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Cable got you frustrated? Wondering if dish networks are the answer?

You are obviously not alone. With rising cable bills and poor customer service, dish network companies, such as Direct TV, VOOM and The Dish Network are seemingly popping up in homes everywhere at the tune of, to date, some 20 million customers and, if you are anything like me, your probably wondering what's all this dish satellite television fuss is about.

Well if your looking to take the plunge, the two big players are Direct TV and Dish Network (EchoStar). VOOM, which specializes in HDTV, is still a relatively new kid on the block compared to the big two.

Due to some changes in the federal laws in 1999 the governing bodies decided to allow the dish networks to offer local programming in a "local-into-local" service. These changes were taken a step further in 2002 as the FCC ruled a dish satellite provider can't offer one local station on their TV satellite systems without offering all local channels in the area. Because of this ruling Direct TV and Dish Network are spreading at an even more rapid rate.

So now people living in really rural areas that were having a hard time picking up local stations can, in addition to the cable-like programming,  actually look to dish networks to access the regional affiliates of the major networks. Although when it comes to local programming, such as community or school channels, traditional cable is still going to be a better option than Direct TV or The Dish Network. Nonetheless, even if you have been a cable customer for a while (especially a disgruntled one), a dish satellite system maybe worth looking into.

Here's what's available from the big dish networks

Direct TV and Echostar's Dish Network are the two major dish satellite players you'll have to choose from. Both offer packages with with just about every channel imaginable.

With Direct TV and Dish Network all the major cable networks are covered. ESPN, CNN, CSPAN, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, TNT, USA, MTV and VH1 just to name a few. Also all your major movie networks are available, such as HBO, Cinamax, Showtime, and STARS.

With satellite dish networks the emphasis is on the movie and sports programming. With packages making multi movie channels available like HBO, HBO2, HBO HDTV and Showtime, Showtime Too, Showtime Extreme. For all the sports fans out there packages containing NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice and the like should keep you entertained. Plus dish satellite on demand Pay-per-View makes special event boxing and wrestling easy enough to get.

Click here for more on what's available from the big dish networks...

VOOM 's claim to fame is the most HDTV anywhere. If you have a HDTV-compatible television and interested HD programming maybe VOOM is the dish satellite for you.

Click here for what's available from VOOM...

"OK, so which one of the dish network companies is right for me or should I stick with cable?"

That depends. There are several factors that go into whether a person should choose between the major dish networks, Direct TV and The Dish Network, the HD specialist VOOM, or just stay with cable.

Dish satellite gets the edge over cable in overall quality of picture. The main reason for this is the fact that ALL the tv satellite systems  transmissions are digital, whereas digital cable delivers a mix of mostly analog and digital. You only get digital quality for pay-per-view, premium, and the networks only in the digital channel lineup. Satellite TV is also consider a bit of a bargain over cable, in an apple to apples comparison, and has steadier price rates.

So choosing one of the dish networks has some advantages, but so does cable. First you must have a unobstructed view of the southern sky in order to receive a clear signal, as that is where the satellites for Direct TV and The Dish Network orbit (see dish satellite setup). Also, since cable is usually very regional, certain local channels and services just can't be access through the national dish networks.

You will have to weigh the options and make your choice from what you actually want.

Click here for more on Direct TV vs The Dish Network or maybe I'll just keep cable...

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