Getting to the Bottom of the Cable Versus Satellite TV Debate

Cable television has finally made the switch to digital and this has left a lot of people questioning whether they should be signed up with satellite television or cable. As with anything, there are benefits to both types of service. There are a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions when it comes to satellite TV versus cable TV.

What is satellite TV? This is a type of television provider that uses satellite technology to bring you your television service. The home is first equipped with a small satellite dish pointed toward the southern sky where it is able to receive TV signals from satellites in space. A satellite dish on your home does not need to be adjusted or moved to receive a better signal once it has been installed by a professional. You can have one satellite dish that can provide TV for all of the television sets in your home. You don't need a separate dish for every TV. What is the cost of satellite TV? It varies depending on what type of company you go with and what type of package you choose for your home. There are extra features like sports packages, movie channels, high definition programming, and more that will add extra fees on your normal basic package. There are only a couple of different satellite TV providers in the United States and their monthly service fees are the same no matter where you live. Often these companies will offer free installation and allow you to use their equipment (such as the satellite dish, receivers, and cables) for free.

What is cable TV? Cable television uses special kinds of wires and cables to connect to a receiver that they provide for you. Previously, cable television was available in both analog and, the preferred, digital. Digital would cost extra to have. Now all cable television is offered in digital service. Cable also requires, like satellite television, that you have a receiver for every television that you want to receive cable on. You also must be equipped with the proper wiring for each television. What is the cost of cable TV? The cost of cable packages is much more complicated and varies much more than that of satellite TV. This is because there are many different cable companies that offer their services across the country. Even if the same company offers service in two cities, it doesn't necessarily mean that both cities will have the same service, the same prices or the same access to channels. There is a lot of variation with cable. This also applies to the installation process. It is common that you will pay an installation fee with cable TV, however like satellite TV, they will oftentimes provide the equipment for free.

Choosing the right kind of television provider is a complicated decision. Do the research on the available companies in your area and find out what is right for your home.