Satellite TV

10 Tips for Satellite TV Systems

By Jen Wilson

Here are 10 tips about satellite tv systems. As always, reference your owner’s manual for all safety precautions.

1) Surge protection - Do not attempt to run your satellite tv system without a surge protector. Get a good one. We recommend a high end one from Radio Shack. Make sure the surge protector has inputs for the coax cable and telephone jack as well. Do not forget to protect any antenna inputs you might have coming in to your receiver. Do not think that you can get by without this. Sooner or later it will come back to haunt you and cost you money that will not be covered under warranty.

2) Sudden Shock!- With DVR receivers, think about where you put the unit. Make sure it is stable and will not get wet, hit, knocked off, etc. DVR systems have hard drives in them, which must be handled with extreme care.

3) Ventilation - Just like computers, the newer DVR receivers has fans and need to maintain certain temperatures. Be careful when placing them in cabinets. Receivers must have proper ventilation.

4) Moving a DVR - If you have to move a DVR, unplug it and wait for at least 30 seconds. This gives unit time for a proper shutdown.

5) Cleaning - Keep all electronics CLEAN! Get a can of air duster (made for electronics) to blow your receiver out periodically. Do this at least once a month. More if you live in a dusty area. Remember that dust is electronics worst enemy. Unplug the receiver before cleaning.

6) Pointing the dish - How the dish is pointed is one of the most critical elements of how your home dish satellite TV will work. Just 1/8 of an inch out of proper alignment can cause problems. YOU MUST USE A COMPASS if you are going to point the dish correctly. Do not even attempt if you do not have a compass or do not understand how to shoot an azimuth. Check and make sure nothing is obstructing the view of the sky (i.e. – power lines, tree limbs) before adjusting. It takes very little movement of the dish to make minor adjustments. Make very small adjustments (movements) while you or someone else is watching your signal strength screen. Do not try to make large adjustments. After making an adjustments, give the system a few seconds to respond on the signal strength. Refer to your owner’s manual for the specifics of your particular system and observe all safety precautions.

7) System doing weird things - Most issues can be resolved by simply resetting the system (screen freeze, channels not listed). Hold the power button on the receiver for a few seconds or unplug the unit from the wall (if unplugging from the wall, wait 30 seconds). Sounds too easy, but you will be surprised at how many times this will do the trick.
8) Cold dangers - Do not store your receiver in a cold environment (below 40° F). When it warms back up, moisture can form inside and damage the electronics inside (applies to most electronics) If it is cold to the touch, let it set at room temperature UNPLUGGED for at least 45 minutes. If there is apparent moisture buildup, let the system dry out at room temperature before plugging back in.

9) Coax Cables- Use only RG-6 cables! Do not use cable company TV cables (RG-59). Using RG-59 cables can cause signal loss. Always use a small wrench or pliers to tighten cable connections. Do so GENTLY! Just enough force so the cable connections cannot be loosened by hand. Overtightening connections can cause them to break or damage expensive equipment. Connections being too loose can cause loss of signal and / or moisture buildup inside of connections. All connections must be watertight!

10) Grounding – The outside components of your system must be grounded (i.e. - dish, cable splitters). The step is often neglected by installers. There should be some type of ground wire running from the outside components to a ground stake (a piece of metal driven into dirt or concrete). If you are about to purchase a system, make sure your installer does this very important step.

Jen Wilson maintains the website Wilsons Electronics Electronics information and tips. Online Electronics Dictionary Satellite TV and Internet Satellite Systems available

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jen_Wilson

posted by Orce37 @ 1:30 AM 1 Comments

Purchasing Satellite TV Equipment

By D. David Dugan

Each day more people make the decision to get their television programming through a satellite. Satellite TV is increasing in popularity and that rise in popularity is expected to continue on into the future.

When it comes to satellite TV, there are many individuals who focus solely on the cost of getting the channels that they want. The price of a service is important, but so is the equipment that you plan on receiving that service with.

Satellite TV equipment can come from two different sources. It can come directly from a satellite TV provider or it can be purchased from another location. Where you get your satellite TV equipment will all depend on your personal preferences. Before you make a finial decision it is important that you educate yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of acquiring satellite TV equipment from certain locations.

Many satellite TV subscribers make the decision to get their equipment through their satellite provider. The biggest advantage of doing so is that the equipment can often be obtained for little or no cost. It is not uncommon for a provider to offer valuable deals and discounts on satellite receivers and dishes. This means that it is possible to become a customer without having to pay equipment fees.

The biggest disadvantage of getting satellite TV equipment through a provider is one that many individuals are not even aware of. The majority of satellite TV providers are not giving you their equipment; in fact, they are leasing it you. This means that if you decide to switch television providers you will have to return the equipment. This is something that many individuals do not have a problem with, but a problem may arise if the equipment is damaged. Damaged equipment or missing remotes may result in being charged the full retail price for each item.

The alternative to leasing satellite equipment from a satellite TV provider is to outright purchase the equipment. The most common place to purchase satellite equipment is from a traditional storefront retail location or online. Most traditional department stores and media stores carry a selection of satellite dishes and receivers.

There are a number of advantages to purchasing satellite equipment from a retail store. The biggest advantage is that the equipment is yours to keep. This means that you can take your dish and receiver with you on camping trips and other family outings without having to worry about being penalized should the equipment become damaged.

When a satellite TV provider leases equipment to their subscribers they tend to offer only the standard equipment. Buying the equipment from a retail store gives shoppers a larger selection to choose from.

Having a choice when it comes to purchasing satellite TV equipment is nice, but it can also result in errors. Not all satellite receivers are compatible with every satellite TV provider. That is why it is important to ensure that the two are compatible before paying for the equipment.

The price of satellite equipment is one of the most common reasons why individuals do not outright purchase their equipment. The average cost of a satellite dish and receiver, when purchased together, is between one hundred and two hundred dollars. It is important to note that the cost of a satellite dish and receiver will all depend on where the items are being purchased from.

Leasing satellite TV equipment and purchasing it both have their advantages and disadvantages. When deciding which is the best way to acquire satellite TV equipment you are encouraged to examine each advantage and disadvantage and then apply them to your situation.

D. David Dugan is a support of the computer support forum at http://forum.dugancom.com and recommends purchasing your satellite service from http://www.divinfo.com/dishnetwork.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D._David_Dugan

posted by Orce37 @ 1:51 AM 0 Comments