Satellite TV and Household Happiness

A happy household is defined in many ways: by family unity; by socioeconomic status; or perhaps by factors like parents' ability to balance indulgences with sacrifices. One factor that has played in significantly to my household's happiness-and that fits in with the last of these possible criteria aforementioned-has been our home entertainment system in general, and, in particular, our satellite TV connection. Though I would have never been able to foresee the monumental effect it would have on my home before ordering the service, I have since had my eyes opened wide enough to be able to take stock of just how much of an incredible influence it has really had.

Previous to our satellite TV subscription, any time anyone wanted to watch TV at home, it was like a declaration on war: no two people (neither the kids nor, ashamedly, the adults) could agree on what to watch at any given moment, and there were usually about four different shows/movies/games being competed for. Though these terse battles always started out with plenty of jokes, the results were usually anything but funny, and at times verged on the disintegration of the family...no exaggeration.

Then, what two adults and a couple kids couldn't work out between themselves, a satellite dish and an HD DVR did for them. All of a sudden, karma permeated every TV session. Not only has there been a tremendous surge in the quality and quantity of channels at our disposal (after all, satellite is the leader in channel variety), which has meant that we have found a lot more common ground and programming to coincide on, but the DVR has defused any tense situation that could possibly arise.

Really, these little boxes are a lifesaver. With their multiple simultaneous recording input options, we can get my sports games, my wife's cooking shows, my daughters' reality shows, and my little boy's cartoons...all at the same time! Of course, we set up our entire week's recording schedule ahead of time, so that nobody needs to worry about getting left out. And with the memory that this thing has, nobody ever does get left out; we just keep recording and recording and recording.

Nowadays, everybody in the family is watching all their favorite programming, without fights, and even in HD! With satellite, our high definition options have completely sky-rocketed; whereas before we were lucky to get a handful of channels, today I've got HD coming out my ears, with over 130 channels. I make sure that this technology is put to somewhat good use, however, and make my kids sit down with me every once in a while and watch some National Geographic or Discovery Channel and enrich their minds.

Regarding this very issue-enriching, educational programming-I've found that me satellite connection gives me way more than anybody else is offering: with The Learning Channel, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, not to forget my two favorites mentioned in the last paragraph, there is more than enough educational material floating in the channel guide that I feel comfortable with my decision to order the service. Really, there hasn't been a thing that I could complain about!

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. For the best in sports programming, movies, and high-definition entertainment, check out the many great Direct TV packages currently available.

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Save Face With Satellite TV

If you're a social person, like myself, and frequently find yourself fulfilling the role of host for hordes of friends and acquaintances on a regular basis, then surely you've made some efforts to spruce up your home with the intention of impressing your guests a bit with your arrangements. There are the obvious steps like sweeping and vacuuming, dusting, hiding the mountains of dirty laundry, putting a vase of flowers on the mantle piece and laying a friendly welcome mat on the doorstep. Once you're an experienced host (again like myself), these measures seem to just go on autopilot. There are other ways to polish your home's image and wow the invites that are a little more technological, however, and will really put your boudoir over and above the expectations of most...and make them keep coming back time and again.

There are several ways to accomplish this, but one of the best is with a well-configured satellite TV set up. You'll present an integrated home entertainment system to your hosts, a perfect fun spot for adults and kids alike, with neat extras and gadgets that will have the murmurs about your technological savvy spreading fast. How to do it, you ask? Here's the way to get a great set up, and all the benefits that will come with it.

The first step is always ordering your subscription and requesting installation, which thank heavens is a matter of 24-48 hours. Offered free of charge, this is the easiest step.

Make sure to request an HD DVR with your service, as this will make your TV experience a million times more enjoyable (we'll get back to this gadget a little further on in the article). Also, choose some of the programming packages that you find most attractive: satellite TV always has the best packages, especially in the sports and high definition categories. You'll find packages that you'll think were specifically tailored to your tastes, and indeed, that really is the case!

Once you've done these things, the next step is creating a visually pleasing arrangement. Consider purchasing an HD screen if you've yet to own one, as it'll be the best way to enjoy all the cool high def material that you'll be getting with your satellite connection. Set up a surround sound stereo system, to jack up the shock and awe factor (and to enjoy all the cool satellite radio music channels you'll be getting). Then, as your coup de grace, connect your PC to your TV so that you can surf the web on your TV screen and/or feed channels to your monitor.

With the above elements all assembled properly, you'll be in perfect condition to throw the best parties and get-togethers. With your HD DVR you'll be able to record tons of appropriate material beforehand, as well as pause and rewind live TV-just imagine the joy of having all your buddies over for a game and getting to replay ad infinitum the best play of the game! All your guests will be delighted, and you'll be turned into the host par excellence of the neighborhood (so take warning, only do all of this if you're comfortable with that role!).

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. For the best in sports programming, movies, and high-definition entertainment, check out the many great Direct TV packages currently available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R._Harrison