Why would I buy a Satellite
system when I could use cablevision?There are so many reasons, I'm trying to condense them into a simple answer....In the meantime just let me tell you that today, it's a better choice in most cases, not like ten years ago. Today's tv's and sound systems are capable of digital quality that cable can't provide. There is very real competition in the market today, and the simplicity, features and benefits of digital satellite systems have come of age. Satellite services offer a far greater variety of specialty channels, for example. No more paying for channels you don't watch! The choice is yours! Most Service providers are very flexible and allow you to alter your programming easily any time you like, as well as allowing you to instantly discontinue or restart service while you are away, saving you money, unlike cable systems. Why feed your state of the art tv a rabbit ears quality signal? A lot of our clients want to add satellite services to their existing cable systems for greater variety.
What does this contraption
look like? Will my neighbors still love me?
We take particular pride in the quality of our installations. We take the time to do it right.
This is what a typical 18" - 24" digital dish and LNB looks like (the size of a Pizza). The round dish surface sits almost vertically, and can easily be concealed under the eaves, on the roof or side of your building where it will be almost invisible. We will take the time to consider the very best location for the least impact on your home or the view of your neighbors. Remember, these are not the 10 foot dishes you may have seen in the past. We promise your house won't look like a military base when we're done....if the conditions are right, it will not be easily seen. If your property has a clear view to the south and east, you're in business! In other cases, the dish can be placed away from the building and concealed in the garden, or under a shrub or a plastic "rock".
What
is free-to-air? I heard that there
are foreign language and other services
available free.
Some services are available free with no subscription fees or monthly billing from the service provider. This is called DVB. There are quite a few foreign language services ( and others ) provided free of charge to North American viewers on the C and KU bands. They require a 24" - 30" dish like the one pictured above and this DVB MPEG2 digital receiver. For those with a big dish already, this capability can be added to your existing C band or Ku band dish using your existing LNB (please inquire). The Free-to-Air viewing makes this complete system affordable at: $650.00 Cdn., or $429.00 US including 30" Dish, LNBF, Receiver, and IR Remote.
For receivers capable of card access for SCRAMBLED MPEGII DVB broadcasts, the system described above with 30" dish requires an upgraded receiver, and is $759.00 Cdn., or $509.00 US. Satellite Services sells and installs Satellite receiving equipment. We do not operate Satellites or TV Networks, and cannot be responsible for the decisions of those that do.
What is a "MODULATOR"
and what do they do?A modulator converts the output tv signal from a satellite receiver to a specific channel. This is very handy if you currently use cablevision, and want to add satellite services without having to drill holes and add a bunch of extra wiring to your home. The satellite receiver can be set to come in on a free channel, for example channel 111, and run in the same cable wiring you already have, so that any tv in the home can be tuned to any cable channel, and when tuned to channel 111, provides the complete satellite service and all its channels on 111 using the satellite remote. This way all tv's in the home can provide all available channels, with no intrusion of additional wiring. Very tidy!
Digital Modulators complete with stereo sound: from: $179 Cdn. or $119 US
What
is an "INFRALINK", and where is that used?An Infralink (there are other names for this device, depending on the manufacturer) , is a device used to send the signal from an infrared remote controller through the cable line to a receiver in a remote location. The best ones are "hard wired" into the cable system. For example, this allows the user to access the Satellite or other Receiver or VCR, to be operated from a distant location. This can be used to operate the entertainment system in the living room from the bedroom or other TV, or to operate a receiver in a remote location, such as when using the modulator described above. Very handy to expand the usefulness of your entertainment system to other TV's in your home.
Hardwired "Infralink" systems: from: $199 Cdn or $129 US
Can
I hook up all this stuff to my Monster Stereo and Home Theater
so that I can really be the ruler of my domain?
Yes.
All these little dish systems
are cool, but they only see one satellite at a time...Is there
something that can see more than just one satellite? Wouldn't
that allow me to see much more variety of programming? What about
HDTV?
The latest and greatest in moving dish technology is the 4DTV system. This uses a tracking dish controlled from the receiver that can scan the sky and see multiple satellites, as well as receive C and KU Band Analog, and C and KU Band Digital programmg. There are currently at least two HBO channels dedicated to the new HDTV (High Definition TV) digital signal, available today. For your best information, go to the 4DTV website by General Instruments. At that site you will find listings of all available 4DTV programming, and details about the equipment. This same receiver is also capable of many channels listed on Lyngsat charts for various satellites, both free and subscription.
I've heard about
"Satellte Internet Downlink" - what's that all about?Available now on US Services, billable to any US address, and soon available on Canadian systems, you will be able to achieve 400Kbs download speeds ( your modem is probably 28 or 56 kbs now ) from the Internet and the best of television entertainment from the same small digital satellite dish! You would still use your telephone line Internet hookup you have now, but when you request a document or page to download from the Internet, it would download to your satellite dish at amazing speed...faster than any cable hookup we know of. The slow part of the Internet is not your few keystrokes requesting a page or document, it's the slow download speed especially at busy times. You can get an idea of what is required in equipment by checking the DIRECPC site. This explains the current US system, hardware and approximate pricing. This is a particularly good idea for those who want both TV and Internet speed.
What if I live in a condominium
or multiple unit building?If you are a condo owner or manager, eventually, some of the residents will inquire about Satellite services. It makes real sense today to Prewire a multiple unit building with an inexpensive single or double dish concealed on the roof, which can then provide all the residents with the multiple services from one dish installation. Most of the time, the actual dishes would be invisible to passers-by. That's right, each unit does not need a dish, and if a unit owner wishes to subscribe to one of the services, he or she simply buys a receiver, and subscribes. This is far better than each unit owner trying to hang his or her own dish on balconies or the exterior of the building in plain view, or committing to supply only one dish service exclusively, both of which are big mistakes! It's relatively inexpensive to set up a system for your building this way, and it allows your residents a wide choice of entertainment options. No one service will satisfy all your clients.
Ballpark figure, how much
does this cost to buy and install?Complete Canadian systems with dish and receiver, starting at about $199, (depending on today's deals and rebates from the service provider), and custom installation on average around $199. Less than the price of a budget TV and you now own the equipment that can give you the best performance from the investment you've made in your entertainment system. Monthly fees for the programming are as reasonable as cable and much more flexible in your choices. Some services are available free (see above).
