Saturday, April 9, 2011

Which is Best - Dish Network or Cable?

By Ryan Steele


Dish Network or cable, which one is best is often a question asked. There are advantages either way, and both are globally marketed. A wide variety of worldwide options are available through Dish Network, or satellite TV, and stations come in many languages, topics, or areas of interest. Up to 300 stations can be accessed over a single dish with satellite capabilities.

Versatility is the hallmark of satellite TV, even in remote areas where there is no cable service. Satellite dishes are connected to mountain homes, those near large rivers, and even in deserts. Mounting separate from the home is even done to reduce interference from trees or other buildings, with sites in different rooms set up.

The recorder that comes with the satellite dish, called a digital video recorder, or DVR, makes programming available at any time of night or day; with several hours of programming or movies that can be recorded due to the high capacity for storage. Installation of the dish may be free with a plan that provides monthly programming over a year or two.

Homeowners need to check with local community rules and HOA policies. Some homeowners associations do not allow the dish to be mounted on homes in their particular developments. Some people believe that they are unsightly and do not show good taste. In these cases, cable may provide the same type of programming that would have been available through the satellite.

Programming through cable companies may be controlled locally. The dishes for satellite reception are located on company property. Viewer desires or habits are taken into consideration with prepackaged programming. A network of fiber-optic wires brings the programming to each home, with boxes that contain the appropriate wiring for the package purchased. These are connected to the television, with multiple room set up available like with satellite.

Analog reception may still be offered by cable companies, as well as digital reception. There are more available options with digital, in menus, channels, interactive programming, view following payment, and others. Signals through digital have less noise and the images have sharper resolution. High definition, or HD, can also be obtained through cable, if the programming indicates; however, to view it, the television needs to be HD. Other options, such as 3D are becoming more common as well.

The viewing cost with satellite is determined through station packages as well. These focus more on the number than the type, with sixty being basic. Doubled to 120 is the next level, with 250 or 300 possible, each with a different price for the number of channels. Other package deals offer different types of programming. Access to HD television may be offered at no charge, as well as access to local channels.

Dish Network or cable, which one is best may simply be personal opinion. With televisions that are high quality and programming having additional options, it just may be a matter of the type of television and what is on the outside connecting it to the world.




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