An increasing number of people are learning about and experiencing satellite TV's benefits in comparison to cable. Advanced technology in the form of satellite dishes as small as 18-inches wide can now receive more than 200 channels of digital programming entertainment-far more movie channels, pay per view channels and sports programming, with monthly payments comparable to cable.

The pioneer of the industry and the nation's leading direct broadcast satellite (DBS) TV service is Directv®. Directv programming is received via the DSS® system (Digital Satellite System), which offers a satellite dish about the size of a large pizza. Upstart DBS firm, EchoStar® markets a similar dish under The Dish Network brand, but offers far fewer channels. Another company called PrimeStar® sells a larger dish, at least three feet wide, and is backed by a consortium of large cable companies.

With an increasing number of choices and an equal amount of advertising claims, it is often difficult for consumers to make the right choice when shopping for this new alternative to large C-band dishes and cable. Following are tips on how to purchase the satellite TV system that's right for you and your family:

Programming: The DSS system receives twice as many channels as its competitors, featuring more than 175 channels of entertainment from Directv, including more than 60 basic channels, up to 55 pay per view channels that feature hit movies for only $2.99 every 30 minutes, special interest channels and CD-quality audio music. Programming from U.S. Satellite Broadcasting® (USSB®), another licensed DBS service provider, complements the Directv lineup and brings the total channels available to DSS owners to up to 200. PrimeStar and EchoStar offer approximately half the number of channels, far less pay per view channels, and very few to almost no sports programming packages.

Sports Programming: Directv offers the most sports packages and the most games, including programming not offered on cable or any other DBS service such as NFL Sunday Ticketª which delivers close to 200 regular season out-of-market games, ESPN GamePlanª College Football and ESPN Full Courtª College Basketball. Sports programming packages such as those on Directv deliver hundreds of games not available on cable. PrimeStar offers limited sports programming packages.

Availability: Directv is available nationwide and DSS systems are widely available at more than 26,000 consumer electronics stores such as Circuit City and Sears, and satellite retailers across the country. The availability of EchoStar's dish is limited and the cable-owned service, PrimeStar, is offered primarily through local cable operators, although some of these larger dishes are also sold through regional distributors.

Cost: As hardware prices continue to drop, satellite TV is becoming more and more attractive for the consumer. DSS systems are available for as low as $199 after a special Directv $200 cash back rebate good through December 31, 1996. Most DBS services offer comparable programming packages from $5.95 to $59.99 a month. With more than 3,000 professional and collegiate sports games offered, Directv sports packages are an exceptional value.

Technology: Directv offers a high-power digital DBS service via the DSS system, which is available throughout the continental United States. EchoStar also offers a digital quality high-power DBS service via The Dish Network. PrimeStar's digital service uses a medium-power system, which limits its channel capacity and requires a larger dish.

Manufacturers: DSS units, which receive Directv programming, are manufactured by some of the most well respected companies in the world including RCA, Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo, Toshiba, Hitachi, Samsung, Hughes Network Systems (HNS) and Uniden. Those shoppers that are brand loyal have several top brands of DSS from which to choose. EchoStar's equipment is manufactured by lesser known companies including SCI Systems, Groupe Sagem, I.T.I. and Weingard. General Instrument and Satellite Atlantic manufacture PrimeStar's larger dish.

Portability: The 18-inch satellite dish is very portable in case of a residence change and can be used anywhere within the continental U.S. Both the DSS and EchoStar systems are manufactured in the form of dishes that can be mounted on your RV. However, with the DSS system, viewers receive more programming with Directv. The larger PrimeStar unit requires a permanent pole-mount in a consumer's yard that makes it virtually impossible to relocate, and does not offer suspended billing.(NAPSI)