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Satellite TV packages are a collection of television channels that you purchase for a flat monthly fee from a direct broadcast satellite provider. The two main providers in the United States, Dish Network and Direct TV, provide a variety of package to meet the needs of varied households.

Both offer several different packages. The simplest is the “family package”, which provides local programming, plus a limited number of cable network channels. The selection is focused on wholesome, family-friendly programming. These packages don’t offer a great number of sports or lifestyle channels, but do have enough variety of programming to satisfy the average family’s basic television needs.

Next are the tier packages, with increasing numbers of channels for an increasing flat monthly price: Dish Network offers packages with 60, 120, and 180 channels, plus an “Everything Pak”, while DirecTV’s packages have 155, 185 and 250, plus a “Titanium” everything-included package. On top of that, both allow you to add your choice of premium movie channels: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz.

Packages aimed at family viewing are the least expensive, while premium “everything-included” satellite television packages promise and deliver platinum service with something for everyone. HDTV, satellite radio, video-on-demand, and pay-per-view are just a few of the extra goodies available.

Both services include dozens of satellite radio channels, in addition to the video channels: Dish Network provides programming from Sirius Satellite Radio, while DirecTV provides XM Satellite Radio.

In addition to the standard satellite TV and radio channels that the consumer gets with their monthly subscription, both providers offer certain movies as video-on-demand (VOD) selections. This means you don’t have to wait until the movie you want to watch is ready to start- frustrating even when the movie is being played multiple times a day on a premium network- you just go to your VOD channel, select the movie you want and press “play” when you’re ready to begin.

Dish Network and DirecTV also provide pay-per-view channels that allow you to spend a few extra dollars to view first-run movies, or special events like major boxing matches or broadcast rock concerts.

Dish Network’s packages are a less expensive, but contain fewer standard channels, although they have a greater selection of high definition channels. It remains to be seen whether DirecTV’s customers will continue to consider the wide selection of channels and the noted customer service to be worth the higher price.

Troy Degarnham is the author and webmaster of http://www.directv-direct-tv.info, an informative website about Direct TV. Extensive help and comparisons on receivers, DVR, Channels, Internet, Packages, and HDTV.

A computer is one heck of a tool for working on. It can launch ships. Run incredibly complicated calculations and it can even help organize almost endless amounts of data. But, where a computer at home really shines is in the fact it’s one heck of an entertainment device. Now, as the power of the computer is tapped into more readily, the PC TV is stepping forward to offer new entertainment solutions.

The PC TV offers some advantages over regular television that were previously only imagined. These advantages include such things as:

* On-demand capabilities. A Personal computer TV that’s hooked into a good service for finding and playing different shows can give users almost unlimited abilities to watch shows when they want and how they want. Rather than having to wait for a set time, a PC TV can locate a program on different stations and play it when users are ready to view. Depending on the services chosen, the video ability can be downloaded, streaming or both.

* Selection. Most personal computer television programs on the computer give their users a level of selection that covers more channels than most people even knew existed. Depending on the service that’s used to create a PC TV set up, stations can be piped directly onto a computer from anywhere in the world or shows can be chosen for download.

* Pricing. The actual fees involved in computer TV service are a lot less than most people would think. Depending on the program in question, a set up that’s reliable can cost as little as a one-time fee. Other services might charge by the month or year, but overall the selection versus the price of regular cable pretty much defies comparison.

* Reliability. As computer TV set ups become more widely accepted and embraced by television companies, Internet providers and computer users themselves, the reliability and quality is getting better and better.

As PC Television services moves forward in complexity, the set ups behind these systems are becoming better. More companies are starting to introduce services that enable a wireless link between regular computers and larger screen televisions. This means fans can download or stream their favorite shows on their computer, send them to wireless boxes and watch the actual shows on their television sets.

Technological advances in computer television seem to be growing in leaps and bounds every day. The biggest upcoming trend involves the ability to use a PC Television setup and pipe signals to any portable device that’s hooked into a homeowner’s network. This means a show can be sent from a PC to a portable device or any television in a home at the flick of a switch or darn near close to it.

Computer TV wasn’t much to look at a few years ago, but as online viewing gains in popularity and demand, the programming options for viewers are becoming incredible. Viewers who choose to go this route can watch what they want, when they want it almost without exception thanks to today’s technology.

Explore today’s best options for PC TV technology

http://www.tvshowdirect.com

Virgin Media (VM) has taken Sky to court in the latest step in the ongoing public row between the two companies.

Sky and Virgin Media fell out at the beginning of March over the price to be charged for the carriage of the Sky Basic Channels by the cable TV provider. The two sides failed to reach an agreement before the previous contract expired and as a result VM customers lost the Sky Basic Channels, including Sky One, Sky News and Sky Sports News.

The very public fall-out and subsequent channel loss led to customers of Virgin Media both criticising and supporting their own digital TV provider. Some of those who ended up disappointed at losing such channels immediately cancelled their contracts and switched to Sky, whilst others who showed their loyalty to VM were rewarded with discounted contracts and extra services.

However, despite no agreement being reached between the two companies, Virgin Media threatened to take Sky to the High Court to resolve the row and now has done so claiming Sky was abusing its dominant market position. Sky has denied doing so and has said that the action was “without foundation” and called on Virgin to resume negotiations. VM claims that Sky tried to double its prices for the Basic Sky Channels. However, Sky says the increase would have cost VM just 3 pence per customer per day.

