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So you are unhappy with your cable provider and want to switch to a satellite dish. Or maybe you are making the switch from rabbit ears, in which case I would like to welcome you to the 21st century. Feel free to buy a cellular phone while you are here. There are many benefits of using a satellite dish for your your television service, but there are also some drawbacks. This site will tell you everything you need to know, or at least everything that you need to know that I happen to know, about satellite dish service.

A satellite dish is a type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwave communications from communications satellites in orbit. In the 1990s, when satellite television first hit the market, the dishes were huge, expensive units that took up a large portion of your yard. Today, compact satellite dishes are mounted on the roofs of houses and apartment complexes across the globe. Satellite dishes provide reception in rural areas where no cable is available. Satellite television companies are also rapidly attracting cable customers by offering digital quality, more channels and a cheaper monthly price. Most satellite television customers get access to their TV shows through a direct broadcasting satellite provider, such as DirecTV or DISH Network. Like cable companies, they select a group of channels, offered in different packages at varying prices, to provide their customers.

Satellite vs. Cable

One of the biggest decisions anyone who watches TV has to make is between satellite and cable. If you live in an extremely rural area where cable is not offered, you have no choice. For most people, however, a choice must be made.

Cable Advantages: Cable has had recent advances that have improved the quality of the picture and sound. Cable providers now offer digital and high definition (HD) cable, which look and sound considerably better than analog cable. You can also access the cable in multiple rooms in a house easily and free of charge, except for the price of a cable box if you use one.

Cable Disadvantages: Cable's prices continue to increase as they develop new technology and your service costs are subject to local taxes. As mentioned, cable may not be available in rural areas. Cable also has fewer high definition channels than satellite.

Satellite Advantages: Satellite offers cinema-quality picture and audio for a monthly price that is generally cheaper than that of cable companies. The service is available anywhere you have a clear view of the sky. Satellite also offers more high definition channels than cable.

Satellite Disadvantages: Though the monthly payments for satellite are generally cheaper than with cable, satellite has the added expense of purchasing the satellite dish and other equipment at the beginning. In addition, satellite signals are affected by weather, so your picture may not be as good if it is overcast and in a bad storm you may not have reception at all.