Cable vs. Satellite TV -- Which is Best?
The move is on. Last year millions of Americans switched from cable TV to satellite TV.Why? When you compare satellite TV to cable TV you'll discover the main reasons are cost, picture quality, program choices, and customer satisfaction.Let's check out the differences ...Cable vs. Satellite TV FeesCable TV fees across the country average $39.99 per month. In our area the cost for cable TV is $37.30 a month for 64 channels, plus $10.95 a month to add digital channels. Installation in one room is $39.95, plus $9.95 for each additional room.Satellite TV fees from Dish Network are $31.99 per month for 60 channels, while DirecTV charges $41.99 per month for 115 channels.
Both satellite TV providers currently offer free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to four rooms.Cable vs. Satellite TV ProgrammingCable TV in most areas offers almost as many channels as satellite TV, and is broadcast in analog (over-the-air) format. If you want to have digital picture and sound you'll have to pay an additional fee, usually $10 to $15 a month.Satellite TV offers more channels than cable TV (more than 250 channels), and more HDTV (high definition TV) programming. All satellite TV channels are broadcast in digital format for the highest quality picture and sound.Cable vs. Satellite TV EquipmentWith cable you only need cable boxes that connect the incoming cable line to your televisions.
There is usually no charge or rental fees for cable boxes, however, If you want a digital video recorder, you'll have to pay an extra fee.With satellite TV you need a satellite TV dish and TV receivers. Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer that equipment, plus installation, for free. Dish Network will give you a DVR (digital video recording) receiver or an HDTV receiver at no charge, while DirecTV charges $49.99 for DVR receivers and $299 for HDTV receivers.Cable and Satellite TV Reliability and Customer SatisfactionCable TV outages average 3% to 5% per year. J.D. Powers and Associates ranks cable companies as good to poor in customer satisfaction.Satellite TV outages average about 1%.
J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the two satellite TV providers -- Dish Network and DirecTV -- higher in customer satisfaction than any of the cable TV companies for the last five years
The Bottom LineIf you only watch a couple of shows a week, and you live in an area where you can't get over-the-air TV and cable TV costs less than $20 per month, then cable may be your best option.If, on the other hand, you want the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and news for the least amount of money ... you want to watch your all your shows in digital video and sound ... and you want the option of watching them in HD format and recording them on a DVR receiver, then satellite TV is what you're looking for..
Free DISH Network HDTV Receiver Guide
DISH Network HDTV Receiver
When you subscribe to DISH Network's satellite TV service you get all the equipment you need for satellite TV viewing - a dish and a four-room receiver system. But what if you want to watch your programs in high definition?
Well, you're in luck. You can upgrade your system and get an HDTV receiver for free when you place your order
DISH Network HDTV Receiver Features
DISH Network HDTV receivers have a host of features including:
* An integrated off-air tuner for high-definition and standard over-the-air
reception.
* An electronic program guide with on-screen navigation so you can see what's on satellite TV.
* Parental locks so you can prevent your children from watching inappropriate programs.
* Interactive TV so you can watch six screens at once, and on-demand...
Hdtv > Free DISH Network HDTV Receiver Guide
Blu-ray: A Primer
Blu-ray is an optical disc format which is set to rival HD-DVD (http://www.the-hdtv-tuner.com/high-definition-dvd.html) in the race to be the de-facto standard storage medium for HDTV. The HD-DVD vs Blu-ray battle resembles that between Betamax and VHS and DVD+RW and DVD-RW.Currently, the major Hollywood film studios are split evenly in their support fro Blu-ray and HD-DVD, but most of the electronics industry is currently in the Blu-ray camp. The key difference between Blu-ray disc players and recorders and current optical disc technology is that Blu-ray, as its name suggests, uses a blue-violet laser to read and write data rather than a red one. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light, and according to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), which is made up of, amongst others, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, and Pioneer, this means that the laser spot can be focussed with greater precision.Blu-ray discs...
Blu-ray: A Primer
Hdtv > Blu-ray: A Primer