Free satellite tv -- the biggest myth on the internet.
Free satellite tv is one of the biggest myths on the internet and I've dedicated this short piece regarding this oxymoron.
There are likely a few reasons you've found this page. You may have seen sites offering free satellite tv, or you may be trying to find information on pirating DirecTV signals. I'll explain the latter and what these sites mean by "free". When you see the offer "free satellite tv" they're talking about a free setup and free equipment offer that DirecTV and Dish network provide. After your system is installed for free there's a monthly fee you must pay for a minimum programming package. At the time of this writing DirecTV and Dish Network offer 3-5 rooms of free setup and free equipment.
The other way you may have found this page is if you were searching for information on the free satellite tv that the pirates offer. What they do is program Dtv or Dishnet cards that enable people to get all channels. (hence the name "free satellite tv") However, they charge you to re-program your card every time you get hit, and you have to pay for the equipment and setup all yourself. You'll be hit 1-3 times a week, just once if you're lucky. So as you can see, no matter how you slice it, there's no such thing as free satellite tv. Regarding the theft of satellite signals, there's a considerable effort underway by the police force in my city to put a stop to it. They just recently raided over a dozen companies providing the equipment used to pirate DirecTV and Dish Network. This just means that the cost and hassle of stealing will increase.
Free satellite tv is an oxymoron to say the least. There's no such thing as free satellite tv. Period. For all those who disagree, let me explain. When speaking of free satellite tv there are two different situations this is used to describe. One is when pirates are stealing satellite signal. Two is when DirecTV and Dish Network advertise free satellite tv. When DirecTV and Dish Network advertise free satellite tv they're talking about the initial setup and equipment. You still have to pay for your monthly programming costs which start at just under 30 dollars a month. As you add on more channels and use pay-per-view the monthly cost grows. Don't get me wrong, it's still much better than cable.
When pirates are speaking of free satellite tv, they're talking about using special equipment to get all the channels free. Highly illegal. The problem is that this is not free! They have to buy the receiver, the dish, the LNB, the card, etc etc. Then they have to find a free satellite tv guy to re-program their access card(s) every time the satellite signal is hashed. And they "go down" a lot! What DirecTV does is "hash" the pirate cards with their satellite signal on a regular basis. Usually they hit the pirate cards every Friday night and here is where the "free satellite tv" theory goes out the window. These " free satellite tv guys" charge a fee to have your card fixed. That can range from $25 to $50 a month. Now add on the gas mileage and your time to run over to the illegal free satellite tv guy with your card once a week. Now here is the real kicker: DirecTV will hash the pirates sometimes 3-4 times a week. So now you can end up taking a daily trip to see the "free satellite guy". The "free satellite guy" may get out of their illegal business as soon as the heat on them gets bad and you're stuck.
The interruptions in viewing are endless and annoying. You may enjoy free satellite tv for the odd two week period but most of the time you're running back and forth to the free satellite tv guy. Now for the punch line regarding free satellite tv: eventually DirecTV will change their data stream and your DirecTV card is now a useless piece of plastic. Maybe you can use it to open an old door. Now the "free satellite guy" has a deal for you. You can get a new DirecTV card from him for whatever price he decides you need to pay. Sound like fun! Oh yes........free satellite tv is an oxymoron to be sure!
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How Satellite TV Works
While you're certainly not required to understand how satellite TV works, the ability to explain how your favorite satellite shows end up in your living room can make you very interesting company at a cocktail party! What follows is a very basic rundown of how satellite TV operates:
Before satellite TV programming can reach 20 million+ subscribers' homes, it must first begin on the ground at a satellite uplink station. DIRECTV, Dish Network and VOOM all operate their own satellite uplink stations.
These stations play two roles: First, they receive programming from affiliated networks like ESPN, CNN, and HBO. Because video programming contains a very large amount of data (think of a huge file on your computer), the uplink stations must then compress the data so that it can be easily transmitted to a satellite. Once the programming has been sufficiently compressed, the station transmits the data to satellites orbiting high above the earth.
