Tag Archive 'DIRECTV Satellite Television'

May 14 2009

Satellite Television Services Match Up - DirecTV Versus Dish Network

Published by Jim under Direct TV

Dish Network and DirecTV are basically the only two companies left that offer satellite service. For those of us who live in the country and do not have access to cable, our only option is satellite television. Well, either that, or buy an antenna and attempt to acquire the signal of local stations.

DirecTV and Dish Network offer essentially the same service. The quality of the service is comparable. The number of channels is about the same. On the surface there does not appear to be much difference in the two.

Until recently, DirecTV was the only company offering high-speed internet via satellite dish. Dish Network has joined the ranks offering Wild Blue. DirecTV’s satellite internet service, called HughesNet and Wild Blue also are really comparable. The cost for equipment is about the same, the service is about the same. The monthly subscription price is about the same as well. Overall, there is not much difference in the two.

Dish Network offers many programming packages, some starting as low as $19.99, their entire programming packages are a much better deal than DirecTV. Dish Network, I have noticed with Dish Network, weather is less of a factor in reception. Rain and clouds have a noticeable effect on satellite television reception. However, Dish Network has fewer instances of outages than its competition, DirecTV.

DirecTV customer service is not as efficient and friendly as Dish Network. Both offer great customer service but in comparison, Dish Network wins out. A few years back there were talks of a merger of the two companies. The merger never came to fruition, and in my opinion, this was an excellent option. If the two companies had merged, consumers would have little option in their options for satellite television. The company’s would have become a monopoly with little to no competition.

Dish Network allows customers more of an ala carte selection. If there are channels you wish to have without purchasing a much more expensive package, Dish Network offers many channels in their ala carte selection. We chose to have the Outdoor Channel and the Encore package. We do not currently subscribe to any of the movie channels.

DirecTV also offers ala carte selections, however they cost more in general. They only offer the Encore channels if your purchase a much more expensive movie channel package. To acquire the channels you prefer you frequently need to subscribe to a much more expensive package.

Both companies are extremely successful, and I have used both of them at different times. as Dish Network has jumped on the satellite internet bandwagon, Dish Network is by far, the best company for your satellite needs. The prices are lower, the service is great, and the quality of service is exceptional!

So, when doing your satellite dish shopping, let price, quality, service, convenience, and technology be your guide and choose Dish Network over the competition. The service you receive would make your option worth it! Packages and pricing could be found on the Dish Network website.

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May 13 2009

The Abc Of DirecTV Satellite Television

Published by Jim under Direct TV

They have thirteen million homes tuning on a daily basis. Direct TV offer over 225 channels of digital programming for their viewers. These amounts of channels would definitely keep families entertained. With a study based on El Segundo in Southern California, Direct TV has been providing satellite TV programming to the public as the summer of 1994.

as the beginning, Direct TV has already built up their system with seven satellites in geosynchronous orbit. This is how Direct TV is able to offer high quality TV to their subscribers. With the improvement of technology, satellite TV users have benefited the most because of the impact of digital compression.

Initially, digital compression technology was only able to let each satellite based transponder to process one channel resulting in only 25-31 channels being transponded per satellite. With this, cable TV companies were able to take advantage over satellite TV companies with the capability of providing more channels. However, this trend all changed in 1993.

Satellite TV started to have an edge over cable TV after the introduction of the first class DBS commercial satellite. After this satellite was launch, it really changed the way of TV entertainment. This new satellite contains 16 onboard radically polarized DBS Ku band transponders. This enables multi digital signals to transmit via the satellite. Each of these satellites could broadcast 120 watts per transponder.

This new technology has turned satellite TV programming as the best TV service for millions of home across North America at a really affordable cost. Before, satellite TV was only popular among a small quantity of viewers because it’s expensive cost and few channels.

In 1994, a new 18 inch dish was introduced by Direct TV that offers wider option in family programming, a feature that has made satellite TV so popular nowadays. This change to satellite TV began even in 1994 when satellite TV became a really popular product.

Then, Direct TV solidifies their position as one of the best satellite TV providers by launching their second satellite. This new satellite enabled Direct TV to offer over 150 channels. This amount of channels was a great edge over cable TV that was only able to offer 35 channels at most. as then, Direct TV has never looked back to set new standards in broadcasting offering interactive programming, high definition, multicultural and DVD option to families.

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Apr 02 2009

Reviews of DIRECTV Satellite Television Receivers - Standard, DVR, and HD Receivers

Published by Jim under Direct TV

Free DIRECTV Satellite TV Receivers

In an effort to draw customers away from its competitors, DIRECTV would give you a complete satellite TV system - a satellite TV dish and up to four satellite TV receivers - when you subscribe to their service. Here’s a review of the some types of standard, DVR, and HD receivers they offer:

Free Receivers

DIRECTV offers a free standard receiver with the following additional features:

* DIRECTV Active - Your personalized information with updates on local weather, horoscopes, lottery results, and pay-per-view suggestions

* Mini Guide - A small on-screen TV channel guide that shows one channel at a time

* Parental controls - Allows you to restrict the programs your child watches

DIRECTV offers a free DVR receiver that allows you to:

* Digitally record up to 100 hours of programming

* Record two shows at one time

* Pause live TV so you would not miss anything if you answer a phone call or acquire a snack

* Record one program while you watch another program

* check TV shows by title, keyword, actor, or channel

* Bookmark the part of a TV show you’d like to come back to at a later time

DIRECTV offers a free HD receiver that features the following:

* High definition reception for the best TV picture available today

* Dolby Digital audio for superior sound

In order to acquire a DIRECTV receiver you must sign up for DIRECTV satellite TV service. Programming packages start at $29.99 for 155 channels and go up to $96.99 for 250 channels.

Note: Programming is 29.99 for the first three months then $41.99 thereafter. Local channels are $3. DVR and HD receivers are free after a $99 mail-in rebate.

Pay-for DIRECTV satellite TV receivers

For an additional $399, you could order a combination HD/DVR that has all the features of an HD receiver and a DVR receiver plus:

* Two-hundred hours of recording time

* Dolby Digital optical audio outputs for the best sound available

Bottom line

If you do not do a lot of TV recording then the standard receiver is all you would need for satellite TV viewing. If you like to record shows and do not prefer to hassle with video tapes and VCR settings, the DISH Network DVR receiver is just what the doctor ordered.

If you prefer to watch satellite TV with the sharpest picture and the clearest sound, an HDTV receiver is what you would prefer. And if you prefer the best of both worlds - best picture, best sound, 200-hour digital recording capability - and you do not mind paying the extra $400, then DIRECTV’s HD/DVR is what you are looking for.

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