Satellite Versus Cable TV
Everybody likes to watch movies, right? Whether it's horror, romance or action, you want it when you want it.
Let's face it: there's no better way to relax at home than to watch a good movie.
Question is: What exactly is the difference between cable TV and satellite TV? Local cable access.
Cable TV is available just about everywhere now, although there are a few areas that have not been set up yet.
Prices vary from local market to local market.
Satellite systems.
The two front runners are Dish Network and DirecTV.
Comcast is a major competitor.
Prices will be standard across the board wherever you are.
What is cable TV? A licensed service technician MUST install Cable TV.
Usually, you are given free installation with your subscription to the cable service.
Most municipalities now offer cable access.
The installer runs a cable from a telephone pole outside your house to a receiver (which you rent) inside your house.
The signal is received from a bank of satellite dishes at a remote location.
This signal travels along the cable to the pole and stops off at your house directing itself to your cable receiver allowing you to select the channel you want to watch.
Simple, huh? Pricing varies from local market to local market, but there is an average charge of about $49.
99 a month for basic service.
Basic service will get you the local channels you normally receive plus a package of "tiered" channels that the provider dictates.
The basic package usually includes around 85 channels.
Which channels you get will, again, varies market to market.
Check with your local provider for details.
What is satellite television? Satellite television is similar to cable with two major differences: 1)YOU own the equipment.
It belongs to you lock, stock & barrel.
2)You can upgrade your channel lineup anytime you want.
Satellite also offers other services like interactive games and movies on demand, also called Pay per View.
To set up satellite TV in your home, you will need to install a small dish on your roof and run cables from the dish to a receiver in the house.
This may require a little drilling here and there, but is basically very simple.
The trick is to get it lined up to the satellite band correctly.
To do this, the dish will need to face the southern sky.
That's where all the satellites are located.
You have the option of putting a receiver in each room that has a TV set or just having it on your main set.
This is totally your choice.
The signal is received from the satellite to your dish, then to your receiver, then to your TV.
Just like cable, isn't it? Well guess what? You are receiving the same broadcast channels that the local cable provider does.
This is the major selling point for satellite providers.
In the US and Canada, there are two major satellite providers-Dish Network & DirecTV.
These providers constantly run specials and deals making their programming very attractive.
Most of the time you will receive "freebies" for ordering and getting satellite installed.
These "freebies" include, but are not limited to a free DVR receiver, free installation in numerous rooms and free movie channels for a short trial period.
Basic service can be had for as little as $19.
99 a month, which includes your local channels.
The consumer is usually asked to pay the shipping and the equipment ends up being free after rebates.
So...
With satellite, you end up with free equipment, free channels, free DVR and free professional installation, basic service starting at $19.
95 and local channels included.
With cable you get free installation, rented equipment and basic service rates starting at around $40 or $50 a month (not including the equipment rental).
Whatever you decide, the choice is up to you.
Happy viewing and good luck!!
Let's face it: there's no better way to relax at home than to watch a good movie.
Question is: What exactly is the difference between cable TV and satellite TV? Local cable access.
Cable TV is available just about everywhere now, although there are a few areas that have not been set up yet.
Prices vary from local market to local market.
Satellite systems.
The two front runners are Dish Network and DirecTV.
Comcast is a major competitor.
Prices will be standard across the board wherever you are.
What is cable TV? A licensed service technician MUST install Cable TV.
Usually, you are given free installation with your subscription to the cable service.
Most municipalities now offer cable access.
The installer runs a cable from a telephone pole outside your house to a receiver (which you rent) inside your house.
The signal is received from a bank of satellite dishes at a remote location.
This signal travels along the cable to the pole and stops off at your house directing itself to your cable receiver allowing you to select the channel you want to watch.
Simple, huh? Pricing varies from local market to local market, but there is an average charge of about $49.
99 a month for basic service.
Basic service will get you the local channels you normally receive plus a package of "tiered" channels that the provider dictates.
The basic package usually includes around 85 channels.
Which channels you get will, again, varies market to market.
Check with your local provider for details.
What is satellite television? Satellite television is similar to cable with two major differences: 1)YOU own the equipment.
It belongs to you lock, stock & barrel.
2)You can upgrade your channel lineup anytime you want.
Satellite also offers other services like interactive games and movies on demand, also called Pay per View.
To set up satellite TV in your home, you will need to install a small dish on your roof and run cables from the dish to a receiver in the house.
This may require a little drilling here and there, but is basically very simple.
The trick is to get it lined up to the satellite band correctly.
To do this, the dish will need to face the southern sky.
That's where all the satellites are located.
You have the option of putting a receiver in each room that has a TV set or just having it on your main set.
This is totally your choice.
The signal is received from the satellite to your dish, then to your receiver, then to your TV.
Just like cable, isn't it? Well guess what? You are receiving the same broadcast channels that the local cable provider does.
This is the major selling point for satellite providers.
In the US and Canada, there are two major satellite providers-Dish Network & DirecTV.
These providers constantly run specials and deals making their programming very attractive.
Most of the time you will receive "freebies" for ordering and getting satellite installed.
These "freebies" include, but are not limited to a free DVR receiver, free installation in numerous rooms and free movie channels for a short trial period.
Basic service can be had for as little as $19.
99 a month, which includes your local channels.
The consumer is usually asked to pay the shipping and the equipment ends up being free after rebates.
So...
With satellite, you end up with free equipment, free channels, free DVR and free professional installation, basic service starting at $19.
95 and local channels included.
With cable you get free installation, rented equipment and basic service rates starting at around $40 or $50 a month (not including the equipment rental).
Whatever you decide, the choice is up to you.
Happy viewing and good luck!!
