Wednesday, July 15, 2009

How Satellite TV Works

In the United States more and more customers switch to satellite television service every day. Consumer reports indicate that satellite subscribers are much more satisfied with the overall value of their service than cable subscribers. Understanding how satellite service works and how to get it set up can help you decide if satellite is the right service for you.

You may have seen commercials that show thousands of images from different programs that are somehow beamed from a satellite to a personal dish. It may seem unlikely that it would be that easy to receive premium television, but it actually is. Unlike cable, satellite service does not require any pre-existing infrastructure. There are many households that can't receive cable because the companies have decided that it's not worth it to lay cable lines satellite tv sparsely populated areas, which excludes many small communities. Fortunately, anyone with a clear view of the southern sky has access to satellite TV. This includes anyone, whether they live in an apartment building in a big city or out on a farm in the middle of Oklahoma.

FCC regulations dictate that personal dishes be professionally installed in the United States. The installer will set up the dish in a satellite tv where it can establish a line of sight connection with a satellite in geostationary orbit over the equator. It needs to be in a clear space with no obstructing buildings or branches. If setting it up in winter make sure it's in a place that won't lose that clear connection to spring foliage. The dish communicates with the satellite via radio waves traveling at the speed of light. Essentially, that image of thousands of programs beaming from space into your living room isn't so far from the truth.

There is an excellent variety of programming available through satellite service. It's possible to have the full set of premium channels and movie channels along with the full premium television lineup of channels. Special sports packages are available with satellite service as well, including college basketball and football, international soccer, and NFL Sunday Ticket. Satellite service also offers the greatest number of national high definition channels as well, all beamed into your home.

Some people are concerned that satellite service won't be reliable enough, that it could be interfered with by weather or other atmospheric conditions. However, studies show that the dish should provide a clear digital signal 99.96% of the time, an almost perfect rate. Consumers report an extremely high rate of satisfaction with service, indicating that reliability is not a concern.

The installer will set up the satellite in the correct position and set up the necessary connections to your television and the various connected components. If desired, they can also install the DVR (or HD DVR) box, which allow you to record your favorite programs and to actually rewind the television itself. The signal strength and connection to the satellite will be tested. At this point, there's nothing left for you to do but relax and enjoy.

Direct TV features the most HD available anywhere. You'll get access to 130+ of the most popular channels in razor-sharp high def. You can't get that anywhere else - no cable or satellite provider. Direct TV offers the best choices for your entertainment needs.

DISH Network Installers - How to Get the Best

I've heard some real horror stories about satellite TV installers who've installed dishes that blew off the roof in a light wind, cable holes in walls that allowed water to leak into the house, and improperly aimed dishes that produced lousy TV reception.

So how do satellite tv find a reputable installer who satellite tv install your satellite TV system the right way?

First, you need to know what's involved so you can make sure the job will be done properly. And second, you need to find a company that knows what they're doing.

DISH Network Installation

Dish installation

For the best satellite TV reception you need a clear view of the southern sky. Ask your installer where the best place to mount your dish is, and make sure there are no obstructions such as trees or buildings blocking the path to the satellite.

If your installer mounts your dish on the roof or a wall of your house, make sure the screw holes are sealed. If your installer needs to mount your dish on the ground, make sure he or she uses a metal post. And make sure your dish is grounded to your home's electrical ground.

Satellite reception is measured by signal strength. Make sure your installer positions your dish to get a signal strength of 70 or higher.

Cable installation

The cable that connects your dish to your receivers will be run through a hole on the outside of your home to the inside rooms where you have televisions. Cable on the outside of your home should be secured with staples or clips that won't crush the cable, and the hole should be sealed.

Receiver installation

The cable will be fed through the interior walls of your home and connected to your receivers. Your installer will also connect the receiver to the nearest telephone jack so you can access pay-per-view programming.

Once the setup is complete, your installer will program your remote control so you can operate your receiver and your TV.

System activation

When your installer has finished installing your new system, he or she will call DISH Network to activate it and tell them which programming package you ordered. You will need to verify your address and other information with DISH Network in order to activate your system.

System instructions

After your satellite TV system has been activated, your installer is required to show you how to operate it. He or she will show you how to use the on-screen guide, how to locate channels, and how to set up a favorite channels list. Your installer will also school you on basic trouble shooting procedures.

Bottom Line

The best way to get the best installation from a professional installer is to get it through a reputable dealer who has installed enough units to know what he's doing.

The satellite dealer I recommend has been in business since 1994, and is one of DISH Network's top five dealers.

They not only have a satellite TV website they also have a satellite TV store, so they know the ropes when it comes to satellite TV installation. They give you a 30-day guarantee, so if you're not satisfied with your installation or your service you can get a refund.

Visit http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com for more information on DISH Network installation. Click on the following link for more DISH Network information, ordering information, and the latest special offers from DISH Network.

The author, Brian Stevens, is the senior editor for TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written extensively on DISH Network installers and installation.