September 25, 2007
DirecTV
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DirecTV is now so popular in town and often you will see various websites offering free DirecTV satellite TV. Have you ever ask yourself about the accurateness of the term ‘free’? Have you ever wonder how do they make business when everything you get is free?
What you can get from free DirecTV offers?
Often you will find DirecTV dealers offer free satellite TV system free up to four rooms. This means that they are going to provide you four satellite signal decoders, four remote controls, and an 18 inches satellite dish to receive satellite signals. This is the so-call ‘free DirecTV offers’. Above on that, some dealers also offer free incentive gifts such as DVD players, home theater system, digital camera, and free movie channels.
Yes, the ‘free’ offers above are for real and there are millions in United States enjoying these kind of free deals. HOWEVER there are terms and conditions to be complied in order to get these free deals and free gifts,. To get these free deals, you must be the first time customer for DirecTV. Plus, you must be willing to sign off a contract saying that you will be taking up their services for more than 12 (some stats 18) months. Cancellation fees are charged if you failed to do so.
So how do DirecTV dealers make money if everything is free?
Simple, the offer actually says it all. They need you to commit to a year or more of contract so that they can earn back their money through subscription fees. The competition in satellite business is steep and dealers are fighting hard to win the market. In order to attract more customers, they are now sacrificing their upfront cost. Yes, the satellite systems are for free, the incentive gifts are for real – but they will earn back all these cost slowly thru your every month subscription fees.
Are we saying that DirecTV is a bad deal to go for?
Nope, DirecTV is NOT a bad deal to go for. We are just trying to explain that free DirecTV is not as ‘free’ as it looks like from outside but we are not against them. In fact, DirecTV services are quite good and most other paid TV services (cables) cannot compare. Their customer support is reputable, the TV picture quality is good (100% digital) and they provide wide programming choices with low monthly subscription cost.
DirecTV programming choices
One of the reasons why DirecTV is so successful is because it offers a wide range of programming selections to the users. DirecTV users can get up to 225 standard channels in normal programming packages. On top of that, users still can enjoy wider range of non-English programming choice such like Spanish and Chinese programming. The DirecTV Para Todos service features more than 45 Spanish-language channels, including sports, movies, news, music and educational networks; while Phoenix TV is offer where you can get 24-hour Mandarin programming.
DirecTV also gives a better option to sport fans that wish to enjoy live sport event at home. It has exclusive rights to lots of sports channels. Famous DirecTV sports packages like NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, NY Yankee Games, NBA League Pass and NFL Sunday Ticket allow you access to almost every NFL or NBA game. The sport coverage is so wide that you will not even miss a game in the league with DirecTV services.
HD channels in DirecTV
Like its competitor Dish Network, DirecTV also provides high-definition television (HDTV) and interactive services through TiVo technologies. Through partnership with TiVo, DirecTV are now offering their HD channels through their own DVR systems produced by News Corporation-owned NDS.
Currently there are 10 major HD channels offered by DirecTV, local HD channels are provided whenever its available. HD channels provided by DirecTV are Channel 70 HBO HD, Channel 71 Showtime HD, Channel 72 ESPN 2 HD, Channel 73 ESPN HD, Channel 74 Universal, Channel 75 TNT HD, Channel 76 Discovery HD, Channel 78 HDNet Movies, Channel 79 HDNet, and Channel 101 CD USA.
Local channels in DirecTV
DirecTV also offers local channels (CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, WB, UPN, and some independent stations) for many markets. In the largest markets, the locals are carried on the main satelite location. In smaller markets, the locals are carried another sat location where HD and most Spanish language programming is located, requiring a slighlty larger oval dish, capable of “seeing” both sats at once. Generally this dish will include three LNBs so it can “see” three sats. In a few smaller markets, locals are located on yet another satelite, requiring a second dish pointed in a different direction. In markets that lack a WB affiliate, DirecTV includes WBZL-TV from Miami or KSWB-TV from San Diego (both stations will join the CW network in September, 2006). Certain persons who live far from a city with television stations and who cannot easily receive television over-the-air, known as a ‘white area’, can receive feeds from New York & Los Angeles for CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox. A national PBS channel is also available. In early 2006 DirecTV began the roll out of HD locals in the largest cities, which require new set-top boxes and an even larger dish capable of “seeing” four sats at once.
