Satellite TV Dealers

Satellite TV is nowadays a growing business with millions of subscribers worldwide. What used to be a luxury only for the rich and famous just a few years ago is no an affordable option for almost anyone. The growth rate of satellite TV has beaten cable TV in many countries and there are many satellite TV dealers providing these services. However, as with any other hot product, there are a lot of scammers as well.

Ordering Online

There are many satellite TV dealers who sell there products online as well. After you place your order with an online satellite TV dealer, you have to choose the number of satellite systems you want to receive. Online dealers usually offer up to 4 free systems often along with an incentive gift as well, such as a DVD player or a home theater system.

After you've completed your order, you will schedule the time when a professional installer will come to your house. The satellite system can be shipped to you in advance or be brought in by the installer. You usually don't have to decide on the programming right away. You can call a toll-free number after the installation and talk to a customer service representative to activate the programming you'd like.

Internet Scams

Unfortunately, as with any other product you purchase on the Internet, there is a risk to get scammed. Many of the online satellite TV dealers out there are actually scammers. They claim to offer the best satellite deals for a very small subscription fee with next-day installation and sometimes unlimited number of free satellite system as part of a promotion.

However, after you sign up you will discover hidden activation fees, installation dates permanently postponed, high shipping costs or enormous cancellation fees. There might be more scammers out there than actual satellite TV dealers, so beware not to fall into their traps.

Choosing the Right Satellite TV Dealer

In the United States there are two main satellite TV providers: Dish Network and DirecTV. They both have several reputable dealers assigned and you are recommended to order your systems from one of them.

- Here is a checklist of the minimum requirements a satellite TV dealer should meet: - Be in business for at least one year - Have a certified website, as well as provide a secure order page - Be authorized by a satellite provider's officials - Have no "hidden" costs (the cost charged on credit card should be shown clearly) - Provide a customer support service by phone, email or live chats - Have a 100% money-back guarantee and refund your money if the installation fails - Being able to provide testimonials from customers, user reviews or being recommended by an authority website is always a plus.

A satellite TV deal can be either an incredible bargain or a dreadful nightmare, depending on the satellite TV dealer you choose. Ordering your satellite systems from a reliable company can save you a lot of money and headaches, as well as provide you with the quality you are expecting.

Christopher Buckley is owner of one of the internet's largest Satellite TV resources. To find a satellite TV dealer, visit Satellite TV Blog

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.
 

Satellite TV Comparison -- Providers and Dealers Compared

Satellite TV Comparison

Satellite TV providers are the companies that offer satellite TV programming to the public. They purchase satellite TV programming from networks, independent companies, and radio stations, then make their programming available to the public through the use of satellites.

Satellite TV dealers are the companies who sell the satellite TV services and satellite TV equipment offered by the satellite TV providers.

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


Satellite TV Providers Comparison

DISH Network

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

DISH Network offers 375 channels of all-digital satellite TV programming including movie channels, pay-per-view programs, sports packages, and Sirius satellite radio. They have the biggest variety of movies, shows, and international programming of the two satellite TV providers.

DISH Network programming starts at $19.99 for 40 program channels, and goes up to $74.99 for 375 channels, including 60 Sirius radio channels.

DISH Network has 24/7 Internet and toll-free customer service, and offers a lifetime warranty on their satellite TV systems.


DIRECTV

Started in 1994, DIRECTV was the first DBS (direct broadcast satellite) TV provider. It currently has more than 14 million subscribers and is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction among all cable and satellite TV providers by J.D. Power and Associates.

DIRECTV offers 250 channels of all-digital programming including movie channels, pay-per-view, sports packages, and XM satellite radio. They have the most sports packages of the satellite TV providers.

DIRECTV programming starts at $29.99 a month for 155 program channels, including 31 XM radio channels, and goes up to $96.99 for 250 channels.

DIRECTV has 24/7 Internet and toll-free customer service, and offers a one-year warranty on their satellite TV systems.


Note: For more information on DISH Network or DIRECTV's satellite TV service, including their latest bonuses, free gifts, and ordering information, click on the links below.


Satellite TV Dealers Comparison

Due to the rise in popularity of satellite TV, satellite TV dealers have been popping up all over the country promising the best deals, the best service, and everything else under the sun. But many of them have hidden service fees, provide you with shoddy installation, and give little or no customer service.

I've spent numerous hours researching online satellite TV dealers to find out who's the most reputable and who has the best deals. Here's a rundown on the top four dealers:


DISH Network Satellite TV Dealers

Allsat (Best)

Established in 1995, Allsat is one of the oldest and most reputable online satellite TV dealers. Their prices, reputation, and service are second to none.

