Robert De Niro on Satellite TV

Of all the iconic figures who have graced the silver screen in the past forty years, few are as accomplished as Robert De Niro. His beginnings in films like Bang the Drum Slowly and The Godfather brought fame and an Oscar, but it was his brilliant work with Martin Scorsese that ranks among the best in American film. Over the past ten or fifteen years, there has been a marked depreciation in his status and reputation. Maybe it's just hard to grow old in Hollywood. Maybe after reaching the heights of his craft, the only way to go was down. Either way, seeing a variety of his work on satellite TV, you'll realize why he was on top for so long.

You needn't look far. Starting with The Godfather, shown every month on channels like Showtime HD or A&E, you can watch the total immersion De Niro practiced in his roles. Spending three months in Sicily to prepare for his performance as the young Don Corleone, De Niro was more than up for the challenge. From his trademark Italian gestures to his lines in Sicilian dialect, De Niro proved he was a force to be reckoned with and nabbed the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

But that was only a warm-up for De Niro, whose roles were rarely "supporting" ever again. His turn in Mean Streets, his first collaboration with Martin Scorsese, showed a savage De Niro as a Little Italy punk looking to tear the world apart. A few years later the director and his star made Taxi Driver, one of the truly haunting American films. As Travis Bickle, an introspective and deranged cabbie, De Niro took his famous Method acting to new heights. Among the legendary sequences, his improvised "You talkin' to me?" has become among the most famous clips in film lore. Even the crew can start getting scared, as De Niro has been known to stay in character for days at a time.

He will even literally become his characters, a commitment difficult to expect from actors before and after. Take Raging Bull, for example, shown in HD on the Turner Classic Movie channel. Fighting his way through the early part of the film, De Niro seemed well-suited to play a fit young boxer like Jake La Motta. However, to portray La Motta in his obese decline, De Niro decided a "fat suit" just wouldn't do and proceeded to put on the extra sixty pounds. Oscar took notice, awarding him with Best Actor of 1980. In these days of celebrity trainers and image-obsessed leading men, it's refreshing to see a master at work.

With his collaborations spanning decades alongside directors like Brian De Palma and Francis Ford Coppola, seeing De Niro on the big screen is the way to go. If you are set up in HD and don't have time for a retrospective, a satellite TV package will let you access a good chunk of his work. Don't like the heady dramas or intimidating New York crime tales? Take a look at his work in King of Comedy, another Scorsese classic. As Rupert Pupkin, a freaky wannabe comic living in his mother's basement, De Niro will show you what versatility really means.



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Game 7 - Showtime on Satellite TV

When it comes to the ultimate in sports, it's hard to top a winner-take-all game 7. Commissioners dream that their championship series will have a ratings-friendly, sponsor-happy showdown that leaves fans and players alike in a frenzy.

In the NBA, the playoffs have always been a thrilling event, a combination of the razzle-dazzle offense and the effective team defense that wins championships. With Magic Johnson's "Showtime" Lakers dueling Larry Bird's Celtics in the 1980s, the NBA reached the apex of its summer classic. East vs. West, old-school vs. flashy new school, the Lakers vs. the Celtics series was the hottest ticket in years.

With 2009's NBA playoffs, we've seen the return of the dramatic game 7. Ignoring Lebron James and his dominant Cavaliers, the slew of game 7's has been lighting up satellite TV for the past month. Cleveland has taken the approach of Moses Malone's dominant Sixers, that of the "Fo', Fo', Fo'," which is to say, sweep every team in four games. When you have Doctor J or King James, this is a real possibility. But even Kobe Bryant has been vulnerable, with his season already going on the line against the short-handed Houston Rockets.

How did the Lakers respond to their game 7? By blowing out the Rockets in a game described by one announcer as "over in the first quarter." Truly, it wasn't close, but Kobe had to feel a little rattled. In the east, it was the defending champion Boston Celtics who found themselves in two game 7's in two series. First was the finale to a wild series against the upstart Chicago Bulls that had HD TV sets burning late into the night, with the Celtics finally moving on after four overtime games. Next it came down to a game 7 against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, the Eastern Conference's three seed. The defending champs didn't make it out this time, with Howard and the Magic winning in convincing fashion. Injured or not, the Celtics proved difficult to eliminate, but their year is over.

Now what? Satellite TV is going to be buzzing as the conference finals kick off. Cleveland vs. Orlando is an interesting match-up, but the Lakers vs. Denver in the West could be a real dogfight. Denver has been the surprise team of the playoffs, winning both series with relative ease. With prominent big men Kenyon Martin and Nene, Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets could strike Kobe dead before he ever sees the finals.

It would be a shocker. For much of the year -- and especially after the Celtics' Kevin Garnett went down with an injury -- Kobe versus Lebron has been the HD dream series. Neither of them cares, of course, but the fans, sponsors and commissioner have all been looking forward to the match-up. It's like Bird vs. Magic all over again. Actually it's like Jordan vs. Jordan, if you really think about it. Either way, the NBA playoffs on satellite TV have not disappointed yet. On to the finals we go.



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Sports Fans Gather Around Satellite TV

Sports are undoubtedly a huge part of our culture today. Regardless of if you are a religious basketball fan, who never misses a single quarter of your favorite team's games, a die-hard hockey fanatic who has memorized every single player's name that makes up your team's internationally-filled roster, or a super-sized baseball nut who can recite your team's statistics like an encyclopedia, sports are a central part of your life. However, among the four major sports in America today, it is football that has grown to be the most popular of them all. While NASCAR may have more fans quantitatively speaking, the NFL is the largest organization and business of any other sport and has consistently grown in popularity over the past half dozen or so years. As a result, while sports are important to millions of people around globe as a whole, football has become king in America.

With an increase in ticket sales, jersey sales, and other collectible and memorabilia sales, football has become a larger than life business over the past two decades. While it was always a popular game amongst the masses, it never had the type of cult-like following that it has today. Therefore, as can be expected, television ratings of games that are broadcast both locally and nationally have risen sharply over the past twenty years. As a result, fights between different cable providers and the league have arisen: who gets the rights to air what games at what times has become a central question to anybody interested in getting strong ratings on Sunday afternoon.

Some fans are fortunate enough to get a ticket to their team's big game on Sunday. After getting in the car and making the drive out to the stadium, fans are able to enjoy their entire day out in the parking lot, eating and drinking with fellow fanatics before piling into the stadium to watch an afternoon of football live and in person. Yet, the huge majority of fans get their football fix by tuning in to watch the local broadcast of their local team's game. If you live in the same region as your favorite team plays in, you are going to be able to watch your team's game each and every Sunday afternoon.

However, there are still many fans who reside in a completely different part of the country - maybe they were born and raised in New York but currently live and work in California - and have a much tougher time tuning in and watching their team play. For these out of market fans, there is one solution: buying NFL Sunday Ticket. Available exclusively on satellite TV, this package allows you to watch every game being played every single week, no matter where you live. As a result, you can be freed from the restrictions of cable and watch your team play from the comforts of your living room without issue. As the sport continues to grow and expand, this type of television package will undoubtedly become a staple of many football fans' homes in the near future.



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Use Your Television to Learn Spanish!

Spanish is the fastest growing language in the United States. The ability to interact or at least understand Spanish can be a huge help for many jobs and day-to-day interactions in many parts of the country. Many people may have taken a few Spanish classes or studied abroad in a place that spoke the language for a while, but most native English speakers could stand to brush up on their language abilities. Television can be the perfect way to do so, especially with Spanish programming on cable and satellite TV.

Tons of people would love the chance to dedicate some time towards improving their language abilities. However, it doesn't always seem that easy. Most people say that the best way to learn a language is via immersion, traveling to a place that speaks the language and being surrounded by it every day. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. Most people can't just pick up and take off for Costa Rica or Argentina. Jobs, bills, and family obligations all make this rather difficult. Even enrolling in a Spanish class is harder than it sounds. It can be difficult to find time in a busy schedule to fit in a class, and it can also be an expensive process.

A perfect solution is to sign up for a cable or satellite TV Spanish language package. It's possible to get dozens of channels that are in Spanish already. Beginners can start by watching English language programs and movies with Spanish subtitles. Subtitles allow viewers to get a sense for vocabulary. Watching TV can provide a visual image that's associated with the vocabulary being learned, which is proven to make memorization easier.

Intermediate Spanish speakers can watch sitcoms or movies they are familiar with in Spanish to improve their language skills. It's a way of achieving temporary immersion, and can be done in your free time in the living room. It's a perfect way to improve Spanish skills gradually. For a quick experience of quickly spoken Spanish, sports fans can tune into a soccer game! The incredibly quick commentary and specific vocabulary definitely create some comprehension challenges; but watching soccer is a sure-fire way of quickly boosting comprehension skills. Plus, the excitement in the games is always worth tuning in for.