When the satellites receive a transmission, they relay it back down to earth, where it is received by the satellite dish mounted on your home. The dish then amplifies the strength of the signal, which has weakened during its journey back from space, and sends it to the satellite receiver on your TV, which decodes the signal and turns it back into images and sound.
The end result? Crystal-clear digital images and audio!
So, before the cast of Friends appears in your living room on Thursday night, you might take a moment to ponder the fact that they have already traveled from NBC to a satellite uplink station, been compressed and sent 22,000 miles into space, relayed back down again to your satellite dish, amplified, and sent to your television!
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Channel Selection
Want channels? Satellite TV offers more options than you'll know what to do with!
From favorites like CNN, HBO, and ESPN, to more obscure options like the Speed Channel, Discovery Wings, and the Love Stories network, there is a satellite TV channel to suit every imaginable interest. Whether you're into sports, fashion, travel, or romance, you will find it all, and much, much more, on satellite TV.
Sports
One category that deserves special mention is sports. Satellite TV offers die-hard sports fans an unbeatable selection of sports programming, including multiple ESPN channels, the NFL Sunday Ticket, (which delivers the largest selection of games available anywhere), the NBA League Pass, the Golf channel, College Sports TV and many more. If you're a diehard sports fan, then you'll never miss a second of the action with satellite TV programming.
Movies
Movie buffs rejoice: Satellite TV delivers enough movies to keep you busy 24 hours a day! Multiple channels of Showtime, HBO, Cinemax, and Starz put the biggest blockbusters at your fingertips, while stations like TMC, Turner Classic Movies, and Encore keep a constant supply of your favorite classics at the ready. If movies are your thing, then satellite TV is the answer.
Special Interest
Whatever your interest, you'll find it on satellite TV. Globetrotters can stay glued to the Travel Channel and the National Geographic Channel; news junkies can stay current with CSPAN, CNN, and the BBC, and science buffs can tune into NASA TV, Science TV and multiple Discovery Channels. With hundreds of channels to choose from, there's something for everyone on satellite TV.
International Channels
For expatriates, students, language buffs, and others, satellite TV is a great way to receive foreign-language programming. Both Direct TV and Dish Network offer foreign channels, though Dish Network currently has a greater selection of language choices, including Arabic, Russian, Korean and many others; VOOM does not currently offer any foreign channels. If you want to receive foreign programming, you will need to purchase a separate satellite dish, which must be aimed at different satellite than your standard dish.
Cost and Customer Service: Satellite TV vs. Cable
Current cable television customers know the reality of cable all too well: the bills keep getting bigger and the service keeps getting poorer.
Cable subscribers around the country are subject to constant rate hikes and some of the worst customer service of any industry in existence today. Two or three cable companies have a virtual monopoly on the market, and they seem oblivious to widespread dissatisfaction with their product, pricing, and support. Between taxes, monthly subscription fees, and equipment rental charges, cable subscribers are consistently paying far too much for the quality of the service they receive.
Satellite TV offers an alternative to these frustrations. With most retailers offering free installation, you can start enjoying satellite TV for as low as $24.99 a month! What's more, the satellite dish and receiver are yours to keep, so you won't need to pay a monthly rental charge or worry about returning the equipment if you move.
But what about service? Not surprisingly, satellite TV wins there as well. The proof is in a study conducted by the respected research firm JD Power and Associates, which compared customer satisfaction with satellite TV providers and all the major cable companies. The results were clear -- both Direct TV and Dish Network (VOOM was not available at the time of the study) received the highest possible scores in almost every category, including reliability, cost, and customer service. In contrast, the major cable companies' scores were not even close.
Picture Quality
Satellite TV delivers 100% digital audio and video. Despite the incredible distance that the signal must travel before it reaches your television, the end result is still crystal clear and equal to any digital cable picture! As long as you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky, the only threat to the quality of your signal is very heavy rain or snow, which can occasionally interfere with reception. If you live in an area with frequent severe weather, you can always get a slightly larger dish to offset the interference.
