Satellite TV Versus Cable: How do They Compare?
For many years now providers of satellite and cable television systems have been locked in battle, trying to win the hearts of the American public over to their version of multi-channel television. It is a difficult choice; there are so many different packages and deals to choose from in both of them, not to mention premium channels, installation costs, potential savings and discounts and many other important considerations.
If you therefore are currently trying to decide whether cable or satellite TV would be the best choice for your home, you may feel like you could use some help in making your decision. Below we discuss some of the key considerations for choosing your home television system, and how these two rivals compare in the service they can provide you.
Choice of channels: Cable television, if you purchase the premium channels such as HBO and Showtime gives you a decent selection of channels to pick from. It simply cannot compete with what satellite systems offer however. Whereas on average cable suppliers provide you with around 60 channels, even the most basic satellite package comes with over 150 channels. These cover areas such as movies, entertainment, music, art and educational programming meaning whatever you are in the mood for, you can find it through your satellite set.
Accessibility: One of the main drawbacks in the United States for a technology like cable is that it is not available for everybody. Cable, as the name suggests is transmitted through physical cables laid underground by the company on a household by household basis. This is fine if you live in a city or town, but for those who live away in rural areas they do not always have access to the infrastructure that carries cable. In comparison, the satellite signal is present across America, and can be picked up with a correctly installed and calibrated dish wherever you live, no matter how remote the location. For rural users then, satellite television may be your best chance of receiving multi-channel TV.
HD Readiness: A real advantage when you choose to install satellite. Cable systems have been slow on the uptake when it comes to embracing this new technology, and so have not made many channels ready for HD. Satellite providers on the other hand are more than ready for the high-definition revolution. Hundreds of entertainment, news, movie and sport channels are now available in HD, a far greater number than is available on cable. This means that if you have a suitable TV, you can watch all your favourite shows and teams in a detail and quality you have never experienced before.
If you therefore are currently trying to decide whether cable or satellite TV would be the best choice for your home, you may feel like you could use some help in making your decision. Below we discuss some of the key considerations for choosing your home television system, and how these two rivals compare in the service they can provide you.
Choice of channels: Cable television, if you purchase the premium channels such as HBO and Showtime gives you a decent selection of channels to pick from. It simply cannot compete with what satellite systems offer however. Whereas on average cable suppliers provide you with around 60 channels, even the most basic satellite package comes with over 150 channels. These cover areas such as movies, entertainment, music, art and educational programming meaning whatever you are in the mood for, you can find it through your satellite set.
Accessibility: One of the main drawbacks in the United States for a technology like cable is that it is not available for everybody. Cable, as the name suggests is transmitted through physical cables laid underground by the company on a household by household basis. This is fine if you live in a city or town, but for those who live away in rural areas they do not always have access to the infrastructure that carries cable. In comparison, the satellite signal is present across America, and can be picked up with a correctly installed and calibrated dish wherever you live, no matter how remote the location. For rural users then, satellite television may be your best chance of receiving multi-channel TV.
HD Readiness: A real advantage when you choose to install satellite. Cable systems have been slow on the uptake when it comes to embracing this new technology, and so have not made many channels ready for HD. Satellite providers on the other hand are more than ready for the high-definition revolution. Hundreds of entertainment, news, movie and sport channels are now available in HD, a far greater number than is available on cable. This means that if you have a suitable TV, you can watch all your favourite shows and teams in a detail and quality you have never experienced before.
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