It's even possible to immerse yourself in different cultures using your television. Some providers allow viewers to access channels that are beamed in from all over the world. It's possible to see Spanish sitcoms, Argentine and Mexican "telenovelas," soap operas, and more. Every country produces different TV, from South America to the Caribbean. If you are interested in local news from these places it's possible to receive the broadcasts direct from those international news stations. Once you can understand the news in Spanish, you know you've at least mastered the basics of comprehension.

It's said that you learn something every day. If you turn your satellite TV service into a Spanish teacher, it's possible to learn Spanish without even leaving your living room. It'll even make that next Caribbean vacation a whole lot easier to navigate!


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The Technology Behind Satellite TV

Anyone who has gone through the process of trying to choose a new television provider knows how frustrating it can be to try to understand how the different television systems work. One of the best to use but more difficult to understand systems is satellite TV. However, even satellite service can be broken down into basic terms.

If you take a drive around the United States these days you will see satellite dishes all over the country. Rural farms, college dorms, suburban homes, and big city apartments are all set up with small personal dishes- nice improvements over the massive dishes from the past. Satellite service is rapidly expanding because of the quality it offers to users.

Television providers who broadcast via satellite are known as direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers. They purchase content from major television channels, including local channels, premium sports channels like ESPN, and movie channels like HBO and Cinemax. Channels are then packaged into different batches so consumers can purchase content packages to fit their preferences.

Channels are broadcast using radio waves, which travel straight and thus need a line of sight connection between broadcaster and receiver. Because of the curvature of the earth there is no possible direct ground-based line of sight connection between DBS providers and the personal receivers all over the country. This is where the satellite comes in.

"Geosynchronous" satellites orbit the earth at the same speed as it rotates. Thus, they stay in relatively the same place above the earth all the time, allowing a personal dish to always be directed straight towards its geosynchronous satellite, which is approximately 22,000 miles up in the sky. DBS providers route their programming up to the satellite, which then bounces the signals down to thousands of personal dishes across the United States.

The signals that are sent between the personal dishes and the geosynchronous satellite are Ku band radio waves. Signals used to be a lower frequency radio wave but in order to provide crisper images and sharper sound the switch was made to Ku band radio waves. These communicate at a higher frequency. What this means to consumers is that it allows higher quality signals to be sent back and forth. This allows viewers to receive high definition television signals.

Satellites can distribute high-def television signals across the country much more easily than other providers can. This provides a home TV experience that's like being in a movie theater. With digital surround sound, incredibly crisp images, and a cinematic aspect ratio, there's a huge boost for every football game, TV show, or movie.

One of the more common concerns that consumers have with satellite television has to do with the quality of the signal. However, inclement weather should rarely affect it much. Studies have shown that the satellite should provide a clear digital signal 99.96% of the time. A bigger concern is satellite placement. For a clean signal, the satellite needs a clear view of the sky.



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The Evolution of TV Programming

Television has entered what some may call a golden age, at least with regard to the variety of content and picture quality now available. One of the best things about television in recent years has been the explosion of quality interesting content available. Cable and satellite TV providers offer consumers dozens of different packages filled with interesting content to suit anyone's tastes. Hundreds of different channels mean that it's possible to find something for everyone.

In the past television was broadcast TV, which was transmitted via an analog signal with limits on picture and sound quality. Originally black and white, broadcast TV eventually changed to color and offered viewers a couple dozen channels to choose from. This allowed for broadcast of movies, sitcoms, news channels, and sports events, but the overall variety of content was limited. Still, a lot of great and treasured programs came out of that era. It's still possible to catch reruns of beloved shows like The Wonder Years, not to mention shows that are loved all over the world like The Simpsons.

Cable TV brought huge changes to the television industry. A couple dozen channels turned into dozens and eventually even hundreds. People could opt to pay for certain channels or packages, giving them freedom to choose between content they wanted and content they didn't. This gave producers unprecedented flexibility in the types of shows created.

Satellite television helped bring about further leaps forward in TV programming. As a new delivery system it was a perfect way to transmit hundreds of channels to houses all over the country, even in places that lacked the infrastructure for cable TV. Certain content producers emerged as real stars of the satellite and cable TV era.

A couple of the top producers of original TV series today are HBO and Showtime. Households and apartments full of people tune in via satellite and cable to shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, Weeds, and Entourage. Some of the latest popular and independent films can be found of movie channels. News networks bring in the latest information from all over the world. Sports fans can opt for packages that bring them every NFL or college football game, soccer matches, and more baseball than they have time for. Along with all these programming options, technological developments have made watching television a much more pleasant experience than it used to be.

In the days of analog television the picture and sound quality on TV were limited. The development of digital TV allowed for huge improvements in quality. All TV is now broadcast in digital. The highest quality signal available is called high definition television, which has incredibly sharp images and crisp digital surround sound. It also has a different aspect ratio, meaning that the picture can appear in the same form that it would in a cinema. These signals are especially easily transmitted by satellites to home receivers throughout the country.

New means of transmitting TV signals allowed consumers to access hundreds of new channels. Quality content producers arose to fill the new demand. At the same time, further technological developments improved picture and sound quality. It's an exciting time in the world of TV; it just begs the question: "what's next?"



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Living the NFL Dream With Satellite TV

Some fans identify with their local basketball team more than any other: being able to sit in an arena that allows you to be so close to the players, the floor, the coaches and the action is terribly enticing and you were hooked from the first time you went to see a game played live. For others, it might be baseball that tickles you where you itch: heading out for a nice and long, relaxing evening out at the ballpark is the perfect way to cap off a stressful day in the office. Giving yourself the chance to take in the summer air, wolfing down some delicious ballpark hotdogs and pretzels, all while your favorite team plays a baseball game in the backdrop is your ideal sports night, and understandably so. There are even those of you out there that are addicted to the sights and sounds of a live hockey game: the players whizzing by on their skates, gliding effortlessly as they chase down the puck is something that you can never get enough of. Regardless of which of these specific categories you fall into, it can be understood and accepted that you love to watch, listen to, and follow sports as much as anybody else.

However, there is another category of fans out there. These are the people who are not satisfied with simply going to a sporting even and casually taking in the home runs, slam dunks, and power play goals. These fans are obsessed with taking fan-hood to the next level, creating a sporting extravaganza each and every Sunday afternoon. All the football fans out there can agree that while the final score is all that matters in the end, there is much more to being a football fan than winning and losing.

As a result of football fans general obsession with the sport, the way in which you experience the game can make all the difference. If you are watching the game at home, a high definition TV is truly a must-have. Once you have spent a season watching your team take the field and pulverize the competition on a HD TV there is truly no comparison, and there is absolutely no going back: the picture quality you are provided on one off these TVs is simply amazing, and cannot be compared to any other TV-viewing experience out there. With a big screen TV like this, you can feel good about gathering a group of friends around in your home to watch that week's game - nobody will go home a loser in that situation. Plus, if you have NFL Sunday Ticket with your satellite connection, you can browse through every game being played so as not to miss any of the action from across the entire league!

However, if you are fortunate enough to attend a game, remember that football fans are different than other sports fans. If the game is supposed to start at four in the afternoon, be sure to arrive about five hours earlier in order to fully take in the sights and sounds that make Sunday game-day. After a couple hours of grilling and eating, drinking and talking, you can head inside the stadium for some football action.

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Football Fans Unite Around Satellite TV

There are some days of the week that seem to drag on more than others. For example, Tuesday might be a day on which you never have anything planed: no weekly dinner arrangements with friends, no special activity with a particular member of the family, and no television series that you catch every week at its Tuesday night prime time slot. As a result, this type of weekday can feel spectacularly boring, and can become a day in which you dread on your weekly schedule. However, just as likely as having days that bore you to sleep, you may also have days that you know you are bound to enjoy. For many, these days are Friday and Saturday, during which you are able to be most social (as you probably do not need to get up early for work the next morning) and overall most free with your time. Many people know ahead of time that when Friday night rolls around you are going to meet up with your group of friends and spend the night eating, drinking and talking until you need to head home for some rest. Others know in advance that come Saturday afternoon they are going to go for a long jog and then cook a nice, relaxed, gourmet dinner with their loved ones as they settle in for the evening. Either way, having pre-made plans for certain days of the week is more fun than going into the day or night with nothing on your plate.

