Tuesday, December 1, 2009




What DirecTV Packages Are All About

If you are currently a cable TV customer, maybe you have been tempted to switch over to a satellite TV provider like DirecTV. Maybe you have hesitated though, thinking that satellite service is unreliable, or that the packages available don't stack up with your cable bundle. What exactly can you expect from DirecTV packages?

You might be surprised to find out that DirecTV generally offers more programming when comparing packages with cable. A base package like the Choice package will give you 150 plus channels right off the bat. This package is comparably prices with a basic cable package that you might buy from Time Warner or Comcast. You will find over 100 video channels, and around 50 audio channels here and the regular price is around $55 per month.

Now if you have an everything-is-included package with your cable company, you know how expensive that can be. Generally, regular pricing on these packages with you cable company usually run about $150 per month. DirecTV offers a bundle called the Premier package which has basically everything for around $110 a month. You do have to pay $10 extra for HD, but you are still looking at about a $30 savings over cable TV.

One thing to remember if you are a sports fan, you won't find more premium sports programming than on DirecTV. That being said, packages like the NFL Ticket don't come cheap. Current pricing on this package is nearing $300 per season, plus another $100 for the Red Zone channel. Other offers like the NBA League pass and the NHL Center Ice package run about $200 per season.

Whatever your programming requirements are, evaluating satellite TV bundles is a smart thing to do in today's economy, especially when cable TV prices keep on increasing.


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The Different Choices of Motorizing a Satellite Dish

Satellite systems for many of us have become a way to watch analogue, digital and High Definition TV. You most likely have a small dish because that's all that's needed to catch channels from the provider in your country. The reason for this is the footprint is centered at its targeted location. The thing is that if you tried turning the dish you might be able to scan in channels from different satellite positions. The sky is full of satellites and free channels that most of the time don't require huge dishes. The most popular satellites in Europe are Astra 19E and Hotbird 13E which sends out many FTA channels in different languages, like Italian, Spanish and Arabic.

There are different motor types, like DiSEqC, 36v Horizon to Horizon and actuators. DiSEqC motors are the most common and these work perfect for dishes up to 100 cm. With this kind of motor it uses your satellite receivers power that runs 12v/17v. Receivers have limited power available for the motor as it combines it with the LNB (Low Noise Block). This means they are slow and not as powerful as 36v H to H motors. Still its a convenient upgrade because it uses the existing coax cable that already goes to the LNB. 36v actuators and H to H motors can handle higher wind loads and move larger dishes and these use their own dedicated source of power via a receivers built-in 36v positioner. Most newer receivers don't have this positioner built-in but don't worry, in this situation you could use a thing called a V-Box. The advantage of the V-Box is satellite positions are programmed inside it, rather than inside the receivers software. So all the motors are designed to do the same thing, to track the geostationary satellite arc within 180 degrees radius. It is not possible to see beyond this range as all the remaining satellites are under the horizon, like from your location no visible. Its a good idea to figure out where to place a dish so trees and buildings are not obstructing view to the satellites you want to watch.

If you have everything aligned correctly the dish will rotate to the satellites location as you hop channel. As you can imagine, this will open up for a much broader choice of TV viewing. Visit Lyngsat to find out which dish diameter you need in your location for any selected satellite. The larger size dish you have, the more channels you would be able to receive. There is also the option of subscribing to packages from other satellites and providers. You will find out many channels have English audio tracks. There are a variety to choose from such as Documentary, Nature and Movie channels. For example if you are located in Finland you don't have to choose Viasat or Canal Digital.

On satellites there exists multiple bands that each operate in different frequencies. C-Band is low frequency and generally requires large dishes. Ku-Band which is the most used and operates in higher frequencies. Both of these bands have Left and Right (Circular), Vertical and Horizontal (Linear) polarization. LNB's are either Circular or Linear. Its possible to combine both of these LNB's on a dish if you install them next to each other. If you choose to do this you should use a 2/1 DiSEqC switch. To sum it all up: There are endless combination's of dishes, motors and receivers but don't give up its not as complicated as you may think. The sky contains loads of satellites and channels that anyone can catch with the equipment that's available on the market.


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Is a Dish Network Package Right For You?

You have probably become a bit comfortable with your local cable TV company over the years. Sure the costs keep increasing and the channel selection isn't always what you want. On the other hand, they are always there for you, ready to connect your service at your home or apartment.

It could be time though to consider satellite TV. While the installation is a little more involved because of the satellite dish, the programming choices and costs can't be beat. So is a Dish Network package right for you?

