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Choices in satellite TV entertainment

If you are in United States and wish to enjoy satellite TV entertainment at home, generally speaking you have three options: TVRO satellite system, DBS satellite system, or a PC satellite system.

TVRO system

TVRO, or in detail, Television Receive Only is the first satellite system available for home satellite viewing system. Often known as the Big Dish, or the Ugly Dish, TVRO system uses C-Band (in contrast to Ku-band for DBS system) for the signal transmission.

By using a movable big dish, TVRO systems are able to receive common TV programs as well as independent feeds from all over the world. As news broadcasting crews normally transmit their first hand broadcast materials via C Band (same as TVRO system), you could for instance receive the unedited material if your dish lay within the coverage area.

DBS system

DBS is the acronym of Direct Broadcast Satellite, which come later than TVRO system.

Low cost installation, maintenance-free, stable receptions, all these features make DBS system a better commercial product when compare to the TVRO system. Satellite TV via DBS system is done in the Ku-Band. These satellites work on higher frequencies and can transmit higher power signals. This is why smaller dishes can be used to receive satellite signal for DBS systems.

Currently, DBS system is the most popular way for satellite TV entertainment. If you already guess, yes, Dish Network and DirecTV are broadcast using DBS system. To view satellite TV programs using DBS system, all you need is a decoder, a small satellite dish (18”), and of course, a TV. If you subscribe the service to Dish Network or DirecTV, you will also need the subscription cards or the ‘Key’ to view the TV shows.

Satellite PC system

The extent of satellite TV entertainment was once again expanded with the introduction of satellite PC system in recent days. Satellite PC system means a piece of computer software that enables you to watch satellite TV programs on your PC monitors. There are various type of software available in the market but most will allow you to watch up to thousands satellite TV program from worldwide.

Some says satellite PC system is revolutionary; some says it’s full of fraud and crap; for us, we says it’s a little of both. You can find the view point of the critics here: Why watching satellite TV on PC is not cool; and the bias here: Watching free satellite TV on your PC.

A very important point to be noted is that satellite PC is not something similar like traditional satellite TV program as the channel list in satellite PC is quite different from the traditional one. Do not get disappointed when you notice your satellite PC covers hundreds of Asia/Arab channels but your favorite HBO is no where to be found.

Satellite PC is definitely not for everyone and it is not compatible with traditional satellite TV system. However, the low cost, one time only set up fees, broad channel selections from worldwide and other extended features might attracts and fits into tech-savvy alike customers. To learn more, read our reviews and recommendations on satellite to PC program here.

Setting up the different kind of satellite system

For TVRO system, you need to spend a big pile of greens for the equipments and the installation fees. Further on that, you will need to find out what programming is on and when to receive your familiar satellite TV show. To receive different TV program You might need to move or adjust your big dish – definitely not an easy job for mom and pop users.

Things look much easier with DBS system. You subscribe to either Dish Network or DirecTV; they provide you the free standard system as well as install the system for you for free and you are ready to go. Cost effective, no maintenance, no moving big dishes, and no more further adjustment. To get a DBS system for yourself, you will need to assign a dealer for the installations. The quality of the satellite TV dealer is very important in securing a good deal. If you ever wish to know more, we recommend our satellite TV dealers review as consumer guides.

Setting up satellite PC requires basic computer knowledge. This includes installing the software as well as basic software usage knowledge (screen resolutions, picture size) to fit your needs. Satellite PC is cheap when compare to DBS and TVRO as it requires only one time setup fees (Around $100) and no equipments to be purchased (provided you own a PC).

Conclusion

The existent of satellite TV change how people view TV entertainments. While standard television was okay and cable TV is good, DBS satellite TV and satellite PC are considered ground-breaking. Keep in mind that with any advance technology, there are plus and negative points, if you ever wish to make any purchase, we recommend you to choose wisely and pick only the satellite system that fits your personal needs.

Jumping into a deal blindly just does not suit our motto as a smart consumer. ;)