Cable vs. Satellite TV - Which is Best?

Posted: Jul 08, 2010 |Comments: 1 | Views: 203 |

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 Fees

Cable 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 Programming

Cable 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 Equipment

With 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 Satisfaction

Cable 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 Line

If 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.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/cable-and-satellite-tv-articles/cable-vs-satellite-tv-which-is-best-2796415.html

    Article Tags:

    satellite tv

    ,

    free satellite tv

    ,

    directv

    ,

    hdtv

    ,

    cable

    ,

    cable tv

    This article will compare cable tv versus satellite tv to enable you determine the best. Read is it now to discover how cable tv compares to satellite tv.

    By: Osita Modoziel Arts & Entertainment> Televisionl Jan 20, 2010

    Free Satellite TV On Pc Software Download

    By: Fred Tittlel Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl Dec 27, 2009

    DIRECTV has been among the leaders in the HDTV market, as it has been among the first to release HDTV-related products ever since services were produced a few years ago.

    By: Larry Haywoodl Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl Aug 17, 2010

    Direct TV offers Specialty packages and an International service package. Each Directv package contains the most popular programming, including local channels, sports, news and informational channels.

    By: Julia Halll Technologyl Feb 09, 2007

    Satellite TV seems to be the way of the future. With many people already switching from cable, it makes you wonder what is so great about Satellite TV. Some of the main reasons people are switching over is due to the free offers of equipment and installation, the HDTV picture quality, the channel selection, as well as the range of service.

    By: Boris Nefedovl Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl Jul 08, 2010

    If you are a handy man and want to do some stuff on your own, then definitely aerial installations should not be on your list.

    By: Richard Wallacel Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl May 25, 2012
    lukehenry

    You can enhance the signals received by your television set by getting a proper and good TV television antennas installed with the help of a professional TV antenna installer in Melbourne and around. So, perk up your television viewing experience by getting HD television antennas with the assistance of a proficient and certified antenna installation company.

    By: lukehenryl Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl May 24, 2012
    Neeti Patial

    You can improvise the signals received from your television antennas either through the attachment of a signal booster or a digital convertor box along with it. So, enliven your television viewing experience by adding a signal amplifier along with your television antennas with the assistance of a talented and specialized antenna installation company.

    By: Neeti Patiall Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl May 24, 2012

    So is your favorite little ‘idiot box' being a little cranky and stupid lately? Maybe you need to fix the antenna or install a new one in order to bring your little monster back to life. You can call for prompt services for antenna installation in Melton.

    By: aldrichl Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl May 22, 2012
    Neeti Patial

    Are you still facing the poor television reception problem? We want to tell you that it's not something that should be suffering from or compromise with. If you are not able to see quality picture on your television sets, then it will be sensible on your part to call up the experts to make sure this issue can be quickly rectified. Professional and expert local technicians working in any of the antenna Installation companies will surely come to your place to resolve the problem.

    By: Neeti Patiall Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl May 22, 2012

    Success Jobs from Home is a company striving to be a one-stop resource for legitimate work from home jobs. They have been in business for more than 4 years and have gained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience in this time. The experts at Success Jobs from Home have spent 10 years searching for the best legit work from home jobs and have put it all into a workable system for all of their customers to use.

    By: Boris Nefedovl Business> Home Businessl Dec 17, 2010

    The satellite TV systems and services offered by DirecTV and Dish Network are almost identical -- both offer more than 250 program channels, all-digital programming, HDTV (high definition TV) options, and DVR (digital video recording) capabilities. So when you compare DirecTV to Dish Network you'll discover the biggest differences between them are the subscription fees and programming. Here is a blow-by-blow comparison of DirecTV vs. Dish Network ... Satellite TV Equipment Direct TV offers f

    By: Boris Nefedovl Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl Jul 22, 2010

    Directv's debut in 1994 turned out to be an auspicious entry into the satellite television market. With a variety of options in programming, some cable subscribers opted for satellite and now more and more are doing so, while others are taking the next technological step by purchasing Directv's HD receivers as well. And with the FCC handing down a decision to convert all television to high definition format, commonly known as HD, by 2006, content providers, cable and satellite companies like Di

    By: Boris Nefedovl Technology> Cable and Satellite TVl Jul 22, 2010

    Nearly every high school student, and even many junior high students, has a cell phones. This makes it very easy for you to keep tabs on your teenagers with cell phone listening devices. Because they are interested in have phones that allow them to call their friends, you will be the hero when you give them a cell phone. And because you want to keep tabs and make sure that they are not engaging in destructive behavior, you can make use of these cell phone listening devices to keep track...

    By: Boris Nefedovl Technology> Cell Phonesl Jul 13, 2010

    Hold on for your life! There's no thrill greater than jumping from an aircraft with a parachute attached to your back and free falling at unbelievable speeds to the on-coming ground below. When the chute opens, your world transforms from extreme to divine as you float through the silent sky. Discover the best way to get started and prepare yourself for a true extreme sport that sends you hurtling through the air!

    By: Boris Nefedovl Sports and Fitness> Scuba Divingl Jul 09, 2010 lViews: 140

    Discuss this Article


    Comments on this article

    0
    Laura Crawford Jul 19, 2010
    I will never, ever go back to satellite. I had numerous outages with satellite, and there were times when coverage was off and on for days due to very heavily overcast skies. Back in the old days of cable, yes, there were outages with rain. However, I'd say that for quite a few yrs now that has not been the case at all. I know a few yrs back in Houston, our cable company upgraded it's cables, and I believe that solved the problem. I never have outages with my cable TV, but it's commonplace with satellite. I don't believe or trust the stats that are being given for satellite outages... I suspect they're much higher.
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast