Digital Television is an advanced broadcasting technology that has transformed the television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality, and multiple channels of programming. Since June 13, 2009, full-power television stations nationwide have been required to broadcast exclusively in a digital format. The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is known as the Digital Television Transition. In 1996, Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to every full-power TV station so that each station could launch a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing analog broadcasting. Later, Congress set June 12, 2009 as the deadline for full power television stations to stop broadcasting analog signals. An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum have been freed up for public safety communications by groups such as police, fire departments and rescue squads. Also, some of the spectrum has been auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with advanced wireless services, such as wireless broadband.

Based in El Segundo, CA, DirecTV is the largest satellite TV provider in the US with about 20 million TV subscribers. DirecTV’s distribution rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket clearly put them at an advantage with football fans who can’t miss a game. And, the company’s long-perceived dominance in having the most HD channels has made them a favorite among hi-def enthusiasts with an eye for the sharpest image quality. DirecTV offers five different tier packages starting at $29.99 per month and up to $99.99 per month. The five packages available from DirecTV include Entertainment (140 channels), Choice (150+ channels), Extra (205 channels), Ultimate (225+ channels), and Premiere (285+ channels). These base prices, like Cox’s, do not include all equipment costs you might need for your home or office. How do these two TV services compare? Let’s take a look. Call Cox to Speak to a Representative Directly: 855-418-4284 8. Conclusion DirecTV has a great selection of HD channels, especially if you’ve got a 3D TV and want to watch Discovery’s 3net 3D channel. And, they’ve got the NFL Sunday Ticket this season (although that could change next year). Even though they lost in our DISHDirecTV’s Genie DVR service is a great system, allowing you to record up to 5 shows at once to a 1TB hard drive. But while Cox falls slightly short in the HD channel count, their new Contour TV upgrade beats DirecTV’s Genie system. It may cost a bit more, but the 2TB hard drive will store twice the amount of programming. And, if you’re a TV fanatic, the ability to record six channels at once beats DirecTV’s five. For folk’s who don’t want to be tied down, Cox’s TV service doesn’t require a long-term contract. While DirecTV’s 2-year agreement may be a problem for some, the savings are worth it.

No matter what your budget is, what your needs are, or the type of RV you have, there is a satellite antenna just right for you and Camping World is here to help you make the right choice. Contact your favorite Camping World today or visit and let us assist you in finalizing your decision. SuperCenters nationwide will also provide professional installation if needed.Winegard Company entered the television reception industry at the dawn of the television era back in 1954. Ever since they became a Camping World vendor in 1973 they have continued to demonstrate a strong commitment in adapting to evolving technological advancements and customer needs. Today, Winegard Company is the leading television reception products provider in the RV industry. With the most diverse product line and a proven track record when it comes to quality they have earned the distinction of being Camping World’s preferred satellite provider. What is even more impressive is in just the past three years, Winegard has launched more than 10 new mobile television antennas! The good news is if you are in the market to buy a new satellite TV antenna, you have options. The bad news is that with so many options it can make the decision-making process a bit overwhelming. Here are the questions you need to ask yourself: •Do you want an automatic or manual antenna? •Do you want a permanent roof mount or portable antenna? •Is high definition important? •Do you plan on using multiple TVs at the same time? •Is in-motion viewing important? •What is your budget? Winegard satellite TV antennas can be categorized into three main groups: By understanding the difference between each group, you will be able to identify which features are important to you to help you select the best antenna to meet your specific needs. Let’s take a closer look at each group. Portables Flexibility is the greatest advantage in a portable antenna. With a portable antenna you have the ability to move the antenna around so that line of sight obstacles aren’t an issue. You also aren’t limited in using the antenna just for RVing. Take your portable antenna with you anywhere, anytime to make any outdoor event more enjoyable. And if you ever change RVs, you can take your portable antenna with you! Portable antennas are also popular because of their lower price and are often a first pick for that very reason. If a portable antenna is the route you want to go, the next decision is whether you want an automatic or manual portable antenna. The is a “no hassle, plug in and let it do the rest” TV antenna. The speed and accuracy of this antenna is really amazing but what users rave about most is how simple it is to use. The Carryout antenna hooks up to a 12V power source inside the vehicle and comes with 50’ coax and power cables for maximum flexibility in selecting the best location for optimum reception. The easy grip handle provides for effortless carrying. An eyelet on the base allows the unit to be locked up to a permanent fixture for added security. Temporary and permanent mounting options are available and sold separately. It’s compatible with DISH Network and Bell TV (standard and HD) and DIRECTV (standard).Brand new to the Winegard satellite product line, the is the least expensive option, perfect for anyone not wanting to spend over $200 on an antenna or for those not intimidated by having to manually find the satellite. This super compact manual antenna includes a bubble level, compass, elevation markings and 25’ of coax that stows in the base, making set up fast and easy. The MP1 fully encloses inside its own case. The case is great for easy transport and storage and acts as the base for the antenna while in use. It’s compatible with DISH Network and Bell TV (standard and HD) and DIRECTV (standard). In a short time, this antenna is proving to be a top seller. Domes Domes are popular among RVers because they are automatic and provide both stationary viewing and in-motion viewing options depending on the model. Some prefer how the sleek look of a dome complements the RV and choose a dome merely for that reason. Another benefit with a dome is that unlike a portable, it doesn’t take up any storage space. Compact Winegard 15” RoadTrip® MiniMax™ domes are the newest line to the automatic roof mounted dome category. Designed primarily after the Carryout Automatic Portable, the MiniMax requires minimal roof space with the smallest footprint on the market (23” diameter). An enhanced antenna design and a high gloss, rounded dome provide strong and impressive performance. Compatible with DISH Network and Bell TV (standard and HD) and DIRECTV (standard), these antennas automatically switch between 2 – 3 satellites depending on the provider. Both stationary models, )and in-motion models, ) are available. Multi-Satellite TV Antennas TRAV’LER® antennas are Winegard’s premier satellite TV antennas. They are recommended above any other antenna because they provide superior performance. Made from reflectors that are approved, certified and used for the home market for each satellite provider, the TRAV’LER antennas provide everything satellite TV has to offer. And if you are looking for the antenna capable of providing DIRECTV HD, the Slimline KU/KA model is the answer. No dome or portable antenna on the market is capable of delivering DIRECTV HD. With one button on/off operation, TRAV’LER antennas automatically raise, rotate and skew to lock on all satellites simultaneously, so there’s never toggling between satellites. There are two main benefits to this: 1) Family members can watch separate programs on any TV in the RV at the same time; 2) They work great with DVRs. This means while traveling down the road to your next destination you can keep the kids entertained with their favorite shows you have prerecorded. With a TRAV’LER antenna there are no compromises, they are the best of the best and are geared for the family or the television guru. Deciding which TRAV’LER to purchase all depends on which satellite provider you prefer since each antenna is specific to the provider. DISH Network provides all standard and HD programming The Right Choice Winegard Company, located in the heart of the Midwest, in Burlington, Iowa takes great pride in designing and manufacturing all of their antennas in the U.S. Unlike competitors, they are more than just an ‘assembler’. Winegard is also committed to providing top quality products by putting all of their antenna products through stringent environmental testing procedures to assure their antennas can survive the harshest weather conditions. Furthermore all automatic antennas are live tested before leaving the facility. With a Winegard antenna you can be confident you are getting a top quality product. All antennas are backed by a two year parts, one year labor limited warranty. TIMELINE July ‘41 – First Commerical Television Broadcast 1954 – Winegard Company incorporated 1973 – Winegard Company becomes Camping World vendor 1981 – Sensar® home