Ordering DirecTV
Ordering DirecTV online is recommended because you can shop hassle free online and the satellite TV deals found online are normally better (in terms of cost and free incentive gifts)..
DirecTV retailers websites provide clear package information stated and normally tools provided in the website allows you to sum up the money you are paying. You can thus choose the optimum package for yourself by comparing the package price and programming choices as much as you want.
Reason two, DirecTV online retailers offer better bargains. Online DirecTV retailers are those who can afford the extra bargains as online retailers have extremely low start up cost. Get more free gifts that you can ever imagine through ordering online. The competition on the Internet is so steep where online retailers are now loosing the up front money to win their market share in the satellite business.
Installing DirecTV satellite system
Most users worry about the DirecTV system installation. In fact, the installation processs is actually pretty simple and fast. You can install your DirecTV system to your TV regardless that at the type of building you are installing. Landed or terrace house, condominium or shop lot – DirecTV can be installed in all these type of buildings. To install personally, users can setup the DirecTV satellite system by referring user manual guides. However professional installation is recommended because it is FREE. Why take the hassles? Standard installation is provided free by most of the DirecTV dealers, users actually do not need to worry about this issue.
September 25, 2007
Dish Network
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Having problems with your Dish Network receiver? It’s very uncommon that Dish Network viewers will have problems on the satellite signals or services. However, if the problem occurs, you can always try these troubleshooting methods before you rang up the Dish Network technician.
Check cables and connections
Cables, wirings and connecting parts might be a small part to you but there are big possibilities that these small items are the main causes on your trouble. Checking cables connections is pretty simple, so rant later and go check them now. The easiest way to test this is to ensure that the integrity of the cables is still intact and that all of the connections are tight. If the picture is still not there, try plug in the cables into another TV, or routing the picture through your VCR, or try use another set of cables. If the picture comes back at any time while you are doing this, you’ve honed in on where the trouble is and you can go about fixing it. Yes, it’s just basic thing but doing all these might save your time waiting for the technician.
Check the satellite dish
If plugging the cables in and out cannot get the problems solved, try check your TV dish. Check for any obstructions or blockages around your Dish Network dish. Make sure that there is nothing between your dish and where your dish is pointing in the sky. This could include tree branch, build-up of snow, excessive water, or even bird nest.
If something interferes with the signal from the satellite down to your dish, the picture is apparently going to be suffered. If the signal is completely blocked, your picture will disappear.
If this really happens, simply remove all the interferences will bring back the normal picture to your TV.
Check your Dish Network receiver
On a very rare occasion, your receiver may stop receiving or decoding the signal properly. The systems might be ‘hang’ and stop responding just like your PC. If this is the case, you can try unplugging the receiver for 30 seconds and then plugging it back. Try reset the receiver by taking the programming card out and then put it back to the receiver again. If the Dish Network receiver causes the picture problem, these steps should be sufficient, and it should start functioning properly again as soon as you turn it back on.
Check your new stuffs.
Did you just add any new gadgets into your home entertainment system? Well, this step is meant for you in case of you had just bought any new electronics appliances and connected it to your Dish Network system. Check it’s manual about its compatibility, connecting parts, cables, and other things that seems to be related.
Is you trouble solved now? Listed above are the least you can do by yourself when you are having problems with your Dish Network signals. If there’s no improvement on the signals, we suggest you to make a call to the Dish Network technician. Someone is ready there to help you up if this is the case.
September 22, 2007
Dish Network
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Are you shopping for satellite TV? Facing dilemma between Dish Network and DirecTV? What are the consideration points before making any buying decision?
As a matter of fact, the variety of satellite TV deals in United States is quite confusing to most satellite TV buyers and it takes time to pick up the right choice. As for Dish Network, I believe the 15 points listed below are worth knowing from a consumer point of view.
- When you read ‘Dish Network free satellite TV system’, it means Dish Network decoders, the satellite dish, and the remote controls are free of charge. Don’t be confuse, you still need to buy your own TV.
- You are wrong if you think anyone is eligible for free Dish Network deals. You can only get them when you are their first time customer and are willing to commit to a 12 months subscription contract.
- Only standard Dish Network receiver models are given out for free, you will need to pay extra if you have special order.
