I inhabit a modest home in a middle class suburban neighborhood. There's
cable TV boxes about every quarter mile on every street, so why are those
little 18" satellite dishes popping up everywhere I look? I'm not
much of a TV fan anymore, no cable, no satellite, watch an occasional movie
on broadcast and not much else. I've spent plenty of time as a couch spud
over the years, nothing wrong with that! Now I waste my time with some
music on the stereo and surfin' the web. Occasionally I learn something
useful too!
It turns out that there are several sound reasons for this unexpected (at
least by me!) interest in satellite TV. Obviously, if your neighborhood
is not yet served by cable and you want more programming options than broadcast
offers, a satellite system is your only choice. Also, if you're in an area
that offers poor or limited broadcast reception it's very likely cable
is not available to you. Voila! Another satellite customer!
But why are these small dishes appearing so frequently in neighborhoods
where cable is offered? Satellite TV is a better choice than cable! Why?
- The picture and sound quality are far superior to analog cable signals
(although digital cable service is being deployed, do you want to wait?)
- Satellite systems offer features that are not available with cable
such as parental locks, digital quality sound, and on screen programming
guides to name just a few.
- Satellite offers substantially more programming options at competitive
prices.
- Subscription rates to premium channels are lower from satellite
companies than from cable companies.
- A satellite user often gets multiple channels for the price of one
with many popular subscription services.
- Unlike the old "Big Ugly Dish" systems, a complete small
dish satellite system can usually be installed for under $200. With
careful shopping an entire system can often be purchased and completely
installed, just by ordering a two year subscription to a standard programming
package, typically $29.95 per month. Cognigen
Communications features
these promotional offers regularly.
- Satellite companies are offering HDTV programming NOW and adding
more programming as soon as it becomes available.
- A satellite subscription similar to basic cable service can be purchased
for only $19.95 per month.
Cable does offer a few advantages over satellite systems.
- Initial equipment costs are lower for cable.
- Cable installation is easier and the equipment is supplied by the
cable company (for a fee) although professional installation is normally
an affordable option for satellite systems and often included in the
purchase price.
- Equipment updates are normally done by the cable company.
- Broadband Internet access is being deployed on many cable networks.
There are presently two major players providing small dish satellite systems, DirecTV and Dish
Network. You'll have to select one system or the other, the two systems
are incompatible. Dish Network manufactures and sells their own satellite
receivers,
hardware suitable for use with DirecTV systems is available from several
manufacturers. Both systems offer digital signal quality and HTDV programming
but an HDTV television set and an enhanced dish and receiver are required
for HDTV reception with either system.
Satellite offers more entertainment at better prices than cable, see
for yourself! If you're tired of the erratic service and the
rising
monthly cable bill, perhaps a small dish should be on YOUR roof.
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