The Digital Cable vs. Satallite Dish WAR! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jack1000 · 03-29-2003, 10:57 PM

Guys,

The TV industry, has for years, had incredible debate between the satallite dish companies and the cable TV companies. With digital cable, the competition is fiercer than ever. Which service do you prefer and why? I like digital cable better because:

1. You get local customer service/support...When the warrenty on your dish goes out, you have to pay for service calls

2. If the weather is bad with a dish or if your area is obstructed by trees, good luck getting a good picture with a dish

3. You have to pay 100's of dollars to buy a dish and receiver and installation. A rented cable converter and installation will run about $50 + the monthly cost of services

4. You can't get local channels in most cases, if you do, you have to pay extra for them. Cable always includes local channels

5. You get more channels on digital cable than dish with a more advanced program guide

6. Cable updates as technology changes, if you buy a dish and it gets obsolete in a year--your stuck with it

7. You have to commit to a 1-year program package with almost all dish companies. If your not happy with digital cable, you can get a refund within 30 days...unconditional

8. I-Control interactive programming. (The ability to have VCR like functionality on digital cable without a VCR for programs is now avaliable on several digital systems) Dish doesn't have this capability

Here is a link with some other interesting cons about Dish TV:

http://www.b4-u-buy.com/12c35543.htm

Jack

MandieR1980 · 03-29-2003, 10:58 PM

I have Digital Cable I had AT&T Broadband but they merged with Comcast. I've never had a dish.

edwardwoodbine · 03-29-2003, 11:10 PM

i have digital cable in orangeville canada with rogers cable and interactive internet on the digital cable box channel 100 its cheaper.

Mijada · 03-29-2003, 11:13 PM

I prefer cable. Dishes are more trouble than they're worth IMO.

dawsongirl · 03-30-2003, 01:09 AM

I am a very loyal dish owner and will NEVER go back to cable of any kind unless forced. Why:

1. The only time it ever goes out is during heavy rain storms, but it comes back 100x quicker than cable ever did.

2. The info button!! I can get info on the show I'm watching- never could with cable.

3. The picture is a hell of a lot better.

4. I can get way more channels for less $$ than I ever could with cable.

5. The people are less rude. Quick answers on their website.

6. Interactive weather.

7. Despite what people say, the "clucky hardware" isn't that clucky. The receivers are getting smaller, the dish we didn't even have to put up ourselves.

8. Many companies are giving huge sales where you can get the receivers cheap if not free.

9. We always get updated when new things are added. The CEO of Dish Network even has a TV show. And new channels get added MUCH quicker than with the damn cable company.

10. No more split/shared channels.

11. Did I mention the picture is awesome??

12. Sure, you have to pay for locals- if you get them. We have an antenna, and with the exception on ABC, the channels are clear on that. And despite what they make you think, cable makes you pay for locals too, it's just hidden. Your affiliates don't work for free, ya know.

*GoodMorningCalgary* · 03-30-2003, 01:19 AM

Oh what??? I always thought Satellite was better? So I should get Digital Cable instead?

Chad22 · 03-30-2003, 01:37 AM

I Ummm...Have Regular Cable

*GoodMorningCalgary* · 03-30-2003, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chad Doody
I Ummm...Have Regular Cable

Nothing to be ashamed of, so do I!

Chad22 · 03-30-2003, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*

Nothing to be ashamed of, so do I!

Funny thing is, Heres Digital Only costs a few dollars more a month...I Honestly have no idea why i havnt converted to it yet.

~*Hannah_Lee*~ · 03-30-2003, 01:44 AM

I have a satellite dish, and I'm okay with it. I dont live where you can get cable anyway, or at least I dont think we can.

*GoodMorningCalgary* · 03-30-2003, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chad Doody

Funny thing is, Heres Digital Only costs a few dollars more a month...I Honestly have no idea why i havnt converted to it yet.

Yeah here I think if you get they're most Basic Digital Cable Package then its an extra 10 dollars a month but my dad won't let us get it cause then he said we would watch wayyy too much TV, but if you can Then go for it! I know I would!

Mossopp · 03-30-2003, 08:14 AM

Digital satalite is better because -

* There are much, much more channels available
* Interactive services on digital satalite allow you to email, play games, shop and talk to other people all via your television
* The on-screen TV guide lets you see what's on every channel for the next 7 days
* You can get instant information about any show on any channel just by presing a button
* You can use the on-screen TV guide to set reminders for the shows you want to watch so you'll never miss anything
* The picture quailty is flawless and glitches only occur in severe weather conditions
* Sound quality is faultless too and most movie channels are in 5.1 surround sound

TVJunkie101 · 03-30-2003, 09:10 AM

Actually, a correction to Jack's post. More channels are offered on Satellite then on Digital Cable. But I guess that could vary in certain states.

My digital cable offers hardly anything except music channels. That's why I have satellite. I pay 40 bucks a month for hundreds of channels. The picture is clear, crystal clear btw, the installation was free, the dish I bought only cost 40 bucks at Wal-Mart, not "100s of dollars"

I'd always prefer satellite. I agree with what everyone posted about satellite, they are correct.

theshark8777 · 03-30-2003, 10:08 AM

Satellites picture blows cables away for one. Ive had my dish since 97 and havent had any problems. It does go out maybe 5 times a year for a toal of 30 minutes if that. I also have TW cable and it has gotten better over the years, at least in terms of going out, but when it was TCI it was out all the time. Satellites services are cheaper, but here you can't get local channels on it. I can get ABC and FOX from NY/LA. I thought about dropping my satellite for digital cable mainly for the local HD content, but I can't see giving up on the picture quality on the basic channels. So at the moment I have basic cable and Directv. Also the DirecTivo keeps me with Directv too, I can't live without that!!

SBTB Geek · 03-30-2003, 02:13 PM

I have digital cable, and I don't get what the big deal is. Yes, I get more channels, and the picture is a bit clearer- but that's it.

Like MandieR1980 I had AT&T Broadband, but they merged with Comcast. I like this new change because they are beginning to add more channels without extra cost. Hopefully they will add The Hallmark Channel soon- that's the only 'good' channel I am missing.

03-29-2003, 10:57 PM	#1
Jack1000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 05, 2001 Posts: 2,055	The Digital Cable vs. Satallite Dish WAR! Guys, The TV industry, has for years, had incredible debate between the satallite dish companies and the cable TV companies. With digital cable, the competition is fiercer than ever. Which service do you prefer and why? I like digital cable better because: 1. You get local customer service/support...When the warrenty on your dish goes out, you have to pay for service calls 2. If the weather is bad with a dish or if your area is obstructed by trees, good luck getting a good picture with a dish 3. You have to pay 100's of dollars to buy a dish and receiver and installation. A rented cable converter and installation will run about $50 + the monthly cost of services 4. You can't get local channels in most cases, if you do, you have to pay extra for them. Cable always includes local channels 5. You get more channels on digital cable than dish with a more advanced program guide 6. Cable updates as technology changes, if you buy a dish and it gets obsolete in a year--your stuck with it 7. You have to commit to a 1-year program package with almost all dish companies. If your not happy with digital cable, you can get a refund within 30 days...unconditional 8. I-Control interactive programming. (The ability to have VCR like functionality on digital cable without a VCR for programs is now avaliable on several digital systems) Dish doesn't have this capability Here is a link with some other interesting cons about Dish TV: http://www.b4-u-buy.com/12c35543.htm Jack

03-29-2003, 10:58 PM	#2
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	digital I have Digital Cable I had AT&T Broadband but they merged with Comcast. I've never had a dish.
	__________________ Mandie myspace.com/mlr930

03-29-2003, 11:10 PM	#3
edwardwoodbine wwe video game champ Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 02, 2002 Location: orangeville ontario canada Posts: 202	digital cable rules i have digital cable in orangeville canada with rogers cable and interactive internet on the digital cable box channel 100 its cheaper.
	__________________ edwardwoodbine

03-30-2003, 01:19 AM	#6
GoodMorningCalgary Banana Hammock! Senior Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2002 Location: Sacred Heart Hospital Posts: 1,225	Oh what??? I always thought Satellite was better? So I should get Digital Cable instead?
	__________________ RIP JOHN RITTER 1948-2003 Watch Scrubs on NBC! Tuesdays at 9:00

03-30-2003, 01:44 AM	#10
~Hannah_Lee~ Let's dance in style Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 09, 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,358	I have a satellite dish, and I'm okay with it. I dont live where you can get cable anyway, or at least I dont think we can.
	__________________ Some are like water, some are like the heat Some are a melody and some are the beat. Sooner or later they all will be gone. Why don't they stay young? It's so hard to get old without a cause. I don't want to perish like a fleeing horse. Youth is like diamonds in the sun, And diamonds are forever. Forever young, I want to be forever young. Do you really want to live forever?

03-29-2003, 11:13 PM	#4
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	I prefer cable. Dishes are more trouble than they're worth IMO.

03-30-2003, 01:09 AM	#5
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	I am a very loyal dish owner and will NEVER go back to cable of any kind unless forced. Why: 1. The only time it ever goes out is during heavy rain storms, but it comes back 100x quicker than cable ever did. 2. The info button!! I can get info on the show I'm watching- never could with cable. 3. The picture is a hell of a lot better. 4. I can get way more channels for less $$ than I ever could with cable. 5. The people are less rude. Quick answers on their website. 6. Interactive weather. 7. Despite what people say, the "clucky hardware" isn't that clucky. The receivers are getting smaller, the dish we didn't even have to put up ourselves. 8. Many companies are giving huge sales where you can get the receivers cheap if not free. 9. We always get updated when new things are added. The CEO of Dish Network even has a TV show. And new channels get added MUCH quicker than with the damn cable company. 10. No more split/shared channels. 11. Did I mention the picture is awesome?? 12. Sure, you have to pay for locals- if you get them. We have an antenna, and with the exception on ABC, the channels are clear on that. And despite what they make you think, cable makes you pay for locals too, it's just hidden. Your affiliates don't work for free, ya know.

03-30-2003, 01:37 AM	#7
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	I Ummm...Have Regular Cable

03-30-2003, 08:14 AM	#12
Mossopp asleep at the wheel Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2000 Location: Helensburgh, Scotland Posts: 3,726	Digital satalite is better because - * There are much, much more channels available * Interactive services on digital satalite allow you to email, play games, shop and talk to other people all via your television * The on-screen TV guide lets you see what's on every channel for the next 7 days * You can get instant information about any show on any channel just by presing a button * You can use the on-screen TV guide to set reminders for the shows you want to watch so you'll never miss anything * The picture quailty is flawless and glitches only occur in severe weather conditions * Sound quality is faultless too and most movie channels are in 5.1 surround sound
	__________________ "Heavy metal has been my life since I was 10 years old. It's the only thing I know, it's the only thing I care about." Dimebag Darrell, 1966 - 2004

03-30-2003, 09:10 AM	#13
TVJunkie101 Member...you 'member? Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,838	Actually, a correction to Jack's post. More channels are offered on Satellite then on Digital Cable. But I guess that could vary in certain states. My digital cable offers hardly anything except music channels. That's why I have satellite. I pay 40 bucks a month for hundreds of channels. The picture is clear, crystal clear btw, the installation was free, the dish I bought only cost 40 bucks at Wal-Mart, not "100s of dollars" I'd always prefer satellite. I agree with what everyone posted about satellite, they are correct.
	__________________ Shawn DVD Reviews \| My TV on DVD List \| Sitcoms Online NewsBlog

03-30-2003, 10:08 AM	#14
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Satellites picture blows cables away for one. Ive had my dish since 97 and havent had any problems. It does go out maybe 5 times a year for a toal of 30 minutes if that. I also have TW cable and it has gotten better over the years, at least in terms of going out, but when it was TCI it was out all the time. Satellites services are cheaper, but here you can't get local channels on it. I can get ABC and FOX from NY/LA. I thought about dropping my satellite for digital cable mainly for the local HD content, but I can't see giving up on the picture quality on the basic channels. So at the moment I have basic cable and Directv. Also the DirecTivo keeps me with Directv too, I can't live without that!!

03-30-2003, 02:13 PM	#15
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	I have digital cable, and I don't get what the big deal is. Yes, I get more channels, and the picture is a bit clearer- but that's it. Like MandieR1980 I had AT&T Broadband, but they merged with Comcast. I like this new change because they are beginning to add more channels without extra cost. Hopefully they will add The Hallmark Channel soon- that's the only 'good' channel I am missing.