It was 1994 and I had moved into another home and learned that the cable TV line had not been installed to my house. When the cable company told me they would have to dig up my yard to put the line in I wasn't pleased with the idea or the price they quoted me to do it.

Satellite TV was still in its infancy stage with the big monster dishes. While I was browsing in a local electronics store one day I saw a guy giving a demonstration about the new DIRECTV 18 inch digital satellite TV dish.

Needless to say I was very impressed and purchased the satellite TV system on the spot. I knew it would save me from digging up my yard and I could actually get more channels than I got with cable.

After the tech guy hooked it up and left I was like a kid with a new toy. I couldn't believe how it transformed the picture and sound quality on my television. It was like a completely different TV.

DIRECTV channels are 100% digital-quality picture and sound, including local network channels. If you haven't experienced quality like that before you are in for a real treat.

Cable TV tries to compete with digital satellite TV technology by offering digital cable. But if you compare both the picture and sound quality, the DIRECTV super clear picture and crystal clear sound wins hands down any day.

But that was only the beginning of the many things I discovered. I didn't need a TV guide anymore because the on screen programming guide tells me what shows are on, who's starring in the show and what it's about.

I have an incredible variety of over 200 channels of every kind of programming I could think of and some I never dreamed of.

Then, I checked out the pay per view movie service with up to 55 different choices of movies and special events a day that I could easily order with my remote.

Does anyone like sports? What are you kidding? DIRECTV offers sports packages that will put a smile on any sports fans face. How about NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, MLB Extra Innings, NHL Center Ice, ESPN Game Plan and ESPN Full Court. That doesn't even include the regional sports networks I now have access to.

If you are a music lover, DIRECTV offers 31 different audio-only channels that range from choices like Soft Rock, Jazz and Country to Hit List, Easy Listening and a lot more.

I work out of my home and by selecting a DIRECTV audio channel to soft music, I can have the music I like in the background when I work.

Having a party? Just turn on any channel you like and you'll never have to touch it again because there are no commercials or interruptions. Just great digital quality music 24 hours a day at your fingertips.

When I moved again to another home, DIRECTV customer service made it about as easy as it gets. I just gave them my new address, and they not only sent a brand new replacement satellite TV dish to my new home, they provided complimentary standard professional installation for everything including the receivers. I didn't pay a penny for anything. How's that for a no-hassle move?

With cable, I would have had to pay another deposit and that is just extra money I get to keep in my wallet instead of giving it to the cable company.

If you're thinking about switching from cable to satellite TV or moving to another home, consider DIRECTV. It's simply a better value than cable and a smart choice you're whole family will enjoy.

With cable rates increasing an average of 8% per year it's no mystery why more than 12 million customers nationwide have made the switch to DIRECTV service.

Over 10 years have gone by now since I bought that first satellite TV dish and I love it as much now as when I first got it. I recommend DIRECTV to so many people because I know they will absolutely love it.

Only once in a great while a product comes along that actually over delivers. DIRECTV can not only save you money each month over cable but is a smart choice and an incredible value.

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