antenna is modified to RV antenna Fall ‘01 –Movin’ View® domes introduced Late ’05 – DIRECTV starts shifting HD programming to KA-band satellites Spring ‘06 – Motorized Sensar launched June ‘06 – 12” RoadTrip domes provide low profile option Nov ’06 – Awarded Camping World “Outstanding Vendor 2006” April ‘07 – Clint Bowyer wins Phoenix Busch series race in Camping World/Winegard Chevrolet Nov ’07 – Digital Receiver awarded Camping World “Best Internet Product 2007” Nov ‘07 – TRAV’LER DISH Network and DIRECTV models introduced Jan ‘08 – TRAV’LER Star Choice Canada model introduced Jan ’09 – Wingman™ launched - #1 Winegard product in ‘09 Spring ’09 – CLUB-W Winegard consumer lub launched Mar ’09 – Carryout Automatic Portable introducd June ‘09 – U.S. 2009 Digital Transition Fall ’09 – 15” RoadTrip MiniMax antennas introduced Jan ’10 – Carryout® MP1 Manual Portable antenna launched Jan ’10 – Sensar® IV with integrated Wingman launched DID YOU KNOW? While Winegard Company holds the title of one of the longest standing RV TV antenna manufactures, they are also one of the largest home satellite antenna manufacturers. An 800 ton press can stamp out an impressive 500, 000 reflectors per month, ranging in size from 46 cm to 1 meter. Winegard distributes satellite antennas to U.S., Canada, Mexico and New Zealand for companies such as DISH Network®, Sky Mexico, SkyNetwork Television, and Bell Distribution. Tweet

To view this page in Spanish, click here. Para ver en español, haga clic aquí. Exceeding your expectations is at the core of everything we do. And we understand that getting maximum value is a top priority, which is why we work diligently to keep costs under control. However, due to higher costs of programming, an adjustment in the price of our programming packages is necessary. New rates will be in effect on January 28, 2016. Click here for the new rates. We are continuing to enhance your service to bring you the best entertainment experience. We are making more channels available for live streaming than ever before. You can watch the hottest shows and the latest blockbusters On Demand1—any time, anywhere2. We are also continuing to revolutionize the DVR space, giving you greater control over your content. With 72 Hour Rewind and Restart, you can watch programs that aired up to 3 days ago on your TV at home or on the go3. Plus, we are dedicated to setting the industry standard in 4K Ultra HD, which delivers nearly four times the resolution of HD4. Finally, we know that the best programming must be supported by the best customer service. From the most knowledgeable agents to live online chat, responding to your needs as efficiently as possible is part of what makes DIRECTV #1 in customer satisfaction over all cable and satellite providers5. We are grateful that you chose us to be your TV provider. As always, we are eager to earn your loyalty and prove you made the best decision. Our price adjustments affect only our regular, non-promotional rates. If you're currently paying a promotional price for your DIRECTV base package, you will continue to pay this price for the remainder of your promotional period. What is a Regional Sports Fee? Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are cable television networks that provide coverage of local or regional sports teams, both professional and college teams. This includes national channels like the Big Ten and the SEC Networks, which bring you games and coverage from some of the most highly followed college athletic conferences. In certain areas of the country (determined by ZIP code), DIRECTV also carries multiple RSNs. The Regional Sports Fee is a fee that is related to higher costs incurred for carrying those networks. Click here to check your Regional Sports Fee. Will my price change if I am still under my customer agreement? When our customers sign up for DIRECTV service or upgrade their system, we provide equipment and installation at no cost or a significantly discounted cost. In exchange for these cost-savings, we ask that our customers agree to subscribe to up to 24 consecutive months of DIRECTV programming. If you signed up for DIRECTV service under a promotion, you will continue to receive promotional pricing for the first 12 months of the agreement, provided you make no changes to your subscription. Once the promotional period ends, the agreement requires that you continue to maintain service for an additional 12 months, at the then-current pricing. This agreement does not guarantee that pricing and programming will not change once your promotional period ends. Will my price change if I am currently receiving a promotional offer? If you are currently receiving a promotional offer, you will continue to receive your applicable promotional discounts for the remainder of the offer period. New customers, for example, may receive promotional discounts on their base programming package for up to 12 months.

