The war between digital cable and satellite television has raged on for some time, with a plethora of different deals and special offers. So how do you choose between cable and satellite? There are advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered, and a lot of people tend to get confused when they're attempting to locate the best deal possible. Keeping this in mind, let's have a look at the details of both satellite and cable.
Programming is the first big feature most people look at when comparing cable and satellite. Most Satellite TV systems can support over 250 channels of programming. All channels are digital quality. One downside is satellite offers less local channels and may not have local channels at all in some areas. Most satellite companies also offer HDTV services as well. Digital cable on the other hand can support over 300 channels of programming in digital quality. Digital Cable has more local channels available in most major cities. Most cable companies now offer Video on Demand (a library of movies and TV shows that you can order and watch at any time). Just a few years ago HDTV was dominated by satellite companies, but now high definition service has become the standard among cable companies as well. When it comes to overall lineups Cable TV gets the edge.
Prices are slightly different as well. Cable companies have several hidden fees that you will need to contend with. They will start at approximately $30-$40 per month, and then there are extra features that you can tack on. If you go for all of the features like many people do, then you will probably pay something as high as $120 per month. If you choose to go with satellite though, you will end up paying less. You can do this if you don't mind the credit check and the long term contract that you will be need to sign.
Equipment is a difference as well. For instance when you go with the satellite dish you will find that there is an actual dish to deal with, and it will be mounted on the side of your house. Is this feasible? It really depends on your preferences and that of your homeowners association. Inside the house it doesn't look that much different. You will have a receiver box, and everyone in the house will need one if they want to receive satellite television in their respective rooms. DVR is better with cable simply because of the way the data is received. Next you have to think about the signal quality. With a satellite dish you'll find that you constantly lose signal in rain or snow.
There are a couple final points to consider too. For consumers who want HDTV programming the choice between satellite and cable can be even more important. Both services offer pretty good HD lineups. Satellite led the way in total HD channels for quite awhile, but recently the expansion of digital cable has meant that cable providers now match, and in many cases exceed, the HDTV package that satellite offers. Prices have never been more competitive with many promotions offering free HD channels with purchase. Now is the best time to purchase HDTV service with cable or satellite and enjoy the best picture and sound you can get. The other point for people debating satellite and cable is for those in rural areas. There are still many people in the United States who still can't get cable service. In that case it's a simple choice, you have to go with satellite. The one draw back is for some folks you might need one of the older, larger dishes in order to receive service.
In the end the prices and service offered by both are very close. It comes down to which system will best suit your TV needs and what you are more comfortable with. Both Digital Cable TV and Satellite TV both have their disadvantages and advantages, and only you can make the decision after comparing all the features and options. Everything being equal, though, I generally lean towards recommending cable from one of the major carriers like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, or Charter. They currently offer the best combination of price, options, best deals, and bundled service options.
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