For quite some time, cable television companies held a monopoly on the pay television market in the United States. Sure you could get a dish TV system installed if you had a huge backyard with space for a six foot wide satellite. For obvious reasons these were not very popular in cities or the suburbs, though if you lived in a rural area it was pretty much the only way to receive cable television channels. When the size of the dish shrunk, the popularity of these TV systems took off and customers quickly accepted this new technology.
Today satellite TV remains an extremely popular option for both city dwellers and rural customers alike. But how exactly do dish TV systems work? What factors come into play for the homeowner or the apartment dweller when looking at this option as an alternative to cable service? Lets consider what is involved in getting dish TV installed in your home or apartment, and what equipment is needed to make your system bring those channels into the home.
When looking at a dish system, it all starts with the satellite unit that is mounted outside of your home. These small satellite dish units are really what powered the growth of satellite service in the 1990’s. No longer did the customer have to pour a concrete pad in their backyard and have a massive satellite dish placed out there to receive signal, instead small units were deployed by Dish Network, DIRECTV, and PrimeStar. Eventually Primestar was sold and became a part of DIRECTV.
Because of the location of the satellites in space, your satellite dish has to be placed facing south or southwest depending on your location. This of course can present problems for some homeowners with large trees or those who have buildings that may interfere with your line of sight. Those in apartments may also be locked out of the satellite game if they face north. But if your home allows installation of a dish TV system, the next step is routing that signal into the home in to the viewing areas.
Traditional coaxial cables that are used by cable television now take over. Depending on what is already in place, the dish system installer may run additional cable to areas where it is needed. Most satellite TV packages include setup to one television in the home, but there are generally charges for additional receivers each month for your other TV sets. Most today opt to have one of the new HD DVR receivers on their primary television, allowing them to record and playback content at their convenience rathter that always being locked into live TV broadcasts. Dish Network has had an advantage over the past few years in that their DuoDVR series allows two different feeds with independent remote controls. DIRECTV is though bringing out their own multi-room DVR in 2010.
Most dish television systems can be customized fairly closely to your needs. While free installation in up to four rooms is generally included, if you have a special situation and need more rooms connected, either company will help you out. Just be aware that a custom dish system like this will in all likelihood have up front installation charges and may also require a second satellite dish.
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