Satellite TV -- What You Should Know

In the last 10 years more than 27 million people have switched from cable and over-the-air TV to satellite TV. But is satellite TV really that much better?

Let's find out ...


Satellite TV

Satellite TV is a television system whereby a broadcast center sends a signal containing TV programs to a satellite in orbit above the earth.

The satellite captures the signal and sends it back to earth, where it is picked up by a satellite dish and relayed to a TV set.

In order to receive a satellite TV signal you must have a satellite system -- a dish to capture the signal, and a receiver to unscramble the signal and send it to your television.


Satellite TV History

In 1962, the first satellite TV signal was sent from Europe to North America via the Telstar satellite. The first first commercial satellite, Early Bird, was launched in 1965, and Satellite TV reception in the U.S. began in 1980.

Early satellite TV systems were expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. The dishes were large -- 10 to 12 feet in diameter -- and the receivers and antenna rotators were bulky and complicated.

In 1994 the first DBS (direct broadcast satellite) was put into orbit, issuing in the era of the mini dish and the slim-line receiver, making it possible for anyone, even apartment renters and condo owners, to have satellite TV.


Satellite TV Providers

There are two major satellite TV providers in the U.S.A -- DIRECTV and DISH Network.


DIRECTV

With 14.5 million customers, DIRECTV is the oldest and largest satellite TV provider in the USA.

DIRECTV is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction among all satellite and cable TV companies by J.D. Power and Associates.

DIIRECTV offers the following equipment and services:

* A Free satellite TV system -- one dish and four receivers.
* Free installation and instruction on using the system.
* 250 channels with digital-quality picture and sound.
* 500 commercial-free movies per month.
* Up to 67 pay-per-view programs and events daily.
* 67 commercial-free XM radio channels.
* Toll-free, 24/7 customer service.

DIRECTV offers the most sports programming of the two satellite TV providers.


DISH Network

With more than 12 million customers, DISH Network is the second-oldest satellite TV provider, and is the fastest-growing provider.

DISH Network is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among all the satellite and cable TV companies by J.D. Power and Associates.

DISH Network offers the following equipment and services:

* A Free satellite TV system -- one dish and four receivers.
* Free installation and satellite TV system instruction.
* 256 channels with digital-quality picture and sound.
* 500 commercial-free movies a month.
* Up to 60 pay-per-view programs and events per day.
* 50 commercial-free Sirius radio channels and 52 music channels.
* Toll-free, 24/7 customer service.

DISH Network has the biggest variety of movies and shows of the two satellite TV providers, and offers the cheapest basic service package.


Satellite TV Dealers

There are more than 80 online dealers and thousands of offline dealers across the U.S.A.

Some dealers are reputable and will give you an honest deal, but a number of dealers will lure you into subscribing to their service, then hit you with hidden fees, provide you with shoddy installation, and give you zero customer service.

Before you subscribe to a satellite TV service, you should read their service agreement carefully and call their customer service to clarify anything that isn't clear to you.

Note: Click on the links below for information on dealers that are reputable and give the best service at the best price.


Satellite TV Benefits

The main benefit of having satellite TV service is you can access up to 375 channels of TV programming. That gives you a lot more viewing options than cable or over-the-air TV.

In addition to regular TV programming, satellite TV allows you to tune into pay-per-view movies and special events, and to listen to more than 100 channels of commercial-free music on satellite radio.

Another benefit of satellite TV is the quality of the TV picture. Satellite TV is broadcast in digital format which produces a super sharp picture. Additionally, you have the option of ordering HD (high definition) TV for an even more lifelike picture.

Another benefit is the ability to record your favorite programs and to pause or fast-forward live TV using a DVR (digital video recorder).

Last, but not least, you get all the equipment you need to view satellite TV, including installation, absolutely free.


Conclusion

If you have over-the-air TV and don't watch much television then satellite TV probably isn't for you.

If, however, you watch a lot of TV or you have cable TV, then I recommend clicking on the links below to see what satellite TV has to offer.

With over 375 channels to choose from plus satellite radio, pay-per-view, movies, and programming packages starting at less than a dollar a day, you can't go wrong with satellite TV.

