Across the country, users are making the switch from cable to satellite television services. Through the excitement of the impressive channel line-ups and the stories of perfect pictures we all too often forget about the satellite television installation process and how it will affect us.
Being a former on-demand cable technician I was concerned about the various aspects of the satellite television installation such the placement of the dish, the use of existing cables and whether I would have to cut down any of the beautiful trees in our yard. As I awaited the chime of the doorbell the heavy cloud of trepidation loomed overhead. If I had only known what to expect I would have been anxiously anticipating their arrival. From the speed of service, the professionalism of the technicians, and the quality of the equipment we were amazed by our satellite television installation.
For our satellite system we chose a Direct TV package after querying our friends and family about their service. Although the company has online ordering we spoke directly with a Customer Service representative. In a world ruled by instant gratification we were delighted to learn that our installation would occur the very next day.
Who installs the satellite equipment?
Are you a DIY network viewer and think you can do this satellite television installation yourself? For this one you may want to sit back and relax since the major satellite TV providers offer free installation as part of their package.
Direct TV sent out a professional local contractor to do our installation. Our team consisted of three technicians - one for receiver setup, one for dish installation and another to run cable. The install team was very professional and a pleasure to work with.
Will my landscaping be affected?
The satellite dish will need to be setup with a clear line of sight to provide you with the best picture quality possible. I do not recommend modifying your landscaping unless the satellite installation technician believes it is necessary.
Since our property is heavily wooded we were delighted to learn that the satellite dish could be placed on the roof of our home. This allowed us to receive incredible DirecTV picture quality while preserving the aesthetics of our landscaping.
Can my existing wiring be used?
It is preferable that the existing wiring be used during the satellite television installation. Additional wiring is only necessary if conditions exist that prevent its use such as placement of the dish or if you purchased a DVR package.
Satellite DVR receivers require that two cables run from the satellite to the receiver which will allow you to record more than one show at a time or view a show while you are recording another. If extra cabling needs to be installed in your home the installation technician will explain the options to you.
Finishing the installation:
After the satellite dish has been setup the technician(s) will tune the receivers and then spend some time showing you how to utilize the remote controls.
The installation of our Direct TV satellite television equipment could not have been easier. As the crew drove down the road I was left with one hurdle that I could only pass by myself. With over 200 channels I would have to settle on something to watch.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Undefeated NFL Sports Package from DirecTV
DirecTV is 18-0 when it comes to its undefeated NFL sports package. What can sports fans expect when they subscribe to DirecTV satellite TV programming packages? First, over 35 individual sports networks on its lineup, which is more than any other television provider out there. The Sports Pack package from DirecTV includes 35 sports networks from national and regional outlets. However, the satellite TV provider offers more than just network coverage.
The best reason to subscribe to DirecTV is for the NFL Sunday Ticket feature. This sports package allows viewers to watch NFL regular season games that may be unavailable on local affiliates.
Therefore, if you are a major fan of a team, but do not live close enough to local affiliate stations to watch regular season games, then NFL Sunday Ticket has much to offer you. NFL Sunday Ticket is co-managed by the NFL, and they have chosen to work exclusively with DirecTV at least until 2010. Therefore, NFL Sunday Ticket is the only way to get full coverage of all your favorite teams. DirecTV also offers NFL coverage in HD TV via the NFL Network, not to mention other sports-oriented HD channels such as ESPN.
The SuperFan package, available as an add-on feature, allows viewers even more interactive options. SuperFan lets subscribers watch up to 12 NFL games in HD (in addition to other HD sports channels) along with access to Game Mix, Red Zone, Short Cuts and Highlights on Demand. The Game Mix lets sports fans watch eight NFL games simultaneously, and in HD, along with statistics as to the game’s score. The Red Zone Channel acts as a virtual remote control, allowing viewers to “flip” back in forth between various NFL games taking place according to major happenings, like scores and key turnovers. Short Cuts recaps NFL games within a 30-minute time frame and has two channels total, one for the AFC and one for the NFC. There is also an option for Highlights-on-Demand, which delivers a 3-4 minute recap of every single NFL Sunday Ticket game.
