Which is a Better Choice, Cable or Satellite TV?

You may very well be unclear about which service makes the most sense for your home. It's no wonder! While clever marketing campaigns make satellite seem like the best choice for entertainment, there are some things consumers should know. Following are some of the biggest misconceptions, inaccuracies and old wives tales clouding the TV picture. With this information, Fidelity aims to clear up the static.

Top 5 Satellite Myths

1. "Satellite TV is less expensive than cable."

   On average, Fidelity cable customers pay less per month for their service than DirecTV or Dish Network subscribers. Price comparisons made by satellite companies strive to paint the picture that their service is less expensive using bare bones packages on one TV set. The harsh reality of satellite is that there are extra costs tied to things like equipment required for every TV, multiple dishes for certain channels, monthly HD programming fees and costly equipment purchases.

2. "Cable companies raise prices more than satellite TV companies."

   It's ironic that satellite companies try to state that cable companies are the only ones raising prices. Both satellite companies have raised rates this year with DirecTV increasing prices by over 10 percent on some packages. Plus, both DirecTV and Dish Network have raised prices every year for the last 5 years. So don't believe the hype. Satellite companies raise prices and have done so quite consistently!

3. "Satellite beats cable on reliability and picture quality."

   According to satellite subscribers, their TV picture is subject to interference from rain, snow, wind or even when trees obscure the satellite and prevent the signal from reaching their TVs. And while satellite companies often tout their 100 percent digital quality picture advantage over cable, they can't say that about Fidelity! Having invested heavily in our digital fiber-optic network, Fidelity now has the advantage of 100 percent digital picture on your favorite channels. And that fiber optic network means reliability you can count on, even in the worst of weather - reliability backed by service technicians that are a single call away and located in your neighborhood. Fidelity will continue upgrading our network to meet the increasing needs of more HD channels, On Demand and new interactive features.

4. "It's easy to install a satellite dish and all of the related equipment."

   Installation of satellite dishes can be tricky, time consuming, dirty and frustrating. For instance, do you know how to bolt a dish to your roof? And do you know where your transponder is? A satellite dish must point to a precise area to receive its signal, and once you locate that one spot for receiving the signal - which must face southwest and not have any trees, buildings or other items in its way - the real fun begins. Spend a day climbing up onto your roof with dish in tow and running wires through your home to the TV set, which must be within several feet of a phone outlet for the satellite receiver. And did you know that a phone line connection is required on any TV to order pay-per-view (PPV) or use your DVR? Fidelity, on the other hand, makes it easy. Installation is done by a professional, no one has to wield a wrench, climb a ladder to reach the roof, fuss with a drill or search fruitlessly for a transponder. And there's no hassling with phone lines to enjoy On Demand, Pay-Per-View or your DVR.

5. "Satellite TV is a one-stop shop for entertainment and communications services."

   For the most part, satellite technology is limited to delivering one-way video services and cannot offer high-speed Internet. When they do attempt to offer additional services, mimicking the bundle of services available from Fidelity, they must rely on another company to deliver those services to your home - like the phone company. Fidelity is a true one-stop shop for all of your communications and entertainment needs and offers great savings when you bundle services like digital cable and high speed Internet.

It's A Clear Choice.

While satellite companies want you to believe their service is the best, most reliable way to get entertainment and communications, smart consumers know it's all a bunch of hype. With a clear picture of the landscape, you can see that digital cable is a sharper choice and Fidelity is your true trusted provider of communications and entertainment services.