Dish Network - Why Satellite But Not Cable TV
By admin | October 12, 2008
Why dish network satellite TV? What do you think on this? Because the technology used is later? Because the dish shape looks cool? No way, right? Let’s see what dish network satellite TV has that makes cable TV losing the broadcast market.
Broadcast Quality : Both cable TV and satellite TV use totally different approach in sending their broadcast. Cable TV uses analog signal while satellite TV uses digital signal. Although cable TV nowadays offers digital cable broadcast it’s limited by channels and the area you live in. Meaning you can only enjoy the digital broadcast on certain but not all channels. In another hand, satellite TV shows their higher technology in this approach. With all digital signals, you will hardly get snowy screen even though heavy rain or snow going on outside. 1 point for satellite TV.
Programming : Cable TV and satellite TV both provide high quality programming channels. Cable TV offers up to 260 channels while Satellite TV offers more than that. Satellite TV offers up to 13 programming package such as America’s Top 60, Dish Latino, just to name a few. Besides, satellite TV is more advance in term of High Definition Television where DishHD Packages is offered.
Interactive Services : Cable TV provide DVR and on demand service- you can choose from a library of shows and start them whenever. However, satellite TV is not beaten by cable TV in this because Digital services like Dish Network’s DVR (Digital Video Recorder) which gives the option to rewind while recording even in live broadcasts, EPG (Electronic Program Guide), Instant Weather, video on demand, etc. are all available on Satellite TV.
Pricing : I believe that most of us here have a strong concern on the pricing issue, haven’t you? The difference between cable TV and satellite TV in term of pricing is big. Cable TV costs you $37.30 a month for 64 channels, plus $10.95 a month to add a few digital channels. Installation in one room is $39.95, plus $9.95 for each additional room. While satellite TV charges $29.99 a month for 230 of Dish Network’s all-digital program channels, 94 music channels, 25 movie channels, and free installation in up to four rooms. Perhaps you are now clearer why satellite but not cable TV?
To conclude, satellite TV is definitely better than cable TV in term of broadcast quality, programming, interactive services, and most of all pricing. If you are looking for better experience in TV, I would thumb up on satellite TV, to be more specific, Dish Network.
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Compare Satellite TV Companies — DISH Network, DIRECTV, and Sky Angel
By admin | October 10, 2008
Compare Satellite TV Companies
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of DISH Network, DIRECTV, and Sky Angel …
Company Information
- DISH Network: Launched in 1996, DISH Network has 9 satellites and more than 12 million subscribers.
- DIRECTV: Launched in 1994, DIRECTV has 15 satellites and more than 14 million subscribers.
- Sky Angel: Launched in 1981, they utilize DISH Network’s satellites, equipment, and broadcast facilities.
Customer Satisfaction Rating
- DISH Network: Ranked #1 by J.D. Power & Associates
- DIRECTV: Ranked #2 by J.D. Power & Associates
- Sky Angel: Not currently ranked.
Compare Programming
Program Packages
- DISH Network: Packages start at $19.99 for 40 channels and go up to $74.99 for 350 channels.
- DIRECTV: Packages start at $41.99 for 155 channels and go up to $96.99 for 250 channels.
- Sky Angel: Program package is $14.99 for 36 channels.
Local Channels
- DISH Network: Adding local channels costs $5 per month.
- DIRECTV: Adding local channels costs $3 per month.
- Sky Angel: Adding local channels costs $5.99 per month.
Music Channels
- DISH Network: Offers 52 music channels plus 60 Sirius radio channels.
- DIRECTV: Offers 67 XM radio channels.
- Sky Angel: Offers 16 music channels.
Pay-Per-View
- DISH Network: Movies cost $3.99, special event prices vary.
- DIRECTV: Movies cost $3.99, special event prices vary.
- Sky Angel: Included with service.
Sports Packages
- DISH Network: Offers a variety of sports packages.
- DIRECTV: Offers a variety of sports packages.
- Sky Angel: Does not offer sports packages.
Adult Programming
- DISH Network: Offers adult channels.
- DIRECTV: Offers adult channels.
- Sky Angel: Does not offer adult channels.
Internet Service
- DISH Network: Offers Internet service.
- DIRECTV: Offers Internet service.
- Sky Angel: Does not offer Internet service.
Service Commitment
- DISH Network: One year commitment, charges fee for early cancellation.
- DIRECTV: One year commitment, charges fee for early cancellation.
- Sky Angel: One year commitment, charges fee for early cancellation.
Compare Equipment
Equipment Prices
- DISH Network: Free dish and up to four receivers when you subscribe to their service.
