I am sure you've seen these ads online and offline -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!" But are these deals really free? Are them worth for the money? But are these satellite TV offers really free?

The answer to that question is yes ... and no.

It's a 'yes' because you got the satellite TV systems for free. Further more you get other promotions gifts such as digital video recorder (DVR), DVD player, home theater systems and HD systems for free. As the ads say: No equipments to buy at all. However, the programming service will cost you money. Each month, these socall "free satellite TV deals" are going to take out some dollars from your wallet.

Let's examine the facts about free satellite TV deals.

Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom services, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- Dish Network and DirecTV. Both companies are providing 100% digital satellite pictures; both companies are offering amazing free satellite TV systems; and both companies have the finest sales support team for their customer services.

Dish Network Satellite TV

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 to upgrade to a DVR (digital video recording) receiver, or an HDTV (high definition TV) receiver at no charge.

You can get Dish Network services at a monthly cost of $19.99. However, Dish Network standard programming fees start at $31.99 per month (for standard 60 program channels). The monthly subscription fees then goes up to around $86.00 for 230 channels including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and Sirius radio.

Dish Network offers more movies, shows, and HDTV than cable or DirecTV, and with one of their free DVR receivers you can record, pause, and fast forward live TV with a click of your remote. All Dish Network programs are broadcast in digital format for crystal-clear picture and sound.

DirecTV Satellite TV Service

Depending on your credit rating, when you order a free satellite TV system from DirecTV you may be required to pay a deposit or prepayment. Because the deposit is refunded to you and the prepayment goes toward your programming fees, the DirecTV satellite dish and receivers are free. Installation is also free.

If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.

DirecTV programming packages start at $29.99 per month for 115 channels (including 31 music channels), and go up to more than $90 per month for 185 program channels, including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and 31 music channels.

DirecTV offers more sports programs than you can get with cable or Dish Network, including the popular NFL Sunday Ticket which Dish Network does not cover. All sports channels are broadcasted in all-digital format.

Wrapping things up

Both Dish Network and DirecTV's deals are lucrative. As mentioned before, you will get sets of satellite systems and home electronics for free but the programming services will cost you anywhere from $32 to $94 a month.

If TV is one of your primary forms of entertainment and you want the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and news -- then we satellite TV deals should be something you should seriously consider. Cable TVs nowadays doesn't looks like a good deal to go for as their monthly fees increase a lot every year. For football fans that wish to get every NFL games- DirecTV is what you are looking for; for normal family, Dish Network seems to be a better choice. You can check out some of the reputable dealers (both Dish Network and DirecTV) at here:http://www.satellitetvissue.com/FreeSatelliteTV/SatelliteTVDealers.htm

However, if you watch just a few television programs a week and have access to over-the-air TV, then satellite TV probably isn't for you.

Teddy LC., expert writter on consumer products reviews. Check out his latest satellite TV related website and get more info onsatellite TV dish TV free deals.

Satellite TV - The First Fifty Years

Dish Network, and other satellite TV providers didn't just appear over night. The development of satellite television took years and its origins can be traced back to the 1950s and the space race.

The original concept of satellite television is often attributed to writer Arthur C. Clarke, who was the first to suggest a worldwide satellite communications system. Funding for satellite technology in the U.S. began in the 1950s, amidst the space race, and the Russian launching of the satellite Sputnik in 1957.

The first communication satellite was developed by a group of businesses and government entities in 1963. Syncom II orbited at 22,300 miles over the Atlantic; the first satellite communication was on July 26, 1963, between a U.S. Navy ship in Lagos, Nigeria and the U.S. Army naval station in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Overloaded land based distribution methods had the telephone companies utilizing satellite communication way before the television industry even came into the picture. In fact, it was not until 1978 that satellite communication was officially used by the television industry.

In 1975, RWT's co-founder and BBC transmitter engineer Stephen Birkill built an experimental system for receiving Satellite Instructional Television Experiment TV (SITE) transmissions, beamed to Indian villages, from a NASA geostationary satellite.