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

What is Satellite TV and How It Works?

The arrival of Satellite TV was characterized by expensive metallic home dishes, usually taking a huge amount of yard space, which installation was very difficult, not to mention all other hassles involved to make them work and the limited dishnetwork providers.

Dish network today is totally different with the current compact satellite dishes in almost every household all over the United States, and established the Satellite TV providers offering a lure of events and news from around the world along with the traditional programming of movies, music, sports, etc.

The concept of dish network is commonly used in reference to Satellite TV, which is closely similar to broadcast television, but a wireless delivering system transmitting the programming via a radio signal through a satellite station, known as dishnetwork.

Satellite TV stations transmits satellite radio signals like broadcast stations do but with a few differences. The traditional powerful antenna transmitting radio waves to the surrounding area when it comes to broadcast television, is substituted by satellite equipment that does not require shooting out from an antenna in a straight line, thus obstacles will not distort or reflect the radio waves.

A dishnetwork receives the broadcast signals from satellites orbiting the Earth, high in the sky, making it possible to reach a large number of customers in the line of site with practically no obstacles in the middle, and just requiring the specialized antenna called a satellite dish.

Satellite TV components include the programming sources, which are those channels providing the programming for broadcast. The broadcast center or central hub of the system, provides the signals from programming sources, beams the broadcast signals to satellites in geostationary orbit of the dishnetwork.

Satellites receive signals from the broadcast station and then rebroadcast them to the ground, where dish network antennas pick up those signals from the satellite passing it on to the receiver in the household, usually a home dish that processes the signal and passes it on to a standard television.

Satellite TV consisted of a dishnetwork which received the transmitted signals but there were not enough programming sources or dish network providers so the antennas usually picked up a few foreign stations but more often NASA activities, live feeds between broadcast stations, or other not related transmissions made through satellites.

Today, Satellite TV customers can get the programming they want through a direct broadcast satellite provider, such as Dish Network and DirecTV. These services transmit digitally in the Ku frequency range (12 GHz to 14 GHz), while early Satellite TV was broadcast in C-band radio in the 3.4-gigahertz (GHz) to 7-GHz frequency range.

Natalie Aranda writes about computer and technology

How Satellite Radio And TV Innovations Work For You

For many years, radio and TV broadcasts were all done pretty much the same and consumers had no choice but to put up with the limitations of the broadcasting system. It was well-known that you could only be so far away from a radio or TV station if you ever hoped to pull in a strong enough signal to make the reception clear and enjoyable. But when cable TV was first introduced all of that began to change and now satellite technologies are in place to allow everyone to enjoy clear, high quality broadcast reception no matter where they are in the US.

Old analog radio and TV broadcasts have been extremely limited in what they could do for two major reasons: (1) The signal could only carry so much information, and (2) the shape of the earth made tall obstructions and distance a serious obstacle past a 30 - 50 mile range. So if you exceeded that range, picture and/or sound became sketch and eventually not worth even putting up with.

As mentioned above, cable started to address those issues, but it's been the advent of satellite technology that has really brought clear digital entertainment to the masses no matter where they live in the US. And here is why:

Satellite radio and TV both broadcast their signal in digital formats rather than analog. The signal is much more dense and contains more information. What that means for you is better clarity on the TV screen and high quality CD-like sound for both radio and TV.

But perhaps one of the most incredible advances made available by satellite technology is the ability to stream perfectly clear reception throughout the US even if you live in remote or rural areas. This is possible because the satellites that broadcast the signal are in orbit thousands of miles above the earth, so there is absolutely nothing to obstruct the signal or degrade it as it is beamed down to those on the ground who can receive it with the appropriate equipment.

There is also enough satellites in use that service is never interrupted as they travel around the earth. When one starts to go out of range, the next in line picks up the broadcasting chores and the reception is never broken.

This means that if you have a subscription to either XM or Sirius satellite radio service, you could get in your car and travel nonstop from one end of the country to the other end and never lose the radio broadcast signal or even have to put up with any static or reduced quality. It's entertainment that is always on and always available, everywhere throughout the country.

This kind of technology was only a dream just a few years ago, but now has become the standard for top quality broadcasting entertainment for now and the foreseeable future.

