High Definition Cable Vs. High Definition Satellite
In 2000, HDTV seemed like something only available to the super rich. In 2010, HDTVs are everywhere and just about in every household. The question no longer is whether it is worth it get HDTV, but rather who to get it from. Cable and satellite companies have put millions into advertising to convince consumers that their HD product is superior to the competitor's.
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Equipment
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With your subscription, both cable and satellite companies will give you a receiver box that hooks into your TV. With cable, this is all the equipment you need. It will give you access to digital channels and has an option for DVR (Digital Video Recorder) service, which enables you to record programs and view them later.
Satellite companies also give you a box, and it provides the same functions as the cable boxes. However, with satellite, you also get the dish (or dishes), which must be placed outside in order to receive the signal. This can be troublesome if you live in an apartment complex, as some rental companies will not allow residents to have satellite dishes.
Programming
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Cable and satellite companies offer a multitude of channels and programming options. For example, Comcast cable offers up to 270 digital cable channels, including 100 HD channels; while Direct TV satellite service offers upwards of 285 channels, with over 85 HD channels.
Both cable and satellite companies offer a wide variety of packages that vary both in cost and number of channels. There are packages for premium channels such as HBO and Showtime, and sports packages such as MLB Extra Innings and NFL Sunday Ticket.
Packages that offer smaller prices typically have less channels, and the more channels you subscribe to the higher the price goes.
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Cost
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According to their respective websites, Comcast packages start at around $40 per month, plus an additional $8 per month for HDTV service. Direct TV packages start at around $30 per month, plus an additional $5 per month for HDTV service. In addition, satellite companies usually require you to lease the dish equipment for an agreed amount of time, usually 12 months. These prices are as of June 2010.
Furthermore, both cable and satellite companies typically have specials and deals that will waive certain fees or reduce prices for a length of time.
Reliability and Quality
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Now that all TVs channels are digital, picture quality is essentially the same. However, satellite reception quality is sometimes dependent upon the weather. According to most consumer reports, such as JD Power and Associates, satellite companies are victorious when it it comes to customer service and support; and they have less service outages than cable companies.
Availability
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Different regions of the country offer different cable and satellite companies. Typically, rural areas do not have access to cable TV, so satellite TV is the only available option. Most companies will tell you on their websites if their service is available in your area.
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References
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