Cable TV and Satellite TV - which is better?
Cable TV and satellite TV - which is the better system? There's
a battle going on between Cable TV and Satellite TV. Today,
consumers have a choice between conventional cable TV, digital
cable TV, and all-digital satellite TV. Do you want to know
which of the TV system is best for you? Lets compare cable TV
and satellite TV head-to-head here.
First, some general things about Cable TV and Satellite TV:
Cable TV & Digital Cable TV
It is obvious that the conventional cable TV are by far the
least advanced. Compare to satellite TV, cable TV provides
limited features to their customers. Hence, most cable companies
now are pushing hard to get their customers on their digital
systems in order to compete with satellite TV providers in the
market. Digital cable television has many advantages over
conventional cable. Through digital cable signals, consumers are
able to get high-speed internet access and video on demand, as
well as hundreds of cable channel choices.
Satellite TV
Most of the features offered by digital cable TV are offered by
satellite TV. Example? Major dish networks offer their own
version of high-speed internet through broadband. DirecTV has
DirecWay , and DISH Network has partnered with EarthLink to
bring high-speed internet to their customers. Besides, satellite
TV providers also provide electronic program guides, parental
controls, and automated timers.
Here are major comparisons of cable TV and satellite TV:
Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Popularity
Both Cable TV and Satellite TV are popular. Although cable still
is more popular overall, satellite TV has made huge gains on
cable TV. Equipment Cable TV systems require a cable to be
installed from the network to your house. If your street has no
cable you may need to wait a while before it is available in
your area. Besides the cable you need a receiver. With digital
services you need an additional box. Satellite TV requires a
satellite dish, a receiver and a cable from the dish to your TV
(no digging in your garden).
Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Reception Quality
Cable TV and satellite TV used totally different systems for
signal transfering. Cable TV has analog channels and even though
you can upgrade to digital services, analog channels will still
be analog, meaning an often fuzzy picture. Satellite TV is
completely digital, which gives you all the advantages of
digital systems. Very heavy rain or snow can obstruct reception
briefly, but generally this happens very rarely. Reception
quality is much better with Satellite TV.
Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Programming
Cable TV and satellite TV both served high quality programming
channels. Cable TV can handle up to 260 channels. Satellite TV
can handle more channels. Also, Satellite TV is more advanced in
HDTV (High Definition Television) services.
Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Pricing
Pricing for cable TV and satellite TV have huge differences.
Satellite TV is less expensive than Cable TV due to many
additional costs that are related to Cable TV: franchise fees,
taxes, plus costs for any pay per view services, and equipment
costs. Dish Network Programming Package starts at only $29.99
per month.
Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Interactive Services
In general Satellite TV has more interactive services than Cable
TV. Digital services like Dish Network's DVR (Digital Video
Recorder) which gives the option to rewind while recording even
in live broadcasts, EPG (Electronic Program Guide), Instant
Weather, video on demand, etc. are all available on Satellite
TV, but not all are available on Cable TV.
Cable TV vs Satellite TV: High Speed Internet
Cable has high speed broadband internet services. Satellite has
this too, but is somewhat slower. DirecTV: offers Direcway High
Speed Internet, which is ultra fast but somewhat expensive.
Overall conclusion: Satellite TV is less expensive, has better
picture quality (digital signal) and gives you more channels and
programming options than cable TV.
I believe that currently satellite TV providers are giving a
better services with a lower price. Satellite TV apparently is a
must if you want excellent picture quality, fantastic value with
excellent features and varieties in TV programming. There are
lots more of satellite TV benefits to be talked about, in case
you want to find it oput your self, I suggest this site to be
viewed: http://wwww.satellitetvissue.com