| When installing a home theater system, after | | | | greater potential to temporarily interrupt the |
| selecting a TV, subscription service selection is of | | | | signal. The disadvantage of cable, regarding the |
| the utmost concern. Two dominant options exist | | | | same, is that although less equipment is required, |
| in this category: Cable vs. Satellite TV. Although | | | | and weather is less often an issue, cable service is |
| both options offer hundreds of channels, HDTV, | | | | often not available in more rural areas, or if it is, |
| and high-speed internet capacity, subtle changes | | | | its quality tends to be compromised the further |
| do exist which may be important to consider | | | | you get from a downlink station, and if weather |
| when making this decision. The first basic | | | | does interrupt a cable service it usually takes |
| difference between cable and satellite TV is the | | | | hours to be restored. |
| equipment necessary to subscribe to either | | | | The standard warranty on equipment, with most |
| service. Digital Cable requires only a receiver per | | | | satellite TV subscriptions, is a full year on parts |
| TV whereas Satellite TV requires a receiver in | | | | and labor. Installation is usually not covered under |
| addition to an outside antenna or dish. Its a little | | | | the warranty. If using a good local dealer for |
| tough to keep up with the Dish dealer business | | | | installation, who is someone you can find again, |
| rules, because they are so complex and change | | | | you may be better off than letting Dishnetwork |
| so often. As of now, you can either lease the | | | | or DirecTV do the install under sub-contracted |
| Dish system from companies like Dishnetwork or | | | | installers. Handling any problems that occur |
| DirecTV, or they will give the equipment to you | | | | yourself (such as swapping out a bad receiver, |
| and you own the equipment permanently. The | | | | etc) unless the antenna or other parts on the |
| lease deal allows you to never have to pay for | | | | roof have problems may be the best way to |
| maintenance. | | | | avoid maintenance fees. |
| Currently, the best satellite TV promotion | | | | Equipment service and installation is usually not an |
| (available through both major satellite TV | | | | issue with cable subscriptions, as the receiver is |
| providers) is divided into a four-receiver system, | | | | almost always part of the subscription plan, which |
| which is a lease package or a three-receiver | | | | includes free maintenance. |
| system, which is the non-lease package. Both are | | | | The cost, picture quality, and reliability are the |
| $49 up front, but you can get this back in the | | | | main advantages of Satellite TV service over |
| first bill from the subscription as a credit for | | | | cable. The reception is almost always better with |
| programming. The first receiver in either system | | | | satellite than with cable. Cable prices will likely |
| (called the master) does not cost the basic $5 | | | | continue to rise while satellite TV cost is leveling |
| monthly activation fee. The second, third and | | | | as technology for it becomes more advanced. |
| fourth (if you have more than one) cost around | | | | Ultimately the choice is yours, but as with any |
| $5 each to keep active. The disadvantage of | | | | home theater investment its better to make an |
| satellite TV in this category is that there is more | | | | informed choice than to be at the mercy of a |
| equipment to deal with, and that weather has a | | | | salesperson's persuasion. |