Just because times are tough right now money wise, that doesn't mean that you have to fore go the TV that you love. That's because there are a lot of alternatives that will allow you to save money while still getting access to the TV that you enjoy. Dish Network is one resource for getting the TV service that you need in order to keep your spirits up and your family entertained.
In choosing Dish Network, you automatically get more for your money. That's because it has the lowest prices on its subscriptions of any other TV service provider. In fact, by going with satellite TV you're automatically saving money over a cable TV subscription. Satellite TV is simply more economical than cable TV. There are a lot of reasons for this, but they all really boil down to the fact that it costs a lot more to run cables to every single home than it does to broadcast satellite signals that everyone on an entire continent can receive! In fact, satellite TV might be your only choice if you live in an area that the cable TV industry hasn't gotten around to wiring up yet.
In addition to being a very affordable service, Dish Network has a lot of different measures and features that let you control how much you spend. The primary way that Dish Network lets you control costs is by giving you a variety of different programming packages to choose from. This gives you the freedom to choose the one that fits your budget the best.
One example of a programming package that can help you save money is Dish Family. Dish Family starts out with about forty channels, which still makes it a great value in comparison to simply getting your TV over the air just because there are so many fewer channels that are available over the air. At the same time, this package costs significantly less than other packages that are more mainstream in size and content. Of course, it's also worth pointing out that Dish Family has content that was chosen specifically for its wide appeal across all age groups that would be represented in your family.
Of course, Dish Family is far from the only option that will save you money. For instance, even the smallest mainstream programming packages can be customized with the addition of movie packages and sports channels that are ordinarily available only with larger packages. This can let your get the content that you really want to watch while paying less than you would for a bigger programming package. Similarly, if you're really into HDTV, Dish Network's Turbo HD service will save you money by allowing you to subscribe to HDTV channels, without adding standard def channels to the mix! Anything that allows you to get what you want, without paying for what you don't want, will save you money.
Another money saving feature that's built into Dish Network is the absence of local channels in programming packages. This lets you save money by watching your local channels over the air (if you want to watch them at all). Of course, you can also add your local channels into your subscription.
Basically, Dish Network gives you the ability to determine the size and price of your subscription.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
If you've been paying any attention to the kinds of entertainment options that Dish Network provides for its subscribers then you probably know that this satellite TV company offers a lot of channels and a lot of different ways to customize its programming packages, but you may not know about the extra electronic features that you can get with a subscription. There are actually a lot of different kinds of high end features that you can enjoy through Dish Network that are supported by the satellite receivers that it supplies to its subscribers.
Satellite receivers are the devices that receive the satellite signal that's been captured by the satellite dish and processes that signal before sending it to your TV set. This device is necessary for a couple of different reasons. First, the signal that Dish Network transmits through its network of satellites is digital and most TV sets are only capable of understanding analog signals. Second, Dish Network encrypts all of its TV signals so that people who don't have subscriptions can't watch the programming. In other words, people who don't pay for Dish Network programming are prevented from stealing it. This makes the receiver responsible for decoding the programming.
Dish Network approaches receivers from the standpoint of matching equipment to the needs of the subscriber as closely as possible rather than a one size fits all approach. This saves everyone money in the sense that it doesn't make sense to give a top of the end HDTV and DVR capable receiver to someone who only subscribes to standard definition channels and who has no need of DVR capability! With this interest in efficiency in mind, Dish Network bases the matching of receivers with subscribers on the programming package that they're subscribing to and what they intend to do with it. For example, someone who wants a very simple system that enables them to watch standard def channels on a single TV set will get a model that does that, and only that. If the subscriber wants to be able to watch standard def programming on more than one TV set, then Dish Network will provide a model with a second tuner, second set of connections, and second remote control that can be used with another TV set. If the subscriber adds DVR capability into the mix, then Dish Network would provide a model with the additional functionality needed to record TV onto a built in hard disk. Basically, as the subscriber wants more capability in the home entertainment system, a higher end satellite receiver is provided.
Of course, if the subscription includes HDTV channels, then the process can start over again. For example, if the subscriber has simple needs with their HDTV subscription, then they would get a high def equivalent of the simplest standard def receiver. One thing that it's interesting to note though is that the highest end receivers are the HDTV capable ones. For instance, while the standard def DVR receiver can record only one hundred hours of video, a higher end HD DVR receiver can record up to three hundred and fifty hours of standard def programming.