The fabric of space-time is fraying this season, as three TV networks send characters backward and forward in time to solve mysteries, alter history, glimpse romance and generally keep things surprising from week to week. Characters will beam into climactic moments in world and American history, experiencing time travel in both comedy and drama scripts. They’ll find and lose love across the ages, self-consciously note their period wardrobes and explain in chirpy dialog the quantum physics behind their time-traveling powers. Not least, they’ll provide commentary on the present by sampling the past. On Oct. 3, NBC will offer “Timeless, ” about mysterious villains trying to change history and a time-traveling trio who must stop them. (The first episode features the Hindenburg.) The historian in the group is excited to go back in time and experience 1937, but the time machine’s operator is wary, saying, “I am black. There is literally no place in American history that would be awesome for me.” In many ways, “Timeless” addresses current issues of race and gender by placing them in stark relief in a different era. At midseason Fox will debut “Making History, ” a comedy about pals who time-travel via a mystical/magical duffel bag. (The first episode involves the American Revolution. “The past smells like doody. There’s poop everywhere.”) The network styles it as “two shows in one, ” bouncing between current day and 1700s Colonial America. Also in early 2017, ABC will unveil “Time After Time, ” a sci-fi drama based on the book/movie about H.G. Wells darting through time to stop Jack the Ripper. (In the pilot, Wells beams from 1893 London to present-day Times Square in search of the Ripper.) Time-travel is a long-honored premise in pop culture. If it’s not wormholes and general relativity theory, it’s crazy scientists stumbling on accidental time machines. In television, where imitation is the sincerest form of programming, it’s no wonder this season is long on era-hopping: Starz’s popular “Outlander, ” which jumps back and forth in time, may provide the best current model. Millennials also have embraced the classic “Dr. Who, ” yet another business reason for this trend. “Legends of Tomorrow” on the CW, and “The Man in the High Castle” on Amazon likewise have proven the continuing popularity of time-travel stories in TV programmer’s terms. (Season 2 of “Man in the High Castle” will debut in 2017.) We know what TV execs are after, but how would historians or anthropologists explain this cultural itch that Hollywood aims to scratch? What are the deeper reasons we want to escape the current moment? “Time-travel stories serve a few key purposes, ” said Ingrid Tague, University of Denver associate dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. “For one, many Americans today feel buffeted by larger social forces that they can’t control; there’s a sense that politics, the media, and the economy are all being controlled by “the one percent” or institutions/corporations run by a few individuals that aren’t accessible to ordinary people.” “Historical events can seem easier to understand and therefore to change than the world we’re currently living in—hence, the old trope of going back in time to kill Hitler, as if World War II and all its horrors were reducible to the existence of that one person, ” Tague said. “In a world that seems incredibly, depressingly complex, the apparent simplicity of the past is appealing, ” Tague said. Jodie Krieder, in the DU History Department, said, “for a generation facing an inability to move out of their parents homes, burdened with student loan debt and facing a volatile and frightening political scene, escapism of this sort could be appealing. She thinks it has less to do with an interest in history than with the popularity of fantasy worlds like “Game of Thrones.”