Birkill extended his system, receiving TV pictures from Intelsat, Raduga, Molniya and others. In 1978, Birkill met up with Bob Cooper, a cable TV technical journalist and amateur radio enthusiast in the U.S., who invited him to a cable TV operators' conference and trade show, the CCOS-78. It was there that Birkill met with other satellite TV enthusiasts, who were interested, and ready to help develop, Birkill's experiments.

Interest in Television Receive Only (TVRO) satellite technology burst forward. The American TVRO boom caught the attention of premium cable programmers, who began to realize the potential of satellite TV. Back in the mid-1970s, TV reception was the under the control of international operators, Intelsat and Intersputnik.

On March 1, 1978, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) introduced Public Television Satellite Service. Satellite communication technology caught on, and was used as a distribution method with the broadcasters from 1978 through 1984, with early signals broadcast from HBO, TBS, and CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network, later The Family Channel). TVRO system prices dropped, and the trade organization, Society for Private Commercial Earth Stations (SPACE), and the first dealerships were established.

Broadcasters realized that everyone had the potential to receive satellite signals for free, and they were not happy. But the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was governed by its open skies' policy, believing that users had as much right to receive satellite signals as broadcasters had the right to transmit them.

In 1980, the FCC established the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), a new service that consisted of a broadcast satellite in geostationary orbit, facilities for transmitting signals to the satellite, and the equipment needed for people to access the signals. In turn, broadcasters developed methods of scrambling their signals, forcing consumers to purchase a decoder, or a direct to home (DTH) satellite receiver, from a satellite program provider.

From 1981 to 1985, the big dish satellite market soared. Rural areas gained the capacity to receive television programming that was not capable of being received by standard methods.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA) was founded in 1986 as a merger between SPACE and the Direct Broadcast Satellite Association. But by this point, American communication companies had soured on the prospect of satellite TV. Broadcast cable was very successful at this time, and the satellite industry received a lot of negative press coverage. Fifty percent of all satellite retailers closed their businesses.

Business eventually recovered, but the illegal theft of pay television signals was still a problem. Ultimately, encryption has proven to be the ultimate salvation of the satellite industry as it has made the transition from a hardware to software entertainment-driven business.

Early successful attempts to launch satellites for the mass consumer market were led by Japan and Hong Kong in 1986 and 1990, respectively. In 1994, the first successful attempts in America were led by a group of major cable companies, known collectively as Primestar.

Later that year, Direct TV was established, and in 1996, the DISH Network, a subsidiary of Echostar, also entered the satellite TV industry. DISH Network's low prices forced competing DBS providers to also lower their prices. And an explosion in the popularity of digital satellite TV ensued.

If you're interested in learning more about Dish Network and satellite TV, go to http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

The Future of Satellite TV

If you have Dish Network or thinking about getting it or another satellite TV service, it's good to know what the future holds for satellite TV. So, here's a glimpse into the future.

This article may be considered science fiction, just like Arthur C. Clark once had a scientific vision about 3 satellites orbiting the earth in geostationary orbits to make global communications possible. Everything in this article is merely a scientific vision and an extrapolation of current technologies into the future.

What would be the future of Satellite TV? That may seem to be a difficult question, but extrapolating what we know about the past into the future and some educated guesses, we may very well end up with a reasonable picture of what the future of satellite TV looks like. The future of satellite TV will be guided by these properties:

1. Receive and Transmit 2. Equipment Size and Costs 3. Satellite Capacity and Coverage 4. Antenna Size 5. New Technologies

1 Receive and Transmit What would be possible if you could not only receive, but also transmit? And in the same bandwidth as you receive? That would change the whole world. It is possible now to use the satellite for Internet purposes, but in a very simple and inefficient way. You receive via satellite, but transmit via phone. Upload capacity is completely limited by the dial up connection. The idea of being able to transmit to a satellite from your home is new and will probably one day be reality. At the moment companies can use satellites to connect offices all over the country via satellite. Bandwidth is limited, or very expensive. Another problem for home use is the size of the satellite dish. At least 4 foot for small bandwidth and up to 10 feet or even more for higher bandwidths. In point 3 this bandwidth issue is explained in more detail.

2 Equipment Size and Costs Your Dish Network or Satellite TV equipment at home may seem small, but it is small because all it has to do is receive. Transmitting requires different equipment. Not so much in the house, but on the roof at the antenna there is need for a relative big transmitter. Also these are still pretty expensive and for domestic use just not affordable.

In the future this will change. Equipment will get smaller, and cheaper. Eventually when satellites are able to relay much more data than now (see point 3), having 10.000.000 transmitters on the ground won't be a problem.

3 Satellite Capacity and Coverage This will always be the bottle neck of satellites; how much data can they relay and how small an area can they cover. A satellite has multiple dishes and each dish can cover a part of the earth; small parts like just one state or big parts like the whole continental United States.

In the future satellites will be able to relay much more data, and cover much smaller areas. Especially the smaller coverage areas will be important. Having full capacity available for just a small area means higher bandwidth available for a small amount of people. Especially in urban areas it will be great to have a satellite cover just one neighborhood.

4 Antenna Size This is a very important issue. Small antennas of 18 inches already exist and are used by satellite TV providers such as Dish Network, but these can receive only. The opening angle of an antenna like this is too big to get enough signal power to reach the satellite. In the future however, antennas will get better and eventually small antennas can be used to transmit to the satellite.

5 New Technologies This will be the really interesting part. New technologies may open up possibilities that are never heard of before.

Imagine watching a movie in 3D, you sitting on your couch but watching a show as if you are in the audience when the TV show was recorded. You're not really having a TV at home anymore, but a 3D entertainment room. (for those of you who like StarTrek, a not so strange idea). Normal Satellite TV will still be available of course.

In the future Satellite TV will open up so many possibilities that it is hard to imagine what our lives will be like in 30, or even just 20 years from now. To give an idea of how fast things are going. 50 years ago, there was nothing in space that was made by humans. Now there are even satellite graveyards (specific orbits where obsolete satellites are "parked"). The possibilities of satellite TV technology are growing faster every year. What took 10 years to develop 30 years ago is now done in 2 years.

Dish Network and Satellite TV is one of the driving forces for satellite technologies because the need to please million of subscribers is much stronger than the need to please the relative limited needs of communications for commercial purposes. The future of satellite TV is so bright, that a supernova would pale in comparison!

If you're interested in learning more about Dish Network and satellite TV, go to http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

Types of Satellite TV Systems - TVRO and DBS

You may think that there is only one type of satellite TV system...but you're incorrect. There is, in fact, two different formats of satellite TV: TeleVision Receive Only (TVRO) and Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS). Each satellite TV system is built differently and functions in its own fashion. Dish Network, for example, is a DBS system. However, not all satellite TV systems are DBS.

Below is a break down of each system. Read through it and gain a better understanding of the TVRO and DBS satellite TV systems.

TVRO - TeleVision Receive Only TVRO was the first satellite system available for home viewing of satellite TV. It required a relatively big dish of 3 to 6 feet in diameter and worked in C-Band. Frequencies of around 4 G Hertz are called C-Band and require bigger dishes because the wave length of these frequencies is longer than in Ku-Band which requires a much smaller dish of about 18 inches. Ku-Band is at 12 to 14 G Hertz. TVRO systems also need a movable dish because it needs to get all the channels of many satellites. C-Band satellites have much less channels available than Ku-Band satellites and therefore more satellites are needed to provide enough channels. Possibilities that exist with TVRO systems is that you can also receive free channels and independent feeds from for instance news companies. You could for instance receive the unedited material that is broadcasted from a news crew somewhere in the coverage area of the satellite. They transmit their materials to their headquarters using a C-Band satellite. Many of these types of feeds are not scrambled and are available to everyone with the proper equipment.

TVRO systems are often referred to as Big Dish TV, C-Band Satellite TV and BUD (Big Ugly Dish).

DBS - Direct Broadcast Satellite Satellite TV via DBS is done in the Ku-Band. These satellites work on higher frequencies and can transmit higher power signals. This means that much smaller dishes can be used to receive the signal. A small dish of 18 inches is already enough to receive all satellite TV by Satellite TV. This makes it possible to have satellite TV from an apartment on the 10th floor, if you have a clear line of sight to the south. This is the system used by Dish Network and other satellite TV providers.

