What's the "Best" System, Analog or Digital?

Choosing the "Best" system hardware depends on your needs.

For an explanation of the satellite programming services available, please read Digital and DBS Services.

Here are the most important characteristics of Analog (big dish) satellite downlinks:

• You must buy your own downlink, and they are more expensive, with basic C-band only downlinks running more than $1000, and dual-band (C and Ku) capable downlinks costing over $2,000. Installation is not within the capabilities of most owners.
• They can receive broadcasts from any satellite in the sky, if they're equipped with a decoder for any "pay" program services you want to receive.
• To receive the non-scrambled programs present on communications satellites, no fee is required; you just point the dish at the sky and tune in the desired satellite and channel.
• They can receive educational and informational broadcasts from schools, universities, public interest groups and professional organizations.
• At residential sites, some neighborhoods may have covenants or agreements that these large downlink dishes cannot be installed.
• They cannot currently receive digital program feeds. (This should change in 1998 as digital adapters hit the market. Be advised that these adapters may cost $1000 or more.)
• Program services available to digital downlink owners are also available to owners of analog downlinks on a subscription basis.

Here are the most important characteristics of Digital (little dish) satellite downlinks:

• With one exception, you must buy your own downlink, and these are less expensive, with prices on 18-inch downlinks (DirecTV or USSB compatible, or the Dish network) starting at about $250 for a single-receiver dish. The exception is PrimeStar, which leases you the downlink and installs it for you. They charge a few more dollars per month in return for this arrangement.
• The downlink can be installed by the owner, if that person is good with tools and can read a compass.
• No programming of any kind is available for these dishes without paying a monthly fee. The satellites which serve these dishes are leased by commercial firms, and programming is only available though those firms.
• These downlinks cannot receive free educational and informational broadcasts from schools, universities, public interest groups and professional organizations. They can only receive the commercial programs carried on the specific satellites which serve these dishes.
• They are small enough to be usable even in neighborhoods where large satellite dishes are not permitted. (Even inconspicuous "stealth" installations looking through picture windows from inside the house are possible!)
• The commercial services feeding these downlinks are not permitted to send the major network feeds (ABC, CBS, NBC) feeds to customers who live in the coverage area of broadcast affiliates of these networks. If you live in such an area, you will need a regular antenna or a basic cable feed to receive local and network news. At least one vendor, Mito Corp., sells an add-on antenna which mounts around the perimeter of the 18 inch dishes.
• New programming services are being developed for these downlinks, which will include video-on-demand and fast access to the World Wide Web.

Who is Best Served by Analog and Digital Services?

You are a better candidate to own an Analog Downlink if many of the following describe you:

You like to "surf" satellites for free or educational programs.

You want to spend a bit less money on program services.

You want to be as independent as possible in terms of making your own deal with programming services and choosing those to which you subscribe.

You have some tolerance for aiming the downlink at various satellites, and for adding accessories, if needed, to pick up new program services.

You are a better candidate to own a Digital Downlink if many of the following describe you:

You want to maximize convenience and minimize interacting with the technology.

You want to buy a downlink at the lowest possible cost.

You want a lot of options for programming, but want to get them them through one or two vendors.

You are willing to pay a few more dollars a month in order to access more entertainment programs.

You have no interest in "surfing" satellite for free programs and programs from professional organizations or educational institutions.

You have to deal with local restrictions which prevent large satellite dishes.

Back to the Satellite Reference page.
Copyright 1997, Dr. Albert E. Powell, Jr.
Please request permission to re-use or reproduce this document.