| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Q: |
|
What is DIRECTV? |
| A: |
|
DIRECTV is the nation's #1 digital satellite entertainment service provider. Using the most advanced satellite technology, they deliver access to more than 225 channels of programming to homes and businesses that have DIRECTV receiving equipment, which features a small satellite dish, a digital set-top receiver and a remote control. The DIRECTV service offers an incredible selection of entertainment for every member of the family — all in the digital-quality picture and sound that DIRECTV is known for.
|
| Q: |
|
What programming does DIRECTV offer? |
| A: |
|
DIRECTV® programming and service features access to more than 225 available channels of entertainment. Customers have access to popular networks like Disney Channel, CNN, ESPN and TNT, as well as up to 55 pay per view choices a day, including major Hollywood films and special events. Hit movies start as often as every 30 minutes and they cost only $3.99 each when you use your remote control to order. You also have access to an unprecedented professional and collegiate sports subscription lineup, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NHL® CENTER ICE® , MLB EXTRA INNINGSSM, MLS DIRECT KICKTM, ESPN GamePlan and ESPN FULL COURT. There's even more! SPORTS Pack premium service and TOTAL CHOICE® PREMIER package deliver sports action from across the nation. Plus, adult channels like PLAYBOY TV are available on an a la carte basis.
|
| Q: |
|
How much will DIRECTV® service cost me each month? |
| A: |
|
It's more affordable than you might think. TOTAL CHOICE® programming package, which includes over 125 channels, is just $41.99 per month. The cost to "mirror" that service to additional receivers in your home is $4.99/mo. per receiver (as long as you keep all your receivers continuously connected to the same land-based phone line). If your state charges a sales tax, they'll add that to your bill. That's it. But of course, you can select from many other packages as well.
|
| Q: |
|
How does DIRECTV® service compare with cable? |
| A: |
|
DIRECTV has created a programming service specifically driven to offer customers more choice and value for their entertainment dollar. The DIRECTV service combines America's favorite network channels, other popular networks not available from many cable services, a pay per view service with up to 55 choices of movies and special events a day, local channels in many markets, and an unprecedented sports subscription lineup. No other system offers as many quality program options.
|
| Q: |
|
Does DIRECTV offer programming in additional languages? |
| A: |
|
Yes! DIRECTV is proud to offer Cantonese, Mandarin, South Asian (Hindi and Tamil), Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese-language programming.
|
| Q: |
|
Is DIRECTV service available in Canada or Mexico? |
| A: |
|
DirecTV is legally prohibited from transmitting their signal outside the United States.
|
| Q: |
|
Is DIRECTV service available in Alaska? |
| A: |
|
DIRECTV does offer programming in Alaska. However, because of Alaska's location in relation to our satellites, you may need a larger satellite dish. For example, viewers in Anchorage or Fairbanks may need an eight-foot dish to get good reception. In the Juneau area, a four-foot dish may do the trick. Areas north and west of these locations will experience an even greater reduction in signal acuity. Residents of Alaska should check with their local DIRECTV retailer for more information and programming availability.
|
| Q: |
|
Is DIRECTV service available in Hawaii? |
| A: |
|
Yes! Hawaii residents can enjoy select DIRECTV® programming.
|
| Q: |
|
I have another satellite service. How do I convert to the DIRECTV® service? |
| A: |
|
We advise new customers to use DIRECTV equipment only. DIRECTV hardware has been designed to meet high service quality standards.
|
| Q: |
|
Where is DIRECTV located? |
| A: |
|
The DIRECTV corporate office is located in El Segundo, California. It serves as the headquarters to our many regional sales offices and two broadcast centers located in Los Angeles, California, and Castle Rock, Colorado.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Q: |
|
What is the DIRECTV® System? |
| A: |
|
The DIRECTV® System is the equipment that allows customers to receive DIRECTV® programming. Every DIRECTV® System includes three components: a small satellite dish, a digital set-top receiver and a remote control. And every DIRECTV® Receiver gives you access to more than 225 digital-quality channels, plus a customizable on-screen program guide with a built-in "Locks and Limits" feature for rating and spending control. Consult your System Manual for more details.
