| Direct TV Systems hardware is manufactured wholly | | | | image. |
| in the United States. The Direct TV system provides | | | | The DIRECT TV System's HDTV wide screen size is |
| high-quality digital programming for its subscribers, | | | | 16:9 compared to the traditional 4:3 used by analog |
| hardware including a satellite dish, a receiver and a | | | | broadcasting. The DIRECT TV System is transmitted |
| remote control. The programming includes 30+ | | | | with Dolby surround sound for those viewers with |
| premium movie channels and pay-per-view channels, | | | | entertainment systems who want the experience of |
| family channels, and a large selection of sports | | | | movie theater sound. |
| packages: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, ESPN College | | | | In rural areas where cable is not available, satellite |
| Baseball, Football and Basketball, and English Soccer. | | | | television provides service that would otherwise not |
| Direct TV programming packages start at $33.99 per | | | | be available. The satellite antenna must be placed |
| month for 130 channels. | | | | where it has a clear view of the southern sky. Direct |
| Direct TV's satellite TV has a parabolic dish that | | | | TV provides 500-plus channels and offers international |
| captures digital transmissions from a satellite in | | | | programming broadcasting in Arabic, Spanish, |
| geosynchronous orbit around the equator. The Direct | | | | South-Asian, Polish, Greek, Russian, Chinese and |
| TV Satellite Dish uses a smaller frequency with | | | | Korean packages. Direct TV provides local |
| better reception than larger dishes. DIRECT TV | | | | programming and local networks in their programming |
| System has DIRECT TV Digital Video Recorder | | | | packages. Satellite TV is entirely digital which provides |
| (DVR) technology. | | | | a high quality picture and sound. |
| Linked to the IRD (integrated receiver/decoder) | | | | Direct TV provides Digital Video Recording enables |
| device that is used to translate channel frequencies | | | | the viewer to record and replay TV live while |
| for the television system, some DIRECT TV System | | | | skipping commercials and digitally recording and |
| IRDs can translate up to three different channels at | | | | storing programming for viewing at the leisure of the |
| once. When using a DIRECT TV DVR however, the | | | | user. |
| DIRECT TV System can record up to two different | | | | Even in remote locations, satellite Internet is available |
| channels simultaneously with a limit of up to 70 total | | | | with a Direct TV programming package. |
| hours of programming. Best of all, the DIRECT TV | | | | A study surveyed six factors driving consumer |
| System DVR technology can be reviewed at owner | | | | satisfaction for cable and satellite tv: cost of service, |
| convenience when there is time, with the push of a | | | | credibility/billing, program offerings, equipment and |
| button on the remote control. | | | | service capabilities, customer service and reception |
| DIRECT TV System Delivers a High-Quality Digital | | | | quality. For 2002, that report listed the TOP-5 as: |
| Experience. | | | | DirecTV, Dish Network, Wide Open West cable, Cox |
| The DIRECT TV System delivers high-quality digital | | | | Cable and RCN Cable. The two satellite providers |
| experience through High Definition Television (HDTV). | | | | have regularly finished in the TOP-3. |
| HDTV provides clearer image and sound than | | | | Written by David Johnson. |
| standard TV and wide screen Movie Theater like | | | | |