Given all of these factors, you can be certain of getting a receiver that matches your needs through Dish Network.
Satellite receivers are the devices that receive the satellite signal that's been captured by the satellite dish and processes that signal before sending it to your TV set. This device is necessary for a couple of different reasons. First, the signal that Dish Network transmits through its network of satellites is digital and most TV sets are only capable of understanding analog signals. Second, Dish Network encrypts all of its TV signals so that people who don't have subscriptions can't watch the programming. In other words, people who don't pay for Dish Network programming are prevented from stealing it. This makes the receiver responsible for decoding the programming.
Dish Network approaches receivers from the standpoint of matching equipment to the needs of the subscriber as closely as possible rather than a one size fits all approach. This saves everyone money in the sense that it doesn't make sense to give a top of the end HDTV and DVR capable receiver to someone who only subscribes to standard definition channels and who has no need of DVR capability! With this interest in efficiency in mind, Dish Network bases the matching of receivers with subscribers on the programming package that they're subscribing to and what they intend to do with it. For example, someone who wants a very simple system that enables them to watch standard def channels on a single TV set will get a model that does that, and only that. If the subscriber wants to be able to watch standard def programming on more than one TV set, then Dish Network will provide a model with a second tuner, second set of connections, and second remote control that can be used with another TV set. If the subscriber adds DVR capability into the mix, then Dish Network would provide a model with the additional functionality needed to record TV onto a built in hard disk. Basically, as the subscriber wants more capability in the home entertainment system, a higher end satellite receiver is provided.
Of course, if the subscription includes HDTV channels, then the process can start over again. For example, if the subscriber has simple needs with their HDTV subscription, then they would get a high def equivalent of the simplest standard def receiver. One thing that it's interesting to note though is that the highest end receivers are the HDTV capable ones. For instance, while the standard def DVR receiver can record only one hundred hours of video, a higher end HD DVR receiver can record up to three hundred and fifty hours of standard def programming.
Given all of these factors, you can be certain of getting a receiver that matches your needs through Dish Network.
Monday, December 22, 2008
In an effort to make their entertainment options even more widely available, Dish Network has introduced a line of portable entertainment systems it calls Pocket Dishes. The idea is essentially to have an ultra compact multimedia entertainment center that you can take with you anywhere you go. Each model of Pocket Dish can download program content from any Dish Network DVR and replay it on it's own integrated LCD screen or on almost any television. Pocket Dishes can also play music stored in WMA, MP3, or WAV formats, can be used to play video games also available for download from Dish Network, and function as a digital photo album.
The basic model, the Pocket Dish AV402E, is super compact. At 2.4" high x 4.2" wide x 0.7" deep, it's about the same size as a wallet. Considering it's small size, it's storage capabilities are really impressive. It has a 20 GB hard drive which can store up to 20 hours of downloaded Dish Network programming, 200,000 digital photos in JPEG format, and 10,000 songs. It has a 2.2" LCD screen with a standard aspect ratio of 4:3, and delivers audio through headphones. One feature that the AV402E has that the more advanced models lack is a built in microphone which is great for taking notes or recording music or interesting sounds.
The mid level AV500E and the top of the line AV700E have many feature in common that the AV402E lacks. Both of the higher models have LCD screens with 16:9 aspect ratios which make viewing movies in wide screen format easy. Each comes with a remote control, docking station, built in speakers, and a stand.
One feature that both the AV500E and AV700E have that's truly impressive is digital video recording capacity. Both can be connected to just about any television, satellite receiver, VCR, or cable box to record video content. Of course they're forced to record in real time with this set up (all Pocket Dishes can download about an hour of programming every five minutes from any Dish Network DVR with a USB 2.0 port), but the real benefit of recording in this mode is that the Pocket Dish's maximum program content capacity can be quadrupled. In other words, the AV500E which can hold up to 30 hours of Dish Network programming can hold up to 120 hours of programming from other sources!
As far as individual specs, the AV500E measures 3" high x 4.8" wide x 0.8" deep and has a 4 inch screen (with the 16:9 aspect ratio). It's 30 Gig hard drive can contain up to 30 hours of Dish Network programming, 300,000 digital photos, and 15,000 songs.
