[wejones]

What you get depends a bit on what you are trying to view on the system. Ie are you looking for something to receive cable type channels, movie channels, foreign language channels, network channels, PBS, sports feeds, or do you want to watch raw news feeds and other network feeds, etc, etc.
Ie cable type channels are usually scrambled. If you want to subscribe, then you need either a Dishnet or DTV system, or a big C-band system with a 4DTV type receiver (not available at Sadoun). One of these FTA systems with a 3' Ku dish will get a lot of foreign language channels, network news feeds, PBS, and some 2nd teir network channels (UPN, RTN, WB/CW, Fox type channels). A C-band dish powered by a FTA receiver can get you more of the above. A C-band dish with a 4DTV gives you analog channels plus DCII subscription channels. If you want everything, then the big dish/4DTV {edit: Plus a FTA receiver slaved to it) is the only way to go, but if you don't need the subscription channels or can get them via a Dishnet or DTV or cable system, then you can get by much cheaper with a FTA system, either Ku, or a smaller C/Ku system. So it all depends on what you want out of it.
Re your question, the actuator rainman mentioned is a motor that will drive a big dish. The smaller 3' dishes are driven by small H-H motors.