One of the most exciting developments to take place in 2008 has been the “SuperCast” feature. This feature allows NFL fans to watch Sunday Ticket programming on their computer. SuperCast allows for live streaming content of NFL games, including the Red Zone channel, on your desktop. You can watch content straight from your computer and in full screen mode or in a mini-mode window. With this technology you could even watch coverage away from your home and on a laptop, or get updates via cellular phone.
Now that the NFL season has just begun, it’s about time that you take advantage of one of the many great DirecTV deals on sports packages today! Root for your favorite teams and keep up to date with the latest goings on in the season with just the click of a button. Just imagine throwing a Super Bowl party in HD format! Now that’s a party worth going to, even if the San Diego Chargers are the odds on favorite to win. DirecTV is the NFL’s biggest fan and has the extra features on their satellite TV offer to prove it.
The best reason to subscribe to DirecTV is for the NFL Sunday Ticket feature. This sports package allows viewers to watch NFL regular season games that may be unavailable on local affiliates.
Therefore, if you are a major fan of a team, but do not live close enough to local affiliate stations to watch regular season games, then NFL Sunday Ticket has much to offer you. NFL Sunday Ticket is co-managed by the NFL, and they have chosen to work exclusively with DirecTV at least until 2010. Therefore, NFL Sunday Ticket is the only way to get full coverage of all your favorite teams. DirecTV also offers NFL coverage in HD TV via the NFL Network, not to mention other sports-oriented HD channels such as ESPN.
The SuperFan package, available as an add-on feature, allows viewers even more interactive options. SuperFan lets subscribers watch up to 12 NFL games in HD (in addition to other HD sports channels) along with access to Game Mix, Red Zone, Short Cuts and Highlights on Demand. The Game Mix lets sports fans watch eight NFL games simultaneously, and in HD, along with statistics as to the game’s score. The Red Zone Channel acts as a virtual remote control, allowing viewers to “flip” back in forth between various NFL games taking place according to major happenings, like scores and key turnovers. Short Cuts recaps NFL games within a 30-minute time frame and has two channels total, one for the AFC and one for the NFC. There is also an option for Highlights-on-Demand, which delivers a 3-4 minute recap of every single NFL Sunday Ticket game.
One of the most exciting developments to take place in 2008 has been the “SuperCast” feature. This feature allows NFL fans to watch Sunday Ticket programming on their computer. SuperCast allows for live streaming content of NFL games, including the Red Zone channel, on your desktop. You can watch content straight from your computer and in full screen mode or in a mini-mode window. With this technology you could even watch coverage away from your home and on a laptop, or get updates via cellular phone.
Now that the NFL season has just begun, it’s about time that you take advantage of one of the many great DirecTV deals on sports packages today! Root for your favorite teams and keep up to date with the latest goings on in the season with just the click of a button. Just imagine throwing a Super Bowl party in HD format! Now that’s a party worth going to, even if the San Diego Chargers are the odds on favorite to win. DirecTV is the NFL’s biggest fan and has the extra features on their satellite TV offer to prove it.
Monday, December 8, 2008
DirectTV vs. Dish Network
You may have already decided that satellite television offers numerous advantages over cable TV. However, there is still this pressing issue: which satellite TV provider is the more reliable and affordable choice? The two major satellite TV providers are DirectTV and the Dish Network. Dish Network was launched in March of 1996 and is registered as a Nevada corporation though their corporate office is in Colorado. DirectTV is based in El Segundo, California and was first founded in 1994.
First consider the similarities between Dish Network and DirectTV. Both services offer satellite transmission, all-digital programming, HDTV, DVR systems, and over 250 program channels. Therefore, the biggest differences to take note of will be in the subscription fees as well as the unique programming.
Both companies offer free satellite TV equipment, as well as installations in up to four rooms of your house. DirectTV offers a variety of channels, 265 of them, which include premium movie channels, music channels, PPV events, international shows and sports packages, The DISH Network offer 280 channels also, with a comparable line up. Most users agree that while Dish Network does offer plenty of movies and foreign programming that DirectTV has more sports packages, including the NFL Sunday Ticket, and Mega March Madness.
How have the companies fared in customer service? Both companies offer customer support via online or toll free phone service 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Both DirectTV and Dish Network occupy the top two spots in customer satisfaction among all cable or satellite providers. Both companies are dedicated to offering top-notch services as well as constant technical support to their customers.
Both companies are comparable thus far; the only factor that separates them may very well be the pricing. Dish Network does have some cheap deals, like 100 channels for $42.99 per month. However, DirectTV offers 150 channels for less—about $34.99 per month, which is a difference of $8 for 50 more channels. If you want the “total package” then compare Dish Network’s 280-channel deal (with music channels) for $99.98 to DirectTV’s 265 channels for $86.99. It’s true that Dish offers more channels. However, review some of the details. DirectTV offers more sports programming, more HD channels (57 compared to HD’s 27) and a difference of $12.99.
DirectTV has also branched out into bars, restaurants, hotels, dorms and hospitals with their special package for businesses. In addition, the DirectTV Mobile and DirectTV Airborne have allows even mobile or air bound viewers enjoy DirectTV’s lineup. There are advantages and disadvantages to signing up with both companies, though these are only minor differences in price and total channels available. When pitted against cable television, both services offer tremendous advantages that can’t be ignored. When it comes to choosing one however, choose the provider that offers the best deal on a month-to-month basis. DirectTV offers include great specials for its new customers, such as deals for free satellite TV equipment and free installation. DirectTV currently has over 16 million customers, thereby making the company the number one choice in satellite TV.
First consider the similarities between Dish Network and DirectTV. Both services offer satellite transmission, all-digital programming, HDTV, DVR systems, and over 250 program channels. Therefore, the biggest differences to take note of will be in the subscription fees as well as the unique programming.
Both companies offer free satellite TV equipment, as well as installations in up to four rooms of your house. DirectTV offers a variety of channels, 265 of them, which include premium movie channels, music channels, PPV events, international shows and sports packages, The DISH Network offer 280 channels also, with a comparable line up. Most users agree that while Dish Network does offer plenty of movies and foreign programming that DirectTV has more sports packages, including the NFL Sunday Ticket, and Mega March Madness.
How have the companies fared in customer service? Both companies offer customer support via online or toll free phone service 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Both DirectTV and Dish Network occupy the top two spots in customer satisfaction among all cable or satellite providers. Both companies are dedicated to offering top-notch services as well as constant technical support to their customers.
Both companies are comparable thus far; the only factor that separates them may very well be the pricing. Dish Network does have some cheap deals, like 100 channels for $42.99 per month. However, DirectTV offers 150 channels for less—about $34.99 per month, which is a difference of $8 for 50 more channels. If you want the “total package” then compare Dish Network’s 280-channel deal (with music channels) for $99.98 to DirectTV’s 265 channels for $86.99. It’s true that Dish offers more channels. However, review some of the details. DirectTV offers more sports programming, more HD channels (57 compared to HD’s 27) and a difference of $12.99.
DirectTV has also branched out into bars, restaurants, hotels, dorms and hospitals with their special package for businesses. In addition, the DirectTV Mobile and DirectTV Airborne have allows even mobile or air bound viewers enjoy DirectTV’s lineup. There are advantages and disadvantages to signing up with both companies, though these are only minor differences in price and total channels available. When pitted against cable television, both services offer tremendous advantages that can’t be ignored. When it comes to choosing one however, choose the provider that offers the best deal on a month-to-month basis. DirectTV offers include great specials for its new customers, such as deals for free satellite TV equipment and free installation. DirectTV currently has over 16 million customers, thereby making the company the number one choice in satellite TV.
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