Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Satellite TV For Beginners

DIY Satellite TV is Here !

Setting up and installing your own satellite TV system (whether portable satellite TV for travellers or fixed satellite TV for rural and outback areas) can be very enjoyable, rewarding AND can save you money.

The basic elements that make up a satellite TV system are:-

1- Satellite Dish
2- Satellite Dish Mount (portable or fixed is fine)
3- LNB (low noise block amplifier – goes on the arm of the dish)
4- Satellite Receiver
5- Satellite Finder
6- Satellite Charts

Choosing the right satellite dish for your site is the most important factor. Dishes come in various sizes ranging from very small (in the centimeters) to many meters. In recent times with the increase in satellite transmission power people are able to get away with a much smaller dish then they did in the past. Typical size for coverage in many areas is 78 – 88 cm’s. (for the KU band – if you are a beginner to satellite I recommend KU reception if it is available in your area). The LNB is the part on the end of the arm. It amplifies the very weak signals that are collected and reflected into it by the dish. This signal once amplified, is carried down the satellite cable to the satellite receiver. Here it is converted into a signal that your conventional television can understand. The satellite finder and charts are only used during the initial installation until you have a picture. The finder can then be removed. Your local satellite parts dealer will be best able to advise on the correct equipment and alignment procedures for your area. For people installing to the roof ensure you take all the necessary safety precautions. You are competent right? If you are in Australia consider visiting the aurora satellite tv website http://www.aurorasatellitetv.info where you can find more free information.

About The Author

Richard Banks is the owner of Aardvark Electronics http://www.aardvarkelectronics.com.au and the developer of the Vansat Portable Satellite TV System http://www.vansat.com.au.

Avoiding Undesired Hassles In Satellite TV Offers


There are tons of scams in satellite TV online business. To avoid these nightmares, satellite TV shoppers should always order Dish Network or DirecTV deals from the right satellite TV dealers and avoid ordering programming channels that you do not need.

The right satellite TV dealers

A reliable satellite TV dealer is most crucial in getting a good satellite TV deal. Picking up the right dealer can earn you a bargain in the deal; however bumping into an inexperience dealer or scammers will definitely bring nightmares to you.

Often, satellite TV scammers claim that they offer the best satellite dish deals and promotions. They might offer fake promise on their deals, extremely low monthly subscription rates, next-day installation, and unlimited number of free satellite systems to lure satellite TV shoppers. But once customers signed up, they find hidden activation fees, high shipping costs for free extras, installation dates continuously missed or pushed back, as well as outrageous cancellation fees.

In order to avoid such hassles, I suggest shoppers to shop only from reliable satellite TV dealers.

But, how can you know it’s a reliable dealer?

The Internet gives us the convenience to research about the satellite TV dealers. Learn about the background of those dealers before you key in your credit card info: Are they an authorized dealer? Are they in business for long enough? Are they offering secure order page if they offer online purchase? How is the customer feedback on their services? Do they provide customer services via phone calls? Is the order 100% guaranteed with full refunds?

The right programming package

If you are going after Dish Network, standard programming packages are American’s Top 60, 120, 180, and Everything Pak, price ranged from around $30 to $90; DirecTV standard programming packages are DirecTV Total Choice standard, Plus, and Premier, price ranged from around $40 to $90. If you are not sure on which programming package to go for, I suggest you to compare them by visiting satellite TV consumer website at http://www.satellitetvissue.com.

What should be in your mind when selecting satellite TV programs is that you should select the programming package that is suitable for you, not the programming packages that given with freebies. Do not blind by retailer's promotional words and order things that you do not need.

Conclusion: Don't get satellite TV!

Yes, don’t get satellite TV, if you do not need TV that much. (Perhaps this is the best way to avoid satellite TV scams.)

Without a doubt satellite TV deals are quite a bargain when compare to the cables. The free satellite systems sounds very good bargains; the low price 250+ programming packages sounds unbelievable cheap; the live sport events heat up your sport-nerves. But, do you need TV that much? Or you are actually good enough with the local channels? I think satellite TV deals are very good bargains, I recommend you to switch to satellite TV if you have other paid TV services, but I also strongly suggest that you spend wisely and get only what you need.

About The Author

Teddy Low, expert writter on consumer products reviews. Check out his latest satellite TV related website and get recommendations on free Dish Network deals at http://www.satellitetvissue.com/.

