What is the Best Satellite Dish?

There is no "one" best satellite dish. The best satellite dish for you depends upon several factors.

Satellite Dish Size

The larger the satellite dish, the better it will receive signals. Therefore, the largest satellite dish available is always the best satellite dish -- except that few of us want a nine foot satellite dish bolted onto our home.

A satellite dish should be as small as possible, while still being large enough to deliver good signal quality.

Closer to the equator, smaller satellite dishes work perfectly well. The closer you get to the Earth's poles, the larger dish you will need to maintain an acceptable signal quality.

Larger dishes are also better able to deal with rainfade. If you live in an area that is frequently overcast and rainy, a larger satellite dish can significantly increase signal quality.

Satellite Dish Shape

A round satellite dish can only receive signals from one satellite location at a time. The fix for this is to either use a small motor to position the satellite dish or to use an oval satellite dish.

An oval satellite dish can receive signals from several satellite locations at the same time. For example, the DirecTV AT9 MPEG-4 Compatible Ku/Ka Band satellite dish is designed to receive signals from the DirecTV satellites at 99, 101, 103, 110 and 119 degrees.

Number of LNB's

Each LNB on a satellite dish will enable the reception of one data stream from one satellite transponder. The best satellite dish is usually the one with the most LNB's.

Books on Satellite Television

The World of Satellite Television	This indispensable handbook to the digital satellite TV revolution places you at the vortex of a dazzling world of entertainment. This brand-new ninth edition provides everything you need to know about selecting, installing, operating, and maintaining your own satellite TV system. DBS, digital video compression, HDTV, and other innovations coming your way are also presented in a down-to-earth style that is accessible to everyone.
Digital Satellite TV Handbook	The Digital Satellite TV Handbook and companion CD-ROM will serve as your complete interactive course in the new digital satellite TV technologies. The Digital Satellite TV Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of all the digital satellite TV platforms currently in use world-wide, includes the essential satellite coverage maps and transmission parameters that readers will need to receive digital TV services from any location around the world. It also presents those aspects of digital video compression and high definition TV that are of the highest relevance to installers, technicians, and other satellite professionals working in the global direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV industry. The Digital Satellite TV Handbook analyzes the hardware requirements of digital DTH receiving systems by comparing and contrasting the new digital TV technologies with earlier analog TV transmission systems, so that readers can readily grasp all of the details required to make the transition from the analog era of yesterday to the new all-digital world of the future.
Satellite Television: Techniques of Analog and Digital Television	Satellite television is part of the lives of millions of television viewers worldwide and its influence is set to increase significantly with the launch of digital satellite television services. This comprehensive reference book, written by the author of the highly successful 'Digital Television', provides a technical overview of both analog and digital satellite TV. Written concisely and thoroughly, it covers all aspects of satellite TV necessary to understand its operation and installation. It also covers the evolution of satellite television, and contains a detailed glossary of technical terms. This book will prove invaluable to those working in the telecommunications field, both professionals and undergraduates alike. It will be particularly useful to those who need to evaluate satellite transmission against other methods, such as digital terrestrial broadcasting. A technical overview of both analog and digital satellite TV.Covers all aspects of satellite TV necessary to understand its operation and installation.Contains a detailed glossary of technical terms.