However, while Friday and Saturday plans may seem like the most exciting and enticing, there are a huge number of people who would argue for Sunday being the most appetizing day of the week. When football season rolls around, people often revolve their schedules around sports. As a result, it is not unusual for people to have their entire Sunday planned out in advance: after waking up and getting your normal exercise and breakfast in, it is time to slide on your favorite and lucky jersey and jet over to your local sports bar to grab a table near one of the big high definition sets before kickoff. Two pounds of spicy, hot wings and two pitchers of beer later, it is time to run back home, wash up and tidy the house a bit before your friends come over for dinner, drinks, and most of all, to watch the game being played that night on your big high definition satellite TV set. Once they all retire to their separate homes, you can throw the dishes in the sink and hurry off to bed before another workweek begins the following morning. Sounds like a pretty spectacular day for anybody who lives and breathes sports.

Having a structured day might sound more annoying and frustrating than free and fun, but the exact opposite is often true. Knowing what you are going to do with your day, night, or both ahead of time can save you the stress of coming up with something productive and entertaining to do on the spot, and can also produce some of the more exciting days of the week: just go ask football fans across the country.

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Bringing the Classroom to the Living Room With Satellite TV

Parents have long considered television as an evil for its role in a child's life. Whether it be because a child is watching television despite not having finished his or her homework, because watching TV all day is hurting and stunting a child's ability to properly socialize with other children of the same age, or simply because a parent believes a child should be outdoors exercising and playing sports rather than inside watching a seemingly worthless television program or cartoon, the tube has been cast as the bad guy for ages. However, with the advent and increasing popularity of satellite TV, these concerns may soon become terribly outdated.

With more channels and more airtime to be spread around, children's programming has taken giant leaps from what it was a few years ago. No longer are kids' shows simply silly looking cartoon animals running around the screen getting into misadventures. Rather, today's programs are loaded with educational content that is meant to be an aid to a child's maturation rather than a reversing agent. Shows such as Sesame Street and Barney & Friend's play to a child's imaginative side, by using and relying on puppets, cartoons and other magical characters to act as the teachers in this interactive, televised classroom. As a result, children are more likely to enjoy the program and learn the lessons being taught than they might through more conventional means such as in a pre-school setting or through a book.

This is not to say that books and teachers have been replaced. Clearly formal teaching tools and a structured education are needed for any child to develop into a successful, functioning member of society later in life. But the truth of the matter is that with more and more of these shows springing up as of late, they have settled in nicely, alongside these other forms of learning and education, to add to the overall maturation of children today. Moreover, these types of shows do more than simply convert classroom lessons into cartoons. Sure, they do a solid and effective job teaching children things like how to count, and how to read, but they also make an effort to impart more important morals on their eager-to-learn viewers, such as how to share, how to be a good friend, or how to be a good sport when playing games. All of these lessons wrapped up into one are the reason why satellite TV and its plethora of new, children-focused programs should be embraced rather than rejected by adults and parents around the country. What once may have been a negative can now truly be accepted as a positive.

Parents may or may not have been justified for punishing their children by taking away their TV privileges in the past. The TV was something that acted as a distraction more than as a tool for learning, so it was understandable why parents were as strict with it as they were. However, the times have changed, and television is no longer what it used to be - especially with all the options provided by satellite TV. So whether you have a old black and white set or a new, fancy, flat screen high definition model, you can rest at ease that your child is getting something out of all those hours he or she spends in front of it.

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How to Get Free Broadcast TV at Home and Save a Bundle

The Problem Stated - Paying Too Much for TV

When it comes to the present state of the faltering US economy, people are eagerly looking for ways to make their hard earned money go further. For a large portion of the US population, the first step is to look at lowering any recurring monthly costs. Of the essential services such as electricity, water, and gas utilities, there is usually very little the consumer can do to make a significant impact on these costs. But when that cable or satellite bill comes in the mail, the first thing that comes to mind is: "Why am I paying so much? There must be a better way." For most people, their 'pay for TV' bill is typically the highest monthly expense they have other than credit cards, car payments, and the mortgage. To make matters worse, these pay TV prices are rising, with bills going up 3.5% or more per year.

A report released by Centris in Q1 of 2009 showed the average monthly cable bill in the U.S. to be $71. That's a whopping $852 per year, not including any pay per view charges! For those who subscribe to cable or satellite and don't watch much TV, the financial impact is even worse.

Knowledge Before Action - What Can Digital TV Do for You?