DBS is for everyone. The satellite dish is so small that it is not an obstacle like with for instance the TVRO dishes of 3 to 6 feet. Once installed the dish needs no maintenance since it is aimed at just one satellite. Some dishes actually have 2 or more feeds which makes it possible to receive the signals from more than 1 satellite. There are no free channels available on DBS satellites as these are often owned and used by the satellite TV provider it self, such as Dish Network, while TVRO satellites often are used by those who rent space on the satellite for a limited time. TVRO systems are meant for, for instance, transport of unedited materials between continents, but also within one continent.

DBS is meant for everyone with a simple, low cost installation of the system. Often the installation is for free as it really is very easy to do. The only thing that is needed is a bit of knowledge of where to find the satellite and the tools that make this even easier. A qualified installer will find the satellite and point it to maximum reception within minutes.

For more free and helpful information on Satellite TV, how to find the best deal, and how to set it up, visit http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

Choosing a Satellite TV Provider

The Satellite TV industry has made huge gains on the cable tv industry in the past several years. With the price of cable tv skyrocketing every year, many cable subscribers are making the switch over to satellite tv. Okay so you've decided to switch to satellite tv; but which satellite tv provider do you choose?

A satellite tv provider is a company that owns and operates satellites in geostationary orbit around the earth. These satellites broadcast the satellite signal down to your satellite dish and from their the signal is transferred to your receiver (black box). The two largest satellite tv providers in the United Sates are DirecTV and DISH Network. The vast majority of satellite tv subscribers in the United States use one or the other so this article will concentrate on comparing the two satellite giants in an attempt to help you decide which of the two is best foryou.

With the almost exponential growth of the satellite tv industry, both DISH Network and DirecTV are now in a position where they can afford to offer the satellite equipment (dish and receivers) free to their subscribers. So for starters both DISH Network and DirecTV offer free satellite equipment. Basically the only qualifiers are that you be a first time subscriber and that you have a credit card for monthly billing purposes. So if the equipment is free how do the two providers make any money? Well, you do have to pay for the monthly programming of course. The price of your monthly programming bill depends on which programming package you choose.

DISH Network's America Top 60 programming package starts at $24.99 per month and local channels are available. DISH Network presently is not making new subscribers commit to a one year contract. You can end your subscription at any time with no financial penalty to pay. DirecTV's entry level programming package is called the Total Choice package and comes with local channels and is $39.99 per month. With the Total Choice package you get over 130 channels. DirecTV does require you to sign a one year subscription agreement. If you cancel your service before the year is up, then you have to pay a penalty fee to DirecTV.

As both satellite giants use the very lates technology in their satellites and receiving equipment, what differentiates the two is in the programming options that they provide to their subscribers. I would rate DirecTV somewhat ahead of the DISH Network in their sports packages, as they offer seasonal sports options like the N.F.L. Sunday Ticket that DirecTV has exclusive rights to. Both providers offer tons of premium movie packages to choose from including HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax. All these come with multiple channels per movie package. As DISH Network has more satellites in orbit than DirecTV does they have the capacity to offer up to 500 viewing channels, whereas with DirecTV, you can 'only' get 250 channels. Also, DISH Network offers a lot more foreign programming packages than DirecTV does.

Both DISH Network and DirecTV offer 100% digital picture and CD quality sound in all of their programming. So again, they are tied in this important quality. This technology allows for a crystal clear perfect picture that cable tv simply cannot provide.

DISH Network, a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications, was founded in 1996 by Charles Ergan. While not quite as old as DirecTV, DISH Network was the fastest satellite provider to reach the 100,000 subscriber level doing so in just four short months. Presently, DISH Network has over Nine million satellite tv subscribers in the 50 United States and District of Columbia. DISH Network has many 'firsts' to its credit, including being the first company to offer a satellite tv receiver that had a built in DVR (digital video recorder).

