• Introduction
• History of Satellite Technology
• Reasons for Choosing DBS
• Things to Consider
• How to Get Started in DBS
• DBS Manufacturers and Satellite TV Service Provider Overview

Introduction:
Since the beginning of the DIRECTV satellite system in 1994, sales of these small dish systems has exploded, making this the most successful introduction of new technology ever.

With the launch of a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system from EchoStar, and the continuing success of the DIRECTV system, as well as the cable-owned Primestar system (now bought out by DIRECTV), the choices can look bewildering.

You need to look at the different programming available on the various systems, the size of the dish (the Primestar dish is larger), the direction to the satellites from your area (for clear aiming purposes), the cost of equipment and programming, program obligations, rebates and incentives, and perhaps some other factors you may find as you look through these pages.

These pages attempt to define and compare all the new small dish systems and provide enough information to make an intelligent choice as to which of these DBS systems is for you. We list available equipment and accessories and make them available at low mail order prices.

DBS technology is advancing rapidly, and you should see regular changes and additions to this web site as they become available.

History of Satellite Television:
Satellites are used for voice, data, and TV communications world-wide. Signals are beamed from the "uplink" sites to the satellites which then beam the signal back down over a target area or "footprint" such as the US, Canada, or other parts of the world. Programming can be received only within the footprint, or a little outside the footprint sometimes with a larger dish.

Most network and cable programs are transmitted on a series of C-band satellites and some Ku-band satellites. These two types of satellites use different frequencies much like VHF and UHF broadcast TV use different frequencies.

Communications satellites were originally designed for commercial purposes for sending telephone, radio, TV, and other signals across the country and around the world for re-transmission to businesses and homes by local telephone companies, TV stations, or cable companies. Enterprising individuals soon learned to build satellite dish receivers to pick up these signals at their own home, and begin making and selling these systems to homeowners around the country, thus beginning the era of home satellite TV. During the 1980's and early 1990's, several million of these C-band systems were sold with dishes generally around the 10' diameter size. One of the early pioneers in the C-band business was Charlie Ergan who founded Echosphere Corporation.

As home satellite systems became more popular, programmers such as HBO and others realized that they could not continue to give away their programs free to millions of home dish owners. A scrambling system was then developed so their signals were no longer broadcast "in the clear" for everyone with a dish to pick up without any payment to the program developers. The descramblers were addressable, so that the programmer could turn channels on and off by a code sent over the satellite signal, depending on what was paid for by the owner.

A few channels were broadcast on the higher frequency Ku-band satellites, and some hybrid C/Ku-band systems were sold, but Ku reception never became very popular due to the difficulties in receiving the Ku channels and to the lack of sufficient programming on these satellites.

In the early 1990's four large cable companies launched a Direct Broadcast Satellite, or DBS system called Primestar using an existing medium power Ku-band satellite and a 36" dish. In 1994, the GM Hughes DIRECTV system was launched using a newly designed high power Ku-band satellite and an 18" dish. These systems provided great pictures and stereo sound on 150-200 video and audio channels, and the small dish era began in a serious way.

Two years later, the EchoStar Dish Network system was launched. A forth DBS system, Alphastar, attempted to get started but eventually went out of business.

Reasons for Choosing DBS:

• Can not get cable service
  If cable is not available and your off-air local reception is poor, or you want to get some of the cable type channels like CNN, ESPN, A&E, etc., DBS is the answer.
• Hate the cable company
  Many cable subscribers are reasonably well satisfied with their service, but many are unhappy with poor reception, frequent outages, limited channel selection, and high monthly fees for premium channels. DBS is now an excellent alternative.
• Got to have those SPORTS !
  Most cable systems just don't have the channel capacity to compete with the huge selection of sports on DSS right now, and those scheduled to be on other DBS systems in the near future.
• Looking for Specialty Channels
  The Dish Network system is carrying many foreign language, religious, and other "niche" channels that are not available from cable providers.
• Pay-per-View and Music Channels
  There is a great selection of movies, sports, and concerts on DSS, and coming to other DBS systems. All DBS systems have many channels of stereo music that can be plugged into a home music system.
• Quality of Picture and Sound
  All DBS systems have excellent picture and sound via digital transmissions versus the "snow" or "shadows" frequently experienced with cable or antenna reception.
• Technological Leadership
  DBS is on the cutting edge of Home Theater technology. Some Pay-per-View movies are already being broadcast in wide screen format, Dolby digital sound output is availabe on some satellite receivers, and you can be sure that satellite will be the first to bring High Definition TV to the home.

