Cable HD Vs. Satellite Signal Strength

HD signal strength plays a big role in deciding which provider consumers will choose.

One of the biggest decisions by today's consumer is whether to have cable TV or satellite TV. The HD signal strength is by far one of the biggest factors when making that decision.

Cable

Cable TV starts with a lot of bandwidth at the headend, where the transmission begins, but then that signal strength gets diminished as it gets distributed to each hub. Each hub then distributes to each home and it diminishes further. Cable will typically use fiber optics up to a point in order to maintain high signal strength.

Satellite

Satellite TV has a much higher bandwidth allowance, and it is a stronger signal in the home as there is very little opportunity for the signal to diminish. The signal is not restricted by length of cable, as the only cables are the ones running from your satellite dish to a converter box.

Comparison

HD signals require more bandwidth than regular channels, so you'll get a weaker signal the further you are away from the hub. The hub in a cable situation may be miles away, whereas the hub in a satellite transmission is the satellite dish on your home. This allows for satellite to have better signal strength.

References

• GlobalSecurity: Satellite Bandwidth
• Fiber Optic Association: Tech Topics