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Is Your Home Compatible With Satellite TV?
Unobstructed Southern Exposure
In order to receive a satellite broadcast, you must mount your dish somewhere with an unobstructed view of the southern sky. Trees, buildings, and other tall objects can block or degrade your signal, so it is critical that your dish have an obstruction-fee line of sight to the south. If you live in an apartment building with no southern exposure, you may be able to mount your dish on the roof, or if your house has objects in the way, you could position the dish in your backyard where the signal is clear. Either way, a clear view to the south is absolutely necessary for satellite reception.
An Appropriate Area for a Satellite Dish
Satellite TV customers need an exterior area to mount a satellite dish. While some windows will allow the transmission of satellite signals, it is highly recommend that you mount your dish outdoors, and, as discussed above, you must have a clear view of the southern sky. Standard satellite dishes are either 18" or 20" wide, and can be mounted on a wide variety of surfaces, including chimneys, balconies, and roofs.
If you rent your home, your choice of mounting areas may be restricted: the FCC has ruled that renters may install a dish in any area that is reserved exclusively for their use, such a balcony or backyard, but that they do not automatically have the right to install a dish in a common area such as a roof deck. Of course, your landlord may have more flexible rules, and renters must have their landlord's permission before installing a satellite system, so we recommend that you contact your landlord before purchasing a satellite system.
Proper Wiring
If your current home is already wired for cable television, then you should already have coaxial cable outlets near your TV. If your house is wired with newer RG-6 coaxial cable line, as many are, then you can simply use your current wiring to carry the signal from your dish to the television. If your house has older coaxial wiring, however, it will not be able to handle the demands of a satellite TV and you will need to run a new wire when you install your satellite system.
Requirements Checklist
Accessible location for dish with unobstructed southern exposure
Resident of Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico (Alaska residents will need a larger dish)
Landlord permission is required for renters
Residence must be wired with RG-6 Coaxial Cable
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HDTV Made Simple
While many people have heard of High Definition Television (HDTV), relatively few know exactly what it is and how they can get it.
Programs broadcast in HDTV format offer higher resolution and far more detailed images than traditional television signals. HDTV images are so clear that they appear lifelike -- high definition images of tropical fish almost look like an aquarium in your home! Most HDTV users would agree: watching pictures of this clarity substantially enhances the enjoyment of watching TV shows and movies.
Unfortunately, standard satellite TV dishes and receivers do not automatically provide you with a high definition picture (unless you subscribe to VOOM, which provides high definition equipment to every subscriber). If you subscribe to DIRECTV or Dish Network and you wish to watch HDTV programming, you will need the following pieces of equipment:
An HDTV-ready television or an integrated HDTV set
An HDTV-compatible satellite dish and receiver
An HDTV broadcast
An HDTV Subscription from Allegro Satellite Systems
The first thing you will need to enjoy a high definition picture is an HDTV-ready television or an integrated HDTV. HD-ready sets come ready to receive and play standard broadcast signals, but they are also capable of displaying high definition programming with the addition of a specialized receiver. Integrated HDTVs, on the other hand, have a high definition receiver built in and come ready to play HDTV programming right out of the box, but they cost far more money -- Satellite TV HQ currently recommends purchasing a more affordable HDTV-ready television and adding the necessary receiver.
You will also need an HD-compatible satellite dish and receiver. Satellite TV providers offer high definition equipment packages that include an HD-compatible dish and receiver, though these packages generally come at a higher price than a standard dish and receiver.
Once you have your HDTV-ready television, satellite dish, and receiver, the last thing you'll need is a high-definition broadcast to tune in to. DIRECTV and Dish Network both offer a limited lineup of HD channels: As of February of 2004, both services offer less than 10 high definition channels, but promise that this number will grow. For diehard HD fans, the better alternative is VOOM, which offers over 30 high definition channels as of February of 2004, but has fewer channels overall than its competitors. Depending on your area, you may also be able to receive some local network broadcasts in high definition.
