SATELLITE-TV.INFO

FAQs are just below

In the USA satellite TV is one of the most explosive growth industries with a growth rate during the first half of 2002 of 19.3 million to 21.1 million which is a 9 percent increase. Satellite TV through the 2 leading providers, Dish Network and DIRECTV, offers viewing quality and sound surround quality that cannot be matched by digital cable and with hardware features allow recording without tape up to 100 hours of viewing with the ability to zap commercials and pause and rewind during live TV and do interactive shopping. Also, with HDTV there is the ability to use the screen which is basically a large computer monitor as a computer to surf the internet and use email.

Not only is there the unprecented reception and hardware capabilities but the outstanding record of service and customer satisfacton by DIRECTV and Dish Network. For example, DIRECTV satellite services recieved the coveted #1ranking for Customer Satisfaction among satellite/cable subscribers by J.D. Power & Associates for 2002 and 2003. Check out the details here.  Also, Dish Network has a very very good record and has won the same awards fro J.D. Power & Associates 2 years in a row. Check out the report here.

The other reason for the explosive popular demand is the price. Subscription rates for Satellite TV have only increased in the last 6 years since January 1997 13% while cable rates in the same period increased over 35% which is almost 3 times greater. You can get Satellite TV starting at around $25.00 per month whereas the national average for cable from July 2002 to July 2003 is $40.11 per month with rate increases at 8.2% during that period. In the areas where there is competition between companies the figure is lower averaging $37.84.

What do I get with a free satellite tv system?(return)

Bascially with Dish Network and with DIRECTV you get all the equipment free which can include up to four recievers and also a DVR digital video recorder with Dish Network and other free hardware with DIRECTV. You get free professional installation and 12 month warranty on equipment with DIRECTV and life warranty with Dish Network. This is just some of the major items you get free. For all the details click here! All of this requires that you are living in the US and that you commmit to at least a 12 month period.

 

Can I get local channels with satellite tv systems?(return)

Yes, with Dish Network and DIRECTV you can get local channels in most metopolitan areas which is part of your programming package. If for some reason they are not in your programming package you can also receive them with an off air antenna on your satellite receiver which can be accessed via your remote control.

 

Can weather cut off the viewing of satellite tv?(return)

This is very rare compared to the downtime with cable tv. The only thing that can happen is in periods of heavy rain or very wet snow. The odd time during these conditions you may see your picture freeze for about 3 to 5 seconds while the reciever re-locates a lost satellite signal. Professional Installation should ensure a strong signal so this does not happen during bad weather. Also, you can have special covers on the satellite dish to protect from wet snow collection.

 

Can I watch different shows in different rooms of my dwelling?(return)

With Dish Network and DirecTV you are given free up to 4 or 5 receivers which allows for that many more rooms of viewing. This will allow you to watch different channels in different rooms. To do this you will need the dual-LNB satellite system dish or the new multi-satellite tv system from DirecTV.

 

Can I get religious programming like Christian television and international programming?(return)

Yes, often main religious programming such as Christian programs are in the base package and there is lots of international programming packages. Dish Network is the leader in providing international programming and offers up to six foreign language packages and several individual foreign language channels. DirectTV also offers programming in Spanish and Chinese.

 

Do I need a phone line connection in order to use satellite tv?(return)

No phone line is needed for a single room satellite tv system but is need for more than one room. Also, when a phone line is connected for satellite tv useage it does not conflict with the use of your phone or involve extra cost for installation and useage. To order certain movies and sports programming by using your remote a phone line is needed. There is no long distance charges as it is automatically done over a toll free number. Also, once a month the billing center of the Satellite provider automatically reads your receiver card and causes an automatic dial up to the billing center to send your useage information for billing.

 

Is there a problem getting satellite tv in an apartment?(return)

There should be no problem getting satellite tv in your apartment if you can air the small 18 inch dish to the southern sky for Dish Network or DirecTV and it is inconspicuous in a location like your apartment balcony. If your apartment management has reservations than visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) web site for information on the rules for satellite dish installation on rental, apartment and such like properties. Take this information and relay it to them to alleviate and unarm their reservations. Also, you can go to the property management meeting and propose to have the whole building installed with satellite tv. In most cases almost everyone will go for this - especially today when satellite tv is becoming so popular and widely used.

 

Can I get High Speed Satellite Internet Access with Satellite TV?(return)

Yes, high speed satellite internet also know as satellite dsl is available with Dish Network and DirecTV satellite tv systems in most areas of the continental US and Hawaii. Also, a satellite internet provider, Direcway, has through DirecTV has a combined satellite tv and internet service on one DirecDuo dish. See our Satellite DSL page for details.

 

What is a DIRECTV Multi Satellite System?(return)

This is a system from DirecTV with a satellite recieving dish that allows signal reception from 3 different satellites in close geosychronous orbit so that one can receive a the full range of programming such as HDTV channels, foreign language channels, Interactive TV and local channels. The satellite dish has a special triple LNB (low noise block) reciever to pick up the 3 different satellite signals. This 18"x20" oval dish also gives you multi-room receiving capability.

 

What is a Dish 500 Satellite TV system?(return)

It is the equivalent system of the DirecTV Mulit-Satellite System known as the Dish 500 with a dual LNB on a oval 18"x20" oval satellite dish. Like DirecTV it receives signals from a number of its nine satellites in close geosychronous orbit. It has a far larger capacity of up to 500 channels (currently only 256 are available) compared to DirecTV with 256 channels. It has a total of 256 special HDTV channels alone.

 

What is DirecTV Ultimate TV?(return)

It is a satellite system that is the first and still the only one to integrate all systems in one receiver which are DirecTV programming, digital video recording, live TV contols, interactive television and internet access on your television.

 

Are DirecTV and Dish Network Satellite TV systems interchangeable?(return)

The United States and Canada both have 2 major Satellite TV systems competitors. In the Us it is DIRECTV and Dish Network and in Canada it is ExpessVU and Star Choice. In most cases a single satellite dish /low- noise- block- down- converter (LNB) can be used with any of these 4 systems as long as one is able to aim for reception at the right satellite signals. For example, a single satellite dish/lbn from Dish Network will work with a Dish Network receiver to your television. (A low-noise-block-down-converter (LNB) filters out just the picture waves and can provide out put for one or two receivers and with a multi-switch splitter used with a dual LNB can provide output for 4 or more recievers. A single multi dish, that is a dish (one dish) with the ablilty to recieve signals from two or more locations in space, will not work or work with diminished reception between these four satellite systems.

 

If I live outside the United States can I get the special satellite tv offers listed on this site?(return)

At this point in time it is still no. All special deals listed on this site are for first time customers residing in the US only.

 

Where can I learn more about special satellite tv offers?(return)

Dish Network and DirecTV the 2 leading providers of satellite tv in the United States have by far the best deals and service that can be found. See are pages for Dish Network and DirecTV for more details or go directly to Dish Network andDIRECTV to see details and order.