Things to Consider:

Local Channels: Satellite systems are nation-wide, and cannot provide all of the local stations in everyone's particular city and town. A selection of network stations are provided so that all of the national network programs are available, but you may need an alternative source of local channels. This can be a roof or attic antenna, or a minimum channel cable service package. Recent litigation by broadcasters is severely limiting availability of network channels on DIRECTV. Dish Network is trying to get around this problem by re-broadcasting network channels from many of the larger cities in the US.

Multiple Channels: If your household needs more than one satellite channel at the same time, you will need more than one receiver in your system. Often a satisfactory solution is to use a single DBS receiver for satellite channels, and a regular antenna for local channels, both wired to all of your TV sets. You can then independently select any of the local channels, or a satellite channel selected on the DBS receiver. Two receiver systems are also becoming popular, allowing two separate satellite channels to be watched at the same time. This requires a "dual" system with a dual LNB (the part on the arm in front of the dish). A dual LNB has two coaxial connections and an RG6 coaxial cable must be run directly from the dish to each receiver. Using more than two receivers requires a multi-switch which electronically splits the two LNB outputs among the receivers as required for reception of all channels at each receiver.

How to Get Started in DBS:

• Can I get the Programming I want ?
  Under our Programming section, you will find side by side comparisons of channels available for each of the DBS systems. Additional program information can be obtained at directv.com and dishnetwork.com.
• What equipment is available and how much does it cost ?
  Under our Equipment/Prices section, there are lists of several manufacturers' product lines with reference (list or general selling) prices, and if the products are available from us our price is listed.
• How much does installation cost and can I do it myself ?
  This is all discussed in our Installation section. Please note that you must have a "clear shot" at the satellite with no trees or other obstructions in the way. Wishful thinking will not help here. You must do an accurate site survey and you will probably need a new dedicated coaxial cable line from the dish to the receiver in addition to other wiring.
• How can I buy a DBS system ?
  Various DBS systems and equipment are available from stores, satellite dealers, and from us. Our Order page provides a convenient way to order on-line from our selection of DBS systems and supplies.
• What if I have other questions ?
  You can E-MAIL your questions to mrdish@satellitetech.com and we will provide a prompt reply.

DBS Manufacturers and Satellite TV Service Provider Overview

The Digital Satellite System (DSS) was developed by Hughes Electronics Corporation under the DIRECTV name. Hughes has long been a major manufacturer and operator of communications satellites, and established DIRECTV in 1990. The first high power Hughes satellite DBS-1 was launched in 1993 at 101 degrees, and two more have since been launched into the same slot to give DSS a capacity of 200 channels.

DBS orbital frequencies at 101 degrees were owned by DIRECTV and USSB, and in 1991 these two companies formed an agreement to market their combined channels under the DSS name using the Hughes DBS satellites and the DSS equipment. DIRECTV has since bought out USSB and discontinued using DSS as a trade name.

The United States Broadcasting, Inc. (USSB) was established in 1981 as a subsidiary of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., and was one of the original DBS license in the US.

The 18 inch dish and the digital receivers are manufactured under license by several manufacturers and sold under the popular consumer names such as RCA, Sony, Hughes, and others.

EchoStar Communications Corporation began in 1980 in the early days of home satellite reception, when Charlie Ergen opened a retail store to sell home satellite systems to homeowners in the Houston area. Having difficulty finding distributors to handle the components necessary to assemble the systems, Ergan started distributing systems himself, and then designing and manufacturing components to improve the systems. The most popular early device was probably the "Houston Tracker" system that could be programmed to automatically find satellites. EchoStar went on to become one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of satellite systems with sales around the globe.

EchoStar launched it's first high powered direct broadcast satellite, EchoStar I, into orbit at 119 degrees in December of 1995 and began broadcasting Dish Network programming in March of 1996 from it's uplink center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. EchoStar II has since been launched into the same orbit.

Dish Network uses an 18 inch dish, and MPEG02/DVB compliant receivers sold under the brand names of EchoStar and JVC. These receivers are identical except for the case design and labeling.

Primestar was originally launched as an analog service in 1990. Primestar Partners was a broadcast consortium of Tele-Communications, Inc., Comcast, Continental, and GE Americom. The service went digital in 1994, using a GE American medium powered satellite, and converted in 1997 to the new GE-2 satellite with 24 sixty watt transponders, increasing it's channel capacity to approximately 150.

Primestar receivers were manufactured by General Instrument Corporation and it's 27 inch dishes were manufactured by ChannelMaster. Once sold only by authorized independent dealers, Primestar began selling in over 6000 Radio Shack stores in 1996. Primestar was bought out by DIRECTV, and after converting customers to the DIRECTV system, the Primestar signal went dark in October 2000.