Recording Satellite TV with DVRs - Don’t Miss Your Favorite Shows
By admin | October 22, 2008
Recording your favorite television shows from your Dish Network or DirecTV Satellite TV or Cable service, then watching them when it is convenient for you, was the promise of VCRs. However, that promise was never truly fulfilled. Few of us, including myself, could ever set the clock on a typical VCR, or figure out the programming routine to have the VCR “wake up” and record the correct channel at the chosen hour. One time, I actually dug out the instruction manual and tried to set my VCR to record the last episode of Seinfeld while I was away. Inevitably, I forgot to put a blank tape in the machine and ended up with nothing to show for my efforts. I, for one, believe that most Video Cassette Recorders spent their entire existence only playing prerecorded tapes and flashing 12:00 from their front panel.
Thankfully, Digital technology has made it possible to realize the original promise of VCRs. Now, with the addition of a Digital Video Recorder, or DVR, and an Interactive Program Guide to your Dish Network or DirecTV Satellite TV Receiver or Cable Box, everyday recording of favorite programs is within the reach of even the most technologically challenged among us.
The DVR system is simple and intuitive. You find programs for recording by scrolling through an on-screen guide which displays channels and times in a familiar grid format. Then you select the show you want to record with a single button on your remote. That’s all! You never have to set a clock or timer. You never have to remember to put a blank tape in the machine. All your recorded shows are stored (up to the capacity of the hard disc) and viewed as a list at one touch of a button.
Digital Video Recorders make recording and playback so easy that there is little reason to watch shows when they broadcast. You can watch shows whenever it is convenient for you, and you escape the tyranny of the broadcast schedule. If you choose to sit down and watch a program when it is broadcast, which is most appropriate for news and weather, major sporting events and political debates, then great. But, if you are like most people who have a busy schedule and would rather watch TV when it is more convenient for them, then a DVR is perfect for you.
Even beyond the remarkable ease with which you can record and playback programs on a DVR, the coolest element of this technology is the ability to pause the live feed of a broadcast while the hard disc continues to record in the background. You can take a snack break, answer the phone, check your email, then get back to whatever you were watching without missing a second of the show. This feature in particular civilizes the TV viewing experience and eliminates the need to jump up and rush back during commercials. And speaking of commercials with a DVR it is deviously easy to skip through all the ads you’d really rather not watch. Just pause for a few minutes when an ad starts, and then use the convenient skip ahead button to jump to the other side of the commercial break. If you decide for some reason that you actually wanted to watch that advertisement, then you can skip back just as quickly as you jump ahead. In addition, you can rewind, watch the beginning of a show again for the benefit of those who just arrived. Or, rewind and watch that last play of the “Game” in slow motion, even frame by frame. No more guessing about those bad line calls or questionable fouls and penalties.
Cable companies use various brands of DVR hardware, quite often from Scientific Atlanta. Dish Network has developed a version they call the Dish Player DVR System. DirecTV uses TiVo (TiVo is the brand name for a proprietary DVR system). In future articles, I will examine the pros and cons of the competing DVR systems.
If all this DVR technology sounds confusing and difficult to use, believe me, it is not. Even though the technology is sophisticated, Digital Video Recorders are so easy to use that the original promise of VCRs is finally realized and you will never miss another favorite program again.
Chuck DeVries is the owner of SkyBlue Home Systems in Hanover, New Hampshire. He has been selling, installing and writing about Satellite TV and related subjects for over 12 years. You can find more of his thoughts and musings on the Sat Biz at http://www.KissMyDish.com
This article may be reused in whole or in part, provided the author’s name and all links are preserved. Copyright, KissMyDish 2006
Tags: digital video recorder, direct tv, directv, dish network, DishNetwork, DVR, satellite tv blog, tivoTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »
DHPP - a Must Have Feature in Dish Network Satellite TV
By admin | October 19, 2008
What is Dish Home Protection Plan (DHPP) and what is the big deal of Dish Network offering me that? Well, for being established for decades, Dish Network provides a comprehensive plan to protect your pleasure on satellite TV shows. Yes, that’s DHPP!
DHPP is a plan that covers you from suffering on dish network malfunction. It’s a must have service when getting a dish network satellite TV. Check out what you can get from DHPP now..
Priority Technical Support
Dish Network provides 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week online or phone call technical support. Whenever you get a dish network malfunction, you can always get fast assistance from them. It doesn’t matter it’s late night or early morning. You will need no more to sit at home, wasting your time (skipping your favorite show?) to wait for the technical guy to come and fix the problem.
