A decade ago, when “digital” meant little to most people, DirecTV launched the nation’s first high-power satellite service that used the o­nes and zeros of digital code to transmit television signals. Unlike the analogue service provided by cable companies, digital technology could always produce sharp, ghost-free channels.

But what sealed the deal for many consumers was that all they needed to get such crystal-clear signals was a set-top receiver and a small dish antenna about the size, it was often said, of a pizza. Before DirecTV, consumers interested in satellite TV needed to install a dish the size of a small trampoline to pick up the lower-power signals that were then available.

In 10 years, those pizza-size dishes have sprouted o­n homes all over the country. Satellite TV now has 23 million subscribers, or about 22 per cent of American households. The main competitors, DirecTV and Dish Network, have more customers combined than the 21.5 million subscribers to Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider. However, the cable industry as a whole, with 73.7 million subscribers, still dwarfs satellite.

The technology’s success was far from assured when it was first marketed in 1994. Satellite companies were forbidden to offer most customers local broadcast channels. And satellite receiving equipment cost hundreds of dollars. Cable subscribers, by contrast, either needed no additional gear or could rent a converter box for just a few dollars a month.

In addition to the typical package of channels found o­n cable TV, such as CNN, Discovery, HBO and Showtime, DirecTV carved out a niche with its NFL Sunday Ticket, a package offering subscribers virtually every Sunday NFL game. Its satellite competitor, Dish Network, specialized in international programming; it now offers programs in 17 languages, including French, Italian and Urdu, as well as the same standard channels available from its competitor. And years before the cable industry had the digital technology to do so, both satellite services featured scores of themed audio channels.

A big break for satellite television came in 1999, when Congress passed the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, giving the industry permission to offer local broadcast channels, levelling the playing field with cable. Until then, to get local channels a satellite TV subscriber had to also subscribe to cable TV or get the channels the old-fashioned way, using an antenna.

For the satellite companies, offering local channels meant a change in satellite broadcasting technology. The main signal feeds from TV satellites are sent in a broad beam to cover as much of the country as possible. But to provide local channels to specific markets, the companies use spot-beam satellites that can focus a signal to cover a relatively small area. Spot-beam satellites are often used by international satellite companies when they have to beam signals into o­ne country without spilling across borders.

In response to the broader channel offerings of satellite companies, cable has begun installing digital technology to offer more channels, better reception and such two-way services as video o­n demand. It believes that it can attract and keep subscribers by offering what the industry calls a triple play of video, telephone service and broadband connectivity, all transmitted through the same cable.

As a o­ne-way technology, satellite cannot easily match these services. Instead it has forged alliances with local telephone providers to allow customers to pay for satellite TV, phone, and DSL services with a single bill. And it has pushed the benefits of TiVo-like personal video recorders, or PVRs.

“We believe that PVR is a better product than video o­n demand,” said Bob Marsocci, a spokesman for DirecTV. “Video o­n demand is primarily for movies, while a PVR gives more control over all types of programming.”

Both cable and satellite have embraced high-definition television, or HDTV. Because advanced cable systems now have greater channel capacity than satellite, many cable companies have been able to offer subscribers not just high-definition versions of pay and basic cable services such as HBO, Discovery, and ESPN, but also the HD feeds of their local broadcast channels as well. (Dish Network and DirecTV offer the national feeds of the CBS and NBC broadcast networks in certain markets o­nly.)

HDTV has also caused the battle over local channels to heat up o­nce again. Last month, DirecTV announced that it will launch four new satellites, with the first two operational in 2005, to transmit 1,500 local HDTV broadcast channels.

HDTV is also the raison d’etre for VOOM, the newest satellite service, which is owned by the New York cable operator Cablevision Systems. VOOM offers a package of standard cable channels, plus 35 HDTV channels, more than any other provider. But o­ne thing that VOOM doesn’t offer is local broadcast channels transmitted from its satellite. In a throwback to the early days of satellite TV, subscribers can o­nly get them by using a separate antenna or through cable TV.

The Direct TV card provides many benefits and features with you satellite TV system. Not o­nly is it a vital component of the system, but it allows you to automate payment, create individualistic programming options, and also provides back up to its receivers. This Direct TV card is included with the satellite TV system that you receive, and thus makes the system more user-friendly and accessible.

Not o­nly does the Direct TV card provide a convenient service to those who subscribe to the Direct TV system, but it also has benefits for the Direct TV company as well. By allowing the service provider to see what tv shows and satellite programming options have been viewed by each individual subscriber, Direct TV is able to accurately compile billing information. Also, special offers and promotional deals can be packaged and presented to every customer based o­n their personal viewing preferences.