Here are the best options for TV viewing in your rig. Don Cohen | Mobile TV watching has come a long way since my parents traveled in their RV in the early 1970’s where a “compact, ” 12-inch square, black and white Sony, with a single telescoping wand antenna was their only option. And even at that, the channel selection was usually limited to four or five channels in a big city and maybe one in a rural town. Now, inside our Navion motorhome in a rainy Tampa with two flat screens, HD TV antenna, cable input, satellite dish, and AppleTV, the only reason we’d be bored is because we’re dead. But, all this entertainment choice comes with a trade-off: complexity. At this point, if you’re part of that exclusive class of book readers only, you can stop here while the rest of us ascend the hierarchy of television reception options. Over-the-air If you’ve been plugged into cable at home over the past decade you probably missed the part of the digital revolution where the FCC required over-the-air broadcasters to switch to digital signals. This required new frequencies and tuners and, for the past decade, all TVs have this circuitry built in. It all means that rabbit ears now refer only to Bugs Bunny, not the twin v-rods extending from the rear of the TV. To receive over-the-air TV signals you now need an HDTV antenna. In our case its a batwing shaped KINGJack TV antenna that can be rotated around by a manual ceiling control with five little blue LEDs that light up when you hone in on the best signal. Broadcasters continue to air their main channels as usual, but there are sub-channels they also broadcast alternative programs on. The result is that there are far more channels to chose from over the air, but don’t expect to see cable/satellite only channels like CNN or Discovery off your antenna. Cable If your rig is wired for cable input, you can get basic programming tiers in standard definition. This usually is 20-40 channels. Hi-definition channels usually require a digital tuner (ex. cable box). In one case, when we were hooked up to a cable in Moab, Utah I was shocked to see some high-def signals appear, but that’s rare. Park cable systems range from poor to crystal clear signals and often the lower band channels are poorer in quality (there’s a technical reason for that, but it’s not worth going down that rabbit hole). Depending on whether or not you are feeding your TV with an over-the-air or cable signal, all modern TVs will require you to go into the menu settings and have the TV scan for the available channels – a process that usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Inside psychological tip: if you stare at the screen while it’s scanning, it will seem like it’s taking twice as long, so busy yourself with something else while your TV does it’s thing. And here’s the number one tuning tip than many RVers overlook: make sure your outside antenna booster circuit is turned off. Many late model RVs (Winnebago included) use antenna amplifiers for off-the-air digital antennas. When that little switch is on (and there’s usually an indicator light) it can cause distortion in the cable signal. Turn he switch off — your picture quality should be much better. Satellite service In the US there are only two satellite providers: DirectTV and Dish Network. Bell Canada is the Canadian provider. While both US services offer a gigantic range of signals, DirectTV does offer exclusive services like NFL Sunday Ticket that allows you to watch any NFL game. Satellite service is the ultimate TV lover’s choice with both Dish and Direct offering 100+ channel packages starting around $60 per month. Adding satellite to your RV requires several decisions to be made up front. The first is which service and the second is which type of dish. Let’s start with service. While Direct and Dish are very comparable in their offerings and prices, they use completely different satellites. In DirectTV’s case if you want high definition channels, then you’ll have to go with an open style satellite dish. If Direct’s standard definition is okay, then you can use a dome covered antenna. Unlike DirectTV, Dish allows you to use a dome covered dish for both standard and hi-def signals. If you already have Direct or Dish service at home, you might consider taking one of your receivers on the road. If you are buying a service from scratch, then Dish has the edge for several reasons.

