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          If you live in the Continental USA and Hawaii and desire  satellite TV systems, you have basically two choices.  Before you read this you might want to know that neither company pays money to advertise on this web site, nor the reviews.   We do offer links to the two best providers of Direct TV and Dish Network in the USA.  So the views on this website are based on the research and feedback received.   Sure the old c-span big dishes are still available but they have become much more costly than the small Direct Broadcast Systems (DBS)   Yes, there are other providers available,  but DirecTV and DISH Network offer the most choices for the least amount of money. In most cases you  get FREE  equipment, FREE setup, FREE installation, and great package deals.   Direct TV offer you FREE Multi-Room DIRECTV System

The good news for you, the consumer, is that both companies  offer similar services and they both are competing for your business!   So based on this, how do you choose between the two?  Here is a little a little background on each provider that might be helpful.

DISH Network

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EchoStar Communications Corporation and their DISH Network service are Hughes Network’s top competitors. Headquarter is in Colorado, EchoStar has been a leader in the satellite TV industry for over 20 years going back to the big c-band systems. They  began as a distributor of C-band cable television systems and filed for a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) license in 1987 al most 20 years ago. In 1992, launched its own satellite, EchoStar I, in 1995, and introduced DISH Network in 1996. 

Today, the company has 9 satellites and planning to add more. DISH Network, provides over 500 channels of video, audio (great music selection),  and satellite services to around  9 million customers in the U.S.

 In addition to satellite TV services, DISH Network customers can also receive high speed Internet, Interactive TV (on Pay for view also called demand programming), They also have great High Definition TV (HDTV).  Dish Network is superior to most cable systems when it comes to HDTV  

HDTV is EchoStar's  delivers extraordinarily sharp pictures and integrated sound by digitizing television programming. Broadcasting all HDTV DISH Network programming in wide-screen format and transmitting up to 10 percent more pixels, HDTV provides a much clearer picture.

Starting a few years ago back in  2003, EchoStar was the first company to offer a satellite receiver with a built-in digital video recorder (DVR).  After you have a DVR you wonder how you can live without one.  A DISH Network  DVR receiver allows viewers to stop, rewind, fast forward and record 40- 60 hours of programming. More advanced receivers provide enhanced services for a small fee.

DISH Network services can be purchased online or through a local retailer.  DirecTV, DISH Network offers equipment installation and most of the time it is FREE based on special sales promotions. Many times local retailers will charge a fee where if you order online the specials are numerous.

The hardware needed for DISH Network satellite TVs are almost the same. between the two leaders. Both need a small dish, a satellite receiver, and the access cards.  You will be given a choice when you order some of the equipment options.  If you want standard satellite TV or with with a  Digital Video Recording (DVR), or High Definition (HD) options, you will need different kind of dish. Even if you don't have a HDTV right now, it is highly recommend that you get a system that supports it.  When you choose your package, you will select the type of dish you need.

A Comparison

So how do the two leading satellite TV service providers compare? Both offer over 200 channels and Pay-Per-View selections, DVR recorders, HDTV

DirecTV

 The company known as The DirecTV is made up of several different units, which include DirecTV U.S., DirecTV Latin America,  and two others.  As a group, the organization serves almost 13  million U.S. satellite TV customers and well over one  million subscribers in Latin countries. They operate  25 satellites capable of providing satellite transmissions to 98% of the world.   Hughes Network Systems operates a satellite-based consumer broadband Internet access service known as DirecWay which is a great way to received high speed when it is not available via your phone or a cable system.  Currently then have around 200,000 subscribers. Hughes is one of the largest manufacturers of DirecTV set-top receivers. They also have a partnerships with AOL, Microsoft, and TiVo also add to their customer base.  TiVO is a GREAT DVR.  

Hughes is currently  developing and deploying  a more advanced satellite broadband communications package which will allow high-speed, two-way data communications.
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DirecTV offers a little more local programming and has increased the number of markets where they offer local programming.  They currently have around 150 markets, representing 95% of U.S. television households. Their  HDTV and DVR products are both great.  When you order different options you will get a type of dish designed for your need.  
 

The round dish is the more common 18" design. The oval dish or low noise (LNB) dish is able to receive information from more than one satellite and is required for those who want to receive local channels,  or HDTV.

Other manufacturers of DirecTV compatible dishes include Hughes, Sony, Phillips, and others coming on the market . As part of the DirecTV package they are offering a satellite dish and other equipment for free with a one-year commitment.   That saves you about  $200 from what it was a few years ago   It is not uncommon to get four or five receivers free as part of the promotion.

No matter what system you go with, buying direct from this web site is a great way to get all of the promotional prices and additional savings.