Your TV!

In the early days of modern satellite TV service back in the early part of the 1990s selecting a satellite TV service provider was relatively easy. There were only a couple of them and they all had far more channels than any cable service provider had, so there really wasn’t much to think about. There was a drawback back then though that kept many people from making the switch to satellite and that was that a new satellite TV system had to be purchased before satellite TV programming could be received in the home.The total cost of the system and installation ran over a thousand dollars and back then a thousand dollars was a lot more money then it is now. That all changed however; when satellite TV programming service providers began to offer new satellite TV systems to people that signed an extended programming service agreement.

While it may seem like the deal of the century on the surface, it really isn’t so don’t jump at the first service provider that offers you one, because they all will. The cost of home electronics components has fallen dramatically over the years and even then the cost of the system to the service provider is figured into the price that you pay for the extended service agreement.

It is in your best interest to get the best deal that you can on your satellite system and any other hardware that you receive for that matter, because after the deal is done it is yours to own. This means that you are responsible for any repairs if your system malfunctions in any way. All of the varrious satellite TV programming service provider carry different brands of electronics components, so you my think of doing some research into their brands before you make your final decision.

This particularly holds true if you are going to be receiving high definition programming because high definition receivers can be expensive to replace particularly if they have DVR. While one satellite TV programming service provider will offer you a high definition receiver free of charge, another still will charge you a fee for their high definition receiver.

So which one should you go for? The choice is yours to make and it might turn out to be that the receiver that you have to pay for is a far better receiver and comes with more feature options as well. Also, the fee that they charge may be well below the market value of the receiver making it yet an even better deal.

If you are going to be receiving satellite TV programming on multiple TVs in your home then the equation becomes even more complex, because that requires multiple receivers. One thing that is important to remember is that all of the top satellite TV service provider don’t charge any fees for upgrading their service packages or their receivers, so you may want to go about this whole thing in increments that can better fit your budget. Either way you do things, give careful consideration to all of your options before you sign on the dotted line, so you can be assured that you are getting the best deal that is out there.

Dish Network InstallationYou’ve taken that first step and ordered your brand new DISH Network satellite system, replete with a satellite mini dish, receiver/receivers, remotes and cables. But now what? Some satellite installers charge as high as $250.00 to install a dish and get your satellite TV system up and running. That’s alot of money for most people. For all new Dish Network subscribers, DISH will actually install your entire satellite system for FREE! And the job will be done properly and professionally. Installation usually happens within a few days of placing your order and once the DISH installer is done, he will program your televisions, show you how to operate the system and answer any questions that you may have.
Dish Network’s Standard Installation includes:

Site survey (at time of installation)
Assembly of dishes and mount(s)
Grounding of system components
System peaking for optimum performance
Installation of up to 120′ RG-6 cable
One wall cable penetration
Testing of equipment for proper operation
Orientation to DISH Network programming and equipment

Materials Provided At No Charge:

Up to 120′ RG-6 cable
Coaxial cable connectors
Grounding equipment
Weather sealant for connections and structure penetration

Now, for those do-it-yourselfers out there; you can do the job yourself; but be prepared to have a few hours of your time invested. Also, you’ll need to have a ladder and the proper tools to install the satellite dish on your rooftop. So unless you are handy around the house; we highly recommend that you take advantage of Dish Network’s free installtion offer. All others, read on.

Do-It-Yourself Satellite Dish Installation

First, make sure that the satellite dish will have an unobstructed view of the southern sky(hemisphere). There must be no obstructions such as tall trees or buildings which would block the signal coming from the DISH satellite. You can mount your Dish Network satellite dish on your sun deck, side of the house or on your roof. The dish should be within 100 feet or so of your TV. Also, if you rent a home or an apartment, you must get written permission of your landlord in order to have the dish installed.

If you decide to install the dish on the roof of your house or garage, you’ll need a ladder and also some basic tools, such as a wrench or pair of pliers. You should use a mounting bracket to secure the dish onto the roof. Make sure that the satellite dish is facing the southern sky. Next you’ll need to run the coaxial cable from the dish down the side of the house and into your living room or bedrooms where ever your televsions are located. Connecting your satellite system then involves connecting the coaxial cables to your satellite receivers (black boxes) and then last to your television sets. You must also connect your receiver to a telephone jack - this is for ordering Pay Per View, etc. Simply follow the diagram that came with your Dish Network satellite system.

Next, turn your TV on and navigate to the DISH signal strength menu on your screen. This will provide you with the correct azimuth (direction), elevation (angle) and skew (dish rotation) for your home’s address so you can correctly aim your satellite dish with the proper coordinates. Now have someone monitor the on-screen signal strength menu while you point the satellite dish in the right southerly direction. By moving the dish slowly up and down you will eventually obtain the maximum signal strenght. Be patient as this step could take awhile; but it is important so that you get the very best picture quality possible.

Lastly, you will need to call DISH Network on their 800 toll free number to activate your newly installed system. The DISH operator will simply ask you a few questions so that you and your family can start enjoying all the wonderful programming that Dish Network provides to its subscribers. And all in 100% digital quality audio and video. If you hit a snag, no problem, simply call Dish Network at 1-888-284-7116 and schedule a professional DISH installer to come out and get your new DISH system up and running.