It is not just the price of the Sky Channels which is being challenged. Virgin Media is also challenging the rates imposed by Sky for carrying Virgin’s TV channels. It is believed that Sky recently renegotiated the price it would pay for carrying channels such as LivingTV, Challenge and Bravo, before it announced that the price for its own channels to VM would be rising. Virgin Media is hoping that it will be able to get the Sky Channels at a lower price than is being asked for and at the same time increase the price it charges Sky for its own channels to bring them more in line with current market trends.

Virgin Media brought the action under the UK Competition Act 1998 and Article 82 of the EC Treaty.

“Sky, which accounts for almost 70% of the country’s pay TV subscribers, is dominant in the UK Pay TV market and has engaged in a strategy to stifle competition by using its dominance against Virgin Media,” the company said in a statement.

Sky denied the claims and its chief operating officer Mike Darcey said that they had invited VM to return to the negotiating table and that the services Sky was offering for the higher fee would have meant a “bigger and better choice” for customers. Sky say that along with the Sky Basic Channels they had offered to include Sky Three and Sky Arts along with On Demand and High Definition services to VM customers for the increased fee.

“Virgin Media is saving money as a result of this dispute but it hasn’t reduced prices. Millions of customers have lost access to the shows they enjoy and it is clear that many resent paying full prices for fewer channels,” Mr Darcy added.

The case is ongoing.

Guide to TV discusses television options for residential customers, primarily for the UK market. Find out more about getting the best option for your home at http://www.guide-to-tv.com

On the surface, the two big satellite television companies, DirecTV and Dish Network look a lot alike. And in many ways they really are similar. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t great reasons for choosing one company over the other.

The biggest factor overall will probably be the package selections. When it comes right down to it, you want to receive the channels you want to watch, and if one company offers them and the other doesn’t that’s the way you should go.

This can be challenging, however. Sometimes each company will have slightly different channels, and what you would want most is a mixture of the two. In that case you will have to decide based on other factors.

For example, if you love sports, can’t get enough, Dish Network has some great sports packages. But DirecTV offers more basic packages, which gives you greater flexibility on the basics you may want.

Equipment and equipment cost can be a big factor too. It’s not that hard to find offers where you get at least some of your satellite television equipment free. But as a general rule, Dish Network offers more free equipment than DirecTV.

One factor that can be hard to figure out without actually checking with the companies is what exactly is offered in your area. Most areas have local channels available, although you may have to pay an additional fee for these. Available sports channels also vary by location.

Both companies of course offer a variety of addons, such as movie channels, the aforementioned sports channels, and HDTV. If these are the packages you want, their exact composition could be the deciding factor for you.

At the time you are searching, it never hurts to check for ongoing offers. This is especially nice when you come to the conclusion that it doesn’t much matter to you which you get, such as when the offers for your needs are much the same. But don’t make a decision you will regret just to save a little at the start. You want to be happy with your decision.

The differences between these two companies are slight in many ways, but they can be important when it comes down to your overall satisfaction with your satellite television service. Don’t compromise on your overall satisfaction just to save a few dollars; pick the company that closest meets your needs. There are few frustrations like that of not being able to watch something you love because you don’t get the right channel.

Stephanie Foster runs http://www.comparesatellite.info/ to allow people to take a good look at which satellite television is right for them. Visit http://www.comparesatellite.info/compare-satellite.php to compare satellite television services.

You see all the comparisons on TV or online. Cable’s better. Satellite’s better. Which is it?

Some of that depends on what you need. Are you after the best channel selection, the best reception, the best combination of the two? Do you want high speed internet? How fast? Do you want to combine all your services into a single package or is getting bills from multiple companies just fine.

Which one works best for you depends on where you live too. Different areas will get different cable packages. Many channels will be available nationwide, of course, just as your local channels will generally only be available locally. These days you should easily be able to get your local channels on both cable and satellite, so this is rarely a consideration.

Your need for digital reception and/or HDTV also matters. If you want these features, take a look at what you can get with the companies you are considering.

The number of televisions you want to watch shows on makes a difference too. This often increases with satellite television, but may not with cable. However, if you get digital or HDTV service you may need more receivers even with cable.

Your local cable company may or may not offer high speed internet access. However, if it is offered it is likely to be faster than satellite broadband service.

You can even get your telephone service combined into what you order. Combining your services can save you quite a bit of money, so it can be very worthwhile.

Satellite TV can on occasion have reception problems If your satellite dish is set up correctly this problem should be minimal, even in poor weather.

Don’t assume that because you’re renting you can’t have a satellite dish installed. Also don’t assume that your homeowner’s association when you own a home can tell you no satellite dishes. In either case, they are not allowed to tell you that you can’t have a satellite dish. In the particular case of renting, the one requirement is that you have an appropriate, exclusive use area, such as a deck or patio, on which the dish can be installed.

I can’t tell you for certain which is the best solution for you. The best thing you can do is compare the companies and consider your particular needs. The solution will depend on your own preferences. Take the time to do your research, particularly in the matter of how much it will really cost you.

Stephanie Foster runs http://www.comparesatellite.info/ and keeps an eye on the differences between the two kinds of service. You can compare them yourself at http://www.comparesatellite.info/satellite-cable.php