Satellite Television: A Brief History
Let's start with the basics of satellite television and get the history
lesson and techno-jargon out of the way first. Satellite television
service provided through communications satellites is referred to as
direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and primarily used direct-to-home
signals for home television reception. Geosynchronous communications
satellites carrying television signals were first introduced in the
early 1960s, but it wasn't until the mid-70s when a geosynchronous
satellite carried the first direct-to-home signal. The onset of direct
broadcast satellite subsequently ushered the arrival of commercial
satellite broadcasts utilized by DBS services such as British Sky
Broadcasting in the United Kingdom and current leading satellite TV
providers in the United States, DIRECTV and Dish Network.
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Reception Quality
With that part out of the way, let's demystify a common myth concerning
satellite television. One of the most common questions about satellite
television involves reception quality. Because satellite TV requires the
transmission of signals between a satellite dish and a satellite in
geostationary orbit (traveling roughly 20,000 miles), the concern about
weak signals due to noise is a valid one. With satellite TV, the main
issue is making sure the dish has an unobstructed view of the sky
pointing to the satellite. For DIRECTV, for example, you want your dish
pointing toward the Southern sky. Make sure to also address the
professional installer about attaining maximum signal strength with the
placement of the satellite dish. If the satellite dish receives the best
optimal signal it possibly can, the dish and service may in many cases
withstand some harsh weather conditions where the signal won't be
completely knocked out.
Avoiding weak signals refers to the maintenance of the dish itself,
keeping the dish clean and free from debris (snow, leaves, etc.) that
will knock out your signal. Of course, for many that live in parts of
the country with snowfall, having a satellite dish pummeled with snow is
frustrating. But some of you in the lovely snowy regions will love to
know that there are available dish heaters that will melt snow and ice
buildup. Some have also tested the use of weather repellent sprays like
Rain-X to some degree of success. Spraying the metal dish with a
non-stick weather repellent spray may keep snow off the dish. It won't
hurt to try it but if all else fails, there's nothing more certain for
getting stuff off the dish than a ladder and a broom or a blast of
garden hose water.
Perfect For Rural Areas
For the many that live in the rural countryside, they are well aware of
the restrictions their location is saddled with. One of those luxuries
burdened by distance is the lack of cable television service. Due to the
higher expense of extending their service to remote parts of the
country, cable services have limited range and that is where satellite
comes in. Recent surveys have estimated that over 40% of people living
in rural areas of the country subscribe to satellite television service.
Satellite TV service has been the best and, for some, the only option
for residents of rural areas to receive extensive television
programming. It's actually quite the ideal location to have satellite
television barring, of course, really bad weather during certain
seasons. The wide open skies of rural cities outside of the metropolitan
area provide the perfect setting to align a satellite to point for
maximum signal strength.
Satellite television also benefits businesses in rural towns much like
they do to businesses in urban cities. Bars and restaurants in rural
areas would especially draw some good business by having a satellite
dish installed and utilizing one of the more affordable and
comprehensive DIRECTV packages available to establish returning
customers. A variety of programming packages from commercial packages to
sports packages are available for small and large businesses to
accommodate their customers. The sports package for businesses are
especially popular during all major sports seasons.
More or Less Expensive Than Cable?
It's an understandable issue for many people in the market for a
television service to find not only satellite TV companies with the best
prices but also the ones with the better value. In terms of value and
without all the charges for equipment, installation, and activation fees
tacked on by other cable TV services that are free on satellite TV
services, the incentives for consumers to consider satellite over cable
have been major deciding factors for people new to satellite TV.
Satellite TV providers, especially DIRECTV, offers some of the best
incentives to new customers with exclusive savings on premium packages,
which not only start affordably but also come with no equipment to buy
and free installation and activation as well as great customer service
for as long as you remain a customer.
In terms of choice and diversity in the kind of programming you want,
satellite TV packages lets you customize the packages available with
sports and premium movie channels. With five different packages to
choose from, Dish Network and DIRECTV simply have more variety of
channels to choose from than cable. The most expensive satellite TV
package is still cost-effective compared to cable that offer less for
more. New customers receive the best value from satellite TV providers
such as free HD service and free HD DVR receivers with a certain
package. Along with rebate discounts that last for a full year to free
installation and activation, the incentives for new customers of
satellite TV have always been high.
Satellite TV Companies
You don't have to search very hard to find that there only two major
satellite TV providers in the United States-Dish Network and DIRECTV.
When consumers in the market for satellite service or want to make the
switch from cable, they will most likely look to one of these two
brands. What are the differences between the two companies? Many have
asked and wondered, and the answer is pretty simple. The value in
pricing may belong to Dish Network as their packages are less expensive
after the first year promo than DIRECTV's packages after their first
year promo. What DIRECTV delivers for their slightly more expensive
regular-priced packages are more unique channels in HD. Many of the HD
channels Dish Network claims to have include dozens of video-on-demand
channels and they're also missing a host of popular channels on a couple
of their most basic packages. DIRECTV's collection of 162 HD channels
is the most offered by any TV service provider. Miscellaneous charges
from Dish Network include a $99 upfront fee charged to customers that
want paper copies of their bill (who do not sign up for auto bill pay)
to higher lease fees for additional receivers. 3D HDTV owners will also
find better value with DIRECTV being the first TV service provider to
feature four brand new 3D channels for the 3D experience at home.