Cable T.V vs Satellite T.V
The growth in popularity of Satellite Tv shows no sign of slowing down and 2002 statistics now show 16 per cent of all residential households in the U.S have a satellite only tv subscription which is up from a figure of only 5 percent in 1996. The trend of customers switching away from Cable Tv to Satellite Tv looks set to continue over the next few years.
Even the recent growth in availability of digital cable services, which is a supplement to the regular analog cable service and which offers more channels (approximately 50 extra channels) and better quality picture and sound, has not been able to slow the rate at which customers are switching away from cable and over to satellite tv.
In comparing satellite tv to cable tv there are a number of questions that people ask about and here I will seek to answer the most common questions.
Cable vs Satellite FAQ
- Which Is More Popular, Cable Tv or Satellite Tv?
- What extra equipment is required by each service?
- What about transmission and reception quality?
- How does Cable Programming compare to Satellite Tv?
- What about prices?
- Do both services have parental controls?
- I have heard that Satellite Tv has more interactive services. Is this true?
- What about support?
- What warranty is offered by each service?
Q: Which Is More Popular, Cable Tv or Satellite Tv?
A: Cable Tv has been around much longer and is therefore still the most popular. However Satellite Tv is growing in popularity and beginning to threaten Cable`s dominant position in the marketplace. During 2002, Cable`s market share fell a further 2 percent and now stands at 63 percent.
Q: What equipment is required by each service?
A: Cable Tv typically only requires a set top decoder box. Satellite Tv requires a satellite dish which must be mounted to face a southern direction and also a set top receiver which decodes the satellite signal.
Q: What about transmission and reception quality?
A: The transmission and reception quality of digital technology is vastly superior to older analog technology and analog television pictures are often characterised by shadowing, fuzziness and even static.
Cable Tv`s regular service is analog although approximately 60 percent of Cable customers now have the option of upgrading to digital service. The only problem is that when a customer adds the digital service to their present subscription, only the supplementary channels are transmitted in digital quality whilst all the other channels remain analog.
Satellite Tv transmits in 100% digital which of course is generally far superior in picture and sound quality than analog. Occasionally the satellite signal can be affected by very bad weather such as heavy rain or snow but this is very rare.
Q: How does Cable Programming compare to Satellite Tv?
A: If you choose to upgrade to digital cable then you can access approximately an extra 50 channels as well as pay per view options. Cable Tv does have more local and community channel options.
However satellite tv has more channels than cable tv including more international and sports programing.
Q: What about prices?
A: Cable Tv prices have been rising faster than Satellite Tv prices over the last few years. Statistics appear to show that people pay on average similar monthly subscriptions amounts no matter whether thay are with cable or satellite. These facts could be used to suggest that Satellite Tv customers are getting more value for money due to the fact that subscribers are getting more channels and a better quality reception for the same amount of money that a cable customer is paying.
Initial set up fees for satellite tv can be greater than cable tv due to the extra equipment required. However there are some great deals around which offer totally free installation and no equipment costs as long as you sign up for a 12 month contract. One of the best deals that we have seen not only offers free equipment but also offers a $49 credit on your first bill!
Q: What about parental controls?
A: You can get parental controls with digital cable as well as satellite television.
Q: I have heard that Satellite Tv has more interactive services. Is this true?
A: Yes. Digital Cable does have an electronic program guide but this does not have as many interactive features as Personal Video Recording (PVR) such as the one offered by Dish Network. This PVR allows you to pause, rewind and replay live Tv and even record up to 35 hours of programming without using videotapes.
Q: What about Customer Service?
A: Both Cable and Satellite services offer 24 hour customer service lines and online services including account management and bill payment.
Q: What warranty is offered by each service?
A: Both offer a 12 month warranty.