Most DIRECTV® programming, including local channels for many areas, comes from the satellites at the primary orbital location — 101 degrees West Longitude (WL). The 18-inch round dish, which comes with the standard DIRECTV® System, is designed to receive signals from this satellite location.
DIRECTV uses satellites at other orbital locations to deliver local channels in some cities, high definition television (HDTV) and the DIRECTV PARA TODOS® Spanish-language service. The 18x24-inch oval dish, which comes with the DIRECTV Multi-Satellite System, is specially designed to receive signals from all of the current satellite locations.
|
| Q: |
|
Can I install the satellite dish inside my house? |
| A: |
|
In order to receive the signal, the dish must have a direct line of sight to the south through a window. However, many types of window glass degrade the satellite signal. Therefore, it is strongly recommend that you install your satellite dish outside in a suitable location.
|
| Q: |
|
If I install my satellite dish outside, will it get stolen? |
| A: |
|
The satellite dish is the least expensive component of the DIRECTV® System and is basically useless without the set-top receiver. Also keep in mind that the dish is small enough to be placed in an inconspicuous location on your home or property.
|
| Q: |
|
My homeowners association has some rules about what's placed outside our house. Are there regulations that supersede these restrictions? |
| A: |
|
Many apartment and condominium residents have their dish installed on a private patio or balcony when they're not authorized to mount a dish on the roof. A clear view of the southern sky is required.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a rule that generally forbids local governments and homeowners associations from enforcing unreasonable restrictions regarding the installation of satellite dishes one meter or smaller. For more information visit the FCC website.
However, your system installation may require structure modifications that may be limited or restricted by the terms of your lease/rental agreement. To avoid delays in your installation, we ask that you obtain written or verbal permission from your landlord, homeowners association or property manager (or, alternatively, you may review your lease/rental agreement/HOA CC&Rs to confirm that permission is not required) prior to scheduling your installation.
|
| Q: |
|
Can I paint the satellite dish? |
| A: |
|
It's okay to paint your dish if you don't use lead-based or glossy paint. Glossy paint could damage the Low Noise Block (LNB) converter by increasing the signal reflection. You should not paint the LNB itself.
|
| Q: |
|
If I move, can I take the receiving equipment with me? |
| A: |
|
Yes. Whether you buy a DIRECTV® System or get it free through a special purchase offer, the equipment is yours. When you move, leave your dish and just take the receivers.
If you're moving to Alaska or Hawaii, you may need new receiving equipment. If you're moving outside the United States, we're sorry, but we won't be able to serve you. DIRECTV is legally prohibited from offering services outside the United States.
|
| Q: |
|
I bought a used DIRECTV® System from a friend. What should I do to get the system installed and activate programming? |
| A: |
|
We can only offer you a new, professionally installed system.
|
| Q: |
|
I live in an apartment. Can I get a DIRECTV System? |
| A: |
|
Start by asking your landlord, property manager or homeowners association if you may install a DIRECTV® System on your rooftop. If not authorized to mount the dish on the roof, many apartment and condominium residents have the dish installed on a private patio or balcony - a clear view of the southern sky is required.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a rule that generally forbids local governments and homeowners associations from enforcing unreasonable restrictions regarding the installation of satellite dishes one meter or smaller. For more information visit the FCC website.
