Satellite Tv Advice Needed Options

[MelindaK]

I am thinking of breaking down and getting satellite tv for the TT. Which has the better pay as you go Dish or Direct TV? Any preference on satellite dishes? My brother mentioned the cube since it is automatic. Not sure I want to pay that much, but I don't want to spend an hour setting up tv reception either.

[Denali]

The ease of setting up a satellite dish depends on the type of service you want.

The simplest is basic DirecTV without HD. A single-LNB dish (the only kind with no skew setting) requires only pointing at a single satellite.

If, however, you want HD TV or more than the basic channels or Dish Network service, you will be using a dish with anywhere between two and five LNBs, for pointing at 2-5 different satellites simultaneously. That requires setting the skew, as well as the azimuth and elevation, differently as you travel.

We had Dish Network standard-definition service for years. Assuming I had a clear shot at the two satellites that it requires, I could aim the dish in just a couple minutes, anywhere in the Lower 48. Once north or south of the border, it becomes increasingly difficult, as the signals get weaker and the satellites are closer to the horizon.

For the last year or two, we have had Dish Network HD service. Setting up that dish is much more difficult, but I eventually get it done wherever we are.

Our best friends have DirecTV HD service. Setting up their dish is even more difficult.