Sony Satellite or nothing
Written: May 27 '00 (Updated May 28 '00)
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Pros: Great product with Sony quality
Cons: There wasn't a complete kit with receiver and dish when I was in the market
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| Prod4's Full Review: Sony SAT B50 Satellite TV Receiver |
It started about a year ago, I began noticing these new toys (mini dishes) pop up on poles in the back yards, or on the side of my neighbor’s houses. At first I thought nothing of them, until I was invited to a friends house. I noticed he had purchased one of these strangely shaped dishes, and had it proudly mounted on his fence. So I ask “What’s the deal with these things?”
He starts telling me of the great deal he got on this system, and all the channels he gets. I stand there in amazement thinking to my self of ways to con my wife in to letting me have one. So we sat back and enjoyed some nicely chilled domestic beer, as we surf through close to two hundred channels. He had up to ten pay-per view channels for movies, sports, and other special concert events I believe. This toy (as my wife described it) was awesome, at the time my local cable company could offer nothing that would compare, only "digital cable".
The battle begins, I mention the system to my wife briefly that day. She replied “We don’t need that thing, we have cable.” So I let the subject die down for about a week, while I prepared for a counter attack. In that time I began my shopping adventure. I noticed a Sony system at a local Best Buy store that was very attractive and beautifully displayed on the shelf, it called to me “I pick up two Disney Channels, And it’s cheaper than cable.” That’s it, I had ammunition. Basically to make a long story short, I convinced her to let me have one. I explained how the baby would love to see all the new kid’s shows, yeah I begged. She finally said yes after awhile though, I think she was tired of hearing about it.
We get to the store (local Best Buy) after cashing a handsome tax return check. I spotted the Sony satellite receiver model # B50 which I had my eye on for about a week. I grabbed the receiver, antenna (dish), and an installation kit (this is needed if you’re installing the system yourself). The approx. total was $269.97 before tax. Sony receiver $149.99, Installation kit $49.99, and Sony antenna dish with dual jacks for two receivers $69.99. There are other systems that come complete with receiver and dish for a considerable less amount of money. Sony is a respected name in my house, so I paid the extra $$$.
I got home and tore the boxes open like a kid on Christmas morning. Where do I start? It’s not that hard, if you’ve put up a mailbox or fence you should do fine (read the manuals carefully). I started by mounting the dish on my fence post, and making all the connections. After the outside part of the job was done I began my way to the living room. The hard part for me was fighting my way through the jungle of cables and cords behind the entertainment center to connect everything. Now, remember that installation kit I was referring to earlier. Most of the ones I have seen (including mine I bought) come with a small compass, it’s a very important tool you’ll need. I had a general reference of where to point my dish due to neighbors, but I still needed the compass (it’s a BIG sky). My receiver’s manual then had me turn the unit on; it has a feature that displays the signal strength so you know when you’ve achieved the best position. This process from opening the box to turning on the unit took approx. three-four hours.
The system was ready to go. My wife then called the service provider “DIRECTV” which in my opinion has great plans set up for any type of viewer (they even have a season ticket program, you’ll never miss a game). We done we had access to GREAT television, a true digital picture, and free events (concerts, free previews, etc.) usually once a month from directv. Our plan runs for approx. $50.00per month. Another friend of mine went with “digital cable” available from our local cable company. He asked one day “If digital cable was available when you bought your satellite, would you have bought it?” I said to him “It was available, I didn’t like it.” In my opinion, theirs a difference in picture quality, and that “digital cable” is a attempt to win back the Mini Dish customers. Also I wouldn’t have another receiver unless it’s a Sony…
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 269.97 before tax
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Epinions.com ID:
Prod4
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 2 members
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