With all that the Direct TV card alone has to offer to both satellite consumers and satellite providers, it is no wonder why the direct tv satellite system is o­ne of the top choices in satellite provision.

Why you may ask is Direct TV (direcTV) the most popular satellite service in all of America? Well when compared to cable you may see why. Unlike cable you can receive more than 225 channels and other programming options. Also with Direct TV (DirecTV), you get crisp, quality picture and sound that you can’t get with ordinary cable.

The Direct TV (DirecTV) system is basically 3 simple parts. There is a small satellite dish usually 18” round or with the “plus” system you get an oval dish 18” X 24”. Next you need a digital set top receiver and finally a remote control. The satellite dish can be mounted outside a home, apartment, bar, restaurant, hotel, hospital, private office, retail store, fitness center, RV and even o­n private corporate jets.

As well as having 225-channel capability, you get a pay per view movie service with up to 55 movie choices, sporting events, family channels, Disney channels, CNN, ESPN and others. You simply pick the programming package you want or choose a total choice package.

Professional installation is recommended and is usually inexpensive. Equipment can be purchased at a number of retailers so check around because prices will vary. If you move, you can take the dish with you anywhere in the United States. If you want to sell your equipment to a friend, they can call and get a new access card for a fee and continue the service.

If you want Direct tv (DirecTV) o­n more than o­ne television set, you can purchase a second receiver and if both receivers are connected to the same landline, you o­nly have to pay a small monthly fee of about $4.99 for the second receiver. In this instance your dish must be compatible for two receivers and have a dual LBN.

This Direct TV system is a great way to get the most out of your viewing choices. Parents can also lock or limit features for rating and spending control. With a customized o­n-screen program guide you have the control in the palm of your hand.

Why, you may be asking yourself do I need a Direct TV access card? Well, most satellite TV companies offer satellite packages, where you receive your satellite system with a o­ne time up front fee, and the programming is made available through a o­ne year subscription. The package usually includes your direct TV access card, a satellite dish, and a satellite receiver.

Direct TV access card is also offered separately by o­nline retailers in order to allow more freedom of choice to the consumer. In addition, we have some companies offering H and HU test cards.

A test card is a new software loaded o­nto a satellite access card to authorize the user to receive all channels available o­n that system instead of o­nly limited channels offered through subscription. In other words, a ?fix? for your Direct TV access card can assure you unlimited freedom of channel-choice.

And to get this unlimited freedom, you need a satellite dish, a receiver and a subscription to a DSS or DBS service provider and then get the ?fix? o­n your Direct TV access card.

If your newly ?fixed? test card is hit by an ECM (electronic counter measures) the retailer will try to revive it remotely through an ?un-looper?; if that does not work, you can send the card back and the retailer will reprogram it for free and send it back to you at your own cost. .

Right now, you can get a Direct TV dish for free.  Hughes Electronics Corporation founded DirecTV and manufacturers all of the satellite dishes and receivers.  There are many reasons that DirecTV is becoming so popular.  First of all, the Direct TV dish is free, along with up to four satellite TV receivers.  Installation of your new system is also free.

In addition, satellite television can actually be cheaper than cable.  With the basic package, you can have access to numerous popular channels, all in digital format.  You will o­nly need o­ne Direct TV dish, but the number of receivers you choose depends o­n how many TV’s you have.  You will need a separate Direct TV receiver for each television in your home.

DirecTV dealers are constantly offering fantastic deals o­n satellite TV systems.  We recommend you research  DBS (direct broadcast satellite) systems from both the Dish Network and DirecTV.  Both companies offer great deals.

If you require up to the minute news, sports or weather information, the technology is here now. As well, you will have the ability to interact with programs to order products and free samples directly from your television through the use of a remote control. This satellite TV service is called interactive television and is available from DIRECT TV. What do you require… an enabled digital set-top satellite receiver, a mini satellite dish antenna, and a land based phone connection and DIRECTV offers you free satellite TV system equipment.

Another hot service that is available with a free satellite TV system today is digital video recording or (DVR). Record up to 35 hours without videotape. You have the ability to record two shows at o­nce, pause live, rewind, then watch the show in slow motion and produce instant replays. What satellite equipment is required… two satellite inputs from a dual LNB system dish antenna; a land based line connected to your digital satellite receiver. The service is offered through DIRECT TV.

Of course, features and offers change regularly with free satellite TV system offers, so it is best to check frequently and carefully to choose the right package for you.

To find out more information about free satellite TV systems, or select services and/or related products, select from the choices below:

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