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Which Is Best Cable or Satellite TV?
By Jack Torn
Broadcast television can hardly be considered television at all these days . In most areas you have 5 to 8 channels to choose from and the programming is extremely sketchy and the reception is usually cloudy at best. I’m sure you know this or you wouldn’t be reading this article. Do you choose satellite or cable TV choose? Both sides have put out propaganda and half truths in their advertising so it can be hard to decided what you need. There are several factors to consider before making your decision. This article will help you to decide and give you some tips also.
Cost is usually the first thing to consider. Satellite and cable are about the same. But if you consider the number of channels you will have with cable then satellite TV is cheaper because they usually have a lot more channels for the price. But if you want digital television you will need satellite TV. Although most cable companies are slowly upgrading to a digital signal. If you don’t care about digital TV and analog is ok then cable may be your best bet if cable is available where you live. The thing about cable is you don’t have to have a receiver on each TV to receive analog programming and installation is somewhat simpler and quicker. If you want digital however, the fee may go up dramatically. Satellite TV is improving also where you use to have a receiver for each TV now 1 receiver can operate 2 televisions each on separate channels. . Satellite only comes in digital and for a lower
price but there is a monthly fee for each receiver as well.
Reliability. Both can have problems. The cable companies like to tell you that if you have satellite and it rains you will lose reception. What they don’t tell you is there reception is brought in by satellite and if it rains hard enough where there satellite dishes are located you will loose reception also. You can lose reception with both but only during heavy snow or rain storms. The cable dishes are more resistant to signal loss but no matter, as soon as the storm passes your reception will come back. Cable does not have as many interruptions but if it goes out, it will be out for hours the wind can blow down cable lines and all sorts of things.
Lastly you should consider the commitments that are required. Cable usually requires no commitment and you can cancel at any time while satellite will generally require you to sign a 1 or 2 year commitment. Put some though into this before you choose.
There are many things to consider. These are the main points but you might have other things to consider it all depends on your particular situation. Take of the above considerations into account and take some time to make an informed decision before you commit. Also consider you have two satellite TV Companies from which to choose. Dish Network and Directv.
Jack Torn is a writer researcher for various newspapers.
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