• Discover Satellite TV

• Learn How Satellite TV Works

• Find Satellite TV Products on eBay

• Buy Satellite TV With Confidence

Discover Satellite TV

Discover Satellite TV

There are a number of options you should consider before choosing a satellite TV provider and satellite TV equipment.

1. Check monthly service prices: Satellite TV prices range from around $20 a month for basic services to upwards of $100 a month for top-of-the-line packages.

2. Ask about hardware costs: Most satellite TV service providers will provide you with a satellite dish, satellite receiver, or complete satellite TV system (or let you rent basic equipment) when you sign up for service. You can upgrade your equipment, often at a bargain price, on eBay. You’ll find popular satellite dish brands, including Sony, RCA, and Fortec. Just make sure the equipment you’re thinking about is compatible with your service. Also, most satellite packages come with a preset number of set-top boxes. If you want satellite TV in more than one room, buy extra set-top boxes.

3. Compare channel packages: Does it include your favorite channels? Does your satellite TV provider offer local channels? Although it’s becoming more common, many providers don’t offer local television channels with their basic packages.

4. Ask about extras: Do you get access to high-definition channels? Does the satellite TV provider also offer high-speed Internet access for a package discount? Does your satellite provider offer set-top boxes with TiVo or DVR capabilities?

Learn How Satellite TV Works

Learn How Satellite TV Works

If you’ve ever wondered how television programming makes it from the networks into space, and then back into your home? Here’s how it works:

1. Uplink: Your favorite TV shows begin their 44,000-mile roundtrip journey to your house at an uplink station. Because the program files are so large (think of how long it takes to download a video file on your computer), they must be compressed before they’re sent off to the satellite.

2. Downlink: Once the TV programs arrive at the satellite, they are bounced back to earth, where your home satellite dish picks up and amplifies the weakened signal.

3. Decode: Your satellite dish relays the amplified signal to your set-top box, which decodes it so that you can watch a crisp, clear picture.

Find Satellite TV Products on eBay

Find Satellite TV Products on eBay

Once you know what type of satellite TV you want, go to the Consumer Electronics portal, click Satellite TV, and start searching for item listings on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Accessories, Dishes, Receivers, High Definition, Receivers, Standard Definition, Systems, and Others. As you dig deeper into the site, you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by brand.

• Keyword search: Search eBay title listings for specific words. For example, if you want to find a brand new HDTV receiver, type "new HDTV receiver” (without the quotation marks) into the search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Satellite TV With Confidence

Buy Satellite TV With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.