Satellite TV Equipment: What You Need To Know

Satellite TV equipment is necessary to subscribe to satellite TV, but where do you get it?  Should you lease or buy?  What components will you absolutely need to get service and what components will make your satellite experience more enjoyable?

The basic pieces of equipment for satellite television are the satellite dish, receiver, mounting bracket and arm, and enough cable to get from the dish to the house.  A dual LBN satellite dish allows you to receive different channels in different rooms.  So, if you are expecting to have satellite service in two or more rooms and you would like to view different programming in each room, you will definitely need a dual LBN dish.  A 4x4 multi-switch is used if you need even more receivers for 3 or more rooms.

Now that you have decided that you wish to receive satellite programming, should you purchase your equipment or lease it?  The obvious benefit of leasing your equipment is that if it breaks someone else has to replace it, but this can also serve as a liability as well.   Because the equipment is not yours, you are on someone else's timetable for replacement and you could be without service for several days. Another benefit of leasing the satellite equipment is that in the event you move, the satellite service can be established at your new residence upon your arrival much like the phone, electric, and water services are. 

If you own your equipment, it will have to be installed at your new residence after you arrive.   A benefit of owning your own equipment is that you do not have to go with the basic lease equipment.  You can choose to upgrade your equipment to whatever level you are comfortable with.  It is also possible to take your satellite equipment with you if your family goes camping, but you will need to readjust the dish to the satellite coordinates when reinstalled at the house.

Satellite TV equipment is available from your satellite program providers for lease.  They maintain ownership of the equipment.  This means that you can get satellite service without having to make a large initial outlay of cash for the equipment; however, damaging or losing equipment (such as the remote) may require that you pay full retail price for the damaged or lost equipment.  This also means that should you decide to switch service providers that you will need to wait for the new provider to install their satellite equipment. 

Satellite TV equipment can also be purchased outright from a retail store.  Make sure that the equipment you purchase is compatible with all the programming companies you are considering because some satellite companies are only compatible with certain equipment.  Besides being able to choose upgraded equipment, you can also change service providers with little to no programming interruption (if your equipment works with the chosen provider).  There is an initial outlay of cash required; however, of around two hundred dollars. Satellite TV is great no matter how you obtain your satellite TV equipment.