Cable vs Satellite Settle the Score

By: Brian R. | August 21st, 2013 10:13AM EST

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When it comes to TV, which do you think comes out on top?

Some people swear up and down by satellite while others stick to cable. Which of these two giants is the best for fulfilling your home entertainment needs is a divisive question and one not easily answered. Each has their own particular sets of pros and cons and, at the end of the day, which one you choose largely depends on a list of common factors such as:

▶ Location

▶ Channels

▶ Price

Take a closer look to decide which of the two is truly better for you.

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A closer look at cable TV

Cable is the old mainstay, and it continues to be one of the more sought after methods for television entertainment. It’s pretty easy to get your local channels with most cable services out there and the channel roster is always changing – usually growing in number.

Most cable TV services offer hundreds of channels, all brought to the home through a receiver box which hooks into your television via cable – hence the name. The receiver boxes can sometimes come with DVR capabilities that allow for recording, as well, and, really, that’s the beauty of the setup – simple equipment.

As far as the channel quality is concerned, a vast majority of cable companies in the country have made the switch to digital and high-def. However, it’s important to double-check the service you plan on doing business with since some of these companies operate on lower-quality signals that can impact your viewing experience. Basically, if the picture quality matters, you want to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Another thing to be aware of is that cable, while available in urban and other highly-developed areas, can be a little sparse in the rural parts of the country.

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Satellite TV service – a brief rundown

Satellite is the other half of this television service showdown and it’s pretty easy to see why when you look at it. A lot of satellite services pride themselves on their channel listings and picture quality. Not to mention that some services are no longer what you might consider prohibitively expensive.

When it comes to channels and programming, most satellite providers offer an impressive library that rivals even the most inclusive cable provider. This also includes, for many services, access to local channels, as well. Many of these providers also offer targeted packages, meaning if you have a particular type of television programming you favor over the other, they can help you pay for the programming you actually WANT to watch. Things like movies, sports, kids’ stuff, etc.

Equipment packages for satellite service usually include a satellite dish – which is placed outside – a receiver box for inside the home. The receiver box, functionally, isn’t unlike the box used for cable service and, depending on which satellite provider you choose, you could either be responsible for purchasing the equipment or it could be provided by the service. It’s important to research this early, especially if you don’t want to handle the installation yourself.

Settle the score – what works for you?

It’s pretty clear that both methods – cable and satellite – have their pros and cons when it comes to programming, picture quality and equipment. However, to ultimately settle the score, it really depends on where you live, what you want, and how much you want to spend.

Satellite is great for those rural areas where cable just can’t reach and, as long as you’ve got a view of a clear, southern sky you’re good to go. However, if you’re the kind of person that doesn’t watch a lot of television, you might not need a service with hundreds and hundreds of 100% digital quality channels.

For some people, where television is heavily integrated into their tech lifestyle, a decent satellite service allows for more than just DVR – some actually incorporate mobile devices and smartphones. Cable providers have awoken to this lifestyle as well, but not all of them have. Price is also an important factor to consider when looking at the two and, again, it all comes back to just how important TV is to you.

Taking that into account, the most important to do is to pick the service that’s best for you and your lifestyle.

via Cable vs Satellite Settle the Score.