"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."Mark Twain
|
| |
Benefits of Satellite TV
Satellite TV seems to be the way of the future. With many people already switching from cable, it makes you wonder what is so great about Satellite TV. Some of the main reasons people are switching over is due to the free offers of equipment and ...
Entertainment Technology: What to Consider Before Buying HDTV
HDTV – or, High Definition Television – is the new generation of TV, and is capable of displaying analog signals as well as those that are digital in nature. Whilethis offers a viewing experience that’s unmatched, it alsorequires external hardware in ...
Is VoIP Good For The Home?
There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP by now. It’s made headlines and is plastered everywhere both in online and TV advertisements. Just in case you haven’t caught on to the hype yet, VoIP is the abbreviated term for Voice over Internet ...
|
|
|
| |
The numbers of those who just connect their TV to a simple roof top antenna can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand. I assume you are not one of those minimalists who need 30 minutes of news programming to get by in a day. Most likely, you are one of those millions who want 200+ channels in their home and are wondering which of the biggies to choose.
There are hundreds of websites offering detailed price lists, programming analysis and freebies. I will not attempt to compete with them. By a simple comparison of costs, you are unlikely to get a good idea of the content and value of these channels. Therefore, we need to look at the viewing audience and see what the specific requirements of user groups are. On pricing, let me make a few general statements first:
- Nothing is free. When any of the networks offers you free equipment and installation, it is only deferring payments over a year. Both DirecTV and Dish Network require you to commit on a one-year subscription.
- If you are an average watcher - say 2-3 hours per day - then, over a two-year subscription - your costs with DirecTV or with Dish Network will be very similar.
To help you decide, I have broken down viewing audience into a few well-defined sub-groups. We will look at the networks from their differing perspectives.
Working Families - viewing primarily in evening hours or on weekends
- Requirements: parental control on specific channels (children may be unsupervised during the day), control over pay per view, adequate children programming and info-entertainment channels. OK sports coverage. Availability of Internet, local channels.
- Recommendation: either DirecTV or Dish Network is good enough. Select on least cost basis - Dish Network is marginally ahead here.
Housewives at home - not working
- Requirements: recording capability, good film channel availability, good HD TV.
- Recommendation: Dish Network.
Elderly people
- Requirements: good film channels, good news coverage, religion channels. Internet, sports, simpler choice of equipment.
- Recommendation: Dish Network
Immigrant workers in the USA
- Requirements: language content from the relevant
region, good news coverage.
- Recommendation: DirecTV
Young working families
- Requirements: strong sports content, easy shift of residence, good HDTV, and easy shift of residence.
- Recommendation: DirecTV for strong sport and Dish Network for easy mobility
While both the networks offer you a number of accessories, the variety available with Dish Network is larger. The key accessories are:
- IR to UHF converter for the remote - That means that even if you have hooked up four TVs as both the networks do free, you could only operate the receiver with the remote if you were in the same room as the receiver. The IR to UHF converter makes your remote radio controlled. This means that you can now operate it from any room in the house. Installation is simple; just plug it into the mains!
- Wireless Phone Jack - Sometimes, you may not have a phone jack near the receiver. However, your receiver needs to communicate with the network for a pay per view TV experience. Just plug the wireless phone jack to a phone jack and an electrical outlet. The phone signals now travel on the electrical line to the receiver.
Purchase of Equipment
Dish Network insists that you use equipment supplied by them. Sounds autocratic but is OK by me since what you get is perfectly tuned equipment that works well together. DirecTV allows you to mix and match equipment of your choice. The key issue here is that you are responsible for compatibility issues.
Final Recommendation
As I read the paragraphs above, my choices become clear. For most general classes of viewers, Dish Network is a better choice - marginally in terms of cost, it also offers better HD TV choices and more accessories. If your main interests lie in sports or you are interested in foreign language programming - look at DirecTV. It offers more choices in these categories. You must be a more educated viewer by now and the decision you have to take must be clearer. Here is wishing you hours of satisfying viewing.
About the Author
Al Falaq Arsendatama - (c) 2005
Visit our website: Satellite TV Choice - DirecTV vs Dish Network for more reviews on the two leading satellite TV networks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Satellite TV store opens by tearing down wallsDesMoinesRegister.comA basketball court is just a part of the new Rockstar Satellite open-air store at Merle Hay Mall. The court and the store's other special features fit right in with the activity theme of the mall. / DAVID PURDY/THE REGISTER Rockstar Satellite owner ...and more » |
|
Emerging markets drive satellite TV growthBroadband TV NewsThe satellite pay-TV industry reached revenues close to $90 billion (EUR72 billion) in 2011, up from $79 billion in 2010, according to Euroconsult. The total number of channels distributed reached 19650. Global industry revenues are expected to reach ...and more » |
|
A look at cable, satellite TV earnings reportsmsnbc.comHere is a summary of earnings reports for selected cable and satellite TV companies and what they reveal about the industry's prospects: April 19: Verizon Communications Inc. added 180000 FiOS video customers to end the quarter with 4.4 million.and more » |
|
