Cable vs Satellite TV

Are you confused over the issue of choosing between a Satellite TV and Cable TV? How do they compare? Did someone just say this is a case similar to land line phones vs. satellite phones? No this is not similar at all because it cost you $ 30,000 to get a new subscriber on the Sat phone, it costs you around $ 30 to get a satellite TV system. So no comparisons hold. Let us layout a Satellite TV and cable TV comparison and feature the benefits of satellite tv vs cable TV:

Parameter	Cable TV	Satellite TV
Installation cost	Low if cable comes to your neighborhood	Usually nil if you commit to 12 months use
Installation time	Nil if cable exists, just plug and play. If cable does not exist eg remote locality, installation may not be possible	About 1.5 hours. Installing Satellite TV is Practically locality independent
Ease of installation (in existing area)	Plug and play	No difference. Better use professional help
Ease of installation (in new location)	Requires professional installation
User Base	About 60 million, dropping slowly	About 20 million satellite TV viewers and rising
Quality	Analog cable – quality not high, digital cable at par with satellite TV	High
Number of channels	Large	Large
Cost	Monthly rentals higher	Monthly rentals are lower for satellite TV
Value added services	Not many	Much value addition such as entire serial recording, pause during live playback etc are possible with satellite TV system
Internet	Very high speeds	Moderate speeds
Operating simplicity	Very simple	Many features make it slightly complex. Basic features of satellite TV are quite simple
Effect of weather	Little effect	Can be affected
Number of TVs to hook up	Different TVs on same cable can show different programs	Each TV requires different receiver else all will show same program. Satellite TV Service provider generally subsidizes the cost of receivers
Interactivity	Low	High
Shifting residence	No issue	Dismantle equipment and reset. Usually service provider will assist. Hence it is not a major issue.

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So how do you judge which to go for? Very often when asked this question, our answer is, go for the upcoming, the number two because – they try harder. In this case, this happens to be true. Satellite TV, the new comer, with one-third the number of subscribers is fast catching up due to qualitative reasons.

Satellite TV is definitely a better choice because:

They do not have a multi billion-dollar investment in analog systems. Hence they have started digital and will only improve the quality of service. Cable is only belatedly developing this capability – that too incrementally.
The argument that improvements in satellite TV will make your investment in satellite dish and receiver redundant is incorrect because backward compatibility will exist. No service provider will risk alienating its existing user base.
The interactivity in satellite TV is truly of very high value and going to improve with time. For example:
- Pausing a live TV telecast! Moreover, starting it again, from where you left off.
- Your TV system tracks your favorite programs and records them faithfully (without the commercials) when you are away sailing on the Nile ! Even when the broadcaster changes the channel
- The satellite TV system ‘learning' your preferences and showing you what you want

Whether you are a TV addict or an occasional watcher, you should watch a demonstration of satellite TV at a dealers' location. They will be able to show you all of the great features that many of your friends may not have discovered yet.