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Deciding between cable and satellite tv is the first decision you have to make and this can be so confusing. The decision is further complicated by radically differing opinions from friends and family and the advertisements you see on TV. In a nutshell the digital signal available via satellite is the total overriding factor. All satellite channels including the local channels are 100% digital-quality, so you're assured the best TV viewing and listening experience available in home entertainment. Digital technology means that the picture you see is digitally encoded and arrives on your screen in exactly the manner the programmer intended. Basic cable services use less advanced analog technology prone to distort the picture with shadowing, fuzziness and static. Some cable tv companies don't tell you that even when you upgrade to digital cable. Often only a portion of the channels offered are digital: the rest remain analog. State-of-the-art satellite technology delivers diamond clear picture and better than real sound that are simply superior to cable's older analog signal. Cable also has less coverage in outlying areas too!

Programming is another important difference between the two. Cable is generally offers many more local channels, since their market is limited to local consumers. Satellite television generally offers a wider spectrum of specialty channels that appeal to a national audience, such as SoapNet or the Golf Channel. In addition, most satellite providers also offer special language programming, such as DISH Network's Latino and Chinese tv options. Here programming is in Spanish, Chinese and English.

Cable and Satellite also differ in price. Dish Network offers a 60-channel package for $29.99 a month with local stations available for an additional $5.00 per month. On average, the least expensive comparable digital cable packages usually cost about $45 dollars per month. Both digital cable and satellite television can have extra costs added if you have more than one television you want to receive the service in your home, since each television would require a box with digital cable, or a satellite receiver with satellite television.

You can expect the following basic features with any good satellite decoder:- parental satellite locks, electronic program guides, and automated timers. Advanced satellite receivers allow you to record programs without videotape, pause live television, and skip over commercials at the touch of a button. You will need to check with your local cable tv provider to see what can be provided in your area and to find out if the features carry a special cost.

In the end after comparing cost, programming packages, quality of picture desired, availability, variety of features, there is no question that Digital Satellite is by far the better product. Its cost efficient, the sound is better and the picture is clearer. The dish network bang for your buck and picture clarity reigns supreme. The decoder options are wider and the end product is infinitely superior.

If you are worried about how to choose between Dish Network and Direct TV(Directv) please read our article on the comparison Direct Tv vs Dish Network.