Fout more about sirius satellite radio and delphi satellite radio by visiting our Satellite Radio Review website

What makes satellite TV so great anyway?

#TITLE#Will You, Too, Join the Cult of Satellite TV?#/TITLE#

Have you ever noticed how satellite TV subscribers seem to live in groups? Really...take a look at a subdivision, and notice how 5-6 dish owners all live next to one another - it's like some sort of weird cult when you think about it! I have seen entire subdivisions go "the way of the dish" in a few short months. So why does this "grouping" phenomenon seem to happen with satellite TV?

There aren't any doctoral theses on the subject, but I would like to offer an educated guess: Basically, people are fed up with cable. And hey, an odd-looking satellite TV dish perched atop your neighbor's roof one day is bound to spark your curiosity. After striking up a conversation and hearing about all the great things that a dish satellite TV system has to offer subscribers, it is easy to see how a domino effect could start in a neighborhood. Once one brave soul decides to take the plunge and subscribe to satellite TV, the rest will soon follow. It's just a theory, but I think we might just have a story here, Houston.

Are you bored with the selection offered by your cable provider or just plain tired of paying through the nose for the channels you actually watch? A dish satellite TV system provides viewers with a greater selection of channels for less money than cable - period. Cable companies may try to lure customers in with low introductory rates, but they always rise after a few short months - and hey, why should you pay more for worse selection with cable, when satellite TV gives more for less?

Oh come now...there has to be a catch around here somewhere!

Hey, that's smart thinking! And yes, there are always tradeoffs when choosing satellite TV over cable. The first is that a dish satellite TV system tends to lose signal during storms. Without question, that could really put you in a bad mood if you get cut off while watching the latest episode of 'Desperate Housewives'. But the good news is that satellite TV technology continues to improve, so the weather will cease to be an issue within a very short time. Although subscribers to satellite TV do have to put up with lost signal every once in awhile, the same can be said of cable - and the extra channels and lower cost more than compensate for this inconvenience.

The second major drawback of satellite TV is the lack of local programming. Personally, I never bother with the local news anyway, and I'm not a big high school football fan, so the lack of these local channels on my dish satellite TV system doesn't bother me. But some satellite TV companies are making deals with local programming affiliates in larger markets to help eliminate this gripe. Still, it is another disadvantage of using satellite TV instead of cable. Can you live without those local channels? Probably...at least for a week or two!

Satellite providers are addressing the two main complaints against a dish satellite TV system. But even if you accept these two drawbacks to satellite TV, the advantages simply outweigh the problems. And besides - satellite TV is the future. So don't be surprised if you find yourself joining the Cult of Satellite TV one day - even if you are a die-hard cable fan - because the technology continues to improve, and the problems become fewer.

Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website Satellite TV Universe, which answers the most common questions viewers have about Satellite TV. Please visit us at http://www.satellitetvuniverse.com today.

Dish Network deals A to Z: avoid satellite TV online scams!

Recent years we have seen an explosion of people choosing satellite over cable or satellite TV. Consumer surveys and polls show some common reasons being superior picture quality, larger selection of channels and programs, increased availability, good customer service and the continuing drop in price. As Dish Network stands as one of the most popular satellite TV providers in the states, examining on their deals is a must for one who is looking for some satellite TV deals.

1. Who is Dish Network anyway?

Owned by Echostar Communication Cooperation, Dish Network was licensed in March 1996 and currently dish up to 11 million satellite TV customers. With up to 256 TV channels served in three major packages (Dish Network All American Top 60s, 120s, and 180s), Dish Network provides a wide programming selection to the subscribers.

2. Are Dish Network deals offering free satellite TV systems for real?

Yes, you do can get free Dish Network satellite TV systems, provided that you must be a first time customer and you MUST commit to at least one-year service contract with Dish Network. The basic free satellite TV systems includes up to 4 receivers (common model: Dish 311) with remote controls, Dish Network access card, and a satellite dish to be installed facing the north. Some dealers will give out extra incentive gifts such as DVR system, DVD player, home theater sets and free movie channels for certain periods. Thus, picking up the right Dish Network dealer is important. We highly recommend ordering Dish Network deals online, as they are the one who can afford the best bargains for you.
Click here for Dish Network online dealer's review.