One thing to consider right off the bat is that when you are starting up with Dish Network or Direct TV, they expect you to commit to a two year service agreement. With the agreement, free installation is included in up to four rooms, and a discount is also given. If you do not think you can agree to a two year contract, then satellite television might not be right for you at this time.

If a contract is workable in your situation, you can then move on and compare the various packages with your current cable TV provider. If you have basic cable, compare the Turbo HD packages or the Classic Bronze bundle with your current channel lineup. If you have digital cable, remember that all of the programming available through satellite TV is also in 100% digital audio and video quality. This means you won't be sacrificing quality for price if you end of trying out satellite TV.

A final option if you have an all inclusive cable package is to compare it with the like package from Dish Network. At around $100 a month, it contains dozens of movie channels and is competitively priced with similar packages available through your cable provider.

Switching pay television providers can be a difficult decision, but by doing a few hours of research ahead of time, you might be able to save some money and get better programming for your family.


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FAQ's on Direct TV Packages

So you have just moved into your first home after apartment living for several years. A whole new world has opened up to you as far as your entertainment choices. While in the past, you were stuck with the local cable TV company, now you can go with satellite TV, either Dish Network or Direct TV. So what can you expect if you decide to go with a new Direct TV package. Lets consider a few of the frequently asked questions when it comes to this subject.

Is it expensive to set up satellite service and get a Direct TV package?

Not at all. Standard installation is free, only if you have some special circumstances or labor intensive requirements at your home will any charges apply. Generally, an HD DVR is included as well as standard receivers. Only if you want additional DVR devices will you have to pay up front for service.

What can I expect as far as monthly charges?

Direct TV packages start as low as $30 per month, but that only provides a limited channel lineup. Bundles which include 150+ channels begin in the $40 a month area for the first year. After the promotional price period, these bundles run about $60 per month before taxes and fees.

How about the NFL Sunday Ticket package? Can I get a low price on that?

It depends on the time of year you call, and on what promotional offers are being offered. Generally, in the months right before the start of the NFL season there are great Direct TV deals offered in conjunction with the Sunday Ticket package. If you are considering satellite service, the best time to call for this kind of deal is in the months right around the start of football season.

Can I change packages once I have started service?

Yes. If you want to move into a new bundle, you can do so by simply calling Direct TV or by using their interactive website. Generally, the only requirement for new customers is that you maintain service for two years after your installation date.

With a Direct TV package, you will enjoy great programming at a competitive price when compared to cable television.


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Check Out the Types of Online Conferencing Services

Online conferencing has evolved to be a useful tool to meet both personal and business needs these days. There are many service providers who specialize in offering their clients with a range of online conferencing services. Whatever may be your requirement, you will be offered the right tool to meet your specific purpose.

In this age, when we find email and text messaging to be the most popular trends to be in contact with different people yet we do not find any exception to the spoken word for communicating our thoughts. This is where comes the importance of online conferencing services of any kind. The technology on offer enables many people from all over the world to communicate in the real time.

For businesses based in different parts of the world, online conferencing services mean to conduct business discussions and meetings with colleagues and clients. One of the major advantages that you get through conferencing is that you will be able to save a lot of money that you might have allocated for traveling from one place to another.

Before you decide upon investing an amount of money on any vendor offering online conference services, you should take a look at the variety of conferencing facilities available in the market. Keep in mind that when you look for some essential services the knowledge on the current varieties will be of great help to you to serve your purpose whether commercial or personal.

Unless you get to know what are those conferencing services that are put on offer you will never be able to make the right choice for yourself. In this respect, let us now take a look at some conference services present in the market. These include:

Web or online conferencing:
Web conferencing is one type of conferencing service that help business people to conduct training, live meetings or any kind of presentation through the internet. In online conference, every participant gets connected with one another via internet. It can be any downloaded application or may be any web based application wherein attendees will be able to access just by clicking on to the distributed link sent through an email.

Video conference:
Also known as video teleconference, video conferencing refers to a set of an interactive telecommunication technologies. It allows people from different locations to communicate via the 2-way video and the audio transmissions. It is one service that utilizes internet as an essential medium for the data transmission.

Phone conference:
Phone conference also forms to be an essential package of the conferencing facilities. For all those call users who require occasional phone conference calling facility, you are offered with an ideal program that makes you pay for what you use. It is one as the most convenient means to communicate between business partners to meet up without spending any money and time. There are 2 main primary pay as you go phone conferencing call services - the non toll free and free toll conference call services.