Allsat currently offers:

* A free satellite dish and up to four free receivers
* Free professional installation
* Free DVR (digital video recording) receivers
* Free HD (high definition) receivers
* 24/7 customer service
* Lifetime equipment warranty

VMC (Good)

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

VMC currently offers:

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


DIRECTV Satellite TV Dealers

Rapid Satellite (Best)

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

Rapid Satellite currently offers:

* A Free 4-room system
* Free installation
* Free DIRECTV DVR (after $99 rebate)
* Free HDTV receiver (after $99 rebate)
* 24-hour customer service
* One-year equipment warranty

iSatellite (Good)

ISatellite is one of DIRECTV's top satellite TV dealers. Though relatively new, they are one of the most reputable online dealers in the U.S.

iSatellite currently offers:

* A free satellite TV dish and up to four free receivers
* Free professional installation
* Free DIRECTV DVR receiver (after $99 mail-in rebate)
* Free HDTV receiver (after $99 mail-in rebate)
* 24/7 customer service
One-year equipment warranty


Conclusion

The first thing you should do if you're thinking about getting satellite TV is to see what program packages DISH Network and DIRECTV have to offer.

After you find what you want, check out their dealers to find out what equipment options are available, what programming options are offered, and what their fees are for various services.

You can find all of this information by clicking on the links below.


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

Satellite or Cable TV-- Tough Choice? Not Really

Satellite or Cable TV-- Tough Choice? Not Really

There is a lot of propaganda out there about the pros and cons of satellite tv versus digital cable. At one time, several years ago, deciding between cable and satellite was a tough choice, but not today. Most of the cons associated with satellite tv no longer exist. The main reason cable companies promoted for years to entice people to choose cable over satellite was that cable carried local channels. Voila, today satellite tv also offers local channels. But what about all of the equipment you have to buy with satellite tv? Another falacy. There is typically about the same amount of equipment with either cable or satellite, it is just different equipment. Right now, there are endless promotions for satellite systems that include free equipment and installation with sign up for services. One of the best available right now, is at www.hdtvdishnetwork.com. You can also find a coupon for free satellite tv equipment and installation on the "sign me up" page at www.getdishdirect.com. So, if you take away the cons associated with satellite tv, you are left with only the pros. Satellite tv offers a wide array of choices. You can usually get a package containing more channels for less than a similar cable package. The digital information is received in full for a crystal clear picture.

The cons associated with cable, however, still exist. In fact, they are becoming more apparent with the onset of high definition television's popularity. The major benefit of satellite over cable, in my opinion is the bandwidth. The bandwidth of cable television is limited by the size of the cable, generally about RG6. Satellite does not suffer from this limitation. It has full capability of transmitting all the digital information included in high definition television. It is also capable of providing high speed internet connections at very competitive rates.

With the advancement of technology and today's competitive market satellite tv has emerged as a clear victor over cable television. High definition television is increasing the value of satellite services. Competition is leaving you the consumer at a distinct advantage. Isn't it time you start enjoying all the benefits of satellite tv? I recommend www.hdtvdishnetwork.com as the absolute best place on the web to get a great deal on satellite tv including free equipment and free installation. You may also want to check out www.getdishdirect.com for some really great package offers.

Ms. Bodle is a free lance entrepreneur providing bookkeeping and consulting services for small businesses. Please feel free to email her by visiting www.shopatmoes.com and clicking on "Contact Us." If you are interested in satellite tv please visit www.hdtvdishnetwork.com or www.getdishdirect.com

FREE Satellite TV Offers - What Need To Know

What you should know about FREE Satellite TV Offers
You see them almost every day. Ads for FREE 4-room DirecTV, or FREE Dish Network DVR, Next day installation, order now to get your FREE home theater. We have prepared some helpful information to help you select the right retailer for your FREE satellite TV system.

Before you can select the right retailer, you need to know a little about how the retailer networks operate. Some retailers purchase equipment from distributors, then install it at no cost. In exchange for signing up a NEW customer, the Platform provider (Directv or the Dish Network) pay the retailer a sales commission, installation reimbursement and a payment to cover the cost of the equipment. These retailers are commonly called Satellite Independent Retailers (SIR's).

The other type of retailer, is one that does not buy or stock equipment. These retailers only provide DirecTV or the Dish Network with your information. From that point on, you are no longer dealing with the company you choose to give your business. Regardless of the size of the store, or their reputation, you are passed on in exchange for a commission only payment.

All Retailers offer the same FREE promotions.
Regardless of who you call, those free movie channels for 90 days promotions and FREE DVR's are available from any retailer. All retailers can offer the same deals. The Platform provider establishes the promotions for the retailers. The only exception are those FREE DVD Players, Home Theaters, and other non satellite merchandise give aways. Those retailers are paying for those items from the sales commissions they expect to receive for signing a new customer. Those items rarely have a value worth more then $50. In some cases you have to wait 6 months, and then follow a series of procedures to actually get your equipment. When you do receive your free item, you will often discover that it is a re-manufactured item that falls far short of your expectations.

How do you know which retailer to trust? The only real difference from one retailer to the next is the installation and service after-the-sale they provide. Both DirecTV and the Dish Network maintain "In-House" Installation networks. These In-House operations are actually a network of contracted companies who provide installations to large territories. DirecTV use their Home Service Provider Network (HSP) and Master Service Providers (MSP) while the Dish Network uses a multi-tier network which forms the Dish Network Service Corporation (DNSC). The primary issue with these large multi-state companies are delays in scheduling and the ability of these installers to provide custom installations. Many are only allowed to install to specific guidelines, which often leads to dishes being installed in less the most desirable locations.