- Standard Dish Network receivers include DISH 311, DISH 322, DVR 510, DVR 522, DVR 625, and HDTV DVR 921. If you were charged for these decoder systems, ask for the reason.
- AllSat, Dish Pronto, and iDishNetwork are some of the authorized Dish Network dealers online.
- Dish Network currently owns up to 30 different HD channels - the most HD channels than any TV broadcasting services.
- Dish Network’s entry level package – DishFamily cost only $19.99/mo, which is one of the cheapest pay-TV services you can get in the market.
- Other standard Dish Network programming packages: Dish Network America Top 100, Top 200, Top 250, and EverythingPak.
- Currently Dish Network offers $10 discount per month thus the monthly subscription sounds very low. Consumers should be aware that the price will be back to normal ($10 more) after the promotional period, which is 10 months.
- Dish Network is famous with wide selection in International programming choices. South American programming is packaged in their ‘Latino Packages’, as well as Chinese programming in the ‘Great Wall’.
If you are not sure about Dish Network and their services, the points listed above should have most of your doubts clear. Before you ask, here is how the ordering process generally works. In case you wish to order your Dish Network, you will need to approach a Dish Network dealer to select the number of satellite decoders, and schedule for the installation. Shipping and installation will be done very soon after the order is placed. Then, you will be required to decide on the programming packages, HD upgrading, DVR upgrading, as well as other supplementary deals. The crucial points of ordering Dish Network (online or offline) is that you have to get a reliable dealer.
September 20, 2007
DirecTV
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When we speak of transmission of pure digital television, we mainly talk about its reception and display of the signals. These signals come to us through the broadcasting over air or by transmission through the satellite system or cable system in our houses. There is a class of Direct TV that is getting a lot of name at present which is called DirecTV HDTV. When we combine a digital TV of high resolution with a Dolby surround sound (AC-3), we get a DirecTV HDTV. To have a stunning image, this combination has been made.
A new production and transmission equipment at the DirecTV HDTV station and even a new equipment for reception for DirecTV HDTV is required by the consumer. The strongest selling point for DirecTV HDTV is the higher resolution picture. After media’s perfect show up about DirecTV HDTV, the DirecTV HDTV has reached to all the electronic stores. The higher resolution which produces crystal clarity, as never seen before through picture tube, gives us a life like picture and digital sound. A usual TV gives us an effective picture resolution of about 210,000 pixels whereas in the highest resolution DirecTV HDTV format, each picture contains 2 million pixels. This nearly gives us ten times more detailed picture. The basic aim behind DirecTV HDTV is not to increase the definition per unit area but it is rather that the visual field percentage contained by the image should be increased. The proposal about all DirecTV HDTV was first submitted by General Instrument Corporation on May 31, 1990
By December 1990 ATRC also launched the same followed by Zenith and AT&T and the MIT. At present Japan is the only country which broadcasts DirecTV HDTV services to the viewers. The number of converters and receivers sold to the customers has reached to 100,000 and 30,000 respectively. The possibility of starting a digital satellite HDTV service in Japan has been eliminated by the establishment of the analog broadcast service, DirecTV HDTV. Right now, many stations do not broadcast HDTV program.
Slowly, the current analog TV can be either replaced or a new set-top box can be purchased for converting the digital signal. While purchasing any TV receivers we should first ensure that the new receiver has all the input jacks that match the connectors on the VCR, cable boxed DVD player etc.
We should always go in for a composite, S-video and component video as a minimum set of analog jacks so we can use our existing analog equipment with a new set.
September 19, 2007
Satellite TV Shopping
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Are you in the search of the right satellite TV deals and reading for consumer pointers in getting the best offer? If yes then I am sure that you read a lot about how Dish Network and DirecTV stack up, which satellite program to go for, how and where to get free satellite TV deals, as well as articles on cable TV vs satellite TV services.
While most consumer guides normally tell which satellite TV providers or dealers to go for, it is equally important to know what kind of satellite TV dealers to avoid from. One should be aware that with any hot products online come scammers. Being alert and sensing a fraud deal is critical to avoid unnecessary hassles.
