Cable vs. Satellite: Which Should I Choose?
Cable vs. Satellite?
Satellite vs Cable?
Which should I choose?
The answer depends on what exactly you are looking for. Is it price? Reception quality? Availability? Access? The amount of channels?
Cable TV delivers television programming to your home or business via radio frequency signals that are transmitted through coaxial or fiber-optic cables. Reception quality can be either analog or digital. Availability is limited to whether or not there is access to cables in your area.
On the other hand, satellite TV delivers television programming via communications satellites received on an outdoor antenna, that is, a satellite dish. Since these dishes only need a southern sky exposure, they can be installed anywhere. However, reception is susceptible to heavy winds, bad weather or a damaged dish. Reception quality is 100% digital.
See the following chart for more comparisons.
| Cable | Satellite | |
| Definition | Delivers television programming via radio frequency signals transmitted through coaxial or fiber-optic cables | Delivers television programming via communications satellites received on an outdoor antenna, a satellite dish |
| Equipment | Cable box | Dish and box |
| Programming | Over 300 channels | Over 250 channels |
| Reception Quality | Analog and digital | 100% digital |
| Weather Durability | Affected by downed lines or power outages. | Affected by heavy wind, bad weather, or damaged dish. |
| Availability/Access | Limited by access to cables. | Needs southern sky exposure. |
| Installation | Technician to install box | Technician to install dish |
| Pricing/Cost | About $45/month | About $40/month |
| Interactive Controls | For digital cable: electronic program guide, video on demand, subscription services on demand for most areas | Electronic program guides, pay per view, DVR functionality |
| Plan Variety/Bundle Services | Readily available | Sometimes available |
| Providers | Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Cablevision | DirecTV, DISH Network |
Whether you choose cable or satellite for your home or business is dependent on your residential or commercial needs.
