just bought into the small dish system. of C -band customers to switch to DISH They'll be happy if you just take the and were paid a healthy "bounty" by thing away. They'll be thrilled if you'll DISH Chairman and self-styled satel- pay them $50 or $100. Tens of thou- lite guru, Charlie Ergen, for each new sands of these orphan systems are subscriber they brought in. standing in disuse just waiting to be Even though C -band's dwindling transplanted into your yard. However. numbers suggest an end to that part of unlike the small dish systems these big the satellite TV industry, insiders con- dishes are a little trickier to install. If tinue to insist there's plenty of life left you don't know how or don't want to in the C -band service. Current C -band learn, ask a pro to do it for you for cable satellites have 10 to 15 years life- about $200. Once the system is up and time and cable companies will continue running you can watch all the "in the to receive their programming via C - clear" video for free. To access cable hand, which will continue to use the fare you'll need a VideoCipherll VideoCipherlIRS encryption system (VCII) descrambler module in the re- which has not been hacked. And. fi- ceiver ($50-150 used) and pay only nally, big dish systems offer a real op- for the channels you want to watch. portunity to learn about satellite tech- The most expensive way to get nology and to experiment, particularly into C -band is to buy a new complete with the interesting transmissions hap- system from your local dealer and pening on the satellites bridging the At- have him install it. Expect to pay lantic. $1,500-2,000, depending on the re- ceiver. Total channel package sub- MORE INFORMATION scriptions for C -band can cost $65/ month, but with ala carte pricing you For more on satellite TV reception con- can subscribe to only those channels tact the following: you want and end up paying under Big dish satellite systems: Skyvision 800-500-9275 or $10/month. http://www.skyvision.com If you're only interested in get- Big Dish system with Motorola's 4DTV receives it all. (Photo Rig dish GIG carte programming prices: ting generic cable -TV fare, consider courtesy of WOLMD) http://vmov.Istot.com/alocorte.htm setting up a "G5 System." That's a sta- MPEGII receivers and systems: tionary C -band dish without an actuator motor tical or not allowed, you'll have to choose be- httplAmmv.DVBExpress.com (dish mover), aimed at the Galaxy 5 satellite. tween the DirecTV and DISH systems. But you should be aware that DISH and DirecTV have DirecTV: With an LNBF feedhom (no moving parts) and http://www.ditectv.com, or your local Radio Shack store a good used receiver with VCII module, you'll been engaged in merger talks for the last couple of months and that could have an impact on DISH Network: get about 15 basic cable services for about $15/ inp://www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-3474 month. Is anyone else still paying that little for future subscribers. If DISH is successful, they basic cable? It's a no -frills system for folks who plan to swap out the DirecTV systems for theirs just don't need a lot. (remember they're incompatible) and use There are only a few C -band receiver com- DirecTV's satellites to transmit even more lo- panies still making C -band equipment. Most cal TV stations spot -beamed to their respec- new receivers on the market are New Old Stock tive areas. Of course, with a solid monopoly KEEP YOUR C -BAND SYSTEM on the DBS market, it's not unreasonable to (NOS) and are available at quite a discount from RUNNING STRONG! when they were first made. The only receiver expect sharp increases in their subscription with any future in C -band is Motorola's 4DTV. fees. Free Buyer's Guide When originally introduced some 5 years ago Without the merger it's difficult to say it cost $1,200. They currently sell for as low as what the future is for DirecTV. Even though BEST VALUES ON... $850 with refurbished units going for $200 less. they reported their best quarter yet in the last Reivers, including 4DTV To access the hundred plus channels of quarter of 2001. they are plagued by a piracy MPEGII video and audio available on C -band problem which has them missing out on huge Di oh Movers & LNBs, all kinds but not receivable with a standard analog or numbers of subscribers. Some dealers estimate Tune-up Kits, Tools & Parts 4DTV receiver, all you'll need is to add an that 60% of DirecTV systems in their area are Skypac' Programming using hacked boxes (possession and distribu- MPEGII receiver. Used in a "slave" configura- To I Free Technical Help tion with your analog C -band system these re- tion of which is illegal). The problem is that, if 1010 Frontier Dr. ceivers can pick up dozens of sports channels, you sell a $300 satellite system for $50, bank- Fergus Falls. MN 56537 international broadcasts, and esoteric transmis- ing on the customer becoming a long term sub- scriber but who instead buys a hacked "smart Fax: 211-7394879 sions such as USIA's World Net and their VOA trek 218439-8231 programming. The receivers typically cost card" and watches it all for free, you have to $200-300 and have their own remote control. make up for that loss somehow. 800-543-3025 vvvvw.skyvusion.com11Skyvisioti You'll be required to do a certain amount of DISH Network also has a piracy problem, programming of these receivers in order to tune but it is said not to be as severe as DirecTV. However, not all is rosy in DISH land. DISH in the FTA MPEGII offerings, but it's time and 5 3h solid 0 -panel (/Ku dish, polar mount, add Hg18 and !tan 120 azimuth Network dealers fear that they'll be squeezed money well spent. 5150 5805H (Ku holder 525 extra) out of the equation once the merger takes place. 4 Sft solid E panel Uku dish, patio mount, fixed satellite It was the DISH Network dealers who built 580 550SH(L) INS 23mm holder 525 extra)

+ Bottom Line Considerations scalar ring, 549 $10SH much of the subscriber base DISH now enjoys. ' Digital (-11f3F 20 deg NF For many MT readers there's not going to ' Superiak 13 actuator for 5 31t ,H018, 559 $20SH They were, for the most part, the onginal C - be much choice in which system you install. If Integre 119Itts tithe stb 5899 525SH band dealer network which convinced millions Email supportvosmallear tom or fox 888-7311834 you're in a location where a big dish is imprac- WWW.DMBE %PRE 99.COM

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