Streaming TV through internet sites has become a staple in homes across the nation. For many people it has replaced cable. If you recently subscribed to a cable service, you know the convenience of recording your entertainment on a digital video recorder. Streaming entertainment from the internet has many of the same benefits. Instead of planning your day around TV shows, you can plan your TV shows into your day. Watching online TV at your leisure has become the go-to option for many people for a variety of reasons. People don’t always have time to watch favorite shows that air during prime time. Also, proportionately more people are dropping cable as monthly bills increase, along with hidden fees, making cable increasingly unaffordable. While a few of the best internet TV services don't have the most recent episodes available for streaming, many viewers sacrifice being current for a great monthly price. You don't have to watch internet TV from your small computer desktop. With quality apps, you can binge-watch your favorite shows on your flat-screen TV or on a tablet if you're on the go. In our research, we found that the best internet TV services are Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video and Hulu Plus. For more information, feel free to check out our articles on streaming TV. Internet TV Sites: What to Look For When choosing which online TV site is right for you, the first thing to consider is what TV shows you want to watch. Each site has the rights to stream different shows. However, no service has the rights to stream every program. We rated and ranked internet TV sites based on the following criteria. Content If a service doesn't have the content you want to watch, it won't be a good purchase for you. The top-ranked services have limited free trial periods, allowing you to experience the site's content library for a week or a month without paying a fee. We looked for sites that use multiple networks, giving users a wide variety of entertainment to satisfy their interests. Features You need more than just a "Play" button to have an enjoyable experience watching internet TV. Other features, such as closed captioning and a customizable viewer profile, make the experience better. If you’re a parent, you might want control over the type of entertainment your kids have access to, so parental controls are essential. We also ranked apps on their ability to work with game consoles, smart TVs, tablets and Wi-Fi enabled devices. User Experience It's important for internet TV sites to be easy to use. Watching TV shouldn't be difficult, so the design of the site should be simple, with an intuitive player and accurate search system to help you find your favorite shows. Because each of these sites offers paid services, we also looked at the rate of advertisements, if any. Help & Support Using a streaming service is easy, but in the event that things don't work out, you will want several help options. FAQs and email support are standard, but many sites offer other sources of aid, such as live chat and social media outlets, when you have problems. The best internet TV sites have the right combination of everything you need. However, none of them is perfect, so you will want to make sure you know what the most important features are to you and choose accordingly. When you do, you'll be ready to watch your favorite shows whenever you want.

A new television and Internet provider is dipping its toes in the Hillsborough County market. WOW, a provider with its headquarters in Colorado, in recent weeks has begun offering commercial Internet, data and voice services in eight buildings in downtown Tampa, the company's first Hillsborough foray, the company confirmed Tuesday. The company already provides business and residential service in parts of Pinellas County, where it has more than 33, 000 customers. Steve Pozil, WOW vice president and general manager for Florida, said the company — its full corporate name is Wide Open West — is now spending $20 million to upgrade and expand its Tampa Bay network and wants eventually to expand into Hillsborough's residential marketplace. "We are always looking for expansion opportunities, " Pozil said. "I can't really give you a specific time frame or where we will be expanding. … It's kind of a work in progress." While a relatively tiny player in the telecommunications industry, the company may find fertile ground in the Tampa Bay area given the troubles that have faced Frontier Communications after that company took over Verizon's landline phone, TV and Internet assets in Florida. Many Frontier customers have reported severe service outages and other issues since the April 1 transition. Charter Communications' takeover of Bright House Networks last month, however, apparently has generated few customer complaints. Pozil said WOW has looked to expand its share of the Tampa Bay market after Frontier's troubles. But he declined to criticize Frontier because of its problems. "It's quite common any time you have an acquisition of another company … whether it's up on the front side in the very beginning of the merger or throughout their transition, it's very, very common to experience (service) disruptions, " he said. In a news release, the company said the $20 million "investment enables the company to compete more effectively and continue to grow in the area at a time when industry consolidation may cause some disruption and limit consumer choices." Frontier officials offered WOW something of a welcome. "This has been a competitive market since 1999 and it's only gotten stronger since then, " Frontier spokesman Bob Elek said via email. "Competition makes every company better while benefiting the customer. We are confident that (Frontier's) network stands alone when it comes to reliable broadband speed. . . . HD-TV picture clarity and crystal-clear telephone service, allowing Frontier to meet however many competitors there are in the market and win." WOW has about 60, 000 customers in Florida and more than 780, 000 in the Southeast and Midwest. In the St. Petersburg-Tampa-Sarasota market area in early 2015 for video only, Bright House boasted about 908, 514 customers, Verizon FiOS 393, 928 and DISH satellite about 114, 768. At that time, WOW had 12, 324 video customers in the same area.

Is Glorystar available in my region? The following map shows the estimated coverage of the Glorystar system signals in North America. The map's contour lines indicate the footprint and signal strength. 50 being the strongest signal and 38 the weakest. If you live inside the 46 or high contour lines we recommend our standard 36 inch dish. Contour lines lower than 44 may require a larger dish, which is available at an additional charge through Glorystar. Note: This map is based on estimated signal measurements. Please call for if you have any questions regarding the signal availability in your area. Click here to view larger map At this time we directly ship to US, Canadian and Mexican addresses. Please contact us with your freight forwarder information if you live outside of these countries. I have trees or tall buildings near my property. Will these interfere with reception of Glorystar? Satellite signals will not travel through leaves, branches buildings or overhangs. There must be a direct line of sight to the satellite to receive Glorystar channels. In North America, the satellites are always located to the South. Imagine a point in the sky that is located over the equator in line with Mexico and Texas. If you live in the East, the satellites will be located Southwest of your location, If you are in the West, the satellites are Southeast. In Mexico the satellites are very high in the sky, but in Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, the satellites are very low near the horizon. Glorystar recommends that if you have any questions regarding the availability of the signal in your location that you contact us before ordering a system or contact a local satellite installer to perform a sight survey. Can I receive other channels with this system? Glorystar systems are pre-programmed to receive Christian TV and Radio channels. Glorystar only provides technical support for the reception of our Christian broadcast partner's channels. You may choose to scan and receive additional free secular channels available in English, Arabic, Chinese and Korean and several other languages. For an additional investment in equipment that may require a somewhat complicated setup process, you can purchase a motorized dish that allows you to point at several different satellites. These satellites will provide a total of approximately 300 channels and a wider variety of English programming. Please call for details. Can I install the satellite system myself? If you have a good understanding of how to use a compass, have basic mechanical skills and a technical aptitude you should have the skills necessary to install the system. If you need professional installation, please call Glorystar and we will book a local technician (available in most areas of the US and Canada). Can I use this system with my big C-band dish? We recommend that you purchase a complete Glorystar KU-Band system if you are only wishing to receive the Glorystar channels. Many additional channels can be received with a C-Band dish and LNB; however, if your dish is also KU capable, you may find it hard to fine tune your dish for optimum KU-Band reception of the digital signals. Can I use my existing Dish Network or DirecTV dish? No, a slightly larger dish is required with a different type of LNBF mount. To get programming from Glorystar, you must use a linear polarity LNBF. The Dish Network and DirecTV LNBFs use circular polarity and use a different frequency than free to air services. Why can't I use a Dish Network or DirecTV receiver? DBS receivers are proprietary and targeted at a particular service. These receivers will not work on satellites that use other audio and video encoding parameters. For example, a Dish Network receiver will only receive signals that have the same signal rate and forward error correction as Echostar satellites use. A receiver that can handle variable SR / FEC and receive non encrypted programming is called a Free To Air (or FTA) receiver. We only sell FTA receivers.

Silvio Berlusconi’s broadcasting group Mediaset will start to encrypt its satellite DTH channels beginning September 7. Until now, the group’s general entertainment channels Italia 1, Rete 4 and Canale Cinque are broadcast free-to-air over the Eutelsat Hot Bord position. The move is believed to be related to the issue of carriage fees. Being FTA channels, all current Sky Italia subscribers are able to view the Berlusconi channels. Follwoing a decision on carriage payments, Mediaset is now seeking payment of retransmission fees from Sky Italia for including its channels on the Sky EPG. Mediaset’s request is strengthened by a resolution by the country’s communications regulator AGCOM made last April at the request of RAI. As a result of this ruling, the public broadcaster is looking to receiving retransmission fees from the various distribution platforms. Mediaset is following this route and also asking payments from its main competitor, Sky Italia. Viewers in Italy can continue to see these Mediaset channels, as well as additional channels from the group, Iris, La5, Top Crime, Italia 2 and Extra, with a TiVu Sat receiver and smartcard, no subscription needed. The free-to-view satellite platform currently offers a total of 68 Italian and international TV channels, including all the RAI and Mediaset channels, as well as 32 national and international radio stations. Some 2.4 million households currently hold a smartcard,