How to Choose between Digital Cable and Satellite The Benefits of Cable Television: With the switch from analog to digital signals coming up, many television viewers who were hold outs for their rabbit ears are now considering cable television for the very first time. Antennas are fast becoming obsolete, so the best way to get digital programming is by subscribing to either cable of satellite television. For many viewers, cable television is the most convenient choice for them. They may just want to get local channels and basic programming, and they can get that from cable for a relatively low fee. If they choose to have extra programming, cable providers usually have a menu that is flexible enough for them to add channels as they see fit. But if they just want to watch local programming, cable is probably the best route to go, as satellite television requires a lot of extra equipment and is really not cost effective if a customer just wants local programming. Satellite television is more appealing to a viewer who wants the choice of hundreds of channels, where cable may be the choice for people that need only seventeen to twenty channels to keep them occupied. Cable television is also cheaper for people who have multiple television sets in their household. Usually cable does not charge an additional fee for multiple television sets whereas satellite TV requires one receiver for each TV set. Each receiver will require a monthly charge, so if you have multiple sets, satellite can end up being an expensive option. In addition to television programming, another thing to consider is high-speed Internet access. Both satellite and cable television providers offer some form of high-speed Internet access. Cable televisions providers will usually include this in their package and cable Internet can be March 2011 faster than standard DSL. Satellite providers offer high-speed DSL, so if a customer is looking for a faster Internet connection, cable may be the better option. Cable television also offers customers free local channels with their subscription, where with satellite television there is an additional monthly charge for local television. People who only want a basic cable connection for local television do not have to pay anything extra for local programming. People may also prefer cable if they want consistent service. Satellite signals can become garbled with cloudy or rainy weather, and although they may clear up fast, people may lose patience quickly. Cable television experiences very few outages due to cloudiness or rain and requires no positioning of satellite dishes which can be toppled by a gust of wind. In the end, it really comes down to the preference of the customer. Satellite television has a lot to offer a television enthusiast who wants a lot of options and extras that a limited viewer just does not need. Cable can provide customers with high definition programming and their local channels without having to purchase extra equipment for extra television sets around the house. For those customers who want an easy, uncomplicated and affordable television option, cable television is the best bet. Plus, there are a lot of options available and cable television prices have become quite competitive. There will probably be special packages being offered this spring for those first time customers who will be making the switch from analog to digital. The entry price will be attractive and affordable enough to make cable the obvious choice for viewers who don't want to miss out on their local programming. When deciding between Digital Cable and satellite, be sure to consider the following: • If you buy satellite equipment, will it become out of date before your contract ends, and what is the cancellation fee? • Do you get Video on Demand – the ability to select a movie or a show and to start, pause, rewind or fast forward whenever you want? • Will the picture be affected by rain, wind, snow, passing jets and leaves on trees? • Can you purchase other services such as Digital Telephone and High-Speed Internet bundled together at a discounted price –on one bill from one company? • Do you have to pay a monthly fee for repair service? • Can you get local channels and local channels in High Definition for FREE? HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HIGH-SPEED INTERNET AND DSL? • Is the modem included in the monthly price? • Compare price and download speed together. Which offers the best speed at the best price? • Do you get a free suite of Security software with your subscription? Does it include Parental Controls? • Is the service speed affected by how close the customer resides to the Central Office? • Can you purchase other services such as Digital Telephone and Digital Cable bundled together at a discounted price –on one bill from one company? www.havredailynews.com 12