- DIRECTV: Free dish and up to four receivers when you subscribe to their service.
- Sky Angel: Charges $149 for one dish, one receiver, and one remote.
Equipment Warranty
- DISH Network: Lifetime warranty
- DIRECTV: One year warranty
- Sky Angel: Lifetime warranty
DVR’s (digital video recorders)
- DISH Network: Free DVR receivers ($4.98 per month for service).
- DIRECTV: Free DVR receivers after $99 rebate ($4.99 per month for service).
- Sky Angel: Not offered at this time.
HD (high definition) receivers
- DISH Network: Two free receivers.
- DIRECTV: Free receiver (after $99 mail-in rebate).
- Sky Angel: Not offered at this time.
Installation
- DISH Network: Dish and receiver(s) installed free.
- DIRECTV: Dish and receiver(s) installed free.
- Sky Angel: Dish and receivers cost $99 to $199 to install.
Installation Time
- DISH Network: One to five days depending on location.
- DIRECTV: One to five days depending on location.
- Sky Angel: One to five days depending on location.
Compare Miscellaneous Information
Customer Service
- DISH Network: Offers 24/7 toll-free and online customer service.
- DIRECTV: Offers 24/7 toll-free and online customer service.
- Sky Angel: Offers 24/7 toll-free and online customer service.
Free Bonus Gifts
- DISH Network: Click on links below to review current offers.
- DIRECTV: Click on links below to review current offers.
- Sky Angel: Click on links below to review current offers.
Ordering
- DISH Network: 24/7 online ordering and toll-free ordering.
- DIRECTV: 24/7 online ordering and toll-free ordering.
- Sky Angel: 24/7 online ordering and toll-free ordering.
Note
As some of the information may have changed since this article was published, please click on the links below for current information.
Click on the following link for more information to compare satellite TV companies. Click on these links for current ordering information, plus the latest special offers and free bonuses from DISH Network satellite TV or DIRECTV satellite TV.
The author, Brian Stevens, is the senior editor for TheSatelliteTVGuide.com, and has written a number of articles that compare satellite TV companies.
Tags: compare satellite tv, D, dish network, satellite tv, satellite tv companies, satellite tv comparisonTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »
An Introduction to Satellite TV in the United States
By admin | October 9, 2008
Satellite television is a fairly recent technology that allows a household to receive television content via transmission from a communications satellite. The essential components are the satellite itself - a multimillion-dollar expenditure for the broadcast company - and the home satellite dish, something the average consumer can acquire for about fifty dollars, or even receive for free as part of their service subscription package.
Why bounce information off of a satellite? Traditional broadcast stations are limited by the curvature of the earth and by obstacles that interfere with “line of sight” reception, causing lack of signal or distortion. Satellite TV overcomes those obstacles with ease.
In the early days of the technology, people used huge, motorized backyard dishes to chase satellites across the sky and pull in free programming, but this dropped off sharply when providers began to encrypt their signals. Now there are several “direct broadcast satellite” (DBS) or “Direct-To-Home” providers that make it easy for the average consumer to use a small stationary satellite dish to receive subscription programming from satellites which use geosynchronous orbits to remain in one place in the sky, relative to the Earth.
These satellite TV companies provide a high-quality digital signal carrying both national “turnaround channels” — including popular pay channels like HBO and Showtime and free content like Lifetime, MTV, and ESPN - as well as local affiliates for networks like ABC or PBS. These two types of programming are compressed, encrypted, and then aimed at the satellites from separate uplink centers on the ground.
The most popular direct broadcast satellite providers in the United States are the Dish Network and DirecTV. They provide a parabolic receiving dish, which focuses the incoming signal onto a “feedhorn”, which then passes it on to a “low noise blockdown converter”, which filters out unwanted noise. The signal then gets passed to the satellite receiver inside the house, which decrypts the digital signal, converts it to an analog or HDTV signal, and keeps track of the usage of pay-per-view programs
The receiver only allows the viewing of one channel at a time; to watch or record other channels requires additional receivers. However, the receivers are highly customizable and often include the popular “digital video recorder” technology which allows digital recording, rewinding and pausing during live programming.
Satellite TV is competing with high-definition cable television, which is sure to keep the costs down even as the technology continues to improve.
You can find a lot more information and guides on selecting the right satellite tv provider at http://www.satellite-direct-tv.net
Written by Troy Degarnham, the webmaster of http://www.satellite-direct-tv.net, an informative website about Direct Satellite TV and how to get it.
Tags: direct tv, directv, satellite tvTopics: Satellite_TV | No Comments »