Alternatives to Cable
Cable provides high-quality digital television in many urban areas. Before the advent of satellite television, cable companies had a monopoly on the cable only channels. Phone companies now provide fiber optic television service. Television viewers can still use an antenna to get their television, provided they have a converter box for older analog TV sets.
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Internet Television Stations
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Internet television stations exist, although these stations do not offer the same quality as standard television stations. The streaming stations also suffer from the data stream stopping and starting. Wwitv.com offers many channels that show classic cartoons, movie trailers and television clips from stations around the world. Many television networks make popular shows available online.
Satellite Television
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Dish Network and Direct TV, the two major satellite providers, offer much the same services and competitive prices. Both offer local stations as part of their programming packages. Both services require the owner to place a small satellite on top of his house. The homeowner must make sure he places the dish so it points toward the satellite. Heavy rain can interrupt satellite signals but the signal returns when the storm passes.
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Fiber Optic Television
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Many phone companies now offer television that uses fiber optic lines. Fiber optic television is not available in all areas. Check with your local phone company to see if this service is available.
Digital Antennas
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People who live in remote areas and do not wish to use satellite services can get their television from an antenna. The homeowner or renter must live in an area where they can pick up over the air signals. The number of stations that a person can receive through an antenna depends on where he lives.
Video Podcasts
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Video podcasts allow amateurs to make their own television shows. Video podcast viewers download these video casts onto an MP3 player or computer. The casts can be played back at the user's convenience. Many of these amateur video programs cost nothing to download and cater to specific interests.
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