Cable and satellite article: Dish Network Satellite Equipment - What's Free and What's Not?

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In order to compete with DIRECTV and the cable companies, DISH Network is giving away satellite TV systems to people who subscribe to their service. But what equipment do you get for free, and what equipment do you have to pay for?

Free DISH Network Satellite Equipment

Here's the equipment you get for free when you subscribe to DISH Network:

Satellite TV Dish

A satellite TV dish captures the signal from a satellite orbiting above the earth. The signal is sent to an LNB (low noise block) converter which amplifies the signal and sends it to a receiver.

Satellite TV Receiver

A satellite TV receiver processes the satellite TV signal and sends it to a television. DISH Network will give you free satellite TV receivers that will allow you to watch four different shows on four different televisions. These receivers feature an electronic program guide, parental locks, and DISH Home Interactive TV.

DISH Network is currently running a promotion that lets you upgrade to a DVR (digital video recorder) receiver or and HD (high definition) receiver for free.

The DVR receiver allows you to digitally record up to 100 hours of satellite TV programming, and pause live TV so you can get a snack or answer the phone. The HD receiver allows you to watch satellite TV in high definition format.

All receivers come with universal remote controls that allow you to operate your satellite TV receiver plus your TV, DVD player, and VCR.

Pay-For DISH Network Satellite TV Equipment

For an additional $199 you can purchase a DVR/HD combination receiver. This receiver can deliver standard definition and high-definition broadcasts, and features a 250 gigabyte hard drive that can digitally record up to 180 hours of programming.

DISH Network Satellite TV Programming

DISH Network currently has 350 channels of satellite TV programming which include movie channels, sports packages, Sirius satellite radio channels, news and weather channels, game channels, pay-per-view movies, and pay-per-view special events.

They offer five satellite TV packages: The 40-channel Dish Family package is $19.99 per month, the 75-channel America's Top 60 package is $29.99 per month, the 230-channel America's Top 120 package is *$29.99 per month, the 318-channel America's Top 180 package is $74.99 per month, and the 350-channel America's "Everything" package is $74.99 per month.

* Note: DISH Network's America's Top 120 package is $29.99 for the first ten months, then $39.99 thereafter. Add $5 per month to receive local channels.

Visit http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com for information on DISH Network satellite TV systems and service plus ordering information and the latest special offers. Click on the following link to compare DIRECTV vs. DISH Network