Many consumers are unaware of the upcoming demise of analog broadcast TV on June 12, 2009. Equally amazing is that most people don't realize that the digital format TV (DTV) being broadcast today is not only totally free, but offers a higher quality high definition picture than cable or satellite! The reason for this is the over the air digital format is sent uncompressed, while cable and satellite providers must compress the data to get their desired bandwidth to meet the number of channels they must support. Broadcast DTV also offers programming not available on pay TV. For instance, in addition to the standard big local stations like CBS, NBC, ABC, there are many local channels available in both English, Spanish, and other languages. Also, since the broadcast format is digital, stations can multicast, or transmit multiple programs over the air. In the Los Angeles area, NBC (Channel 4) broadcasts 3 separate channels 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4, the later two being 24 hour local weather and sports.

Most people have these images in their mind of when analog TV was the only thing available, and how the picture was snowy and ghosty, and what a pain it was adjusting those rabbit ears. Those days are now gone with the advent of broadcast DTV. The picture is sharper and clearer than ever before in high definition resolutions up to 1080i (1080 lines of vertical resolution, interlaced). That's better than cable or satellite, who will charge you extra for their HD programming.

Another caveat to DTV is the fact that there is additional data available in the transmission such as program schedule information, similar to your pay TV provider. On most analog to digital converter boxes and HDTVs, a feature called Electronic Program Guide (EPG) on your remote control allows you to view program information, schedule times, title and genre...just like a TV guide.

What You Need to Get Broadcast Digital TV for Free

You may not realize it, but if you currently subscribe to a cable or satellite service, you a just steps away from getting broadcast TV, totally free. There are several factors that will contribute to your success.

First, determine how your location will affect your ability to receive digital TV stations. Your expectations on picture quality and the number of stations you can receive may be heightened, only to find out that you live in a generally poor reception area. If you live in a valley, or other area with geographical or physical obstacles, your reception may not be ideal. Ask neighbors that have indoor or outdoor antennas how their reception is. Of course this has also to do with the type and quality of antenna they are using, but this feedback will give you an idea of what is achievable in your location. Valuable tools, antennaweb.org and antennapoint.com, help you to determine reception characteristics in you area. By entering your zip code, you can determine each stations distance, suggested antenna type, and aiming direction relative to your location. Also, TitanTV's on-line TV guide allows you to enter your zip code to see what broadcast programming is available in your area, and it will also show you a program guide of show times and which shows are broadcast in HD, or high definition.

If your reception capability looks good, the next step is to pick the type of antenna that is best suited for your situation. In a good reception area, an indoor antenna will work well in most cases, and there are several on the market that provide good performance for under $70. Indoor antennas install quickly and allow for easy adjustment to pick up most stations. It is highly recommended that you get an amplified antenna for indoor use, since the added signal boost will help dramatically to pick up stations that you would not be able to receive otherwise.

The other option is to use an outdoor antenna to get better reception. Outdoor antennas will optimally give you a line of sight unobstructed path to the broadcaster's tower, and therefore, much better reception. If you are located in a poor reception area, this is probably the best solution for you. The cons to outdoor antennas are: many homeowners associations do not allow them for aesthetic reasons, the installation is more complicated (some requiring roof or attic installation and cable routing), unless you have a motorized version the direction of the antenna will be fixed and you may not be able to receive all the stations in your area.

The next thing to address is the type of TV that you have. If you recently bought a flat screen TV, whether LCD, plasma, or LED, you will most likely have a digital tuner that can be hooked directly to an external antenna. The key buzzword to look for is 'ATSC', which is a North American standard for digital broadcast TV. All newer digital flat screen TVs are now required to support ATSC. All that is required to watch free TV off the air is to connect the cable from your new antenna to the input to your TV --- where your current cable or satellite box hooks to. You simply hook up the cable, go to your setup menu and select the signal input to be 'Antenna' instead of 'Cable', and start the channel scan mode. The scan typically takes several minutes, but once it is done you can immediately start watching over the air (OTA) TV.

If you have an older analog TV, you will need to get a digital to analog converter box. These converters have the ATSC tuner inside which receives the digital format signal, and converts it to an analog signal that can be viewed on you older TV. Keep in mind that the picture quality will be limited by your TVs resolution, which is typically around 500 lines. Even so, you will receive a crisp, clear picture with none of the snow or ghosting effects of the old analog broadcasts.

So there it is in a nutshell. Don't be intimidated by all the hoopla and high-tech lingo! You can be watching free high definition digital TV in no time....and free yourself from those monthly cable or satellite bills!

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DISH Network is a Satellite TV Service Just Waiting For You!

One of the most innovative companies offering satellite TV service is DISH Network. You can’t go wrong by utilizing the services offered by this outstanding company that considers its customers and employees as prime assets to its business. The company knows that without a satisfied customer and employee base, it will not succeed in its business endeavors. DISH Network can be trusted to provide you with only the best service in town and will never let you down!

DISH Network currently serves more than 13 million satisfied customers. It is a national leader in providing only the most advanced and unique digital television services. It offers a huge volume of both audio and video channels, both free-to-air and premium channels. You will always be able to view those highly regarding sports channels and also pay-per-view events with DISH Network. DISH Network continues to lead the world in both its satellite equipment and the outstanding service it offers to its customers. Best of all, it is a member of the Fortune 500 group.

It doesn’t matter where you live in the United States or Puerto Rico, DISH Network is there for you. It also services a few areas outside of the United States but these areas sometimes require that larger, more sophisticated equipment be installed in order for the system to work properly. The dish size is directly correlated to where the home base is located. And to top it all off, your nearest DISH Network retailer can be found easily by simply entering your ZIP code online on one of its websites. Of course, local retailers can also be found in your local telephone directory. DISH Network is always looking for ways to improve and responds positively to customer input and questions.

If for any reason you need to discontinue your satellite service with DISH Network, all you need to do is contact them as soon as possible. Their toll free telephone number is 1-888-686-2388. Its polite staff of experienced service representatives will assist you 24 hours a day, everyday, and will do everything it can to bring your business back when the occasion arises.

With DISH Network, you will receive a variety of options that are not always available from other retailers. The service offers more than 50 channels of family friendly programming at a low price. Some of the included channels are Nickelodeon, Hallmark and Food Network. DISH network also offers free installation for all the necessary equipment needed in up to four TVs located anywhere in your home. It also promises excellent customer service and has experienced and reliable sources if any questions come up along the way. You can’t really go wrong by using DISH Network as your primary satellite TV service. It provides excellent and clear TV reception through its high performing satellites that are floating around in outer space. It by far exceeds any other satellite retailer out there and you can enjoy many, many hours of quality TV entertainment by using its services and products. Call DISH today for the opportunity of a lifetime!

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Enjoy Your 4th of July in High Definition

This 4th of July, celebrate in style by watching the fireworks show in high definition. Why settle for a handful of bottle rocket and a couple of sparklers when you can enjoy the major firework shows and a crystal clear picture. Best of all there are no nagging mosquitoes to worry about, no waiting, and no running around trying to find the perfect spot. Satellite TV can get you the clarity you deserve, and ensure that you have access to several different shows. You'll get all of the excitement with none of the fuss. Simply turn on your TV, and you'll have a front row seat to a spectacular show.

As a way of joining in the celebrations, most satellite TV companies will offer special packages with blow out prices. One month of satellite television could cost a fraction of the amount you would spend putting on your own 4th of July fireworks show. When the fireworks on one channel are gone, all you have to do is switch to another and let the celebration continue.

Of course, this isn't the only benefit to getting satellite television. You'll have access to hundreds of channels that you can continue to enjoy even after the smoke has cleared and the holiday is gone. A wealth of channels isn't the only perk that satellite television has to offer. It also offers several different packages to its customers and in many cases is highly customizable. This makes it easy to find the most cost effective package that is perfectly suited to fit your lifestyle. If you're a sports fan, or have one in your household, you can pick a package that includes a myriad of sports channels and not only gives you a front row seat, but also lets you see every play like never before. Movie buffs can select a package that gives them access to a large number of movie channels, along with on demand.

Music lovers can set themselves up with a package that not only gives them access to a number of music channels and genres, but also gives them a backstage pass, so to speak, and lets them go behind the scenes with the band. Children will love the kids' channels for the cartoons and entertaining shows, while parents will love them for the educational shows that play. There's also the fact that your kids will have something to keep them occupied on the weekends, holidays, and school breaks.

All of the equipment and channel packages can be ordered without ever having to leave your home. All you have to do is browse around on the Internet to find the package that best suits your needs. Once you've decided, you can place an order for the necessary equipment online.

You could stay with your regular cable and continue to pay more for fewer channels and limited service, or you could bring in the holidays with a bang, and enjoy the service that only satellite television can offer.

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