The Advantages and Disadvantages of Satellite TV

W e often hear about satellite TV but what is it really? Satellite TV, or satellite television, is a system of broadcasting signals directly from communication satellites. These signals are received through a satellite dish and a low-noise block down-converter (also called LNB). The desired television program is then decoded by a satellite receiver, which can be both external set-top boxes or built-in tuners. Satellite television can be both of the older analogue kind or of the newer digital kind, which include high-definition television (or HDTV). Also, while some channels require a paid subscription, many still are free. So what are the advantages of Satellite TV? - Great choice in channels – Nowadays, there are over 300 channels you can choose from to enjoy your free time, making it virtually impossible for you not to find anything to watch. - Advanced technology – As technology has improved over the years, the satellite dish is now much smaller and easier to install than it was a decade or more ago. And you don’t need to continually move it to catch a good signal! Furthermore, even the quality of the picture has increased and you can now watch your favorite movie as if you were in a cinema. - Possibility to record – Still thanks to the higher technological level, it is now possible to digitally record your favorite programs in DVR (digital video recorder). And you can even record two programs at the same time! However, there are also disadvantages: - Weather – Unfortunately, as satellite TV works thanks to digital signals, strong winds or storms might cause you to lose such signals and therefore cause interference with the program you are watching. - Price – Although many channels are free, many of them are subscription-only and these are usually quite expensive. - Installation charges – When you request a TV contract, you need to have a technician install the satellite dish. Unfortunately, if you happen to move, you will need to pay installation charges once more as they often are non-refundable.