HDTV has demanded a great deal of investment by content producers and broadcasters. Studios, transmission suites, archiving, cable and satellite services have all seen increased costs for new equipment.
Broadcasting HD uses about 5 times the data rate of a similar SD channel so bandwidth allocation that will carry 5 SD channels supports just one HD channel.
Apart from the equipment, other less obvious details have changed. HD demands more attention to lighting, costumes and sets with some significant cost increases.
During the transition from SD to HD, charging a premium to receive HD channels is one of the ways to recoup the investments in infra-structure and production costs. As more viewers move to HD, market forces are likely to reduce the premium. In the coming years, we are also likely to see the end of some SD channels with the content offered only as HD. As we reach that point, the HD premiums are very likely to reduce to a minimal amount.
And let's not forget, because they can. As with any other commercial organization, broadcasters are keen to increase profits. If people are willing to pay extra for improved quality, HD pricing will remain higher than SD.
Cable and satellite have very different prices because of the stiff competition between them. The good news is that we, as consumers can use that against them to keep low prices for service. They all offer a great price to get you to sign up with them but over time, they raise fees. That's when you start negotiating. It works.
Do you think cable tv is a better solution than satellite for HD? Which offers more channels in HD?
More than what?
If money isn't a big factor in your decision, you should get cable. It generally more reliable than satellite.
Satellite seems to be just a little faster than digital cable. Also outages are less frequent with satellite than they are with cable. If they do occur they are always much shorter in duration than the cable.
Satellite TV is better only in some cases. It is better in areas that have no cable service or have very limited cable selection. In some major areas with cable carrier competition, satellite is actually more expensive than cable. Satellite TV is a great choice for those in rural areas. This is because cable has a limited reach because of isntallition issues.
Cable generally is more reliable than satellite dishes due to it's physical nature. It's connected directly from the supplier to your television instead of intercepting signals using a dish. While severe weather can affect your cable line, a satellite dish can be knocked out by mere rain.
There are several pros and cons when referring to cable versus satellite dish service. Most of these pros are for satellite service over cable. Monthly satellite fees typically run way lower than cable, and in most cases you get more channels with satellite services. Satellite also typically gives the watcher a better picture on their screen, even without an HD television. Customer service is also higher with most satellite companies, not only with less outages than cable, but also with their professional installers and employees at their call-in centers. One downside to satellite is the amount of equipment and both the initial cost and monthly fees for said equipment. With cable, you have a single line and a cable box on your television, most cable companies charge no fees whatsoever for this. Satellite, on the other hand, charges monthly fees for boxes, recievers, not to mention your satellite dish, DVR and HDTV equipment. All in all, most people seem to be more pleased with satellite service over c
Satellite television has some advantages over cable because it is usually cheaper in cost. The activation fees are something you do not need to pay. It also offers more channels for sports and music than cable would.
DIRECTV is a satellite company and cable TV is not. DIRECTV has more channels and clear reception. Also, DIRECTV is a good company and satellite is much better than cable TV.
I believe you have to contact the satellite company themselves. Satellite is much cheaper than cable by about $20 or more depending on which channels or package you get.
satellite cables and TV cables are the same to a point. the difference in the too are is the TV cable a RG59 or a RG6 RG59 will not work with satellite because if the smaller center conductor with satellite it pushes power were it will end up destroying the center conductor RG6 witch is in newer homes is ideal for both satellite and cable RG11 is used with TV cable from usual the box / tap outside to houses usually running over 300 ft depending on the DB coming from the starting location
The amount of channels you get from either a satellite tv or cable tv provider usually depends on your package. If you get a digital cable set top box it's usually around the same amount of channels as a satellite provider.