3. Why get Dish Network from online dealers?

Just a simple reason: Bargains. As Dish Network online dealer's operating cost is extremely low compared to brick and mortar satellite TV stores, online Dish Network dealers manage to focus their model in providing the cheapest deals as well as building up strong customer support network.

Check out other Dish Network dealers on the list by your own, you will soon find those online Dish Network deals are just incredible.

4. Do I need to install the dish my self?

No, but you can if you want to. Standard Dish Network installation is free of charge, so why take the hassles?

5. What I need to do to get a Dish Network system?

To order Dish Network services, you need to approach Dish Network dealers to select the number of satellite systems, programming packages, HD upgrading, DVR upgrading, and other supplementary deals. Shipping and installation will be done very soon after the order is placed.

A cost of $50 will be charged as deposit when you place your order. This fees will then credited back to your Dish Network monthly bills thus starting up Dish Network services basically is free.

6. So how do they make money?

Pretty simple: the subscription fees. To get your free Dish Network satellite TV, you have to commit to a one-year subscription contract when you get into Dish Network. Infact, this is the current trend of the satellite TV buisness -- both Dish Network and DirecTV are making money through the subscription fees in long term.

7. What are the different methods for paying my Dish Network bill?

One-time Credit Card Payments

You can make secure online payments using Dish Network Customer Support Center. This FREE service works with any major credit or debit card and posts to your account immediately.
You can also make payments by calling Dish Network Automated Phone System at 1-800-333-3474 and follow the voice prompts. If you have a 3900, 4900, 111, 301, 311, 322, or DVR501/508/510 receiver, you may also make a payment through Dish Home (channel 100). If services are interrupted, the services will be restored usually within 5-10 minutes once a payment is made.

Credit Card Auto-pay (CCA)

This feature deducts your monthly charges from your credit or debit card on the due date. You may choose to discontinue paper bills or continue to receive the statements (You will not need to send a payment should you choose to continue receiving these statements.). Please be sure to pay the current balance when you sign up. As CCA will take one full billing cycle to take effect, this will help prevent a late fee from being charged.

8. What is the best Dish Network setup?

2-rooms set up; 3-rooms set up; HDTV set up ... getting confused?

The best hardware set up really depends on your visualize and your location. Most people will be perfectly served by the multi-room systems right now. All the necessary equipment for up to 4 rooms, plus the installation, plus Digital Video Recorders are yours for the taking, FREE.

In this package, with just $50 of start up fees (which they will credit back your account for the same amount), you are ready to enjoy your Dish Network. As mention before, these satellite TVs equipments are given life time warranty; you won't have to worry about receivers or dishes breaking down.

Same thing if you want to receive Dish Network HD programs. Until recently you had to buy special equipment (known as the Superdish) to receive high definition signals. Now you don't even have to -- Regular receivers (those that are freely given) like the HD-811 and the HD-DVR 921, can get all HD content.

If you want to get international programming - the strong set of Dish Network - you will have to buy an additional dish antenna at the cost of $99 (at the time of writing).

9. How does Dish Network scores when compare to DirecTV?

Interestingly, the satellite system services offered by both DIRECTV and DISH Network are practically interchangeable -- both offer more than 200 program channels, integrated digital video recording (DVR) capabilities, high definition TV (HDTV) capabilities, stunning picture and sound quality and award-winning 24-hour customer service departments.

Where they differ is in pricing and programming. Dish Network packages are a little more cheaper, however DirecTV covers more sports channels. Programming wise, Dish Network offers more International and movie channels.

10. How about the Internet scams?

Unfortunately, with any hot product on Internet come the scammers.

Online ordering satellite TV deals sounds great. However, consumers should also aware that there are risks hidden when ordering your satellite TV deals online: Fraudulent websites.

