Remember "BUD?" The "big ugly dish" that decorated 1970s lawns, reminding us of extraterrestrial test sites and re-runs of "My Favorite Martian?" To get the "good" channels, you needed a sci-fi "landing zone" in your yard - but not anymore. These days, dishes are cute, compact and offer the complete package.

How does it work?

Satellite television isn't so different from cable, except with satellite, the signal comes directly to your own personal mini-dish.

"Cable is satellite," said Bob Gordon, owner of RidgeRunner Satellite. "You've seen the dishes at the cable company's office; their customers basically rent them. But, with satellite, there is maybe only 50 feet of cable between the dish and the receiver."

Television satellites sit high in the sky - about 22,000 miles high. Satellites keep up the pace with the Earth's rotation, both making a full rotation once every 24 hours. This "shadow effect" makes for a simple set-up, since you only have to direct your dish toward the satellite once.

Quality

Satellite offers top-notch quality, thanks to digital transmissions. "Everything on satellite is digital, which means no snow," said Gordon. "With satellite you get great Dolby Digital audio and more channels - 140 digital channels."

Dolby Digital audio allows for surround sound. If programming is transmitted in a Dolby Digital format, all you need is a surround sound receiver and speakers for a movie theaterlike experience.