DirecTV was begun in 1994 and is the largest satellite tv provider in the United States. When it first launched in 1994, Direct TV was the first satellite TV company to offer all digital-quality, multi-channel TV programming through the use of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) technology. DBS technology is now the standard for the satellite tv industry and we have the ingenuity of the DirecTV engineers to thank for it. While DirecTV does not have as large a bandwidth allocation as the DISH Network does, to counter this DirecTV has arranged to have to exclusive deals with programming companies to cater to the programming whims of their subscribers.

In the all important area of customer care, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer outstanding customer care and support. Both offer online Faqs sections and help sections to their websites. You can also call both toll free to get help with any problem you may be having. Pay-Per-View movies may be ordered either by using your remote control or calling the 800 toll free number for either provider.

Both DirecTV and DISH Network offer free professional installation as part of their free satellite tv promotions. One difference is that DirecTV will install your equipment for free in up to five rooms, where DISH Network presently only installs for free in up to four rooms of your home.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATION:

Both DISH Network and DirecTV offer an outstanding television viewing experience. The picture reception for both is far superior to that of cable tv. DISH Network's entry level package is cheaper than DirecTV's; but then the Total Choice package comes with alot more channels. DirecTV is stronger in the area of sports coverage, while DISH Network places somewhat more of an emphasis on its premium movie packages and foreign programming options. And both have outstanding customer care, both having won the prestigious J.D. Power Award in recent years for providing the best overall service among satellite and cable subscribers.

Our recommendation is that both DirecTV and DISH Network offer a superior television viewing experience than cable tv. Both are alot cheaper than cable, offer superior picture quality and free equipment and instalation. Both also offer superior customer care service compared to local cable providers. If you're a big sports fan and just have to have that certain premium sports package, then DirecTV is for you; but if you're not a huge sports fan and cost is an issue, then you might want to go with DISH Network and it's entry level America's Top 60 at just $24.99 a month. Also, remember that DirecTV will require a one year commitment, whereas with the DISH Network there is no contract to sign, meaning you can cancel your service at anytime and not have to pay a penalty.

Whichever satellite provider you choose, you can't go wrong. As a subscriber of the DISH Network and a sales person that has several years experience in the satellite tv industry (have sold both DirecTV & DISH Network)I highly recommend that you drop cable, stop feeding the pig and switch to satellite tv service today. The vastly superior picture quality alone that DBS satellite technology provides makes it worth the change. It's like heaven watching tv with no more squiggly lines running across the tv screen!

For more free and helpful information on Satellite TV, how to find the best deal, and how to set it up, visit http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

Satellite TV Reception

You are sitting at home, watching TV, and while your show is entertaining you, outside the weather is getting worse. It starts raining, the wind is getting stronger, but your Satellite Antenna is doing its work as if it is a sunny quiet day.

This is the experience of most people that enjoy Satellite TV and Satellite TV Providers such as Dish Network; Smooth reception no matter what weather it is outside. (Of course a hurricane that can destroy your house may be capable of moving your satellite dish as well.)

Bad weather doesn't do much to Satellite antenna reception, or your Dish Network service. But sometimes your antenna can lose reception completely and generally there are some obvious reasons for it that you can solve your self very quickly:

No Satellite TV but Free Coffee You come home from work, sit down in the couch switch on the TV and your Dish Network service and..... Nothing! Your son brings you a cup of coffee and asks how your day was.

When these 2 very rare events occur at the same time and your son is not playing with his basketball outside in the yard like he usually does, you better go check your antenna on the roof (or where ever your antenna is located.) If a very familiar basketball got stuck between the dish and the receiver, you know what to do!

Gardens, Trees and Satellite TV It is the middle of summer, every day is a sunny day, your garden is doing great, you need to water the plants and trees practically every day, but it is worth it. They grow very fast, you get compliments from your neighbors all the time and you're very happy. You don't even get upset because your satellite tv seems to have problems every now and then. However, it is getting worse as the weeks pass and you don't have a clue why. You look at your antenna, trying to follow the line of sight to the skies where somewhere, though invisible to the naked eye, the satellite is doing its work. But your eyes don't get any further than one of your trees that has grown so much it is now in the line of sight to the satellite. 2 possible solutions; either cut the top out of the tree, or move your antenna so that it can "see" over or along the side of the tree.