However, your system installation may require structure modifications that may be limited or restricted by the terms of your lease/rental agreement. To avoid delays in your installation, we ask that you obtain written or verbal permission from your landlord, homeowners association or property manager (or, alternatively, you may review your lease/rental agreement/HOA CC&Rs to confirm that permission is not required) prior to scheduling your installation.
|
| Q: |
|
How does DIRECTV compare with cable? |
| A: |
|
It's different in many ways. DIRECTV® service is designed to give you more choices – including programming you can't get on cable – and better value for your money. For example, DIRECTV® programming features digital-quality picture and sound. With digital cable, some channels are still delivered in anaolg. With cable you may be subject to monthly franchise fees. With DIRECTV, your service total is only subject to sales tax, where applicable.
|
| Q: |
|
What programming does DIRECTV® service offer? |
| A: |
|
DIRECTV® service features more than 225 available channels of entertainment. Customers have access to popular networks like Disney Channel, CNN, ESPN and TNT, as well as up to 55 pay per view choices a day including major Hollywood films and special events. Hit movies start as often as every 30 minutes and they cost only $3.99 each when you use your remote control to order. DIRECTV also offers an unprecedented professional and collegiate sports subscription lineup , including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NHL® CENTER ICE® , MLB EXTRA INNINGSSM, MLS DIRECT KICKTM, WNBA SEASON PASS, ESPN GamePlan and ESPN FULL COURT. There's even more! SPORTS PACK and TOTAL CHOICE® PREMIER packages deliver sports action from across the nation. Plus, adult channels like PLAYBOY TV are available on an a la carte basis.
|
| Q: |
|
Is DIRECTV® sports programming affected by sports blackouts? |
| A: |
|
Yes, as a provider of the most comprehensive sports programming lineup in the digital home entertainment industry, DIRECTV must pay close attention to sports blackouts and restrictions.
|
| Q: |
|
Does DIRECTV offer a Spanish-language programming service? |
| A: |
|
Yes, DIRECTV PARA TODOS® offers the most comprehensive Spanish- and English-language programming service at an affordable price. It features more than 50 Spanish-language channels, including sports, movies, news, music and educational networks. (Includes English-language broadcast channels with alternate Spanish-language audio access.)
To get DIRECTV PARA TODOS® programming, you need a DIRECTV Multi-Satellite System, which features an 18-by-24-inch, oval-shaped satellite dish and a specially designed set-top box and remote control.
|
| Q: |
|
Can I get DIRECTV® programming on more than one television set in my house? |
| A: |
|
Buying separate DIRECTV® Receivers for the various television sets in your home gives you the flexibility of watching different DIRECTV® programs on different television sets. If all of your DIRECTV® Receivers are connected to the same land-based phone line, it's only $4.99 a month for programming on the second and each additional receiver in your home.
|
| Q: |
|
If I have more than one receiver, do I have to pay a full monthly subscription for each receiver? |
| A: |
|
No. DIRECTV allows you to connect more than one television in a single household to our services. If your receivers are connected to the same phone line, it's only $4.99 a month for programming on the second and each additional receiver in your home. The programming you request for the primary access card in your receiver is copied for all of the access cards in the other receivers and you are authorized to receive this same level of programming on these televisions.
When you receive programming on additional receivers, DIRECTV verifies that all your receivers are continuously connected to the same land-based phone line. If they find that a receiver with mirrored programming service is not connected to the phone line, they will discontinue service to that receiver and you will need to call DIRECTV to re-establish that service.
|
| Q: |
|
Is the DIRECTV broadcast compatible with surround-sound technologies? |
| A: |
|
The DIRECTV® System is compatible with Dolby Pro Logic Surround-Sound and Dolby Digital. To get true surround-sound, you will need a Dolby Pro Logic or Dolby Digital surround-sound processing unit. Basically, you will be able to experience surround-sound with DIRECTV® programming if your home theater system has surround-sound capability.
|
| Q: |
|
My picture breaks into squares or pixels. What can I do? |
| A: |
|
Severe weather (heavy rain or snow) can sometimes interfere with the signal, causing your picture to freeze frame or "pixelate." This problem should clear up when the weather improves. If your picture doesn't return after the weather clears, unplug your receiver for 15 seconds and it will reset itself.