So who do you call?
Call a local Satellite Independent Retailer (SIR) who provides custom installations, and will not only tell you the name of your installer before you sign up, but may actually let you talk to them before you sign up, if you have questions about your installation.

Should you need service help or just have a question, a local independent retailer and service technician are a phone call away. With a SIR, you are more then a commission or just another install, you become a customer. SIR's can provide you those same FREE satellite deals and provide you the customer service you deserve.

Find a local Satellite TV Retailer for FREE Satellite TV

Todd Humphrey operates a Satellite TV and Satellite Internet consumer help web site, DBSInstall . DBSinstall provides consumers the resources they need to solve common Dish Network, DirecTV, DirecWay, HughesNet, WildBlue and FTA Satellite problems. When professional help is required, consumers can search though our national database for local Satellite Retailer or Installer near them.

Satellite TV Is Crowned King

Satellite television is knocking cable out of the box. It is obvious that cable television is by far the least advanced when compared to satellite television. With satellite television, you will get more channels while saving a whole lot of money.

Satellite television can support over 250 channels of programming. All channels are digital quality and offer HD (high definition) television services that are compatible to your satellite TV service.

Satellite television fees for Dish Network start at $31.99/month, while DirecTV charges $41.99/month. Both satellite television providers offer free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to four rooms.

Cable television fees average $39.99/month for 64 channels, plus $10.95/month to add digital channels. Installation in one room is $39.95, plus $9.95 for each additional room.

Satellite television offers the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and news for the least amount of money. You can watch all your shows in digital video and sound with the option of watching them in HD format and recording them on a DVR (digital video recording) receiver.

Cable television outages average 3% to 5% per year while satellite television outages average about 1%. J.D. Power and Associates ranked Dish Network and DirecTV -- higher in customer satisfaction than any of the cable television companies for the last five years.

H. Randolph is a professional freelance writer and an avid budgeter who research and review products at www.TheOfficialReviewSite.com for consumers wanting to save money and get the most for their money

Free Satellite TV

Free Satellite TV

Legality aside, any kind of Free Satellite TV offered by a business is looking for a profit. However, stealing channels is an unintelligent activity at the very least. Free Satellite TV is a bonus for paying the monthly service fees for at least one year. So how free is Free Satellite TV? If you sign up and pay a monthly service, the company is more than willing to offer a free installation, free DVR, free HDTV, free equipment and free channels.

What is Free Satellite TV?

Not all Free Satellite TV is the same. Different companies offer different policies. Generally speaking, more and more techniques are used to get people to sign up for a satellite TV service. Free Satellite TV is one of these things that people seem to think means getting a box from a company for free and then manipulating it into an all channel free service. Which is not only unwise, it's unnecessary. Free Satellite TV means getting free equipment, free installation, free to air channels and paying monthly service, just like everyone else. You can choose to pay for more channels other than the basic service, but that is your choice, and you pay only for what you are interested in. Channels you don't want, you don't get.

Free Satellite TV Equipment and Installation

Free Satellite TV equipment and installation usually include a DVR, HDTV and a technician going to your house with all the equipment and doing the setup for free. The DVR is a Digital Video Recorder, a box that records video feed from your Free Satellite TV to a digital storage space. Just like a hard drive on the computer, the DVR works as a virtual memory of video, related to the older analog VCR of the 80's and 90's. The HDTV is a High Definition Television unit that amplifies a video feed in such a way that the images, sounds and feelings coming from the TV are a far bolder experience. With HDTV the quality of a pin dropping from across the globe is as if from close up and in surround sound.

Free Satellite TV Channels

When we think about Free Satellite TV we also seem to think about channels. Free Satellite TV channels are those that are free to air channels from all over the globe. Public broadcasting in any country is free of charge with Free Satellite TV and when you add the number of public broadcasting stations up in the diverse developing English speaking countries around the world, that comes to a whole lot of educational programming for one monthly signature in a basic package. And if you are thinking about the family, there is no better set of family channels than the Free Satellite TV channels.

Free Satellite TV is about paying a monthly service and the bonuses that come with a basic monthly package. Free Satellite TV comes with free installation, free equipment, free channels that include radio, public and educational programs from all over the world. So how free is Free Satellite TV?

"Unless you want more than a basic package, it will cost a monthly signature to your local Dish Network for a minimum of one year to get Free Satellite TV."

Gary Davis is owner of http://www.dtv-satellite.com an authorized DIRECTV retailer, has over five years experience in the Satellite TV business and has written numerous articles on the subject.

Garydavisd@gmail.com

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/

How to Shop for Satellite TV Receivers and Dishes

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

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

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

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

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

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

A little help here? Those ads are about as welcoming as a brick wall, and they present us with more acronyms than the U.S. military. For pure reading pleasure, they rank somewhere between Finnegans Wake and the book of Leviticus. Am I buying satellite TV service, or naming robots for science fantasy sequels?
Relax, Luke Skywalker. Scanning through orbital space may not be like dusting crops, but well work our way through this thing together. Lets start with the first ad.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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