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Dish Network Articles: Comparing satellite TV deals with cables

The battle between satellite TV and cable TV is aggressive in the United States. Although satellite TV currently comes in two options: Dish Network and DirecTV; and cable TV comes through various providers, the choice between the two is pretty much boils down to preference. Some people fiercely stand behind their satellite TV; others are quick to point out how satellite is a fair weather friend and cable's more dependable. You be the ref and judge for yourself

Satellite TV subscribers have only the choice between Direct TV and Dish Network in the U.S. However, your selection of cable TV providers is abundant. Cable subscribers can choose between basic cable and digital cable. Compared to basic cable, digital cable has many more options. You can hook up to satellite or cable TV special services like DSL Internet, TiVo, HDTV and parental controls. You'll need extra equipment in order to get these services. Satellite TV's high definition reception wins one up on cable, whereby you have to pay for cable's hi-def and satellite hi-def automatically comes through. However, this advantage won't last long once all broadcasts must be transmitted in HD.

This change will be mandatory by the year 2007. The only barrier to getting the HD will be if your TV isn't set up for HD.

Channel options are a big deal to lots of people. Satellite wins hands down on this one, even though cable certainly carries a lot of channels. Many enthusiastic of satellite insist its reception is much crisper. You can also interact with many satellite channels and watch sports without hearing broadcasters or breaking for commercials. Cable TV is closing in on this category by trying out a few interactive channels. For example, Time Warner Cable recently introduced an interactive game and sports news channel.

Do you really have to watch the same channel on every TV?

When you watch satellite TV hooked up with a receptor box to multiple TVs (up to 6), you are limited to the same channel at that moment on each TV. As long as your TV is connected to a cable line, each TV can show any channel it wants separate of the other TVs. Although providers are now providing free additional receptor boxes, it seems like cable comes out smiling in this round.

Weather is a nasty interference between satellite reception and the TV. Not only that but your satellite TV dish has to face south and be obstruction-free to get the best reception. This dish usually sits on the roof or above a porch. Some homeowner associations like to give satellite TV dish owners a rough time by saying they can't put their dish in certain places or that these dishes are banner.
However, renters and homeowners both have the FCC and its regulations on their side. Although cable reception is sometimes bothered by extremely bad weather, seems like cable slightly wins here unless the look of a dish doesn't bother you at all.

The dispute between satellite TV and cable TV seems a pretty close call. The winner really depends on what kind of TV you own and what kind of service options mean the most to you. Each side has its own jabs for the opponent and each issue seems fairly truthful. So, what's the call - a knock out or split decision for satellite or cable?

More info on free Dish Network deals

• Dish Network overview
• Dish Network vs DirecTV
• Dish Network vs cable TV
• Top rated Dish Network dealers
• Dish Network seasonal promotions
• Dish Network programming packages

About the author:

Claudia Walters, expert writter on consumer products reviews. Check out his latest satellite TV related website and get recommendations on DirecTV or Dish Network dealers, <a href="http://www.sunsatellites.com/dishnetwork/directtv.html">compare Dish Network with DirecTV's</a> and other issues on <a href="http://www.sunsatellites.com">satellite TV deals</a>

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