Satellite television, cable television, and digital cable television services
As technology advanced, consumers may now have more options than they ever could in the past for television entertainment. You can choose from conventional (analog) cable, digital cable, and all-digital satellite TV. This comprehensive offering up to hundreds of TV shows, from sports to movies, from MTV to documentary shows, news channels to TV shopping – you name it and you’ll get it!
So here is a brief introduction to these three television entertainment services.
Satellite TV service
Satellite television is the novelty in the television entertainment business. However, they are growing rapidly and becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Dish Network and DirecTV are the top two satellite TV providers that you definitely won’t feel strange about.
Satellite television services offer up to more than 200 programming options with all digital quality. Its signal is transmitted through an 18 “satellite dish pointing to the northern sky. In addition to the satellite dish, users must be equipped with satellite decoders and televisions.
Conventional cable television service (analog)
Conventional cable is by far the least advanced of the three and offers the fewest features. The picture and audio quality comes in analog signal and the quality is much lower compared to digital cable or satellite TV.
Digital cable television service
In an effort to compete with satellite TV providers, most cable companies are going to great lengths to get their customers access to their digital systems. Digital cable TV has many advantages over conventional cable, including high-speed Internet access and video on demand, as well as hundreds of cable channel options.
Due to the land lines required to deliver and receive the cable television signal, there is a strong and well-established infrastructure to support the cable system.
However, cable TV companies always have trouble promoting their service in rural areas, as there may not be enough (or no) access ports. If you lived in one of these less populated areas, your choice is minimal.
Comparison of cable television with satellite television
Recent customer surveys or consumer reports show that satellite TV offers better deals compared to cables. If you are familiar with their services, you probably already knew that satellite TV offers many more programming options with 100% digital picture quality, and its price is relatively lower compared to cables. However, some object to such claims, as cable television remains the most popular television entertainment service in the states. On top of that, users typically get more conveniences with the cable TV bundle package, where they can get cable phone, Internet connections, and TV entertainment in one package.