Cable vs Satellite...

[Diplomat]

We may have done this topic before but I can't recall.

I'm considering switching from cable to satellite primarily because of the 'staleness' of most of the cable programming that I pay a "princely sum" every month for. OF course, here in the True North, DirecTV is not an option, but if there are any satellite users out there, a couple of questions for you:

- How is picture quality?
- Do you lose signal, and if so, how often?
- Are there any factors that I absolutely must consider?

Thanks much...

BTW, I have done the research thing, but do want to hear from anyone that is actually a satellite TV subscriber.

[kia027]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Made the switch last December to DirecTv

- Picture quality was much better than my analog cable
- Lost signal once for about 10 mins
- My experience was DirecTV cost the same as analog cable & I had the same # and types of channels as digital cable which cost about $15 a month ($180 yr) more.
- You will need a set top box - an additional device to dust.
Paradigm shift in locating channels but the online guide helped a bit.

Have not given up high speed data via the cable company [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[j-kid]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Made di switch years ago and have not regretted it since. As you point out, occasionally when it rains or snows very hard, if you have the smaller 18 inch dish, you will lose reception for a short while but it is a rear occurrence. You can easily overcome this by getting a larger size dish. Dollar for dollar comparison you get a lot more channels on satellite, even in the basic package than you get with cable. By the way, when I had cable it also uses to go out sometimes in heavy winds, heavy rain or snow, ice storm, and lightning, and stayed down for hours and sometimes days. The picture quality is also sharper and superior to cable.

[Nunya]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

I assume you are talking about Bell ExpressVu or Rogers or supm like dat?

If yes - you do get a much wider variety. Is it better though? Depends on what you like.

When it snows it can interfere with your reception. Every winter we lose reception for certain durations.

And sometimes during the spring and fall too - when there's heavy winds or rains.

Course, this may have something to do with the trees in the vicinty - the winds and the rain moves the leaves/branches into the signal path...

[kia027]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Nunya
Chop down de trees that interfere with your signal and you will be clear for spring & fall. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[dahjah]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Canadian Satellite compared to Canadian Cable.

All de same gyabidge as far as programming is.
Satellite pik is much better though.
Cable goes down more often, like when smaddy junk jrive into de box. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Satellite will go down momentarily during a storm

Now if you want supm dat never goes down
try the good ole C-band satellite.

Yuh have nuff room for the 10' dish though?

[Nunya]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Originally posted by K ia:
[qb] Nunya
Chop down de trees that interfere with your signal and you will be clear for spring & fall. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [/qb]

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!! I looooove trees!

[j-kid]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

OK, den noh chop ie dung, jus chop wan big hole right through di miggle ah it. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[kia027]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Originally posted by Nunya:
[qb]

Originally posted by K ia:
[qb] Nunya
Chop down de trees that interfere with your signal and you will be clear for spring & fall. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [/qb]

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!! I looooove trees! [/qb]

replant dem out of signal range den [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Nunya]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

yuh batty! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

King dahjah: I did not come across C-band satellite in my research. Who provides that? As for having room for a 10' dish, I have a decent backyard, but am contemplating a deck later on so I wouldn't want to use that space for a 'big dish' [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Originally posted by Nunya:
[QB] I assume you are talking about Bell ExpressVu or Rogers or supm like dat?

If yes - you do get a much wider variety. Is it better though? Depends on what you like.

I'm considering Star Choice. The programming variety is wider, and frankly, I don't think it can get worse than cable. Did you hear about the recent case where the courts determined that the CRTC banning access to more US programming is a violation of consumer rights?

[Nunya]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

no... hadn't heard about that. Does that mean that more US channels will become available to satellite users or both sat and cable?

Further, the channels that are now not available to what could the y possibly be? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] We get all the mundane stuff - from golfing to fishing to quilting...

[Diplomat]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Originally posted by Nunya:
no... hadn't heard about that. Does that mean that more US channels will become available to satellite users or both sat and cable?

Maybe; the CRTC has indicated it will appeal the ruling.

Further, the channels that are now not available to what could the y possibly be? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] We get all the mundane stuff - from golfing to fishing to quilting...

Oh, I think there are more that would be available. HBO is one that comes readily to mind.

[dahjah]

Re: Cable vs Satellite...

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] King dahjah: I did not come across C-band satellite in my research. Who provides that? As for having room for a 10' dish, I have a decent backyard, but am contemplating a deck later on so I wouldn't want to use that space for a 'big dish' [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

I used to have one, this company was always at the forefront on C-band.
As for who provides it, there's gotta ba some dealers in your area.

http://www.orbitmagazine.com/orbfaqs.htm

http://www.skyvision.com/