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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Satellite TV . . . But Were Afraid to Ask

What’s included with a free satellite TV system?

Everything but the kitchen sink . . . which wouldn’t help to improve your satellite TV viewing experience at all. Basically you get all of the equipment needed to get you started. Dish Network will provide you with up to 4 receivers and a DVR digital video recorder, Dish Network will provide you with the necessary free hardware, everything will be installed and you’ll get good warranty on the equipment, depending on your chosen satellite TV provider. DirecTV offer 12 months, Dish Network offer a life warranty. To qualify for all of this free stuff and to get you up and running you must, however, live in the United States and sign up for a period of at least 12 months.

Will I still be able to tune in to local channels with my satellite TV system?

Yes, don’t worry, you’ll still be able to catch the local news and weather!  It’ll usually be included in your programming package for most metropolitan areas, and if it isn’t you can still catch your favorite local programs using an off air antenna on the satellite receiver, using a remote control to access it.

Will my satellite TV viewing be interrupted by the weather?

To be honest, in extreme weather conditions with periods of really heavy rain or snow their might be a little interference, but it certainly doesn’t happen very often (not as much as the downtime on cable TV).  If the weather is really bad you might find that the TV picture freezes for a few seconds until the receiver relocates to find the disappearing signal. The professional installer should ensure that you have a really strong signal which will not be affected by such things, even in the bad weather, and you can even get a special cover for your satellite to make sure that you don’t end up with your very own collection of wet snow.

Can we watch different TV shows in different rooms?

Sure you can.  These satellite TV providers know full well that the days of one TV per household is a thing of the past, one TV per room is more like it these days. Dish Network and DirecTV will give you 4 or 5 free receivers which will allow 4 or 5 extra rooms worth of viewing, if you want to watch different channels in each room (duhhh, course you do) you’ll need the dual-LNB satellite system dish or alternatively the all new multi-satellite tv system from DirecTV.

Can I watch international and special interest programs on my satellite TV?

It all depends on your package! You’ll very often find that religious programs (like Christian programs) are included in the base package and there are lots of different international packages to choose from.  Dish Network is definitely ahead in the international progam stakes with around six different foreign langauge packages as well as individual channels in foreign languages. Spanish and Chinese programing is available from DirecTV.

Can I have satellite TV in an apartment?

This generally isn’t a problem, after all, most apartments can spare the 18″ dish space on the balcony or wall (just as long as you’re pointing in the right direction – South). If you have any problems with the apartment management then take a look at the FEC website for more information. You might actually find that your whole apartment block is installed with satellite TV, and if it isn’t it’s definitely worth getting together with the other residents to see if they’ll go for it. You’ll find that the majority of people will go for it, especially as satellite TV is becoming more and more popular.

Do I need to have a phone line connection for satellite TV?

You don’t need to have a phone line connection for a single room satellite TV system, but if you want more than one room then yes you do. It’s a good idea to have a phone line connection anyway, because then it won’t interfer with your usual telephone usage and incur extra installation and usage costs. You’ll be able to order some sports programs and movies (careful!!!) for your satellite TV  by telephone without the extra expense of long distance call charges, it’s all toll free.

What about high speed internet access. Can I get that with satellite TV?

Yep, it’s known as satellite dsl and is available with both DirecTV and Dish Network systems in most areas of the US continent and Hawaii. Another option is a satellite internet provider, Direcway, which has a combined internet service and satellite TV with DirecTV on one dish.