Satellite TV offers many advantages: better quality, more channels, and future-proof technology. We take a look at the most important things to consider.

At best, the antiquated roof antenna remains useful for building birds' nests.

Things used to be a lot easier: The antenna on the roof did it all. Thirty years ago, there were so few channels that you could count them on one hand. The arrival of commercial TV in the 1980s increased the quantity, but not necessarily the quality, of channels on offer. Cable TV added even more channels, and suddenly viewers could choose from more than 30 programs at a time. But all of these channels were analog, whether received via cable or antenna.

While the low-quality signal looked fine on the comparatively small, tube TVs of the time, this is no longer the case with modern flat-panels. Anyone who's tried to "admire" an analog TV signal on a 50-inch plasma TV will know how pitiful it looks: a lackluster, low-resolution picture, plagued by disturbances - in short, TV that'll turn you off.

Today, on the other hand, viewers can receive their TV signals in five different ways - including (still) as an analog signal via cable and satellite. But analog technology is very much yesterday's news, and allows neither surround sound nor HDTV.

Digital reception methods - "Digital Video Broadcasting" (DVB) - are superior in every respect. They consist of three types of transmission: antenna (DVB-T), cable (DVB-C), or satellite (DVB-S). Satellite outshines the other methods from a qualitative point of view, which is why we've created this article specifically about DVB-S.

A satellite dish allows the highest quality, and largest quantity, of digital-TV reception.

Digital satellite reception offers various advantages, not least the better video and audio quality. This quality-improvement in comparison to DVB-T and DVB-C is a result of digital satellite's higher bit rate.

The lack of connection charges (except for the obligatory U.K. license fee and any pay-TV subscriptions) is a clear advantage. Buying a satellite dish will therefore pay for itself in a short space of time.

The variety of content is another plus point: Satellite viewers can enjoy hundreds of radio stations and TV channels via, among others, the Astra (28.2° East) and Eurobird 1 (28.5° East) satellites.

When changing your equipment for satellite reception, there are two key areas to watch out for: technical and legal hurdles. Reception will only work if the dish has a direct "line of sight" to the satellite - it must therefore point in precisely the correct direction. If there's something in the way - trees or buildings, for example - you will not receive the signal. In that case, you'll have to look for a different location for the dish, which can be a tricky pursuit.

Landlords might kick up a fuss, for example, if the dish looks unattractive. The legal situation has improved for consumers in recent years, but there have been many court rulings with differing conclusions. The easiest way to avoid conflict with the landlord is to discuss your plans with them in advance.

Panasonic's new G10 series: These TVs, such as the 42-inch TX-P42G10 shown here, come with a built-in DVB-S tuner.

Once you've established that the coast is clear of both technical and legal obstacles, you'll need a dish, a good TV, and a DVB-S receiver. These receivers, which convert the satellite signal into one that the TV can display, are rarely integrated into TVs themselves.

Current plasma and LCD TVs from Panasonic's G10 series, for example, do have an integrated DVB-S tuner, but in the majority of cases you'll need to buy an additional receiver (also known as a "tuner" or "set-top box"). A wide selection of satellite receivers is currently available, and these vary massively in price, features, ease-of-use, and quality.

The next section examines the aspects that are particularly important when buying a receiver.

Satellite receivers are like grains of sand on a beach. To make sure you choose the right model from the huge number of devices on offer, pay particular attention to the following five points:

DVB-S:
You can recognize a digital receiver by the "DVB-S" logo, which you'll generally find on the back of the device. Some analog satellite receivers are still on offer, and these would definitely be the wrong choice - so watch out.

HDMI:
Make absolutely sure that your new receiver allows HDMI connections. Only this digital connection brings the best video and audio quality to the living room.

HDTV Reception:
The new receiver should be able to process HDTV content. You can get hold of cheap HDTV receivers for as little as 100 GBP. The number of HD channels isn't very impressive at present, but this looks set to change in the near future.

Hard Disk:
Receivers with an integrated hard disk offer extra luxury. They allow you to record TV programs easily and with no loss of quality, since the data stream already arrives in a digital form from the satellite and can simply be stored one-to-one.

Easy Operation:
As well as convenient menu-design and handy remote controls, the best receivers stand out with speedy, intuitive channel-navigation - this is essential with such a large number of channels on offer.

In the United Kingdom, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) operates a pay-TV package known as Sky Digital, or simply as "Sky". Customers using the Sky service have access to free-to-air channels as well as subscription content, including movies, sports, and a variety of other premium content.

Sky supplies two versions of its receivers, Sky+ and Sky+ HD, both of which allow the user to record programs and to pause live TV. Those subscribing to a Sky TV package receive the boxes at highly subsidized prices - currently about 30 GBP for Sky+ and 50 GBP for Sky+ HD. Only Sky-branded boxes are permitted by Sky, although many users have been able to use their access cards in other devices.

Those choosing to subscribe to Sky's HD service will gain access to the U.K.'s largest selection of HD content (currently 33 channels). The newly introduced Freesat system, for comparison, offers just two HD channels: BBC HD and ITV HD. For more information about receiving HD content via satellite (and other reception methods), see our article First steps to HDTV.

Those that can afford it can't go wrong with Technisat's HD S2 Plus.

Technisat's excellent example of a deluxe receiver costs around 500 GBP and allows simultaneous recording of any two channels (including HDTV channels) onto its 500-gigabyte hard disk.

Numerous multimedia features allow the device to export recordings to a PC, as well as to play back multimedia files across a PC network. The unit does not, however, provide access to the Freesat system's Electronic Program Guide.

Humax's FOXSAT HD is certified by Freesat and gets the all-round thumbs up. It also receives other free-to-air satellite broadcasts.

The "FOXSAT HD" HDTV set-top box is available from around 120 GBP and is a great example of a low-cost, Freesat-certified receiver. Recording and multimedia functions are not present here, but a step-up version with recording facilities, the "FOXSAT HDR", is available for around 250 GBP.