How Satellite TV Works
Geostationary satellites orbit the earth and send video and audio signals to satellite dishes mounted to
homes, apartments and businesses. Orbiting satellites carry transponders that broadcast the signals to earth.
Traveling more than 20,000 miles, the signals are picked up by satellite TV dishes. Most consumer satellite dishes
have a diameter of 18”. Dishes collect and reflect the signal. Signals are then amplified and converted to
a frequency intended for transmission over a cable line. Next, the signal reaches the receiver, which sends
it to your TV and displays programming.
Satellite Digital Signal: Watch HD TV Programming in 1080 P
Satellite digital signal allows satellite broadcasters to provide more channels and higher resolution
picture using the same amount of bandwidth. Satellite TV enables both standard and HD TV programming,
with resolution as high as 1080 p. Cable TV also displays HDTV programming, but only as high as 720p
resolution. Cable and satellite providers both offer a rich variety of all-digital channels and equipment
like DVRs and HD DVRs. Satellite rates tend to remain steady, whereas cable providers are known to hike
their rates more frequently. Many also find satellite TV more reliable than cable with outages rare and
short in duration if they do happen at all. At present, there are two key Dish Providers: DISH Network
and Direct TV. Here’s a look.
Having access to hundreds of digital channels gets even better with the premium technology and service that
DISH TV provides. Getting started with DISH TV digital service is easy. It’s available to just about anyone
as long as they have a clear view of the southern sky, a feat that cable TV providers can’t match. Their service
is often limited to metro areas. DISH TV Digital has received industry praise for its customer support and reliable
TV signal. Available 1080 p programming is the highest picture resolution on the market. A DISH TV subscription
brings added perks like free satellite installation, free DVR or free HD DVR upgrade, and up to 3 free-HD-TV receivers,
or 4 standard receivers. Its prices are reasonable with package rates available for less than a dollar a day.
Direct TV digital service lets you experience TV like never before. Sign up for service and you’re in line for
hundreds of digital channels. This includes your favorite original programs, movies and specialty networks.
Many consider DISH Network a better value for the money, but only Direct TV offers exclusive access to NFL Sunday
Ticket. You’ll catch every game, every Sunday. Like DISH TV, Direct TV also displays 1080 p resolution—the same
picture quality seen in Blu Ray releases. It also means access to more than a hundred channels in HD programming.
Sign up for Direct TV service and you’re in line for satellite promotions like free standard installation in up to
four rooms, and free DVR upgrades.