DirecTV deals: Frequent asked questions

October 2, 2007 DirecTV Comments Off

There are more than 30 millions satellite TV users in United States. More than half of them are using DirecTV satellite system as DirecTV stands as the nation largest satellite TV provider. In combination with massive publicity and marketing campaign by its dealers, DirecTV is now a house well-known household name. Although ad promoting free DirecTV offers can be seen everywhere, very few people knows about the facts about these free DirecTV deals. Bombastic commercial slogan does not give the facts of the deals and they often sound even confusing to those looking for free DirecTV satellite TV offers.

So, who is DirecTV?

DirecTV (often abbreviated as DTV), who went live in 1994, were the first North American DBS service. DirecTV service currently covers more than 93% of the United States including Hawaii and Alaska. You can easily notice its presence easily by observing the small 18-inch satellite dishes at the top of the roof around your neighborhood. DirecTV typically uses a 18-inch round or oval shape satellite dishes for its signal transmissions.

Are free DirecTV deals for real?

Free DirecTV deals are for real but consumers are often confused with the free items. Free DirecTV means the satellite TV systems, the satellite signal decoders, the satellite dish, the remote control, are give for free. For certain dealers, you can get free DVR (which is TiVo system in the past) and home theater system as incentive gifts. Do not get confused that the whole system is totally free as you will need to pay for the extra upgrades such as HD upgrades and you will also need to pay a certain amount of subscription fees every month. Further more, DirecTV free offers are only valid for the first time customer and you must commit yourself to one to one-and-a-half year contract. So make sure you are first time appearing on their customer list if you when ordering your free DirecTV systems.

How much does DirecTV monthly subscription fees will cost me?

DirecTV basic programming package starts at $31.99/mo. The price is slightly higher compare to two years back but the increment rate is extremely low compare to cable TV. (Visit here for more DirecTV programming and pricing details.)

Can I get HDTV with any DirecTV system?

Yes, DirecTV offers HDTV services now. In order to receive HDTV broadcasts, you will need the 18″ x 24″ oval DIRECTV Multi-Satellite dish and a special receiver that decodes HDTV signals. Some DirecTV dealers provide basic HD systems free; others might charge certain amount of money for the extra set-up.

Can I hook up multiple TVs to one DirecTV receiver or do I need one receiver for each TV in the house?

Yes, multiple TVs to one receiver is possible. However with multiple TV hooked up to a single DirecTV receiver, you can only watch the same channel at the same time and you will not get the stereo sound effects. DirecTV now offer up to four free satellite TV receivers if you are their first time customers, so this is not consumer’s major concern most of the time.

Satellite systems are all given for free, how does DirecTV dealers make money then?

Simple answer: subscription fees. DirecTV retailers are earning their profits thru monthly subscription fee. To get free DirecTV systems, you must commit yourself to one to one-and-a-half year contract. This means that you will need to pay the subscription fees in long term (at least one year) no matter you are using their service or not.

How does DirecTV perform when compare to Dish Network?

Both DirecTV and Dish Network offer practically the same programming selections. However, DirecTV monthly subscription fees are slightly higher than Dish Network as they cover more sports channels. If you are a football fans, NFL Sunday Tickets offered by DirecTV is something you must get.

Why get free DirecTV online?

You can see the steepest competition in satellite TV business on Internet. Whenever there’s a huge competition going on in the retailing market, the consumers earn the best. Bargains offered by online DirecTV dealers are most recommended because DirecTV (or Dish Network) online dealers are the most aggressive people in satellite TV business.

They provide lots of free incentive gifts, free installations, free shipping, online customer supports, and 24 hours live chat support to their customers. Sometimes the bargains are just too lucrative to be true. Further more, online retailers are able to run their business in a much lower operating cost compared to brick and mortar stores, thus they are the only one that can afford to bring you the best free DirecTV deal.

Satellite TV vs Cable TV

October 1, 2007 Satellite TV Shopping Comments Off

We all knew cables and satellites are the main paid TV services in United States. Dish Network and DirecTV are the major two players on the satellite TV side; while Time Warner, Comcast, Adelphia, Cable Vision, Charter Communication are some of the well known names on cables.

So how does satellite TV match up to cables? Is satellite TV better, or it’s the old school cables? Let’s check out some of the facts on satellite TV vs cable TV here.

Popularity

Although both Dish Network and DirecTV is growing their business fast, cable TV is still much popular than satellites at nowadays.
At the time of writing, DirecTV claims that they own up to 18 millions subscribers; while Dish Network 15 millions. On the other hand according to market survey, major cable TV provider Comcast cable TV take up over 20 million subscribers in many states; while Time Warner 10 millions, Adelphia 5 millions, Cable Vision 3 millions and Charter Communication 6 millions in United States.

Programming quality and variety

Cable TV uses TV cables; while satellite TV uses satellite and dish for the signal transmission. Cable TV programs normal come in analog or partly, digital signals – the picture quality are generally good, but not as good as satellite TV that offers 100% digital picture in their broadcast.

In most situation, cable TV offers up to 150 channels. In contrast, both main satellite TV providers (Dish and DirecTV) offer up to 255 programming choices. On top of that, DISH Network and DirecTV offer plenty of HDTV programming, which it’s hardly found on major conventional cables. What amazed me a lot is that Dish Network had just throw out another upgrading campaign that raises their HD channels to more than 30! (Compare to others who are less then 20).

Bundle services

Cable TV services normally come along with cable phone and cable broadband services – which is good for most new home buyers. With cable TV bundle package (Comcast for example), you’ll get entertainment, communication, and even high speed Internet services. The service provide much convenience to the users (imagine settling all your home bills with just one company) and also, they (the cable TV) are able to pull down the selling price (due to better mass selling), which in turns create a better value for cable user’s services.

Satellite TV on the other hand has less to offer. Satellite Internet was once offered along side with satellite TV deals. However the latency problem and constant disconnection during storms had fail satellite TV company in offering bundle services (satellite Internet) to their clients. Thus

Pricing

Satellite TV wins cables a lot when it comes to pricing.

Cable TV costs you $37.30 a month for 64 channels, plus $10.95 a month to add a few digital channels. Installation in one room is $39.95, plus $9.95 for each additional room. While Dish Network basic package starts at $19.99 and DirecTV package starts at $29.99, it is without doubt that satellite TV are much better bargains when compare with cable TV.

Conclusion

So Cable TV and satellite TV, who has the best? There is no absolute right answer.

Both services have their own weakness - Cable TV are a lot more expensive and poor programming quality/variety. Dish Network and DirecTV, on the other hand are just TV companies and cannot supply you good additional services (in general).

Both services have their advantages – cable TV bundle services offer you great savings in overall home expenses; satellite TV offer better programming quality in a much cheaper price.

The best I can advise is that reviews both services carefully and decide the one that suits your needs the best.

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