Kites, Birthdays and Satellite TV You got your son a kite for his birthday. The next day all Satellites seem to have fallen out of the sky........ Well, you get the picture.

Of course the examples described above are not to be taken too serious. However, in very rare cases reception problems may occur. In case you hired an installation company for the installation of your Satellite TV system, such as Dish Network, it is best to call them if you have any problems. However, if you are able, do check if there are any problems that can can be cause by external factors. They may be easy to solve and save you the costs of the installation company visiting. Do not take any risks climbing on the roof to reach your antenna. Have qualified people take the risks for you. They are trained and use safety equipment to prevent injuries.

For more free and helpful information on Satellite TV, how to find the best deal, and how to set it up, visit http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/

I am first and foremost an observer of life. I enjoy analyzing and exploring all aspects of life on planet Earth, and expressing my personal perspective on the nitty gritty of it all. As a result of my observations, I have become a freelance writer.

Is Satellite TV Better than Cable?

Question: Is Satellite TV, Such as Dish Network, Really Better Than Cable?

As the war in video entertainment continues, one thing is for sure: satellite television is here to stay.

When the satellite distributors first began marketing to consumers, the cable industry didn't give their new opponent much thought. Dishes were expensive, they were bulky and their program offerings weren't all that impressive. Cable on the other hand had been around for more than a decade and offered a familiar and reliable solution to home entertainment.

But oh how things have changed.

The satellite industry quickly replaced those bulky dishes with sleeker, smaller systems that could be mounted just about anywhere. Prices dropped, programming grew and pretty soon, switching from cable to satellite TV wasn't such a far-fetched idea after all.

Today, the Satellite TV industry and providers, such as Dish Network, enjoy a steady and continued growth in subscribers and services, gradually closing the gap in video entertainment market share. Where the cable industry has reported an annual growth between 10 to 15 percent, top satellite companies, such as Direct TV, boast a market share increase of just under 30% according to a study from The Media Audit.

So is satellite and providers such as Dish Network really better than cable?

Satellite TV customers seem to think so. Studies show that satellite customers pay an average of $10 less per month than their cable counterparts. Satellite programming is also all-digital, meaning the reception and picture quality is much better than that of traditional analog cable. Cable subscribers do have the option of upgrading to digital but this incurs an additional monthly cost and doesn't guarantee all the channels will be included in the upgrade. And, with the healthy dose of competition in the satellite industry, consumers can be assured of continued competitive pricing. Your cable provider doesn't have any competition. Do you suppose that affects your rate increases?

Satellite TV subscribers also tout a higher satisfaction rating with customer service issues, one of the primary reasons cited for making the move from cable.

For details, visit dish-network-satellite-tv.ws

Programming the Satellite TV Receiver

If you're a new Dish Network or other satellite TV provider customer or just want to understand the details of satellite TV service, read through this quick guide and learn everything there is to know about programming a satellite TV receiver.

Setting up your satellite TV system isn't as difficult as you might think. In addition to installing the satellite dish itself, you'll need to program that little black box known as your satellite TV receiver. Don't know where to start? Not to worry... just follow these steps and you'll be up and running in no time at all.

Assuming your dish is already installed and your receiver is properly connected, turn your receiver and your television set ON. You'll see a screen called "Point Dish/Signal Strength Setup" where you're going to test the reception from your satellites.

Choose the "Check Switch" option and you'll see a new screen. Choose "Check" or "Test" and you'll get a message that your system check is in progress. When the test is complete, you'll see an Installation Summary on your screen that shows reception details for two satellites. DISH Network customers will see data for two satellites: 110 West and 119 West. Transponders should show "ALL" and the message "Satellite Reception Verified" in the status area. You can exit this screen.

Now look at your Point Dish/Signal screen again. Do you show good strength under the 119 West listing? If so, move the check mark to the 110 West listing. Do you show good strength there as well? If not, you'll need to go back and fine-tune your dish positioning until you have the strongest possible signal from both satellites. Once you're satisfied with your signal strength, you're ready to download your software. Simply exit the Point Dish/Signal Strength menu and you'll be prompted to confirm that your dish positioning is complete. Answer "Yes" and another prompt will appear confirming the download of your programming software. Let the software download completely - do not interrupt this process.

