| If you want to keep up with sports, your favorite | | | | Not many people actually watch shows when |
| shows, and watch movies, you're going to have | | | | they're on, many of us watch recorded TV using |
| to subscribe to some sort of television service, as | | | | a DVR. DirectTV, cable, and Dish all provide |
| it's difficult to pick up all the stations you need | | | | customers with DVR service with a set top box, |
| with a TV antenna. Most areas have a few | | | | but which is the best? After the award winning |
| different options, including new fiber optic services | | | | TiVO, it looked like nothing would compare, but |
| like AT&T U-verse, but the two staple services | | | | Dish's ViP range seems to be a winner. The new |
| throughout the country are either cable or | | | | version even lets you watch whatever is on your |
| satellite? So which should you choose? | | | | DVR remotely using it's "slingbox" service. The |
| If cost is the biggest factor, consider cable might | | | | DVR from DirecTV doesn't offer similar service |
| be best for you because you can package your | | | | at the time of writing this article, and neither does |
| internet service with your service. Otherwise you | | | | the Motorola DVR box that most cable providers |
| may be looking at two bills, one for internet and | | | | offer. |
| one for TV, and you can usually get a discount on | | | | On Demand |
| your high speed internet service if you choose to | | | | All TV services provide some sort of On Demand |
| go that route. | | | | content, but no one beats cable for the amount |
| But let's say that cost wasn't the issue, which is | | | | of free content. Satellite providers simply don't |
| better? Here's a look at some of the main | | | | have the bandwidth to provide the hours and |
| features at TV service provides and how these | | | | hours of programming you get with cable. Much |
| guys measure up: | | | | of the content is only standard definition, but |
| High Definition Service | | | | more and more HD content is appearing all the |
| Cable claims more HD channels because of their | | | | time. The on demand content from satellite |
| ability to serve HD "On Demand" content, but | | | | providers is fairly limited to adult and PPV content. |
| Satellite services generally have more actual HD | | | | The Verdict |
| channels to choose from. Dish Network provides | | | | The choice for many is satellite, as it wins on 2 |
| very high quality HD at 1080p resolution on certain | | | | out of 3 out of the mentioned criteria, but there |
| channels, which is the same as Blu Ray, where as | | | | is something to be said for cable. One thing's for |
| the resolution on cable seems to be much more | | | | sure, with all the new technology available, it's |
| compressed. In the HD arena, Satellite is a clear | | | | going to be an interesting few years to see what |
| winner. Also, standard def content on satellite is | | | | these companies will do to make their options |
| much clearer with it's 100% digital signal. | | | | more attractive. |
| DVR / Set Top Box | | | | |