Replacement Equipment
For usual, most of the problems settled within a simple phone call. But if the problem is isolated to the receiver, dish network will straight away send a replacement receiver directly to you. It’s fast and clean enough isn’t it? DHPP covers full replacement and shipping costs of everything. It’s just all for your satellite TV pleasure!
Video Cabling & Power Surge Repairs
DHPP also covers you from any power surge damages on your Dish Network receiver as well as inside video cabling. Dish Network will send someone to your place to replace or repair it for you! And it’s for free. Perhaps you do not need to worry on thunder anymore.
In-Home Service
If Dish Network is unable to solve your problem through their technical support staff, they’ll come to you! Dish network provides in-home service that is almost perfect. No matter where you live, you’re covered, nationwide. Give them a call and they will arrange everything under DHPP.
Free Movers Program
Another feature under DHPP is free movers program. Well, if you are moving to another house, need not to worry on dish network services. Again, inform Dish Network and take along your receivers to your new house, and Dish Network will have them installed professionally in your new home free of charge!
All these features are for your satellite TV pleasure! Convenience and security is what DHPP offering you. Look for DHPP coverage when you subscribe to Dish Network. It will definitely ease your pain when problems occur with your dish network.
Visit Daren’s site to learn more on dish network. Find out everything you need to know on dish network satellite.
Tags: DHPP, dish network, Dish Network SatelliteTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »
TV Satellite Dish - Where to Get The Best
By admin | October 13, 2008
TV Satellite Dish
A TV satellite Dish is used to capture the signal broadcast from a TV satellite. The dish redirects the signal to an LNB (low-noise block) converter where it’s amplified and sent to a TV receiver.
DISH Network Satellite Dish
When you order DISH Network satellite TV service you get a 20″ multi-TV satellite dish with advanced LNB for free.
DIRECTV Satellite Dish
DIRECTV will give you an 18″ DIRECTV Dual LNB dish for free when you order satellite TV service from them.
Satellite Receiver
A satellite receiver amplifies and decodes the signal from the LNB converter and sends it to your TV.
DISH Network Receivers
With DISH Network you have a variety of free receivers to choose from when you order their satellite service:
* A standard receiver for watching satellite TV on one television.
* A dual-tuner receiver for watching different shows on two TVs.
* A DVR receiver so you can digitally record, pause, and replay live TV.
* An HD receiver so you can view high definition programming.
DIRECTV Receivers
When you order DIRECTV SERVICE you can choose from the following free receivers:
* A DIRECTV D11 standard receiver for single-TV viewing.
* A DVR receiver so you can digitally record your favorite shows (free after a $99 rebate).
* An HD receiver so you can watch high definition programming (free after a $99 rebate).
Note: Both DISH Network and DIRECTV will install the dish and receivers at no charge. DISH Network does not charge to ship the dish and receivers, while DIRECTV charges $19.99.
Satellite TV Service
DISH Network and DIRECTV offer a number of programming packages varying in price from $19.99 per month to $99.99 per month.
DISH Network Service
Dish Network programming starts at $19.99 for their Family package, which includes 40 family-oriented satellite TV channels, and goes up to $74.99 for 350 channels, including all the major movie channels, 52 music channels, and 60 Sirius satellite radio stations.
They also offer local channels, pay-per-view movies and events, sports packages, 20 international channels, HD channels, and even a channel devoted exclusively to babies.
DIRECTV Service
DIRECTV programming starts at $41.99 for 155 channels which includes a variety of shows, news, sports, and music channels, and goes up to $96.99 for 250 channels, including the major movie channels and 67 XM satellite radio channels.
You can also get your local channels, pay-per-view movies and events, sports packages, 6 international channels, HD channels, and their exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket.
Bottom Line
When it comes to systems, both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer state-of-the-art dishes and receivers that are similar in quality and function. However DIRECTV charges $19.99 to ship their system, and you can only get their DVR and HD receivers after a $99 mail-in rebate.
As far as programming is concerned, if you’re looking for the biggest variety of shows, movies, music, and international channels, then I’d recommend checking out DISH Network by clicking on the link below.
If sports is your thing, I’d recommend checking out DIRECTV.
Visit http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com for more TV satellite dish information, plus ordering information and the latest special offers from DISH Network satellite TV and DIRECTV satellite TV.
The author, Brian Stevens, is the senior editor for TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written extensively on TV satellite dishes.
Tags: directv, dish network, satellite tv, tv satellite dishTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »