The fundamental elements that make up a satellite TV system are:-



1-A Satellite Dish

2-A Satellite Dish Mount (portable or fixed is fine)

3-An LNB (low noise block amplifier * Goes on the arm of the dish)

4-A Satellite Receiver (many brands and versions available * Shop around for a suitable well priced model)

5-A Satellite Finder (analogue and digital varieties * Analogue though generally cheaper)

6-Accurate Satellite Charts

Choosing the right satellite dish for your area is the most important factor. Dishes come in many sizes ranging from very small (in the centimeters) to many meters.

In recent times with the increase in satellite transmission power people are able to get away with a much smaller dish then they did in the past. Typical size for coverage in many areas is 78 to 88 cm s. (for the KU band * If you are a beginner to satellite I recommend KU reception if it is available in your area. For those that have an interest in C band reception you will generally need a much bigger dish. eg Greater then 1.5m for many areas)

The LNB is the part on the end of the arm. It amplifies the weak signals that are collected and reflected into it by the dish. This signal once amplified, is carried down the satellite cable to the satellite receiver. Here it is converted into a signal that your conventional television can understand.

It should be noted that A LOT of the available services from the satellites ARE encrypted to prevent theft. These services will generally require a monthly or annual subscription for their reception. If you are intending to view these ensure your satellite receiver has an imbedded card reader or Cam Slot and can decrypt the services you are interested in. (you should also check your providers terms and conditions or service agreement to ensure that what you are hoping to achieve would not be in violation of them)

The satellite finder and charts are only used during the initial installation until you have a picture. The finder can then be removed. Your local satellite parts dealer will be best able to advise on the correct equipment and alignment procedures for your area. For people installing to the roof ensure you are competent and take all the necessary safety precautions!

The end result of what you are doing it that when it comes to home entertainment, your television has quickly become the source for relaxation and amusement. While there are an array of channels and programs to choose from nowadays, it all depends on the system that you have. It can be difficult to decipher which is better, but home satellite systems and cable television are the most widely used systems today. Here are 6 things you can do to help choose between the two.

1. The first thing you should do is contact local cable companies and satellite providers to get prices. By contacting the companies, you can learn how much it costs for certain packages and cable boxes versus a home satellite system.

2. After learning about the prices, look in-depth at the various packages they offer. You want to find a package that offers as much of your interests as possible. There is no point in paying for an expensive home satellite system (or purchasing the parts to DIY) that has only a couple sports stations if sports are your passion.

3. High-definition television has become the new thing with television, providing viewers with crystal clear programming. Not all cable television systems or home satellite systems have high-definition, so make sure that you ask your local provider if they offer this feature.

4. As crazy as it may seem, some home satellite systems do not include local channels. If you live in a smaller town, this is more common than not. There are many competing satellite providers all trying to win over the public and a majority of the public is looking for national coverage. If you do want local channels you should look closely into the provider that you sign up with.

5. The picture quality is one of the most important parts to the entertainment. Keep in mind that home satellite systems tend to have better broadcast quality than cable television. However, satellite television is more prone to go down due to weather complications such as heavy rain or snow.

6. The last thing to consider is how many rooms and TV's you are looking to get systems connected to. Some providers offer specials for having additional rooms, while other providers have a limit to how many rooms you can have connected to cable boxes or satellite dishes.

As you can see, there are a number of things that should be considered prior to signing up to a home satellite system or cable program. The more research you do prior to agreeing to anything, the better chance you will have of finding the right system for your household.