| Cable and satellite TV - which is a better deal for | | | | services simply do not compete on equal grounds |
| you? This question has been replayed many times | | | | here. Cable TV does not require additional |
| in American homes. For a long time now, though | | | | equipment and is pretty much plug-and-play style. |
| this has absolutely no repercussions or impact on | | | | Satellite TV on the other hand requires equipment |
| world politics or economics, it is a big issue which | | | | such as remote, satellite dish, converter box, |
| has gotten many families perplexed and confused | | | | mount and other stuff to get it running and ready |
| about what to choose between cable and satellite | | | | to receive TV feeds. |
| TV. This is not surprising since many Americans | | | | 4. Availability Of Service |
| spend hours watching satellite and/or cable TV. I | | | | Cable and satellite TV both have their fair share |
| suspect that while there are some staggering | | | | of woes in this aspect. Since cable TV depends |
| figures showing how much Americans spend | | | | on cabling, it also means that some places simply |
| before the TV screen, other countries like Canada | | | | cannot be reached due to terrain constraints. |
| and UK too are facing the same situation. There | | | | Another factor of course is the regulations |
| has to be some kind of an answer to which you | | | | governing the provision of cables in different |
| should choose between cable and satellite TV | | | | states. Satellite TV does not have this issue and |
| services. | | | | can cover the entire southern sky. The only |
| It is a fair and level playing field in today's market | | | | trouble satellite TV users have is that they can |
| for cable and satellite TV services. Perhaps as a | | | | face difficulties in urban zones where there are |
| consumer, you really have so many choices that | | | | obstructions in the form of skyscrapers and other |
| it can be challenging to make a wise decision. It | | | | tall buildings. |
| does not matter here as long as you know more | | | | 5. High Definition (HDTV), Digital Video Recorder |
| about what are the things you should look out for | | | | and Digital |
| when shopping for one among the cable and | | | | Cable and satellite TV services are on par in the |
| satellite TV services. | | | | aspect of digital, high definition (HD) and digital |
| 1. Pricing Of Service | | | | video recorders. The main difference is satellite |
| Make a good guess which provider among cable | | | | TV companies may charge you one-time for the |
| and satellite TV services has a higher operating | | | | digital video recorder and high definition box when |
| cost. We can skip this part and give you the truth | | | | you purchase a package from them. My advice is |
| straightaway. Cable companies pay much more in | | | | to avoid those that charge monthly as the bills do |
| terms of taxes to the government and have a | | | | add up and it becomes less cost-efficient in the |
| higher operating and infrastructural cost because | | | | long run. |
| of the cables they run. Naturally, with higher cost | | | | 6. Contractual Agreement Terms |
| to run their businesses, the cost of TV services is | | | | Look out for the terms in contractual agreement |
| more than what satellite TV companies charge | | | | when you subscribe for the cable and satellite TV |
| you. Probably at least 30 - 40 percent higher for | | | | services. I observe that having a minimum |
| the same number of TV channels. | | | | subscription period is quite common for satellite |
| 2. Program Selection | | | | TV services. As for cable TV services, few would |
| In terms of programs wise for cable and satellite | | | | include a minimum subscription period. |
| TV, satellite TV programs cover the west and | | | | These are some of the factors you really need |
| east coasts including other sports channels such | | | | to consider when subscribing for cable and satellite |
| as Fox Sports, ESPN and others. Some even | | | | TV services. The truth is, the TV landscape has |
| cater for international TV feeds to reach a wider | | | | changed with the emergence of a new |
| audience. Cable has an advantage in some ways | | | | technology that allows you to watch satellite TV |
| such as providing greater coverage in the area of | | | | on your computer. Find out more about PC |
| local TV programs. | | | | satellite TV from my free satellite TV mini-series |
| 3. Equipment Required | | | | and get hold of useful information about cable and |
| The issue of equipment is a sore thumb for | | | | satellite TV services too. |
| satellite TV services. Cable and satellite TV | | | | |