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What is the digital satellite system? The digital satellite system is an 18-inch satellite antenna, or "dish", and digital set top receiver/decoder box. the digital satellite system is the fastest selling consumer electronics product ever introduced with more than 3 million dishes being sold since the item was first made available in June 1994. Who is the service available to? The service is available to anyone in the continental United States (and with a larger dish, Alaska). Where does the 18-inch dish need to be located? The dish can be positioned anywhere it can "see" the satellites orbiting the Earth. (The dish requires an unobstructed view of the southern sky.) Where can I purchase a the digital satellite system system and how much does it cost? Most consumer electronics stores sell the digital satellite system from a variety of suppliers. The price of a dish has dropped markedly since it was first introduced and now retails for $200 or less. Programming and installation costs are additional. Can I receive my local channels, and do I still need cable? To receive your local off-air channels, you will need either an off-air antenna or a basic local cable feed. You do not have to keep cable if you only want the major networks, which are available to the digital satellite system subscribers who cannot get local stations via an off-air antenna. Some dishes, such as RCA's new models, come with built-in off-air antennas for more convenient reception. What are the advantages over cable? The major advantages over cable are picture quality, and a greater choice in the number of channels and variety of programming for lower programming fees (although that does depend on the programming package you choose). Since the digital satellite system channels are delivered digitally, picture quality is comparable to laserdisc or DVD. Sound quality, including surround sound, is as good as compact audio disc. Can I install the system myself? That depends on how mechanically inclined you are. If you would be able to install a garage door opener, you would most likely be able to install your the digital satellite system. Professional installation is available. Where do I buy the programming? Two companies offer programming: DIRECTV (1-800-DIRECTV) and USSB (1-800-204-USSB). You can order programming from either or both. What channels are available? Currently there are 220 channels available on the digital satellite system which provide a broad variety of programming, including movies, sports, variety, news, network television shows, and pay-per-view. Is the digital satellite system compatible with my other audio/video components? Yes. The digital satellite system's incredible picture and sound quality are ideal for a home theater. Does the digital satellite system provide surround sound and closed captioning? Yes. The digital satellite system delivers for surround sound and provides closed captioning. In some cases, alternate audio might also be available. Alternate audio is a secondary soundtrack to a program that is typically in Spanish but can also be in other languages or another form of narration. Does the digital satellite system offer Pay-Per-View and Sports packages? Yes. There are more than 60 channels of pay-per-view movies and an unrivaled collection of sports packages. Can I connect more than one TV in my home to the digital satellite system? Yes. But in order to watch different channels on different TVs, you need a second receiver. A receiver can only be tuned to one channel at a time. What is the future of the digital satellite system? Look for interactive services, greater selection of programming and one of the first sources of HDTV in the United States. Back | Next | the digital satellite system Daily News | the digital satellite system Plus | Net TV | Customer Service Subscribe | Press Releases | Contact Us | Hotlinks | Homepage ©1999 CommTek Communications Corporation - All Rights Reserved. Copyright and legal disclaimer DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics.