A:AnswerThe receiver is $99.99.
Not sure what you mean by "pay extra". Once you pay for it, that's it. You just pay for programming after that month to month, no contract.
A:AnswerKeep in mind that many channels on satellite use video compression, allowing them to include as many channels in the signal as possible. All providers so this, so the clarity of some programs will not fully utilize the performance capability of your new TV. HD Broadcast TV is your best bet for optimal performance on your local channels, although some satellite programming is very, very good.
A:AnswerThe best solution is to increase your signal levels so you don't have the outage.
Even though our installer was very professional, we initially experienced frequent daytime outages. You need to tweak the antenna at night. There is a built-in utility in the receiver menu that allows you to see signal levels. You may also need a ladder and a couple of wrenches, plus an assistant to read the screen for you.
Once we did this, the signal is very robust and we only have brief and rare outages.