Feb 27, 2009 01:26 AM
28575 Views
(Updated Oct 11, 2010 06:06 PM)
First of all let me list out the options that you have for watching the TV.
Terrestrial TV transmission (DD1 & 2) - requires a traditional (Yogi Uda) antenna.
Analog cable - Conventional cable TV transmission by analogue cable operator.
Digital cable - Cable TV signal distribution using digital TV technology.
DTH - Direct to home transmission using satellite.
IP TV - TV viewing using Internet protocol.
Watching TV using a traditional TV antenna is a pain. The signal quality is quite poor unless you stay very close to the TV station. It is very risky to use such antenna in lightning prone areas. Also, number of channels that you can see is very limited. This method may only be used for hand held TV sets and mobile phones with TV tuner.
Analog cable is the next most common form of TV signal transmission technology available today. You need to contact your nearest cable operator or MSO to get a cable connection. There is a one time installation charge that you need to pay initially.
This amount is usually non refundable. There is no need to use and additional hardware other than the TV itself. However, you need to pay monthly subscription fee to the cable operator. One major limitation of analog cable television is that you receive mono audio instead of stereo sound. Most viewers are not even aware of this fact. Please see a small note on stereo below.
A small note on stereo sound: Stereo sounds gives you effect of dimension. This means that when a car moves from left to right in TV the sound would move from your left speaker to right speaker. Needless to say that stereo TV must have at least two speakers but having two speakers doesn't guarantee that the TV has stereo capability.
Digital cable TV transmission provide superior quality video and stereo audio. You need to get a connection from your nearest digital cable TV operator.
Also, you would need an additional hardware to convert digital signal to conventional TV signal because traditional TV sets can't accept digital signal. You may be wondering why do we need digital transmission if it is finally required to be converted to TV signal.
The answer is, transmission losses are almost negligible in digital TV transmission due to the use of advanced technology. This makes it possible to deliver DVD quality video and CD quality sound. Also, digital TV transmission uses compressed audio and video data hence channel capacity is much higher than analog cable TV.
In simple words, digital cable service provider would be able to offer more number of channels than analogue TV operator. Also, all channels will have same quality audio and video unlike analog cable TV transmission. Installation charges for digital cable connection is marginally higher than analog cable connection due to security deposit for the set top box hardware.
Monthly subscription charges for digital TV transmission is comparable with analogue cable TV transmission. Your set top box controls your TV viewing experience when you use digital cable connection. Your TV remote can no longer be used to change the channel.
However, a set box remote is required to control the hardware to change channel. Set top box (Also known as STB) hardware provides many features including program listing(EPG - electronic program guide), setting reminders, parental locking etc. These features are not available in analog cable service. Den and hathway are among few well known digital cable TV service providers. Quality of service depends on maintenance of the cables.
Yet another option for TV viewing is to install a DTH dish antenna at your roof top. Also, a set top box is required to convert high frequency digital signal to traditional TV/AV signal. DTH operator uses a satellite to relay the signal instead of using cable for transmission.
This mode of signal delivery has a major advantage over cable transmission as satellite transmission can cover very large area making it possible for the broadcaster to add subscribers from across few countries. Also, adding additional customers need no extra investment as broadcaster needn't lay any cable. You can carry the dish antenna and STB when you move from one city to another.
A smart person can even uninstall and reinstall the system himself. It provides all features like EPG, parental locking etc. Also, usage of digital technology makes it possible to provide superior quality video and stereo sound. Installation cost is highest for DTH. Subscription charges for DTH is also much higher than other services due to high rental of satellite transponders/transmitters.
Dish and STB works fine for years. Quality of service is extremely well but momentary signal disruption happens during heavy rains. You can ignore this fact considering all other advantages. There is another disadvantage that DTH doesn't offer any local movie or news channels. Also, DTH can't provide additional services like cable Internet.
IP TV is relatively a new concept. It requires an broadband Internet connection for watching TV. You need an Internet connection but you don't need any computer to watch TV. A small device will connect your TV to the IP TV service provider.
There will be a security deposit for this electronic device. TV viewing experience will be same as viewing experience for cable TV, DTH etc. Monthly subscription charges is heighest for IPTV. Primary disadvantage is that quality of IP TV service is not proven yet. Also, unavailability of broadband connection in most part of India is another road block. It might take years before IP TV can become successful and popular in India.
Final Note:
Analogue cable TV quality is poor. Digital cable TV and DTH quality are same. IP TV is not ready yet.
If you are static or living in your own house then digital cable TV is the best option for you. Please make sure that the operator is using good quality transmission system. Den and Hathway are using best transmission equipments in India. Please keep in mind that you still may suffer from signal loss due to poor cable maintenance.
DTH is the best but expensive way to watch TV. If you are staying at a rented house or if your job is transferable then you should choose DTH. Also, DTH is obvious choice where no cable TV transmission is available. DTH works in every corner of our country from Himalayas to houseboats in Kerala.
You can be virtually assured of uninterrupted service if you choose DTH. Digital TV is technically the best DTH operator in India as they use latest and best technologies. Tatasky is stable but less attractive. Dish TV, Sun TV, and Big TV has problems related to stability and response time(No/slow response on remote key press, box needs to be restarted at times).
Tata Sky plus (This is a new and premium product from Tata Sky) is better than standard Digital TV boxes as tata sky plus allows you to pause and record live TV. You can record a program while you watch another program. It has two tuners inside. Tata Sky plus will cost you 4 to 10 times more than standard boxes.
To read my review on high definition DTH services and set top boxed read following
https://mouthshut.com/review/General_Advice_on_DTH_Service-200170-1.html
Thank you