Runaway, as far and as fast as you can in case you meet such kind of satellite TV deals
1. Satellite TV promotions that sound too good to be true
If a satellite TV deal sounds unrealistically good, it probably is. You should understand that all satellite TV dealers (also known as retailers) get their resell rights from the same satellite TV providers – either Dish Network or DirecTV. By all means, these dealers should be running their business with more or less the same operation cost (assuming all dealers are running their biz online), thus the dealers should be offering more or less the same to their customers in order to have a profitable business. If someone offers a much greater deal (too expensive free gifts or too cheap subscription fees) compare to the others, chances are they are just giving fake promises and offering fraud deals.
2. “We do business online and do not have a valid mailing address”
Doing online business does not mean that there are no needs of a valid offline address. Any business in the States, both offline and online, are required to be registered with a valid mailing address. In case that you come to a dealer that fails o provide their valid offline contacts; most probably their business is illegal. Make sense?
3. Satellite TV dealer’s website that does not provide 24-7 customer call support
Customer supports are as important as a valid offline contacts. As a consumer you do not want the dealer to get out of sights completely once you have pay for your satellite system. A good satellite TV dealer should offers after sales service (in case the systems are faulty) as well as certain level of money-back guarantee (in case that you change your mind in the early stages).
4. Satellite TV dealers that charge hidden fees
This is a tricky part. Dishonest satellite TV dealers often hide the expensive shipping cost or installation cost from your order when you have not give out your credit card info. Once you had placed your order, these scammers might overcharge you with various hidden cost. To avoid such situation, you should ask clear enough about the nett cost of your order, and always reject the deal if they try to charge you extra from what they offered in the first place.
Conclusion
Without doubts there are more scammers on Internet than you and me can ever imagine. Satellite TV shoppers should always beware of all these scammers and do not fall into their traps. Satellite TV deals can be a huge bargains or a scary nightmare and it all depends on the satellite TV retailers that you pick.
September 18, 2007
Dish Network vs DirecTV
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Dish Network and DirecTV are the top satellite TV companies in United States. As both companies offer their service based on the similar technology, we are not surprise to see that their offers are more or less the same. However if you study their deals detail enough, you should be able to notice the different between their offers and then select the deal that suits you the best.
Monthly subscription pricing
Both Dish Network and DirecTV programming package are more or less the same. Both offer more than 200 programming channels in their top level package; and both offer about 40 channels for their entry level package.
Nevertheless, these programming prices are not quite the same. Dish Network entry package – DishFamily charge $19.99 per month, while for DirecTV charge $29.99 per month. For the rest of the programming packages, the price differences are more or less the same – with DirecTV selling about $10 higher than Dish Network for similar package.
Standard Programming choices
When it comes to programming, both Dish Network and DirecTV offer excellent entertainment packages in high quality digital transmission.
Over 256 channels are available for Dish Network programming. Dish Network has advantage over DirecTV in term of International programming choices. For example, Dish Network offers 17 Chinese programming channels (via Great Wall TV Package); while DirecTV has only 9 Chinese channels. Also, up to 35 Latino language channels are offered by Dish Network!
DirecTV supports up to 225 channels. Compare with Dish Network, However, DirecTV has a few premium packages like NFL Sunday Ticket that Dish Network doesn’t have. Thus, it would be wise to advise someone to go for DirecTV if he or she is a football fans; and if you prefer to have more International programming, Dish Network seems like a better choice.
The cost of satellite equipment
In US market, most TV viewers are with the cable for years, to win the market over cables, both Dish Network and DirecTV give out their satellite equipment for free. This enables first time customer to pay nothing for the switch and made satellite TV the fastest growing house hold products.
So what’s the difference between Dish Network and DirecTV since both of them are giving out free equipments? If you study detail enough, you should notice that Dish Network’s equipments are granted with 18 months warranty; while DirecTV has only 1 year. Further more, DirecTV charge extra $4.99 per TV if you want to connect your system to extra TVs; while Dish Network cost zero. In other words, you get better bargains when subscribe to Dish Network when compare with DirecTV.
Winding up
Dish Network or DirecTV? The choice isn’t that hard when it’s told. The tricky part is that you should have learn more about both satellite TV provider’s offers before go for anyone of them.
