Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
You've seen the online and offline ads -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!"But is satellite TV really free?The answer to that question is yes ... and no.Yes, the equipment you get -- the satellite TV dish and satellite TV receiver -- is free. But no, the programming service will cost you money.Let's examine the facts.Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- Dish Network and DirecTV. Dish Network Satellite TV ServiceWhen you order a free satellite TV system from Dish Network, you will be asked to pay a $49.99 activation fee. This fee will be credited to your programming bill, so in essence, your satellite TV system is free.
Installation of your satellite TV system is also free.With Dish Network you have the option to upgrade to a DVR (digital video recording) receiver, or an HDTV (high definition TV) receiver at no charge.Dish Network programming starts at $31.99 per month for 60 program channels, and goes up to $86.00 for 230 channels including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and Sirius radio.Dish Network offers more movies, shows, and HDTV than cable or DirecTV, and with one of their free DVR receivers you can record, pause, and fast forward live TV with a click of your remote. All Dish Network programs are broadcast in digital format for crystal-clear picture and sound. DirecTV Satellite TV ServiceDepending on your credit rating, when you order a free satellite TV system from DirecTV you may be required to pay a deposit or prepayment. Because the deposit is refunded to you and the prepayment goes toward your programming fees, the DirecTV satellite dish and receivers are free. Installation is also free.If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99.
The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.DirecTV programming packages start at $41.99 per month for 115 channels (including 31 music channels), and go up to $93.99 per month for 185 program channels, including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and 31 music channels.DirecTV offers more sports programs than you can get with cable or Dish Network, including the popular NFL Sunday Ticket, and is broadcast in all-digital format.The Bottom LineBoth Dish Network and DirecTV's basic satellite TV dishes and receivers are free ... but the service will cost you anywhere from $32 to $94 a month.So if you watch just a few television programs a week and have access to over-the-air TV, or if you have cable TV and are happy with your service, then satellite TV probably isn't for you. If, on the other hand, TV is one of your primary forms of entertainment and you want the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and new -- or if your cable bill is beginning to equal your mortgage payment -- then satellite TV may be just the ticket..
Brian Stevens is a professional freelance writer and webmaster who has written extensively on free satellite TV systems. Click the following link for more information on free satellite TV systems and service.DirecTV and DISH Network ? How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?
If you live in the U.S. and want satellite TV systems, you have basically two choices.
Yes, there are other providers out there, but for most viewers, DirecTV and DISH Network offer the most choices for the least money, although Pegasus and Voom are fast becoming major contenders in the satellite television industry.
Competition being what it is, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer similar services and constantly adjust to add features and outdo their rivals.
So how do you choose between the two?
A side-by-side comparison of the services and prices shows some differences that help customers decide which service best fits their viewing needs.
But first, a little background on each provider might be helpful.DirecTVThe company known as The DirecTV Group is made up of four main units, which include DirecTV U.S., DirecTV Latin America, PanAmSat, and Hughes Network Systems (HNS).
As a group, the organization serves over 12 million U.S. satellite...
Dvr > DirecTV and DISH Network ? How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?
DISH Network DVR Receiver Guide
DISH Network DVR Receiver
A DVR (digital video recorder) is actually a hard drive - like the one in your computer - located inside a DVR receiver. It's purpose is to record satellite TV programs, store them in digital format, and play them back.
DISH Network DVR Receiver Features
Here are some of the features of DISH Network's DVR:
* You can fast forward past commercials. It's the next best thing to commercial-free television.
* Pause the show you're watching so you can answer the telephone, go to the bathroom, or get a snack, then resume watching it when you're ready.
* On-screen DISH Network DVR menus allow you to record your favorite programs with the push of a button.
* Record up to 100 hours or your favorite shows automatically. No more trying to figure out complicated VCR settings or having to reset your VCR after a power...
Dvr > DISH Network DVR Receiver Guide
DirecTV and DISH Network ? How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?
If you live in the U.S. and want satellite TV systems, you have basically two choices.
Yes, there are other providers out there, but for most viewers, DirecTV and DISH Network offer the most choices for the least money, although Pegasus and Voom are fast becoming major contenders in the satellite television industry.
Competition being what it is, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer similar services and constantly adjust to add features and outdo their rivals.
So how do you choose between the two?
A side-by-side comparison of the services and prices shows some differences that help customers decide which service best fits their viewing needs.
But first, a little background on each provider might be helpful.DirecTVThe company known as The DirecTV Group is made up of four main units, which include DirecTV U.S., DirecTV Latin America, PanAmSat, and Hughes Network Systems (HNS).
As a group, the organization serves over 12 million U.S. satellite...
Dvr > DirecTV and DISH Network ? How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?
Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver Guide
Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver
A DIRECTV DVR (digital video recorder) is a recording device that sits inside a DVR receiver. It utilizes DIRECTV's DVR Service (what used to be TiVo) to allow you to digitally record and store satellite TV programs. Here's a list of features and how you can get one for free.
DIRECTV DVR Receiver Features
A DVR receiver allows you to watch what you want, when you want. With it, you can record your favorite shows plus pause and replay live TV.
Here are some of DIRECTV's DVR features:
* One-touch recording - Record programs with a single touch of a button. No more trying to figure our complicated VCR settings.
Your shows will be automatically recorded even if they move to a different time slot.
* Dual recording - Record your favorite programs while watching another program. You can even record two programs at the same time,
Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver Guide
Dvr > Free DIRECTV DVR Receiver Guide
Benefits of DVR Players
A DVR player's best benefit is enabling people to have more control over their day-to-day schedules. A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) allows you to record video in digital format on the DVR's hard drive. A DVR is a cross between a video tape recorder and a DVD recordable drive on a computer, but a DVR is a lot more. Here are some benefits of DVR players.Watch Your Favorite Programs On Your Own Time.With DVR players, you can record hours and hours of TV programs for viewing later. The amount of programs that you record is only limited by the size of your DVR player's hard drive.
This enables you to watch your favorite reality TV show or soap opera when you want to watch it. Surveys of DVR owners show that recording TV shows for future viewing is the biggest benefit for owning a DVR player.Archiving Favorite TV Programs.Some DVR owners use their DVR player to archive their favorite TV programs and TV series. Archiving is best if you hook your DVR player to your home computer network.Digital...
Benefits of DVR Players
Dvr > Benefits of DVR Players
With S&C's PureWave DVR, Voltage Sags are no Problem?Even During a Hurricane!
Keeping critical production processes going during Hurricane Isabel was no problem for a Manassas, Virginia semiconductor fabricator. A PureWave DVR? Dynamic Voltage Restorer from S&C Electric Company has been in service at the facility for almost two years. It again proved its worth during one of the area's worst storms in September 2003.The hurricane knocked out power all along the eastern seaboard of the United States, but the manufacturer's fabrication equipment was unaffected. The PureWave DVR corrected over 30 sags during the hurricane (including one at 55%), allowing processes to continue as if blue skies were overhead.Back in 2001, the manufacturer ordered a 5-MVA PureWave DVR to protect a critical portion of the facility from the voltage sags they were experiencing on the utility source. While the device was being manufactured, the order was amended to expand the system rating to 10 MVA, thus allowing it to protect the entire facility.
Since installation, the PureWave...
With S&C's PureWave DVR, Voltage Sags are no Problem?Even During a Hurricane!
Dvr > With S&C's PureWave DVR, Voltage Sags are no Problem?Even During a Hurricane!
THEONLYDISH.COM Offers support of DISH NETWORK'S 'DISH City Makeover'
Somerville, NJ (ContentDesk) September 3, 2005 -- TheOnlyDish.com, a proud affiliate of AllSat.com, one of the leading online retailers of DISH Network services and equipment, announced today that it is offering its support to DISH Network's "DISH City Makeover" campaign.The DISH City Makeover is an opportunity for every household in a participating city or town to receive a complete satellite TV system, including free TV programming, for 10 years. In turn, the town must agree to officially change its name to "DISH."To participate, the town government must agree to change the name legally and permanently on government buildings, post offices, official letterhead, schools and hospitals if applicable, street signs where necessary, and any other government signage that contains the city or town's name. The municipality must also file all necessary state and federal documentation.Submissions must be sent to e-mail protected from spam bots for approval by Nov. 1, 2005.TheOnlyDish.com urges...
THEONLYDISH.COM Offers support of DISH NETWORK'S 'DISH City Makeover'
Dvr > THEONLYDISH.COM Offers support of DISH NETWORK'S 'DISH City Makeover'
Television on Your Schedule with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
The introduction of the VCR changed so much for the television viewer. Before the introduction of the VCR, you had to watch the show when it was broadcast by the network ? that was your only option. If you recorded your favorite show, you were able to watch it when you wanted to ? and as many times as you wanted to. All you needed was a blank video tape and a VCR. That has all changed with the DVR.A DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, is technology that takes all the great features of a VCR and places it in the digital age.
Instead of multiple tapes, you have a single hard drive. Instead of degrading tape quality issues, shows are now recorded digitally that can last forever. Instead of programming a VCR through a complicated interface of tiny buttons on a remote control, you can program your DVR through a simple point and click interface, possibly even from your home computer.In addition to the ability to watch your shows whenever you want to, there is another benefit to the DVR...
Television on Your Schedule with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
Dvr > Television on Your Schedule with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)