There are hundreds or even thousands of scammers in the satellite TV online business, claiming to offer the best satellite dish deals and promotions. Their websites might look professional to lure unsuspecting customers. Most of these scams offer a fake promise on their deals. Extremely low monthly subscription rates, next-day installation, and unlimited number of free satellite systems are some of the common promotion terms. But once a customer signs up they find hidden activation fees, high shipping costs for free extras, installation dates continuously missed or pushed back, as well as outrageous cancellation fees.
Hundreds of "Satellite TV" websites have popped up, Buyers should always beware of all these scammers and do not fall into their traps. Satellite TV deals can be a huge bargains or a scary nightmare and it all depends on the satellite TV retailers that you pick.

If you were scared off by the statements above, DON'T! Although there are a lot of satellite TV scams over the Internet, there are still lots of bargains to be grabbed! Just beware when you place your Dish Network order, choose ONLY reputable Dish Network dealers to assure your spending are used safe.

Some basic questions to ask when selecting reliable dealers are:
Are they in business for more than 1 year?
Are the dealer certified by Dish Network official?
Is there any customer service available via phone, chat or email?
Is your deal 100% guaranteed? (Full refund if installation fails)

If you are serious about getting a Dish Network system, why not take 5 minutes and have a look on my list of reliable Dish Network retailers? Click here: http://www.satellitetvissue.com/FreeSatelliteTV/SatelliteTVDealers.htm

Teddy LC., expert writter on consumer products reviews. Check out his latest satellite TV related website and get recommendations on DirecTV or Dish Network deals, review Dish Network and DirecTV retailers, and other issues on free satellite TV offers.

How a Satellite TV Antenna Works

Practically all broadcast systems use antennas to transmit and receive radio signals. These antennas are based on single metal pole to which the carrier signal is sent through a cable. First lets talk about how this most simple type of antenna works:

Pole Antenna

A Pole antenna basically consists of one metal pole that transmits it signals around it as if it was the center of a sphere. In all directions the transmitted signal has the same power. The length of the antenna is determined by the frequency of the transmitted signal.

Radio waves, like light waves, always travel at the same speed, which is about 186.000 miles (300.000 km) per second. One wave length is determined by the frequency of the signal by the following formula:

Wavelength = speed of light / frequency

This results in higher frequencies having shorter wavelengths. A pole antenna doesnt have to have the length of a complete antenna but can also have a length of about , 1/8, or 1/16 of the wave length. This is done mostly for practical purposes (shorter antennas). Wave lengths for pole antennas can go as high as 1 to 2 Giga Hertz. A cell phone for instance works at frequencies of 950 Mega Hertz which is almost 1 Giga Hertz.

Satellite TV or Parabolic Antenna

A satellite TV Antenna or parabolic antenna works on the same principle. The frequencies used by satellite transmissions are of much higher frequencies; 2 Giga Hertz or higher. Wavelengths get so short at these frequencies that it is not possible anymore to transmit using a pole antenna and transmit in all directions. The power needed would be very high because high frequencies are subject to much more resistance from the atmosphere.

Bundling all the transmitted power into a beam improves the power transmitted in one direction by a huge factor. Depending on the distance between the transmitter and the receiver the amplification compared to a normal pole antenna can be as high as 40 to 50 dB (which is as much as 10.000 to 100.000 times amplification).

In reality the beam is not completely straight, but gets wider over the distance. The angle is small, but in case of an antenna on a satellite that transmits all over the USA the angle is actually a little bigger so that the whole USA is covered.

The antenna at your roof or in your garden is pointed at the satellite and receives the signal and does the same thing; it bundles the radio waves into a point, thus amplifying the radio signal with 40 to 50 dB. (see illustration below).

Amplification in the whole path is extremely big. The transmitting antenna amplifies, the receiving antenna amplifies, the transmitter it self amplifies, and the receiver itself also amplifies the signal. A total amplification of over 120 dB (over 1.000.000.000.000 times) is necessary because the atmosphere and also the long distance just decrease the signal power a lot.

By Gary Davis
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Webmasters: You may reprint this article in its entirety, providing you leave the Byline and About the Author sections intact, including the links to Dish Network Satellite TV.

Gary Davis is the owner of Dish Network Satellite TV, has several years experience in the Satellite TV Industry and has written numerous articles about satellite TV.

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Email: customerservice@dish-network-satellite-tv.ws