• During severe electrical storms, unplug your TV set, VCR, DVD and computer to avoid damage.
  
  
• Check all your electrical cords periodically to make sure they are not frayed.
  
  
• Do not attempt to open your TV or other equipment. There are no user- serviceable parts.
  
  
• If anyone besides an approved technician installs wiring in your home, ensure that it complies with all government regulations and that it does not interfere with the operations of other communications services, like police or aviation frequencies. You can buy parts from us that meet standards, and it costs less than in stores.
  
  
• Make sure all additional cable outlets are "home-run" wired. This means that all outlets should route back to the central point where the primary cable enters the home (typically outside where the wires come in). Additional lines that are "split" more than once will adversely affect the quality of the signal and will often cause your service to become inoperable or unreliable.
  

• Full Basic Cable TV
  
  Full Basic Cable TV is our most requested service and includes cable channels such as ESPN, USA, TNT, CNN and more. Many are digitally delivered and converted so that you do not need addtional equipment or decoders.


• Basic
  
  Basic is an economical alternative offering reliable access to available broadcast channels and a few others. Because of the lack of programming, few people take it, but it is available. It consists of channels 4 through 13 in the current channel lineup.
  


• Premium Services
  
  Premium channels include Home Box Office (HBO) and Cinemax. Premium channels feature uncut, commercial-free movies, sports and specials. Digital premium services are converted to analog delivery in stereo.
  
  
• High-Speed Internet Access
  
  In many areas you may subscribe to a high-speed Internet service for computers from Westernet. This is billed separately from your cable bill, as it is provided by Westernet. Using the same cable line that delivers cable television services, the Internet Service connects into a cable modem (which Westernet provides and maintains) and is then routed to a personal computer. Since the Internet is delivered over a cable line, it eliminates the added cost for an additional phone line. You may surf the Internet, send / receive email and download programs at lightning fast speeds (saving time) and never have to worry about tying up a phone line or creating a busy signal when online. The service is always on when the computer is on and does not require you to dial in to connect. The Internet is a much more enjoyable and useful tool as a result, and it works well on content-rich sites that feature streaming video and audio.
  

MYTH:You get more channels with satellite than with cable.
We offer a large choice in basic cable with high entertainment value. Satellite claims more channels, but many are simply not of interest or have no video.

MYTH:All of your local channels are available via satellite.
Satellite companies typically offer only the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox) in about 40 cities in the US. Further, satellite companies charge extra for local channels; with Rural Route Video and other cable providers, local channels are included as part of basic service.

If you try to get local channels on satellite, they will be Albuquerque only. We offer local stations from Denver, Durango, Farmington and Grand Junction as well.

Finally, while satellite companies tout sports packages as a powerful asset, the truth is that sports fans typically care most about their local sports teams and events. Many local-team games are carried on independent broadcast stations not available via satellite services. So, as a fan of your city's professional baseball, basketball or hockey team, you won't be able to view all of the team's games if you rely exclusively on satellite service.

MYTH: Everybody loves satellite.
The percentage of customers who disconnect their service each month is higher in DBS households than in cable households. Many customers who connect with us after subscribing to a dish tell us that cable offers about the same number of channels they watch, plus they get the added benefit of receiving ALL local channels and watching cable service on additional TV sets for no extra charge.

MYTH:Installing a dish has to be easy, so I can do it myself.
Actually, it may be pretty difficult. Installation of satellite dishes can be tricky, time consuming and frustrating. For instance, do you know how to bolt a dish to your roof without causing a leak? And do you know where your satellite is? Dishes must point to a precise point in space to receive their signal, which limits the number of places that dishes can be installed and can lead to ugly dishes in your yard, or on your roof or deck. Once you locate that one spot for the best reception --- which must face south and not have any trees, buildings or other items in its way --- the real fun begins. You have to run wires through your home to the TV set, which must be within several feet of a phone outlet for the satellite receiver. Then you have to hope that trees don't grow, the wind doesn't blow, and that it doesn't snow!

MYTH: A dish is the most high-tech way to get TV.
Experts including technologists, industry analysts and consumers have heralded broadband --- the infrastructure deployed by cable companies --- as the highest- capacity and most robust delivery network for advanced communications services. This technological sophistication is why many traditional cable operators like Rural Route Video in conjunction with Westernet are successfully transforming their businesses into full-service advanced communications companies, and why major technology companies like Microsoft, AOL, Intel and Dell are aligning with cable operators to deliver communications and entertainment services. This technology means you get the convenience, efficiency and value of receiving all of your communications services on one wire --- a company located right in your community, with local service and local commitment.

MYTH:Cable is a monopoly.
If this statement were true, satellite TV service wouldn't exist. Satellite companies have had success signing up their share of subscribers, proving there is no monopoly in the multi-channel TV market. It is also important to note that more than one in five households choose to receive their TV signals over the air, rather than subscribe to a multi-channel TV provider.

MYTH:The dish is a one-stop shop for communications and entertainment services.
This statement, too, is untrue. For the most part, satellite technology is limited to delivering one-way video services. However, Rural Route Video and other cable companies --- with their cable networks --- are transforming into true one-stop shops for communications and entertainment services, thanks to affiliation agreements with companies like Westernet. These advanced networks can deliver not only television programming, but also high-speed Internet and telephone access. Cable companies are developing their broadband networks to deliver interactive TV, Video on Demand and other powerful future offerings. The simplicity and convenience of selecting these services from one provider gives the advantage to cable for in- home technology.

MYTH:Satellite TV is less expensive than cable.
Definitely not true. For the most accurate price comparison between cable and satellite, you must take into account that the average U.S. household subscribing to a multi-channel video service has nearly three TV sets hooked up. The comparisons made by satellite companies often quote just the monthly cost of service on only one TV set, without any local channels.

Price comparisons never mention the required long term contracts that you must pay hard money to get out of, when you are dissatisfied with the unreliability and expense of satellite!

Comparisons fail to address additional equipment costs incurred by satellite subscribers that average cable customers don't have to pay. These include additional receivers for multiple TV sets with an additional monthly charge. Rural Route Video's Basic Service works on every TV in your home, without additional set-top boxes required. With satellite, additional television outlets require purchasing additional receivers, which can cost $100 - $200 apiece, plus an additional $5 fee per month. Considering that the average household has nearly three TV sets, satellite subscribers can be hit with a huge bill just to view programming on more than one set.

When satellite services add new features, subscribers may be forced to purchase new equipment in order to receive the enhancements. On the other hand, cable provides the equipment necessary to receive advanced services and features as part of your monthly price, so you don't have to re-invest in new equipment.

Satellite providers change their basic lineup by dropping favorite channels suddenly. This means you have to add those channels back in at extra expense in a more expensive package.

Repairs costs big bucks for satellite subscribers, but cable customers can protect themselves with Wire Maintenance. There's also the added hassle of figuring out whom to call to fix or change satellite service, not to mention long times on hold and days or weeks before a repair can be made. Rural Route Video customers get any problem resolved quickly and easily, usually the same day.