Satellite TV-So Much Better than Cable!
By admin | August 30, 2008
Satellite TV used to be all the rage and I guess it still is to a degree. It’s obviously one heck of a lot more accessible now than it ever was. I remember those early days where home satellite dishes resembled a NASA space patroller, consuming half of the garden in the process. Of course, back then, not everyone had satellite TV, so it was considered something of a status symbol. “Look at this neighbor, we’ve just got hooked up to satellite TV”. Ner ner ne ner ner!
Of course, like all new technology, it doesn’t stay new for long and prices usually plummet pretty quickly as demand and quality goes up. When high tech equipment got so big that it became too big for homes, the next challenge was to miniaturize everything. We now have hi-fi systems no bigger than credit cards, and look at what they can pack into a mobile phone these days. Satellite dishes were no exception and the tiny squarial soon followed the big saucers to become the superior satellite solution. Folks were glad to get there gardens back as these unobtrusive little receivers could be pinned neatly out of everyone’s reach and way.
There are also many providers nowadays of satellite TV, and just like cable television, you are able to choose from a whole variety of packages, quite often tailor made to your own requirements. I can remember way back when there were literally just a handful of stations to watch on TV, but now there are so many to choose from, you can become a prisoner to the box with the plethora of programs being transmitted at any one time. The kids of today have no idea just how limited home entertainment used to be.
When you think about it carefully, there doesn’t seem to be an end to the viewing options available through Satellite TV. All kinds of programs for all types of folks in many different languages beamed around the planet. Let’s look at a few: There’s satellite TV providers for local programs, we have music channels (including satellite radio), CD music channels, numerous movie channels, like Showtime, HBO, Cinemax, the Movie Channel, Encore, Starz, Sundance, Sci-fi and Beyond, Flix, Action, Love, Mystery, Drama, Wam, the Independent Film Channel, and so much more!
Blimey, I could go on forever! There’s my favorite, the history channel, we also have discovery, the travel channel, food channels, animal planet, home shopping, soaps, weather, Disney, cartoon network, oh there’s no end to it all.
With so much competition, it’s always a good idea to shop around if you’re thinking of hooking up for the first time or changing your provider. Many special satellite TV promotions have great giveaways such as free equipment, a free trail period, an extra package etc. Another great thing about Satellite TV is that many receivers now include what they call DVR technology, or digital video recorder. This is just a fantastic new way to record your favorite programs at any time without all the cumbersome hassles that came with traditional video recording equipment. Believe it or not, but with DVR technology, you can tape over a hundred hours of programming, save what you want, and delete what you don’t want. It absolutely awesome.
Satellite TV is very inexpensive now and subscriptions can start at less than $20 per month. Compared to many cable companies, its value that cannot be beaten. Why not check out the Satellite TV options today. You never know what you might be missing!
Tom Gibson is a freelance writer and web publisher who writes on the wonders of modern technology. He has recently written pieces for TVforecast.com on The Cheap Flat Screen and Digital TV
Tags: Cable, DVR, DVR technology, Satellite, satellite dishes, satellite radio, satellite tv, squarial, tvTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »
Facts About Satellite TV from Direct TV and Dish Network
By admin | July 6, 2008
What Is Satellite TV?
Satellite TV is a wireless system for delivering television programming directly to a viewer’s house or business. A small dish, about 18 to 24 inches in diameter, is installed outside your house or business. Television and satellite stations transmit programming via a radio signal. Two providers of satellite tv are Direct TV and Dish Network.
How Does Satellite TV Work?
Broadcast stations use a powerful antenna to transmit radio waves to the surrounding area. Viewers can receive the signal with a smaller antenna. The radio signals used to broadcast television emit signals from the broadcast antenna in a straight line. To receive these signals, the satellite dish has to be in the direct line of sight of the antenna. Obstacles like trees or buildings are not a problem, but a big obstacle, such as the Earth, will reflect radio waves.
What Are The Types of Satellite TV Distribution?
There are two primary types of satellite television distribution: Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) and Television Receive-Only (TVRO)
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) also known as “direct to home,” is a relatively recent development in the world of television distribution. Direct broadcast satellite can either refer to the communications satellites themselves that deliver DBS service or the actual television service. DBS systems are commonly referred to as “minidish” systems. DBS uses the upper portion of the KU-band.
DBS systems rely upon proprietary reception equipment, most often in the form of a television set-top signal descrambling box. This measure assures satellite television providers that only authorized, paying subscribers have access to the content.
The first commercial DBS service, Sky Television, was launched in 1989 and served customers in the United Kingdom. Hughes’ Direct TV, the first high-powered DBS system, went online in 1994 and was the first North American DBS service. In 1996, Echostar’s Dish Network went online in the United States and has gone on to similar success as Direct TV’s primary competitor. Commercial DBS services are the primary competition to cable television service.
Television receive-only, or TVRO, refers to satellite television reception equipment that is based primarily on open standards equipment. This contrasts sharply with direct broadcast satellite, which is a completely closed system that uses proprietary reception equipment. TVRO is often referred to as “big dish” satellite television.
TVRO systems are designed to receive analog satellite signals from both C-band and KU-band satellite television or audio signals. TVRO systems tend to use larger rather than smaller satellite dish antennas, since it is more likely that the owner of a TVRO system would have a C-band-only setup rather than a KU-band-only setup. Additional receiver boxes allow for different types of digital satellite signal reception, such as DVB/MPEG-2 and 4DTV.
What Is The Advantage of Satellite TV?
The advantage of satellite TV over cable TV is that it offers you even more choices…up to 300 channels! With satellite TV, you can pick which company you want to subscribe with and what package of channels to buy. This is different from cable television, where you are forced to purchase whatever system your region offers and pay whatever price it offers. Direct TV and Dish Network offer you this advantage and more!
Why Choose Satellite TV?
The information you receive here will help you make an informed decision about satellite TV from Direct TV or Dish Network……
If audio and visual entertainment excite your senses, take time to discover why you will love satellite TV…..it’s awesome! If you are a subscriber to cable television, you will never want to watch cable television again. But don’t take my word for it, check it out! Get the latest buzz on Direct TV and Dish Network satellite TV systems, including the features and benefits that make satellite TV today’s ultimate television viewing experience. Learn how you can start enjoying the best in digital television programming for LESS than cable TV with a FREE satellite TV system from Direct TV or Dish Network!
About the author:
Reginald Sharp is a webmaster and freelance author who has written articles about the benefits of satellite tv.
Tags: direct tv, directv, dish network, satellite radio, satellite tvTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »