There’s a constant ongoing debate as to which type of television is better: satellite or cable. The two types of TV use different technologies to produce video, and thus require very different sorts of equipment. As such, there are also some big differences in coverage. Despite all this, the kinds of content you can get over both types of television, as well as the pricing models for each, are all relatively similar, although these can vary a bit depending on the area in which you live.
Still, it’s important to have an understanding of the biggest differences between satellite and cable TV before you decide to move forward with DirecTV installation in San Bernardino County. Here are just a few examples of some of these differences you should take into account before making a decision.
Technology
A satellite package and cable package could theoretically provide exactly the same content and channels, but the way in which the information is transmitted to your television is much different in each of these two forms of television. In satellite TV, data signals get transmitted from antennas to satellites orbiting in space, then back down to individual satellite dishes in the homes of people paying for the service. Cable television is transmitted through coaxial cables that are run from the service provider to outlets in people’s homes. Satellite, then, is a more “wireless” technology, which is why it’s able to be installed in more rural locations.
Equipment
Because satellite is wireless and cable is wired, different types of equipment are needed for people to actually be able to receive television signals. With cable, viewers will need a cable box or decoder, which gets sent to them by their cable company. Satellite viewers, on the other hand, need to have a satellite dish installed somewhere on their property (often on top of the roof of their house or garage) and may require additional equipment to be able to route the satellite signal to multiple TVs in a single household.
Coverage
Satellite offers much better coverage than cable because of its wireless service. It can be accessible from any location that has a clear view of the southern sky, so long as there is enough room for the dish to be installed. Compare this to cable television, in which the home or building must be connected to the cable’s physical network. Homes that are in more remote, rural areas without many other people around would have to pay significantly more to have a cable run out to their property, which is why they tend to rely more heavily on satellite television.
Ultimately, if you have the choice of both options, it can feel like splitting hairs when making the decision of which choice to invest in for your television service, though some areas will have greater programming options with one over the other. For more information about DirecTV installation in San Bernardino County and the benefits of satellite television, contact the experts at JDS Systems today.