Consumer Facts On Free Satellite TV Deals


Free satellite TV! Get free satellite TV system free for 4-room, get free DVR, free HDTV, free incentive gifts like iPod and home theater system, free installations…… sounds familiar with the slogan? Don’t worry; this is not another free satellite TV promotion advertisement. Instead, we will examine some facts of these satellite TV promotions here: Are these free deals really for free? Are they worth the money? Do such satellite TV deals suit my need?

Are free satellite TV deals for real?

To answer the question, you need to know what are given free in such deals. Free satellite TV means you get the satellite decoder system for free. You will get satellite dish, decoder system (up to 4 rooms), and remote control for free. The free satellite ‘TV’ deals do not include a free television for you. However the satellite systems are compatible with almost any television in the market so if you have one at home, you don’t need to buy extra TV with special features.

So back to the questions - without a doubt, these free deals are for real. But it comes with conditions. You will get the satellite TV system for free, if you are their first time customer and you must be willing commit to a service contract up to 18 months. If you read those free satellite TV ads carefully, you should notice that such free deals are only for first time customer (for Dish Network or DirecTV).

Are the free deals worth the money?

The answer is yes and no.

The Yes:

Free satellite TV deals are lucrative not because they give out free satellite TV system for free. It is good because with a very low monthly subscription fees, you can get hundreds of 100% digital satellite pictures. By paying just little amount of money, you will get premium movie channels like HBO, Starz, ShowTime; you will get your favorite sport actions such as NFL, NHL, or NBA; you will also get lots of news channels like CNN, CNN2, Bloomberg, BBC. As you can see the wide programming selection is why satellite TV deals look attractive. Dish Network or DirecTV, you can now enjoy top class TV entertainment service with satellite TV without paying anything up front (satellite TV system are given for free, remember?). It certainly gives something that cable does not have.

The No:

Nevertheless, the free satellite TV deals do not worth the money if you don’t spend time long enough in front of the TV. If you hardly spend an hour in TV within the whole week, that is the point of having 255 TV channels? All you need is some crap TV talk shows to tease you before you get to bed and sleep, why get satellite TV?

Often consumers order satellite TV deals blindly just because the free ads flyers are too attractive. Do not buy and then regret. The conclusion, do not spend money on free satellite TV deals just because their deals are too good to resist. The free deals are worth the money if you watch TV a lot; if you don’t, locals should be good enough.

Consumer facts (in case you are still wondering is the free deals worth the money or not)

Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom services, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- Dish Network and DirecTV. Both companies are providing 100% digital satellite pictures; both companies are offering amazing free satellite TV systems; and both companies have the finest sales support team for their customer services.

Since Dish Network and DirecTV were officially launched in 90s, millions had switched from cable TV to Dish Network. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Dish Network and DirecTV as the top TV broadcasting companies. Both DirecTV and Dish Network are higher in customer satisfaction than any of the cable TV companies for the last five years.

Ordering Dish Network Satellite TV

Dish Network require $49.99 activation fee. The fee will be credited to your programming bill however, so in essence, your satellite TV system is free. With Dish Network you have the option to upgrade to a DVR (digital video recording) receiver, or an HDTV (high definition TV) receiver at no charge. Dish Network services at a monthly cost of $19.99. However, Dish Network standard programming fees start at $31.99 per month (for standard 60 program channels). The monthly subscription fees then goes up to around $86.00 for 230 channels including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and Sirius radio.

DirecTV Satellite TV Service

Depending on your credit rating, when you order a free satellite TV system from DirecTV you may be required to pay a deposit or prepayment. Because the deposit is refunded to you and the prepayment goes toward your programming fees, the DirecTV satellite dish and receivers are free. Installation is also free. If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99. DirecTV programming packages start at $29.99 per month for 115 channels (including 31 music channels), and go up to more than $90 per month for 185 program channels, including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and 31 music channels.

Closing things up: Is free satellite TV deal the right thing for you?

The answer is actually lies inside of you. If TV is one of your primary forms of entertainment and you want the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and news -- then we satellite TV deals should be something you should seriously consider. Cable TVs nowadays doesn't looks like a good deal to go for as their monthly fees increase a lot every year. For football fans that wish to get every NFL games- DirecTV is what you are looking for; for normal family, Dish Network seems to be a better choice.

However, if you watch just a few television programs a week and have access to over-the-air TV, then satellite TV probably isn't for you.

About The Author

Teddy LC., expert writter on consumer products reviews. Check out his latest satellite TV related website and get more info on http://www.satellitetvissue.com Dish Network deals.