The AV700E really is a full fledged home entertainment system in and of itself. It's 7" screen makes for easy viewing while at 4.2" high x 8.2" wide x 0.8" deep, it's still very portable. It has a big 40 Gigabyte hard drive that can hold up to 40 hours of Dish Network programming (note that this would be up to 160 hours from other sources!), 400,000 photos, and 20,000 songs.
Pocket Dishes are definitely an improvement for portable entertainment over portable DVD players. Not only are they smaller but they hold more programming. And while a laptop computer has a greater viewing area, Pocket Dishes are much cheaper and make it easy to get content through the use of a Dish Network DVR. Pocket Dishes are a great way to take home entertainment with you wherever you go.
The basic model, the Pocket Dish AV402E, is super compact. At 2.4" high x 4.2" wide x 0.7" deep, it's about the same size as a wallet. Considering it's small size, it's storage capabilities are really impressive. It has a 20 GB hard drive which can store up to 20 hours of downloaded Dish Network programming, 200,000 digital photos in JPEG format, and 10,000 songs. It has a 2.2" LCD screen with a standard aspect ratio of 4:3, and delivers audio through headphones. One feature that the AV402E has that the more advanced models lack is a built in microphone which is great for taking notes or recording music or interesting sounds.
The mid level AV500E and the top of the line AV700E have many feature in common that the AV402E lacks. Both of the higher models have LCD screens with 16:9 aspect ratios which make viewing movies in wide screen format easy. Each comes with a remote control, docking station, built in speakers, and a stand.
One feature that both the AV500E and AV700E have that's truly impressive is digital video recording capacity. Both can be connected to just about any television, satellite receiver, VCR, or cable box to record video content. Of course they're forced to record in real time with this set up (all Pocket Dishes can download about an hour of programming every five minutes from any Dish Network DVR with a USB 2.0 port), but the real benefit of recording in this mode is that the Pocket Dish's maximum program content capacity can be quadrupled. In other words, the AV500E which can hold up to 30 hours of Dish Network programming can hold up to 120 hours of programming from other sources!
As far as individual specs, the AV500E measures 3" high x 4.8" wide x 0.8" deep and has a 4 inch screen (with the 16:9 aspect ratio). It's 30 Gig hard drive can contain up to 30 hours of Dish Network programming, 300,000 digital photos, and 15,000 songs.
The AV700E really is a full fledged home entertainment system in and of itself. It's 7" screen makes for easy viewing while at 4.2" high x 8.2" wide x 0.8" deep, it's still very portable. It has a big 40 Gigabyte hard drive that can hold up to 40 hours of Dish Network programming (note that this would be up to 160 hours from other sources!), 400,000 photos, and 20,000 songs.
Pocket Dishes are definitely an improvement for portable entertainment over portable DVD players. Not only are they smaller but they hold more programming. And while a laptop computer has a greater viewing area, Pocket Dishes are much cheaper and make it easy to get content through the use of a Dish Network DVR. Pocket Dishes are a great way to take home entertainment with you wherever you go.
Friday, December 19, 2008
There's a media battle going on between cable television providers and satellite TV companies. Both claim to provide the best service, lowest prices, and widest selection of programming. But when you look at a side by side comparison between cable companies and Dish Network, it becomes clear that Dish Network offers dramatically better television service.
Dish Network offers a huge number of value adding features that cable either doesn't bother with, doesn't provide completely, or gives you at an increased cost. For example, Dish Network lets you add additional televisions to your plan at no extra charge while cable companies often charge upwards of five dollars per TV. Dish Network provides all of it's programming in digital format for crystal clear picture and CD quality sound. Most cable companies are still using an old fashioned analog signal that carries more interference than digital. Dish Network often provides free HDTV and DVR equipment, while cable is doesn't bother with DVR and is struggling simply to provide any HDTV at all. Dish Network provides hundreds of channels while cable selection is typically limited at about 90 channels. Dish Network offers a huge amount of optional extra programming packages like MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, NHL On the Ice, and ESPN Gameday. Cable can't offer any extra programming. Cable doesn't offer anything close to the amount of foreign language programming available through Dish Network and Dish Network offers about twice as many Pay Per View channels.
The main reason for this huge disparity is that cable television service simply doesn't have the information transmitting capacity necessary for the television services people demand these days. With a cable there's only so much information that can be crammed into it at any given time. It's a lot like a water main. If you live on a modest residential street where people's main use of water was showering and watering small gardens, there would probably be a small water main supplying the whole neighborhood. But if suddenly everyone put in swimming pools and huge lawns that needed to be watered, the old water main wouldn't be able to supply water for all of that and the utility company would have to dig it up and replace it with a bigger one. Cable is the same way. It was fine for the 80 or so analog channels that people wanted back in the 1980's, but now in the 21st century people want digital television, HDTV, and hundreds of channels. Today's high tech television is a lot like the metaphorical swimming pools and lawns, and the old system of cables simply can't keep up.
Satellite TV technology, by contrast, relies on transmitting programming over electromagnetic signals through air and space. The electromagnetic waves don't have any practical limits on information transmitting capacity. Cable companies have to install new cables while Dish Network gets a free data transmission system.
Cable companies are trying to update the cable networks to meet the new demands of their customers, but this process involves digging up and replacing thousands of miles of cable, which can get very expensive. The companies in turn pass the cost on to their customers in the form of average rate increases of over 8% every year! And that's where the biggest difference between Dish Network and cable TV becomes apparent: value for the money. We all want to know that our money is being well spent. Cable TV's rates are already higher than Dish Network's and the selection is more limited. Dish Network by contrast offers service that's already better, is constantly improving, and does so with stable rates.
If you want the best value, most programming options, and easy accommodation of new technology, then a satellite TV service like Dish Network is clearly the way to go.
Dish Network offers a huge number of value adding features that cable either doesn't bother with, doesn't provide completely, or gives you at an increased cost. For example, Dish Network lets you add additional televisions to your plan at no extra charge while cable companies often charge upwards of five dollars per TV. Dish Network provides all of it's programming in digital format for crystal clear picture and CD quality sound. Most cable companies are still using an old fashioned analog signal that carries more interference than digital. Dish Network often provides free HDTV and DVR equipment, while cable is doesn't bother with DVR and is struggling simply to provide any HDTV at all. Dish Network provides hundreds of channels while cable selection is typically limited at about 90 channels. Dish Network offers a huge amount of optional extra programming packages like MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, NHL On the Ice, and ESPN Gameday. Cable can't offer any extra programming. Cable doesn't offer anything close to the amount of foreign language programming available through Dish Network and Dish Network offers about twice as many Pay Per View channels.
The main reason for this huge disparity is that cable television service simply doesn't have the information transmitting capacity necessary for the television services people demand these days. With a cable there's only so much information that can be crammed into it at any given time. It's a lot like a water main. If you live on a modest residential street where people's main use of water was showering and watering small gardens, there would probably be a small water main supplying the whole neighborhood. But if suddenly everyone put in swimming pools and huge lawns that needed to be watered, the old water main wouldn't be able to supply water for all of that and the utility company would have to dig it up and replace it with a bigger one. Cable is the same way. It was fine for the 80 or so analog channels that people wanted back in the 1980's, but now in the 21st century people want digital television, HDTV, and hundreds of channels. Today's high tech television is a lot like the metaphorical swimming pools and lawns, and the old system of cables simply can't keep up.
Satellite TV technology, by contrast, relies on transmitting programming over electromagnetic signals through air and space. The electromagnetic waves don't have any practical limits on information transmitting capacity. Cable companies have to install new cables while Dish Network gets a free data transmission system.
Cable companies are trying to update the cable networks to meet the new demands of their customers, but this process involves digging up and replacing thousands of miles of cable, which can get very expensive. The companies in turn pass the cost on to their customers in the form of average rate increases of over 8% every year! And that's where the biggest difference between Dish Network and cable TV becomes apparent: value for the money. We all want to know that our money is being well spent. Cable TV's rates are already higher than Dish Network's and the selection is more limited. Dish Network by contrast offers service that's already better, is constantly improving, and does so with stable rates.
If you want the best value, most programming options, and easy accommodation of new technology, then a satellite TV service like Dish Network is clearly the way to go.