These are some of the most common online conferencing services available in the market. Select the ones that serve your purpose better and get your job done smoothly.


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What is RG-58?

RG58 is a co-axial cable, which is utilized for wiring functions. In general, a co-axial cable are made up of an inner conductor, which is bounded by a spacer. The co-axial cable is electrically charged and at times made up of different not insulated conductors, which remain intertwined with each another. A sheath that is cylindrical in shape further surrounds the insulating spacer of the cable. The insulating jacket forms the final circle and the insulation that surrounds the RG58 holds a low impedance of about 50 to 52 ohms. It is usually utilized for producing signal connections, which are of low-power.

The RG 58 cable is most utilized for the "Thin" Ethernet if the highest length needed is about 185m. The RG-58 cable frequently works as a generic carrier and holder of power signals. These power signals are produced in physical lab. The cable is sometimes collectively utilized with BNC connectors, which are usually located in oscilloscopes. In fact, BNC connector is the most common connectors for the RG58. They are utilized for terminating the co-axial cable in the RG58. This connector offers signals for conducting video signals, for electronics utilized for aviation, and for connection of radio antenna. When the RG58 cable joins with BNC connector, it could produce compound video played in commercial video equipments. Interconnections among the BNC connector and cable RG58 could head to ground loops if these are connected with lots of co-axial cables. The combinations may generate an unwanted steam of current in the conductor that attaches two points at the same potential. This interconnection is now capable of pulling 50 to 60 Hz fields from the main ACs.

The cable RG58 is designed to work with most two-way radio systems. This communication system is not the same from the usual broadcast receiver since the latter could receive data from a single end only. If the two-way radio system is running, which can be produced by the RG-58 cable, content moves in both directions. The radio could transmit and receive data at once. It is called a transceiver as well. The transmitter is triggered through a push-to-talk switch. These radio systems act with RG-58 cable of 50-ohm. Such examples of radio systems are police transmitters, marine SSB, WLAN antennas, marine VHF, and fire.

The RG-58 could as well be utilized for higher frequency rates. However, the range remains moderate. The co-axial cable which is utilized for producing the power signals is commonly a quarter inch in diameter.

Ethernet wiring for RG58 is at times called as "cheapernet", because it draws connections which are low-power signal. There are lots of well-known producers that have stand out in the field of producing high-quality wiring RG58. The RG58 cables are utilized for both industrial and domestic purposes. They are exceedingly advanced in tele-communications that is primarily produced by BNC connector and the co-axial cable.


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The Reverse Phone Lookup - A Parents Friend

Not so long ago the ability to trace someone by their phone number was only available for law inforcement and for private detectives. Even for these people the options were slow and took a great deal of time either from themselves or from friends that they could get to do it for them. Lucky for all of us that is not the case any longer, the reverse lookup by phone number is as easy to use now as getting your email or maybe even easier than that.

At one time the only people that could access the reverse phone directories were the phone companies themselves, so for someone to actually check if a phone number belonged to who they say it did was to call and beg, which did not normally work or hire a private detective which for most parents is neither affordable nor necessary.

Of course that does not mean that you do not wonder if you 15 year old daughter are really talking quietly in her room with her best friend like she said or some new boyfriend. That says nothing about the many ways children meet new people on the internet. With the many online games meant for children and the one on one contact that our children have with some of these people playing these games, all parents must question who they are really talking.

That is where the reverse phone number searches come in. It is so easy to go online to one of many online search places and enter the phone number that you have on your caller id or your cell phone bill. With these reverse phone records you can find out the number your son thinks belongs to a 13 year old boy he plays dragon fable with or a 40 year old man with much worse things in mind. This is not to say that we do not trust our children, however if you were to find out this was the case it would open a new line of conversation concerning safety.

As for the teen age daughter, I trust mine 100 percent and believe that she does tell me the truth; however as a parent I like to double check not only what she is telling me, but what she is being told. Most would say doing a reverse telephone number search is a bit much, and true I have never found any HUGE lie, but I sleep a lot more sound at night knowing that my daughter has actually called to say goodnight from her friend's house and that I could get all the information I need to contact her if there was an emergency while she was with her friend.

This brings up another thing that the reverse unlisted phone lookup is great for, if you are getting prank calls, who is to say that it is just a joke or something more serious. It can be a friend wanting to talk to one of your children without talking to you first, so they hang up when you answer and not when the kids answer. This can be for way to many reasons, however even if the number is unlisted or private you can still trace it. Being carefully is always a good idea and using all the tools we can just makes it easier.


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