A lot of people think the only difference between cable and satellite TV is how they deliver the program to them, but, this is not entirely true. In fact, they are completely different. For instance, cable television will not be as affected by weather conditions, however, it does usually come with a higher price tag.
If you are thinking about whether you should get cable or satellite TV, the article below will be quite helpful. It will feature a list of differences of cable and satellite TV, and hopefully, it will help you determine what options work better for you. Let’s take a closer look at the article:
1. The Installation Process
If you choose cable services, you should know that a technician has to come to your home to install it. If you want anything beyond what cable can give you, then you need to rent a cable box and remote control from the provider you chose until your contract is over. If it is already set-up, then you can install it by yourself.
Satellite, on the other hand, is a bit more complex. It will require you to set up an aerial on the roof or on one side of your home – and it needs to face South. This might be something that you cannot do by yourself, hence, it is best if an expert installs it for you. If you want to check what installation services you can opt for, visit Tayloraerials.co.uk for more information.
2. The Reception
As mentioned earlier in the article, wired connection does not get disrupted by bad weather, However, this does not mean that it cannot go down. For example, it can go down if the provider’s entire system goes down or if the cables that lead to your home get damaged or severed.
If there is nothing between your satellite dish and the South, your reception will be good. This is one of the reasons why the dish is placed high and in a place where there is no building, tress, or mountains between it and the broadcasting tower. This is also why you might want to hire a professional, they will know where it is best to place it.
3. The Price
The prices will naturally vary for both packages. A basic cable network will cost you a least 30 dollars per month. When you consider everything, satellite television offers more than 230 channels for almost the same price as cable. Of course, it will depend on the package you choose. Hence, if you want to pay less, choose one that offers fewer channels.
4. The Availability
Aerials can be installed everywhere, as long as the dish is properly faced and installed. The aforementioned way of installment can make it difficult for people living in apartments or if there are any obstacles between their house and the broadcasting tower it picks up the signal from.
Cable TV can only be installed in houses that are in the coverage zone of the provider. This can be a major problem if you live in a rural area or if you reside in a smaller town or city. However, it is quite suitable for people living in apartments, especially since they won’t need to install a dish that can block their view.
5. The Programming Available
Although both options due offer the same channels such as HBO – something that you always get with satellite TV, satellite might, in fact, be a better option. Now, you might be wondering – but why is it a better option if they offer some same channels? Well, to put it simply, it offers more than 200 channels, which makes it a better value for what you are paying.
Additionally, if you are a sports fan, you might want to strongly consider getting satellite since it usually features a wide range of sports channels such as ESPN. Besides the local stations, you’ll also be able to watch a few international sports channels as well – something that you cannot do by opting for a different option.
6. International Channels
Besides picking up international sports channels, it will also pick up any free international channels that it can find. This means that you’ll gain access to European, Asia, African, and Middle Eastern channels. This is why a wide range of people choose this option for their home.
The other option can pick up international channels as well such as Korean, Chinese, And Portuguese, however, they will be mostly USA-based. This is a good option if you do not want to or like watching movies, news, sports, and TV series from countries all over the world
7. Additional Services
Most cable companies offer bundle packages, which means that you can also get an Internet and phone service with a TV subscription. However, you should know that some satellite companies offer these services as well. Generally speaking, these services will be cheaper, which is one of the main reasons people opt for bundle packages.
8. The Contracts
Most companies do offer month-to-month contracts for cable TV, which means that you can cancel the services or upgrade them at any time. But, satellite providers usually have contracts that need to be signed for at least a year, hence, you’ll be required to pay for the services even if you are not using them.
9. Alternative Viewing Options
A wide range of cable companies – or even all of them – allow you to watch their content on other devices as well. This means that you can use your computer, laptop, iPad, phone, and other devices for watching TV. This is something that satellite companies do not do, but, there are a few that you might find out there with these offers.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide range of differences between these two television types. Of course, your choice will depend entirely up to you, however, I hope that this article helped you with determining what option might be best for you. So, now that you know everything there is about cable and satellite TV, do not lose any more time, and make your decision right away.