This may also happen if there are any obstructions (such as tree limbs, airplane flight patterns, nearby buildings, etc.) blocking your dish's clear view of our satellite. If this is the case, you should contact a professional to remove the obstructions or a DIRECTV installer to relocate your dish.
In good weather, you should have signal strength of 70 or better on most of the 32 transponders. However, it is normal to see a zero reading on transponders 4, 12, 18, 20, 26 or 28, depending on where you live. Your owner's manual also explains how to check your signal strength. If your signal strength is lower than 70 on most transponders in good weather, contact a professional installer to realign your dish.
|
| Q: |
|
I have a black, snowy or blue screen. |
| A: |
|
This usually happens when the receiver is not turned on or the television input setting is incorrect. Most customers view DIRECTV programming with their television tuned to channel 3 or 4. If you are utilizing the Audio/Video connections or S-Video feature on your receiver, make sure the television is tuned to either 00, Video 1, Video 2, Video 3 or some other input setting. You should be able to use the INPUT button on the television's remote control to toggle between these input settings. Additionally, make sure your cable connections are secure, and that your VCR is turned on or off, depending how you have it configured within your entertainment center.
If this doesn't fix the problem, try resetting your receiver by turning it off, unplugging it and plugging it back in after 15 seconds. Sometimes a simple reset will resolve this problem.
|
| Q: |
|
I have a black screen with the program information on top. What can I do? |
| A: |
|
First, does an error message appear on the bottom of your screen? If there is a message, consult the list of messages to help solve your problem. If you have no message, just the banner, then the channel you are tuned to is most likely scheduled to broadcast a major sporting event in the very near future. Scheduled programming will begin broadcasting an hour or two before the start of the event. If the channel is not associated with a sporting event, and you should be receiving the program on that channel, try resetting your receiver by turning it off and unplugging it for 15 seconds. If that does not help, call DIRECTV for further assistance.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
What is the purpose of connecting my receiver to my telephone line? |
|
A: |
With this phone connection, DIRECTV customers are authorized to order pay per view movies and events with their remote control, get popular sports subscriptions like NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, and have the programming subscription on their main receiver "mirrored" to other receivers that are connected to the same phone line for just $4.99/mo. per additional receiver. You cannot connect a cellular phone to your receiver; it must be a land-based phone line.
Customers who don't have a continuous telephone connection are not authorized to receive certain sports programming, must call DIRECTV to order pay per view, and must pay a separate subscription price for each receiver. To cover the cost of handling phone requests, there is an additional $1.50 charge when pay per view events and movies are ordered by phone utilizing the automated ordering system or an additional $5.00 charge for an operator-assisted order. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
Will the telephone connection interfere with regular telephone usage? |
|
A: |
No. This connection does not interfere with your phone. A modem inside your receiver makes a toll-free call to the DIRECTV computer system in the middle of the night. If the modem senses that you are using the phone, it will try again later. The modem's call lasts just a few seconds. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
Why does the standard DIRECTV® System require an access card? How does it work? |
|
A: |
The access card, which comes with each system, acts as a "license plate" for your system. It provides security and encryption information and allows you to control the use of your system. The access card also allows DIRECTV to capture billing information that is specific to your account. The card contains a microprocessor that enables the card to act as an auxiliary processor for your satellite receiver. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
Can you explain the Locks & Limits (parental controls) feature of the DIRECTV System? |
|
A: |
The Locks & Limits feature built into the equipment lets you restrict access to movies based on the motion picture rating system, pay per view spending limits, and block the viewing of entire channels. This is a great feature for parents who wish to control what their children watch on DIRECTV service. Consult your System Manual for more details. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
How do I get local channels along with my DIRECTV® service? |
|
A: |
Most customers can choose a programming package that includes local channels. You can check availability in your area on our site. If DIRECTV doesn't yet carry your local stations, you might use a regular rooftop antenna to get local channels over the air. The DIRECTV remote control lets you toggle easily between satellite signals and antenna signals. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
With so many channels, how will I sort through them all? |
|
A: |
The DIRECTV receiving equipment not only brings you lots of channels, it helps you manage your options. Your on-screen program guide helps you quickly find what you're looking for. And you can set up favorite channels lists to make surfing even easier. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
How does the on-screen guide work? |
|
A: |
You can access the guide by pressing a button on your remote control, then you can navigate around the guide using the arrow buttons on the remote. The guide lists all DIRECTV® programming with descriptions of most programs. The on-screen program guide lets you look at program listings up to 36 hours ahead. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
How do I order DIRECTV® Pay Per View movies and special events? |
|
A: |
The easiest way to order is with your remote control. Just make sure that you have a DIRECTV subscription and that your receiver is continuously connected to a land-based phone line.
