While there is nothing to stop you having both cable and satellite, the expense and complexity of setting up two services make this a combination for the serious TV junkie only. If you're thinking of subscribing to either cable or satellite services, the table below explains the main differences between them.
| Feature |
Cable |
Satellite |
| Picture Quality |
Good (slightly better than terrestrial TV) with little interference |
Similar to cable TV but with very rare, slight picture degradation
due to atmospheric activity
|
| Sound |
Supports the common audio standards, but is dependent on the
broadcast programme
|
Similar to cable TV. Many satellite broadcasters offer multiple
language support and subtitles, and more plan to offer this facility
|
| No. of Channels |
At time of writing, cable TV offers 30 to 70 channels - fewer
than satellite TV. Cable stations are limited to what is on offer
from the service provider (e.g. NTL or Telewest), and it is not
possible to receive from multiple providers on the same set-top
box
|
Satellite TV generally offers far more channels than cable.
With more advanced satellite dishes, you can subscribe to pan-European
networks, providing hundreds of channels
|
| Internet Connection |
Many providers offer combined Internet connection services that
deliver connection speeds 10 to 40 times faster than a cable modem.
The main advantage of these services is that they are 'always-on',
and don't incur phone charges. These Internet services cost about £25
per month on average, plus charges for specific television channels
|
Although it is possible to download shareware software over
satellite, surfing is still not possible. Satellite services that
offer Internet connectivity use a traditional phone line and have
poor connection speeds in comparison with cable modems
|
| Services |
Most cable providers offer pay-to-view services such as sports
and movies. Newer digital cable services also allow for interactive
shopping, banking, and TV guides
|
Satellite TV has had a headstart in providing services; the
Sky digital service offers the widest choice of shopping, financial,
information, and interactive services from a broad range of suppliers
|
| Cost per month |
£20 to £50, depending on channels taken. Often includes
a phone line offering discounted calls to other local cable customers |
£20 to £60, depending on channels taken. Often sold
with a phone line at standard BT rates
|
| Availability |
Only available in major cities, with limited choice of provider
across the UK |
Services available from Sky and half a dozen European service
providers
|
Favourites (IE)
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