| When asking the question about which television | | | | to catch up to the channel variety of satellite TV, |
| system,digital satellite TV for PC, Dish TV or | | | | but it still has a long way to go. However, digital |
| Cable TV, provides the best value for the money | | | | satellite TV for PC, is currently outstripping even |
| invested, it's important to note that you aren't | | | | Dish TV in number of channels available because it |
| comparing apples to apples. These systems | | | | can access both local and premium TV channels |
| behave in completely different ways. Each with it's | | | | not only from the local area or the country in |
| own pros and cons. Let's take a look at some of | | | | which you live, but from around the world. |
| those differences so you can be a more informed | | | | You have a number of choices concerning TV |
| consumer. | | | | system installation depending on the type and |
| First, let's take a look at the accessibility and | | | | package you choose. If you are technically and |
| locality of each system. For metropolitan areas, | | | | mechanically gifted, you can install your own |
| Cable TV tends to be the preferred system. It's | | | | satellite dish. You also have the option of leasing |
| easily accessible and unaffected by weather or | | | | or purchasing the dish equipment and having your |
| terrain. Dish satellite TV systems are more often | | | | satellite TV provider come and install your system |
| used in rural areas because the cable technology | | | | for you. But that can take days on the waiting list |
| has not yet reached so far away from town. But | | | | as well as time off from work. Although very little |
| with digital satellite TV for PC, it really doesn't | | | | equipment is required for Cable TV, you are still |
| matter where you live. As long as you have | | | | faced with being put on the company's waiting list |
| access to a high speed, broadband internet | | | | to get hooked up. Your final option would be to |
| connection, you can watch any channel you please | | | | download digital satellite TV for PC software to |
| from anywhere in the world. | | | | your computer. With this application you can easily |
| Next, let's explore reception. Dish TV requires a | | | | stream watch satellite TV from your computer |
| satellite to be mounted on the outside of your | | | | via your internet connection. |
| home. The placement of the dish has a direct | | | | Price is where we find the unfair advantage when |
| relation to the clarity and quality of the reception | | | | comparing the three TV systems available to you. |
| you get. The dish must not be obstructed in any | | | | Because cable companies are heavily taxed by |
| way. Even if you have clear path from your dish | | | | state government and because the company |
| to the satellites, things like wind and adverse | | | | operating cost of cable companies is much higher |
| weather can also affect reception. Cable TV | | | | than satellite TV companies, your monthly cable |
| tends to be more stable as lines are generally run | | | | bill will be higher. You can expect to pay even |
| underground, but the picture clarity and quality | | | | more for cable when they upgrade millions of |
| overall may not be quite as good. Digital satellite | | | | miles of buried cable to compensate for the |
| TV for PC, on the other hand, is unaffected by | | | | coming of digital TV. Satellite TV companies do |
| wind, weather or cable reception. The only factor | | | | fare better in this respect. They don't have the |
| is the internet connection and as long as the | | | | upkeep, so they are able to charge somewhat |
| service provider is reliable, you can count on a | | | | less for more channels. The absolute best price in |
| very stable media connection. | | | | this comparison, however is digital satellite TV for |
| Until recently, the winner in the area of channel | | | | PC software. The value comes from being able to |
| variety has been a satellite dish based television | | | | pay for the cost of the software and not being |
| package. Cable TV has been working very hard | | | | charged a monthly fee for its use. |