You can also order pay per view on DIRECTV.com. Finally, you can call DIRECTV Customer Service to order, however there is a $5 fee for each order called in. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
What is a letterbox movie? |
|
A: |
The shape of a theater screen is wider than the shape of a TV screen. So, when movies appear on TV, the left and right sides of the image are usually cut off and you miss about 30 percent of the film's original picture. The letterbox format, preferred by many film buffs, displays movies on a television screen as originally intended by the film's director. That's why you see black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when you watch a letterbox movie on your television. The TV screen has been adapted to accommodate the film's entire picture. In order to fit the whole picture on the screen, the image has to be reduced. There is no extra charge for letterbox movies with DIRECTV® Pay Per View movies . |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
Are movies available on pay per view before or after they come out on home video? |
|
A: |
Movie studios release films to the video rental market before making them available to pay per view services. However, the period between the home video release and pay per view release can be as little as 30 days. There are several advantages to watching movies on pay per view.
First, DIRECTV is not just another pay per view provider! DIRECTV offers a great selection of the latest pay per view movies well in advance of premium cable and broadcast television networks. You can even preview the first five minutes of non-adult movies so you can make an informed "purchase" decision. DIRECTV® Pay Per View brings you the most exciting events like boxing, wrestling, soccer, music and more. With as many as 55 different movie and event choices a day, we offer you more viewing options than cable or any other satellite service. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
I have two receivers. Can I order a DIRECTV Pay Per View movie on one receiver and watch it on both TVs in my house? |
|
A: |
No. Each pay per view order is specific to the receiver on which it is ordered. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
If I own one receiver that is hooked up to more than one TV, can I watch the same pay per view program on each TV without an additional charge? |
|
A: |
Yes. All TVs that are hooked up to a common receiver will receive the same satellite signal. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
I believe I'm outside of the sports blackout area. Why am I still getting blacked out from games? |
|
A: |
You may have been blacked out from a game even though you seemed to be outside the blackout area. This can happen if a TV station near the team's home stadium has networked the games to a TV station nearer to you. For example, a person who lives near Houston, but more than 150 miles from a San Antonio Spurs station's territory, might be blacked out from a game if the San Antonio television station networked the signal to a station in Houston.
Unfortunately, DIRECTV is subject to clauses that keep them from carrying events near where the game is played, aired or broadcast locally. In addition, networks like ESPN and TNT have signed contracts with certain cable TV operators that prevent some events from being distributed by anyone else in their franchise area.
In some cases, if a game is blacked out from certain DIRECTV channels, you may be able to see it on another DIRECTV channel, or on one of your local broadcast channels. |
|
|
|
|
Q: |
Can weather interfere with my reception? |
|
A: |
Television reception on the DIRECTV System is highly reliable year-round and nationwide. DIRECTV® service is only minimally affected by weather, under extreme conditions. If a signal interruption happens at all, it is usually less than one minute long. If you suspect your system is having a weather-related problem, go to DIRECTV's technical support section of their website for more information. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
