satellite tv guide

VMC Satellite

Authorized Retailer of

VMC Satellite is the nation’s largest authorized online Dish Network dealer. Based in Northern Virginia, VMC Satellite prides itself on the fact that it was selected to install satellite TV in the US Congress. As VMC notes on their website, “If Congress can trust [VMC] for their service, you can too!”

As an authorized retailer of Dish Network satellite TV service and equipment, VMC Satellite offers the full range of Dish Network equipment packages to its customers nationwide. With an easy-to-use website as well as a fully staffed phone center, VMC satellite is always ready to take orders for Dish Network service.

VMC Satellite at a Glance
Products Sold: Dish Network Satellite TV
Years in Business: 3
Location: Great Falls, VA
Area Served: Continental US and Hawaii

Click Here to Order Dish Network Satellite TV from VMC Satellite

Expert Satellite

Authorized Retailer of

Headquartered in Worcester, MA, eXpert Satellite is an authorized retailer of DIRECTV satellite TV. In business for 8 years, eXpert satellite was named a Top 10 DIRECTV Dealer in both 2002 and 2003.

eXpert Satellite sells a wide range of DIRECTV equipment, including receivers with TiVo. Customers can order online or through a seven-day-a-week call center.

eXpert Satellite at a Glance
Products Sold: DIRECTV satellite TV
Years in Business: 8
Location: Worcester, MA
Area Served: Continental US

Click Here to Order DIRECTV Satellite TV from eXpert Satellite

Installation
Satellite TV customers can choose to have a professional technician install and configure their dish and receiver, or elect to do it themselves. Due to the potential complexity of mounting and aiming the dish, and configuring the receiver and TV, Satellite TV HQ strongly recommends that you choose professional installation.
Most retailers subcontract the installation process to a technician in your local area, who will visit your home and install and configure your equipment. Provided you have met the requirements mentioned in Is Your Home Compatible with Satellite TV, installation is straightforward and will take a minimum of 1.5 hours.

When the installation technician arrives at your house, he or she will discuss where you want to mount your satellite dish, and confirm that it is an appropriate place. After mounting and aiming the dish, the technician will run a cable from the dish to your existing cable wire, replace your cable box with a satellite receiver, configure the TV and receiver, and then leave you in peace to surf hundreds of crystal clear digital channels!

The best deals on satellite TV and internet are available from independent retailers. While your monthly bill will be the same regardless of where you purchase your equipment (the providers dictate the monthly cost either way), independent retailers can offer you a far better selection of promotions, such as free installation and equipment, discounted HDTV dishes and receivers, and free trials of premium channel, and credit towards your first month’s bills. While DIRECTV, Dish Network, and VOOM also offer promotions, you will find far better value from independent retailers, who buy their equipment in bulk and pass on substantial savings to their customers. For detailed information on each company, please click on one of the following links:
Rapid Satellite
AllSat
IdishNetwork
DishPronto
eXpert Satellite
VMC Satellite

Satellite TV Providers
Customers in the United States have three choices of satellite TV providers: DIRECTV, Dish Network and VOOM. For detailed information on each company, please click on one of the following links:

DIRECTV
Dish Network
VOOM
DIRECWAY Satellite Internet

Requirements Checklist
DIRECTV
Accessible location for dish with unobstructed southern exposure
Resident of Continental US, Alaska, or Hawaii (Alaska residents will need a larger dish)
Landlord permission is required for renters
Residence must be wired with RG-6 Coaxial Cable
Dish Network
Accessible location for dish with unobstructed southern exposure
Resident of Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico (Alaska residents will need a larger dish)
Landlord permission is required for renters
Residence must be wired with RG-6 Coaxial Cable
VOOM
Accessible location for dish with unobstructed southern exposure
Resident of the 48 continental United States only
Landlord permission is required for renters
An HD-ready television or integrated HDTV

If your current home is already wired for cable television, then you should already have coaxial cable outlets near your TV. If your house is wired with newer RG-6 coaxial cable line, as many are, then you can simply use your current wiring to carry the signal from your dish to the television. If your house has older coaxial wiring, however, it will not be able to handle the demands of a satellite TV and you will need to run a new wire when you install your satellite system.

An Appropriate Area for a Satellite Dish
Satellite TV customers need an exterior area to mount a satellite dish. While some windows will allow the transmission of satellite signals, it is highly recommend that you mount your dish outdoors, and, as discussed above, you must have a clear view of the southern sky. Standard satellite dishes are either 18″ or 20″ wide, and can be mounted on a wide variety of surfaces, including chimneys, balconies, and roofs.
If you rent your home, your choice of mounting areas may be restricted: the FCC has ruled that renters may install a dish in any area that is reserved exclusively for their use, such a balcony or backyard, but that they do not automatically have the right to install a dish in a common area such as a roof deck. Of course, your landlord may have more flexible rules, and renters must have their landlord’s permission before installing a satellite system, so we recommend that you contact your landlord before purchasing a satellite system.

Is Your Home Compatible With Satellite TV?
While professional installation of a satellite TV system is quick and easy, your home must still meet a certain number of criteria in order to be eligible to install satellite TV.
Unobstructed Southern Exposure
In order to receive a satellite broadcast, you must mount you dish somewhere with an unobstructed view of the southern sky. Trees, buildings, and other tall objects can block or degrade your signal, so it is critical that your dish have an obstruction-fee line of sight to the south. If you live in an apartment building with no southern exposure, you may be able to mount your dish on the roof, or if your house has objects in the way, you could position the dish in your backyard where the signal is clear. Either way, a clear view to the south is absolutely necessary for satellite reception.

Satellite Internet Service
For residents of areas where high speed internet is not available via cable or DSL connection, it is now possible to connect to the Internet by satellite. While not quite as fast as a broadband connection, a satellite internet connection offers substantially faster speed that a conventional dial-up connection.
DIRECTV is currently the only satellite TV provider to offer satellite internet access — neither Dish Network nor VOOM can provide customers with this service. Sold under the brand name DIRECWAY, DIRECTV’s internet service is available without a satellite TV subscription, but it does require a dedicated satellite dish, so customers who want a DIRECTV subscription as well will need to purchase a separate dish for their DIRECWAY internet connection. Once installed, DIRECWAY can provide download speeds of up to 500kbps, which is five to ten times faster than most dial-up connections!

Click here for more information on DIRECWAY internet service.