Free satellite TV

Free satellite TV is one of the biggest myths on the internet and I've dedicated this short piece regarding this oxy-moron. There is likely a few reasons you have found this page. You may have seen sites offering free satellite TV, or you may be trying to find information on pirating DirecTV signals. I will explain the latter and I will explain what these sites mean by "free".

When you see the offer "free satellite TV", they are talking about a free setup and free equipment offer that DirecTV and Dish network provide. After your system is installed for free there is a monthly fee you must pay for a minimum programming package. At the time of this writing DirecTV and Dish Network offer 3-5 rooms of free setup and free equipment.

The other way you may have found this page is if you were searching for information on the free satellite TV the pirates offer. What they do is program Dtv or Dishnet cards that enable people to get all channels. (hence the name "free satellite tv") Now they charge you to re-program your card every time you get hit, and you have to pay for the equipment and setup all yourself. You will be hit 1-3 times a week. Only once if you are lucky.

So as you can see, no matter how you slice it, there is no such thing as free satellite tv. Regarding the theft of satellite signals - there is a considerable effort underway by the police force in my city to put a stop it. They just recently raided over a dozen companies providing the equipment used to pirate DirecTV and Dish Network. This just means that the cost and hassle of stealing will increase.

Free satellite tv is an oxy moron to say the least. There is no such thing as free satellite tv. Period. For all those who disagree, let me explain. When speaking of free satellite TV, there are two different situations this is used to describe. One is when pirates are stealing satellite signal. Two is when DirecTV and Dish Network advertise free satellite TV.

When DirecTV and Dish Network advertise free satellite TV, they are speaking in terms of the initial setup and equipment. You still have to pay for your monthly programming costs which start at just under 30 dollars a month. As you add on more channels and use pay-per-view the monthly cost grows. Don't get me wrong, it's still much better than cable.

When pirates are speaking of free satellite TV, they are talking about using special equipment to get all the channels free. Highly illegal. The problem is that this is not free! They have to buy the receiver, the dish, the LNB, the card, etc etc. Then they have to find a "free satellite tv guy" to re-program their access card(s) every time the satellite signal is hashed. And they "go down" a lot!

What DirecTV does is "hash" the pirate cards with their satellite signal on a regular basis. Usually they hit the pirate cards every Friday night and here is where the "free satellite TV" theory goes out the window. These " free satellite tv guys" charge a fee to have your card fixed. It can range between 25 dollars and fifty dollars a month. Now add on the gas mileage and your time to run over to the illegal "free satellite TV guy" with your card once a week. Now here is the real kicker. DirecTV will hash the pirates sometimes 3-4 times a week. So now you can end up taking a daily trip to see the "free satellite guy".

The "free satellite guy" may get out of their illegal business as soon as the heat gets to be much and you are stuck. The interruptions in viewing are endless and annoying. You may enjoy free satellite tv for the odd two week period but most of the time you are running back and forth to the "free satellite tv guy".

Now for the punch line regarding free satellite TV. Eventually DirecTV will change their data stream and your DirecTV card is now a useless piece of plastic. Maybe you can use it to open an old door. Now the "free satellite guy" has a deal for you. You can get a new DirecTV card from him for whatever price he decides you need to pay. Sound like fun! Oh yes... free satellite TV is an oxy moron to be sure!

How to get the most out of your high definition TV

If you recently bought a TV, chances are, it's an HDTV. Whether you know a lot about this technology or nothing at all, you have likely heard people raving about the lifelike detail of an HD picture. It's true: the future of television is high definition. The only problem is that many people who currently own HDTVs are not actually seeing shows in high definition. Are you one of them?

HD has brought with it a bombardment of unfamiliar technologies and terms on unsuspecting shoppers. On top of this, TV stations nationwide made the switch this summer to broadcasting exclusively in digital format. The shift from analog to DTV left many people mistaking standard DTV as HDTV.

Here are the facts: HD is the highest possible resolution of all digital television. So while all HD is DTV, not all DTV is HD. High definition channels are usually broadcast alongside their standard digital counterparts. In order for you to watch high definition broadcasts on these channels, you'll need the proper equipment and HD source. And even then, you may be missing out on all that HDTV has to offer.

Here is what you need to start enjoying HDTV in all its glory today.

The right TV

HDTVs have never been more affordable than they are right now, so don't even consider purchasing a new television if it is not equipped to display high definition. Of course, within the HDTV market you will still have a multitude of decisions to make to tailor your television to your specific viewing needs. While many of these options simply depend on your viewing preferences, there are a few simple features to look for.

First, if you are looking for anything under 42 inches, the wisest choice is almost always an LCD TV. Anything bigger and plasmas become the better buy. Also, look for at least one, and preferably several, HDMI inputs. This is the portal that delivers high quality digital sound, picture, and video to your screen, so it is crucial for your viewing pleasure and for the expansion of your home theater.

The right source

You've got your new television plugged in and ready to go. Now what? Whether you are a cable or satellite television subscriber, you will need an HD receiver box. This box is the 'source' or gateway through which high definition information gets delivered to your TV. It uses sophisticated technology to translate an HD signal into a crisp picture on your television. When connecting your box, it is also a good idea to use new, high-quality cables. A service technician should be able to advise you on the proper connections.

The right service

In order to enjoy HD, you must be watching high definition channels. Even the most sophisticated HDTV can't turn a bad signal into a good picture. Local stations often broadcast limited HD programming, but not every show on a local network's HD channel actually appears in high-def. And non-HD shows on HD channels won't look nearly as sharp as the high-def shows do and usually don't fill the wide screen properly.

Cable and satellite TV providers offer high def channels beyond what is offered through local broadcasting. The best HDTV channels will enable you to watch everything in high-definition, including commercials. To get these channels, look for deals on satellite TV subscriptions. Satellite packages currently have the most robust HD options available.