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DISH Network FAQ
1. How do I watch separate programming on two televisions with the DISH Network system?
You'll need a separate receiver for each television you'd like to connect. The cost of programming for each additional receiver is $4.99 a month. If you hook up more than two receivers, additional equipment like a multi-switch will be required. Check with a Skyvision product representative for more information on additional equipment. You can hook up as many TVs as you would like to just one receiver, but all TVs will receive the same program.
2. What can I do if my remote isn't working?
1) Check to ensure the batteries are inserted correctly. 2) Try new batteries. 3) Your remote control should be in the SAT mode to operate your satellite receiver. 4) Check to see if you have a clear line of sight from the remote to the front of the receiver. 5) If you have a UHF remote (indicated by the letters "UHF" near the bottom of the remote), verify that the UHF antenna is attached and properly hand-tightened to the port in the back of the receiver labeled "UHF Antenna." Also make sure the antenna is not touching other metal equipment. 6) Check the remote address as described in the back of your User Guide.
3. Why do I have a picture on my screen but can't get any sound from the TV?
1) Check to see that you have the TV volume turned up. 2) Is the mute function on your TV on? If so, turn it off. 3) If your receiver is connected through a stereo, make sure the stereo is in the correct mode and the volume is turned up. 4) Make sure all cables and connections are secure, hand-tightening any loose connections. 5) Try carefully pulling out the Smart Card and carefully reinserting into the receiver.
4. What's wrong? When I turn on my TV, I can't get a picture.
1) Check to make sure the TV power is turned on. 2) Make sure your receiver is turned on (front-panel power light should be on.) 3) Is your TV connected to the receiver TV OUT with one cable connection? If so, try the following: A) Make sure your TV is set to receive programming on either Channel 3 or 4, corresponding to the channel the receiver is set to. B) With the remote control in the SAT mode, press TV/Video button on the remote control to switch from antenna input to satellite viewing. 4) Is your TV connected to the receiver using three connections (one video and two audio)? If so, make sure your TV is set up to receive picture on that input. Consult your TV manual. 5) Verify cables and connections are secure, hand-tightening any loose connections. 6) Try carefully pulling out the Smart Card and carefully reinserting into the receiver.
5. How can I change between satellite channels?
1) Press the up or down arrow button on the remote control to change channel up or down while watching TV. Or press Guide and select the desired channel from the guide listings. 2) Make sure your remote is in the SAT mode to operate your satellite receiver. 3) Try changing channels on the front panel of your receiver. If this works, check remote control operation, as discussed in an earlier question. 4) Try carefully pulling out the Smart Card and carefully reinserting into the receiver.
6. Why doesn't my TV or receiver seem to have power?
1) Check to see if your power cord is plugged in for both TV and receiver. 2) Try turning on the power of your TV or receiver by using the front panel or remote control, as applicable. 3) Check to see if the TV or receiver will work when plugged into another power outlet. 4) Check to see if the TV or receiver is plugged into an outlet operated by a wall switch or surge protector. If so, make sure that the wall switch or surge protector is turned on.
7. What's wrong? My TV screen says that there is no satellite signal.
1) Make sure the cables and connections are secure, hand-tightening any loose connections. 2) Are you having bad weather like heavy rain or snow? Heavy rain may result in a temporary loss of signal and excessive snow accumulation on the dish antenna may cause signal loss. If you can remove the snow safely from your dish antenna, you should be able to reacquire your signal. 3) Are there trees or shrubs growing above the dish antenna or in the path between the dish antenna and the satellites? Plant growth can interfere with incoming satellite signals to the dish antenna. Pruning back these plants may be needed to restore satellite signal. 4) Consult your User Guide for other potential causes and solutions. 5) If you have two receivers, verify that the problem is present on both.
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