Once the receiver's memory has been upgraded, you'll need to order your programming. DISH Network customers can press the "SYS INFO" button on the receiver front panel. This will display the "Important System Information" screen that includes various serial numbers and software versions. Call DISH Network and a customer service representative will walk you through the rest. With your programming complete, you can begin enjoying your new satellite TV system. In addition to browsing programs with the up and down channel buttons, you can also preview your channels using the Program Guide.

To access the Guide, press the "GUIDE" button on your remote. You can sort your guide program viewing in a few different ways, so take a few minutes to customize the Program Guide to suit your needs.

Enjoy the show!

For details, visit dish-network-satellite-tv.ws

Satellite TV FAQ

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 $31.99 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 250 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 cost $199 per receiver.

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.?

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 a professional freelance writer and webmaster who has written extensively on satellite TV FAQs.

Satellite TV Provider Comparison -- DISH Network and DIRECTV

Satellite TV Providers

There are two satellite TV providers that offer satellite TV service in the U.S. -- DISH Network and DIRECTV.

DISH Network was launched by EchoStar Communications in 1996. It currently has 12 million subscribers, and is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among all cable and satellite TV providers by J.D. Power and Associates.

DIRECTV was the first DBS (direct broadcast satellite) TV provider. Launched in 1994 by General Motors, it currently has 14.5 million subscribers, and is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Satellite TV Provider Comparison

Here's a feature-to-feature comparison of the two satellite TV providers:

Programming

DISH Network offers 256 channels of all-digital programming including movie channels, pay-per-view programs, and sports packages. They have the biggest variety of movies and shows, and offer 50 Sirius music channels.

DIRECTV offers 225 channels of all-digital programming including movie channels, pay-per-view, and sports packages. They have the most sports packages, and offer 31 music channels.

International Channels

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, Vietnamese program channels.

Pay-Per-View Movies and Special Events

Both DISH Network and DIRECTV pay-per-view movies are $3.99 each. Special event programming prices vary according to the event.

Pricing

DISH Network program packages start at $31.99 for 60 program channels including HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax, and go up to $86.99 for 230 channels, including 50 Sirius radio channels.

DIRECTV program packages start at $39.99 a month for 135 program channels including 31 music channels, plus HBO, Showtime, and Starz, and go up to $93.99 for 185 channels.

Note: For ordering information and current special offers on program packages, click on the links below.

Activation Fee

DISH Network's $49.99 activation fee is refunded with first bill, so it ends up being free.

DIRECTV's $50.00 fee is refunded with first bill, so it too is free.

Satellite TV System

Both DISH Network and DIRECTV will give you a free satellite TV dish and 4 free receivers with universal remotes when you subscribe to their service. Installation is free.

HD (high definition) Receivers

DISH Network offers free HD receivers when you order their service.

DIRECTV HD receivers are $199 each.

DVR (digital video recording) receivers

DISH Network will give you two free DVR receivers. Video-on-Demand service (the equivalent of TiVo), is free when you order their America's Everything Pak programming, or $4.98 a month with their other programming packages.

DIRECTV DVR receivers are free (after a $99 rebate) when you order their service. TiVo service is free when you order their Total Choice Premier package, or $4.99 a month with their other program packages.

Warranty

Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer a one-year warranty on their satellite TV systems.

Installation Times

Installation times for both DISH Network and DIRECTV is usually one to five days from the time an order is placed. Customer Service

DISH Network and DIRECTV have 24-hour, 7-days-a-week online and toll-free customer service.

Bonus Gifts

Both satellite TV providers offer special programming offers and free gifts to encourage you to purchase their service. For current offerings click on the links below.

Click on the following links for more information on free satellite TV systems and service, plus the latest special offers and free bonuses from DISH Network satellite TV and DIRECTV satellite TV.

Brian Stevens is a professional freelance writer and webmaster who has written extensively on satellite TV provider comparisons.