How Does Satellite TV Picture Quality Compare to Cable?
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Cable TV vs. Satellite TV
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Consumers today are not limited to cable-TV service. They now have a choice between traditional cable, digital cable TV and digital satellite TV. Cable TV involves the use of a satellite, just as satellite TV does. However, transmitting the signals is accomplished via a roundabout means. Cable companies provide programming via satellite, then transport the programming signal to the customer via cable wires; the channel signals are then received through the cable company. The cables are run throughout neighborhood areas and then into the home. Satellite TV customers enjoy greater channel options and picture quality because of direct satellite signal reception. Traditional cable TV is without a doubt the least developed television programming service. Cable providers generally do not offer as many features as satellite-TV providers. However, cable-TV companies are now strongly advertising their digital systems to become more competitive with satellite TV companies, in everything from the number features offered to enhanced picture quality.
Comparing the Services
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Many customers who have satellite TV often boast of enjoying superior picture quality than that experienced by cable subscribers. The satellite picture is clear and crisp. However, satellite-TV subscribers also have to endure occasional programming interference during inclement weather. The picture quality of cable TV is less crisp than that of satellite TV, due to their differences in signal transference. Cable TV uses analog channels, which often results in a fuzzy picture reception. Satellite TV is solely digital, allowing the customer to receive a much more enhanced picture.
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Comcast Cable Picture Quality vs. Satellite
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According to PR Newswire, a recent survey revealed that Comcast Cable was customers' top choice--over two national satellite-TV services--when it came to the newest picture format: high definition (HD). It appears that some satellite companies are not providing the highest quality HD picture, as they have accomplished for years with the traditional Standard Definition (SD) broadcast. According to the survey, 60 percent of customers who had both satellite and cable services preferred Comcast because the company provided a better HD picture than DirecTV. The survey also revealed that 66 percent of respondents selected Comcast as the better provider of HD picture when compared to Dish Network. Comcast is said to be the leader when it comes to offering consumers quality HD entertainment.
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Comments
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I have had cable for the last 10 years. I have a Panasonic GT25 50 inch plasma. I finally got DirecTV and it is WAY better than cable in picture quality and price. I was hesitant because of losing the signal when it rains, but apparently DirecTV has gotten much better with that. I live in New Orleans where it rains a lot, and I can tell you, after 3 months, I have lost the signal for about 30 minutes 1 time during a torrential rain. Even during the recent tropical storm for 3 days straight, I did not lose the signal! Much beeter than cable.
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swibs
Aug 17, 2010
This is a bunch of crap. The author sourced an article declaring Comcast the "winner" of a comparative survey regarding picture quality. Both the article and the survey originated from Comcast themselves. The article's dateline says it came from PRNewswire, which is a public PR distribution service, not an actual news organization. Press releases "published" to PRNewswire can, and usually do, come from almost anyone. PRNewswire is not claiming Comcast is the winner, Comcast is claiming Comcast is the winner. Clearly this is unreliable given the conflict of interest. To break it down technically, cable systems have less transport capacity on their cable systems than satellite, causing them to compress HD signals further than satellite providers which results in considerable loss of picture quality. Further, cable transmits HD using the older MPEG-2 video standard, where satellite...
