TV Wars

The debate over cable and satellite television is still raging. And it is not showing any signs of slowing. In different countries in the world people compare, argue and switch both ways and are still wondering, which is better – cable or satellite?

The biggest difference is perhaps on the way the signal is sent to the individual TV set. Cable, as what the name implies, transmits signals through cable lines connected to the TV through cable boxes. Satellite television, on the other hand, will need a portable satellite dish installed outside the customer’s home or office with a scrambler or receiver used to detect and decode signals and transfer them to the TV set.

Cable TV may be cheaper per month and quicker to install as there is no need to buy the satellite dish and install it. Satellite TV is more expensive per month on average, but it can well compensate the cost by more channels and various options like high-definition reception and quality sound.

The difference stays there, actually. In terms of picture quality, subscription cost and programming, each kind boasts of its own merits. Satellite TV may be sensitive to the weather, but so does cable (which may even be affected easily by power outages on the operator’s side. You may have your TV on, but when the operator has no power, you get a blank on your screen). Both can fire up an array of channels depending on, well, how much customers are willing to pay.

The choice will boil down to the viewer, his preferences, behavior and budget. Those who live in places that are from the usual cable line tracks may opt for satellite television. Those who watch only a few channels may opt for the cheaper cable television, while those who can sit down and like to search hundreds of channels and would like to watch shows on a crisp high definition should definitely go satellite TV.

For cable TV fans, the difference in the monthly charges may be just a few ten dollars, but when counted by years this will translate to huge money. Satellite TV loyalists, however, will claim that having great TV is definitely worth paying the extra bucks.