How Satellite TV Works

Is Satellite TV Right for You?

Can I watch different channels on different TV's with satellite? Yes. That's the short answer. There are drawbacks, and this is where cable outstrips satellite hands down. With cable, you can have one receiver and hook up as many TVs as you want, and each TV can be tuned to a different channel. In the early days of satellite it used to be that every TV in the house got the same channel as the main TV did. With today's dual tuner receivers, that is no longer the case. But here's the catch: on dual tuner receivers each TV can be on its own channel, but dual tuner receivers can only handle two TVs at a time. If you want to set up more TVs, you'll need more dual receivers, one for every two TVs.

What kind of programming can I get? Providers such as DirecTV and Dish Network get content from the same turnaround channels as your local cable provider, so they can offer pretty much the same programming as cable TV does. Like cable, packages vary. It all depends on what you like and what you can afford. Stride for stride, satellite is typically cheaper than cable.

What kind of offers are there? Like anything else, it all depends on where you look. Most satellite providers offer some sort of free installation and multi-room hookups. You just need to shop around.

It's Your Decision

Whether you choose cable or satellite is ultimately your decision. They both have their pros and cons. But now that you have an understanding of how satellite TV works, you can make that decision based on real information, rather than hype.

Glenn Haertlein is teacher and freelance writer. To see his websites visit:

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