By DAVE GUSSOW, Times Technology Editor
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 17, 2000
Along with all the other gadgets, they ought to throw in a calculator with WebTV just to track how much the package of hardware and services costs.
Here are the basics: On the hardware side, the satellite antenna, set-top receiver (which includes a digital video recorder) and remote control have a suggested price of $399, plus another $50 for a wireless keyboard, which isn't a luxury for surfing. Installation runs $199.
If you want Web access only, you can skip all of the stuff above and get a set-top box for about $100.
For TV programming, the Dish satellite TV service starts at $19.99 a month for 40 channels, such as ESPN, CNN and Disney. Add choices and the price increases, with the typical Dish subscriber spending $40 to $45 a month for about 120 channels.
The Personal TV service, which allows the recording of shows on the hard disk, provides on-screen TV listings, gives "instant news" and offers games such as the popular You Don't Know Jack trivia game, is another $9.99 a month. The WebTV Plus internet service is $24.95 a month (with a $5 discount for those taking both Personal TV and WebTV Plus).
The grand total for a full-fledged set-up: about $648 at the start, including installation, plus $75 or more each month, depending on services chosen.
For more information, check www.dishtv.com and .webtv.com.