September 17, 2007
Satellite TV Shopping
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What’re ugly dishes and what’re their differences with DirecTV’s 18″ dish system? The quick answer is that these two satellite TV systems run on a different broadcast method - TVRO and DBS. Generally speaking, shoppers who wish to have satellite TV are entitled with two options: TVRO satellite system and DBS satellite system.
Here are the brief intro of each system.
DBS system
DBS is the acronym of Direct Broadcast Satellite. Low cost installation, maintenance-free, stable receptions, all these features make DBS system an enhanced commercial product when compare to the TVRO system. Satellite TV via DBS system is done in the Ku-Band. These satellites work on higher frequencies and can transmit higher power signals. This is why smaller dishes can be used to receive satellite signal for DBS systems.
Currently, DBS system is the most popular way for satellite TV entertainment. Dish Network and DirecTV are broadcast using DBS system. To view satellite TV programs using DBS system, all you need is a satellite signal decoder, a small satellite dish (18”), and of course, a TV. If you subscribe the service to Dish Network or DirecTV, you are also required to put on the subscription cards or the ‘Key’ to view the TV shows legally.
Yes, subscription card is necessary. It is no secret that there are ugly trend in DBS satellite TV where tech guys hack their existing programming-card; or some get their smart card through Internet. By stealing the satellite signals from Dish Network or DirecTV, users can avoid paying any subscription fees. Anyhow, hacking satellite TV descrambles is against the rules and you put yourself in the risk of legal actions. Consumers should beware and avoid falling on to such traps when there are vendors offering such kind of services.
TVRO system
TVRO, or in detail, Television Receive Only is the first satellite system available for home satellite viewing system. Often known as the Big Dish, or the Ugly Dish, TVRO system uses C-Band (in contrast to Ku-band for DBS system) for the signal transmission.
By using a movable big dish, TVRO systems are able to receive common TV programs as well as independent feeds from all over the world. As news broadcasting crews normally transmit their first hand broadcast materials via C Band (same as TVRO system), you could for instance receive the unedited material if your dish lay within the coverage area.
September 16, 2007
Dish Network vs DirecTV
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Dish Network and DirecTV definitely are no stranger to you if you live in the United States In fact if you are looking for satellite TV deals in the States, you most probably will face dilemma in choosing between these two satellite providers.
Both Dish Network and DirecTV are offering their service in an extremely cheap bargain as the market competition is steep. Both Dish Network and DirecTV provide free shipping and free professional installations to their customers. Both of their audio and picture quality are guaranteed to be 100% digital. Both Dish Network and DirecTV won J. D. Power Awards in term of customer satisfaction over cable TV companies. In most cases, you get free equipment, free setup, free installation and great package deals from both!
From promotional price to equipment setups, Dish Network and DirecTV are just offering more or less the same arrangement. How do shoppers choose their deal in such case?
Comparing the satellite equipments
Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer up to 4 room satellite TV receivers and DVRs for free. However, HD equipments are given out for free with Dish Network; while extra charges are needed for DirecTV HD equipments.
As in what we are seeing now, lots of Dish Network dealers are offering lifetime warranty for the free equipments, which is a huge plus point when compare to DirecTV, who normally offers only 2 years warranty.
Dish Network therefore has the better deal when compare to DirecTV in this case.
Pricing
Pricing in satellite TV is always way better than cable TV. Both Dish Network and DirecTV take $0 initial setups. Dish Network monthly fees starts from $19.99/mo; DirecTV, $29.99/mo.
Programming choices
When it comes to programming, both Dish Network and DirecTV offer excellent entertainment packages in high quality digital transmission. Over 256 channels are available for Dish Network programming. Dish Network has advantage over DirecTV in term of International programming choices. For example, Dish Network offers 17 Chinese programming channels (via Great Wall TV Package); while DirecTV has only 9 Chinese channels. Also, up to 35 latino language channels are offered by Dish Network!
DirecTV supports up to 225 channels. Compare with Dish Network, However, DirecTV has a few premium packages like NFL Sunday Ticket that Dish Network doesn’t have. It would be wise to advise someone to go for DirecTV if he or she is a football fans; and if you prefer to have more International programming, Dish Network seems like a better choice.
Wrapping things up
When it comes to choosing Dish Network and DirecTV deals, there is really no one shoe fit for all in this question. The question to ask is that which one suits you more.
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