Wednesday, July 29, 2009

What You Should Expect For Your Satellite Installation

Having been a professional installer for as long as I have, I've seen a lot of bad installations by other technicians and have helped a good share of unhappy customers. Not by any fault of mine, but because of what the previous technician did or didn't do properly such as the following:

  • My technician didn't install the dish properly and now my TV goes out every time the wind blows.
  • My technician ran cable across the floor and I trip on it every time I walk satellite tv the room.
  • My technician just left the cable on the ground or hanging off the side and it looks terrible.
  • My technician drilled holes where I didn't want and damaged my house.
  • My technician drilled a hole and ran a cable through my wall and didn't even install a wall plate.My technician installed the dish on my roof and didn't seal it properly and now it leaks and I have ceiling damage.

I've known a lot of technicians and for the most part, they are professional in the way they do their jobs but I've also seen the lazy, incompetent ones that ruin it for the rest of us. Although they don't last long and are quickly fired often times the damage is already done!

At the end of each install when its time to sign the paperwork, the customer releases the technician and approves all work done during the installation. Unfortunately not everyone knows what to look out for and sometimes gets cheated out of a professional job. Before you sign up for satellite service, here are a few generic things you should expect regarding your free satellite installation.

SECTION 1 - OUTDOOR INSTALLATION

1.The dish should only be put on the roof if there is no other place to put it. The ideal location for a dish is going to be on the side of the house or a solid post.It will be better sheltered against the wind and snow, more easily accessible and it will not require roof penetration.The dish can be put on the roof safely but must be sealed properly!About a third of the installs I go to where there is already a dish mounted on the roof has been installed improperly and the mounting screws have come loose due to weathering.

2.You should expect your dish system to be grounded according to local and NEC codes. If your dish is not properly grounded contact the company that did your installation or your satellite provider.

3.All outside wiring and hardware should be fastened securely to the wall. All cabling should be secured with screw/nail clips and should not droop.

4.All wall penetrations should be sealed and cabling installed with drip loops. Cable coming from a wall on the outside should point downward first to keep water from dripping into the hole.

5.All outdoor connections should be tight and weatherproof. Failure to keep all outdoor fittings weatherproof will all water intrusion into the fittings and rust out your cable center conductor.If this happens, you will lose your signal.

SECTION 2 - INDOOR INSTALLATION

1.All wall penetrations should have a wall plate. Some installers just run cable straight into the house through the wall and straight into the receiver.For some that might be okay but if you don't have lines pre-installed in your home you should expect to have a wall plate installed for every line ran.

2.Cable satellite tv should be installed where you would like to have your TV. It may not be possible in every circumstance to follow this rule but putting a wall outlet where you don't want it and then running extra cable on the inside to where your TV is, just because it would be easier on the technician, shouldn't happen. Cable should never run across the floor or doorway.This is YOUR house not his and you are the boss.

If you are not happy with your installation, don't sign the work order. Your technician should be happy to work with you until you are completely satisfied.It's better to get it done the way you want it now than to have him come back later. It wastes your time and his.

For more information on satellite installation or troubleshooting: http://www.SatPro.us has a comprehensive manual for satellite dish troubleshooting and installation including photos, descriptions of dish parts and components, receivers, and installation diagrams for all systems. It explains step-by-step, how to setup a Dish system and perform a professional installation. They also have a Troubleshooting guide that takes you through all the steps to take if your system ever goes down and how to fix it. To make it even easier they also have videos on how to point your dish if it ever gets knocked out of alignment or you are installing a dish from scratch. You can also read more satellite installation and repair related articles there in the Articles section.
Andrew Cameron is a Professional Satellite Technician with over 6 years of install and repair experience for Dish Network and DirecTV.

How Can I Watch TV on My Computer - Right Now

There are two safe ways to watch tv on your computer. One is satellite tv some hardware devices such as PC tuner card or downloading tv software in just a few seconds.

1. Hardware

If you want to watch satellite tv on your computer this way then you will need to buy a TV tuner card with some additional equipment. Using a TV tuner card will turn your computer into a TiVo where you can record. The only downside is that TV tuner card are expensive. You will only have access to basic cable.

To get any satellite channels you will have to subscribe to a satellite TV provider and pay monthly subscription

2. TV Software

TV Software are software that will let you watch over a 1000 channels for paying one time small fee that usually range between twenty to fifty bucks. All you have to do is download the software and installed it. This usually will takes you just a few minutes at the most. You will get a list of what is on and will be able to watch your favorite sports or sitcom. Also you will be able to watch satellite TV channels without having to paying monthly subscription.

Some of these TV software will actually let you record what you are watching that is free of charge just like a TiVo.

If you are going to watch TV on your computer by this method all you need is a computer with a reliable internet connection. So make sure you have a reliable fast internet connection.

To find out the top three TV software programs go to Can I watch TV programs on my PC right now

http://www.squidoo.com/canIwatchtvprogramsonmypc

All of the Benefits of Satellite TV

Television viewers around the world are making the switch to satellite television systems. This is due to the fact that they deliver an "all digital" reception satellite tv some of the widest programming choices available.

In addition to movie quality picture and sound, satellite TV provides many free benefits to its millions of subscribers, and some that many current customers or consumers may not even be aware of. For instance, did you know that most satellite installers provide free services and free equipment? What this means is that they send a technician to your home or business to make certain an adequate signal will be received by the dish, and then they help you to arrange for a free installation of your totally free receivers. What do you pay for? You wait for your first invoice and pay your first monthly subscription, and nothing else! Sure, the equipment is free but it's all the bare bones basic stuff, right? Wrong! Satellite TV is able to offer free digital video recorders (DVRs) or high definition (HD) receivers through many of their ongoing rebates and special offers. Also, a family or business can get several rooms outfitted with free equipment, and also at no additional service fees or equipment costs satellite tv

Okay, so they've given the equipment and installation away, but they're going to make up for it by slamming me with outrageous monthly fees aren't they? Absolutely not! Satellite TV is recognized for its huge menu of local channels, premiums and specialty packages at prices equal to or less than any other television system fees. It is also known as the leading provider of HD programming, including many local channels that are included in the cost of the basic or extended services.

Finally, their most basic programming provides access to hundreds of channels, on demand premiums and satellite radio stations all at no additional fees or monthly costs as well. In addition to all of this, satellite offers some popular "exclusive" programming as well, which are broadcast on stations only available through their receiver boxes. This includes everything from the Maltin Minute to the 101 Network which provides free performances, concerts and specialty programming like "Friday Night Lights" and "Supreme Court of Comedy" completely free of charge.

With everything the broadcaster gives away it would seem like they had very little left over to dedicate to customer support, but in reality satellite TV consistently receives the highest ratings in the entire television industry. In fact their customer service has won industry awards for many consecutive years and is available around the clock every single day. They do not charge for support services, and there may even be a "little something" for clients who really take advantage of their offerings. How's that? Their "green" initiatives campaign gives a one-time credit to customers who go paperless by enrolling in email updates, automatic bill pay, and paperless monthly statements. This reduces operating costs and helps eliminate waste as a way of saving the planet and also puts some much needed cash back into a customer's pocket!

You get the best TV on TV when you choose to go with the undisputed HD leader, Direct TV. Snag one of the amazing Direct TV packages and your eyes will be glued to the screen. You can get access to more than 130+ HD channels and enjoy your favorite sports and movies in crystal-clear brilliance.