Real Answers to Your Satellite TV Questions
You have probably read articles or seen advertisements about how satellite TV has been taking the home entertainment industry by storm. The fact of the matter is, this home entertainment service is becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States and is more competitive with traditional cable TV than ever before. There are various factors that contribute to this trend -- included among them are benefits like wide programming variety, boundless accessibility, and affordable pricing. Still, if you are considering making the switch from cable to satellite in your home, it would behoove you to be an educated consumer and do your homework so that you know what exactly you are getting yourself into before making any commitments.
For the most part, people have no problem coming up with questions that they have regarding satellite TV. Unfortunately, it is not always so easy to find answers that are straightforward and not confusing. For your convenience, below you will find a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about satellite service, followed by answers that are to-the-point and hopefully helpful in your decision-making process.
1. How does satellite service work? Unlike cable television, which is transmitted using physical wires, satellite signals are sent through the air from a satellite that orbits the earth to your satellite dish. Your satellite dish takes these signals and passes them on to a device called a receiver, which then converts them into images that can be displayed on your television screen.
2. Is it true that you do not have to pay for your satellite equipment? Yes, when you sign up for a satellite service plan, both your equipment and its installation will be included free of charge. To qualify for this deal, however, you may be required to commit to a long-term contract of at least a year or two in duration. Ask your provider for specifics.
3. Is it possible to get access to local channels through satellite TV? Some of the negative advertising that the cable companies are coming up with to fight back against the booming popularity of satellite service aims to convince consumers that they will be missing out on local channels by switching to satellite, but this is an outdated claim. While in the past getting local channels through a satellite plan was complicated or in some places impossible, nowadays all local channels tend to be included in even the most basic satellite packages.
4. How much does satellite TV cost? Depending on the provider that you select, the cheapest service plans will cost between thirty and forty dollars a month. These packages are cheaper than their cable counterparts and come with more channels, as well. To get the best rates on add-on features like premium movie channels and high definition DVRs, make sure you shop around and compare the deals offered by the various satellite providers.
5. Is it possible to get satellite service if you do not live in a single-family home? Some people think that they cannot get satellite service because they live in an apartment or a condo, but this is actually not the case. With satellite dishes being made more and more compact all the time, they can easily be mounted on a wall or balcony if for some reason you do not have roof access. However, be aware that, though satellite service is available throughout the entire country, what you do need is a clear view of the southern sky. So if your home is surrounded by a lot of tall buildings that might block this view, then you may have a problem with reception.
For the most part, people have no problem coming up with questions that they have regarding satellite TV. Unfortunately, it is not always so easy to find answers that are straightforward and not confusing. For your convenience, below you will find a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about satellite service, followed by answers that are to-the-point and hopefully helpful in your decision-making process.
1. How does satellite service work? Unlike cable television, which is transmitted using physical wires, satellite signals are sent through the air from a satellite that orbits the earth to your satellite dish. Your satellite dish takes these signals and passes them on to a device called a receiver, which then converts them into images that can be displayed on your television screen.
2. Is it true that you do not have to pay for your satellite equipment? Yes, when you sign up for a satellite service plan, both your equipment and its installation will be included free of charge. To qualify for this deal, however, you may be required to commit to a long-term contract of at least a year or two in duration. Ask your provider for specifics.
3. Is it possible to get access to local channels through satellite TV? Some of the negative advertising that the cable companies are coming up with to fight back against the booming popularity of satellite service aims to convince consumers that they will be missing out on local channels by switching to satellite, but this is an outdated claim. While in the past getting local channels through a satellite plan was complicated or in some places impossible, nowadays all local channels tend to be included in even the most basic satellite packages.
4. How much does satellite TV cost? Depending on the provider that you select, the cheapest service plans will cost between thirty and forty dollars a month. These packages are cheaper than their cable counterparts and come with more channels, as well. To get the best rates on add-on features like premium movie channels and high definition DVRs, make sure you shop around and compare the deals offered by the various satellite providers.
5. Is it possible to get satellite service if you do not live in a single-family home? Some people think that they cannot get satellite service because they live in an apartment or a condo, but this is actually not the case. With satellite dishes being made more and more compact all the time, they can easily be mounted on a wall or balcony if for some reason you do not have roof access. However, be aware that, though satellite service is available throughout the entire country, what you do need is a clear view of the southern sky. So if your home is surrounded by a lot of tall buildings that might block this view, then you may have a problem with reception.