Regular TV operates through airwaves that could be caught by anyone. If they have their TV set(s) connected with the antenna. However, the number of channels you can get through it remains more or less 2-13. Some popular networks including CBS and NBC and some other self-regulating stations are instances of regular broadcast TV. While Cable TV functions in an exclusively dissimilar way as it works through microwaves. Microwaves are being directed to users over the cables, therefore, not everybody can receive them without signing up with a cable service company. An interesting fact to add at this point is that there is no such commandment from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding cable stations for the reason that they don’t consume broadcasting frequencies but private cables.
Cable TV is a great option that everyone prefers as it carries along an overwhelming amount of channels, whereas regular TV provides barely 10-20 channels. The next or perhaps most important reason for a majority of the consumer shall be that they can easily bundle up their cable TV service with landline and internet services at a great discounted deal. For example, if you are getting a standalone cable TV service from Mediacom, you can easily add Mediacom internet or home phone so you can save a few bucks every month and conveniently pay at one place for three services.
Most of us on average watch hardly 10-15 channels but who doesn’t love to scroll through before finding something interesting?
In the beginning, the earliest cable companies used to work with the CATV (Community Antenna Television) system. They had higher TV antennas in the vast amount that would catch the signals from other stations which are situated far-off. Those stations then transfer those signals to residential setups over the cables. Since the development of microwave technology, they reduced the usage of antennas. They instead started grasping those signals via dishes to transfer them to homes over the wires. Let’s dig further to learn a few bits about how cable TV is different than regular TV:
You could easily get TV content at your house via these four ways:
- Terrestrial TV - also identified as DVB-T(2) ATSC-T, or ISDB-T
- Satellite TV – also famous as DTH
- Cable TV
- IPTV
You can even get hybrid systems as well. For instance, in Italy, homes commonly use a mixture of both Terrestrial as well as satellite receivers. Furthermore, these systems functioned through three varying business models such as:
- Free to air: Through this model, channels can generate their revenue through sponsors, advertisements, or government. There are no such limitations in this model. Similarly, there is no need for smart cards or particular equipment to keep things operational.
- Pay-TV: Here you get a monthly subscription or a contract for 1 or 2 years. And, when the service providers deal with PPV events, you have to purchase them.
- Free to view: It may sound like a free to air model. It is pretty similar but the only difference is that one requires a smart card to get to the channels. This model is typically utilized when the coverage has to be regulated due to any legal reason. This model is commonly related to satellite TV services.
Let us shed some light on how these services are different from each other.
Cable TV: Cable service has additional bandwidth to stretch to make the transfer of most of the channels possible. It could also easily become a source of telephone and internet services. Bringing more convenience to the users.
Satellite TV: The best thing about satellite service is its coverage. Satellite’s coverage can effortlessly cover gigantic areas and continents. It lets the combination of local and internet channels. Besides TV content, it is a great method to enhance the serviceability of internet connection amongst the ruler areas. Since some of the rural areas are not covered by telecommunication due to less demand or concerns related to building the underground network.
Terrestrial: This means of TV requires a smaller amount of equipment. This is generally used for broadcasting FTV or FTA. Pay-TV is also facilitated in some states.
IPTV: Internet-Protocol TV is for the most part a Pay-TV deal.
Final Verdit
Cable TV
Needs a 300-ohm coaxial cable from a central office to the destination to function. Though, signals are not definite in HD. Moreover, the cost could be expensive based on various reasons. The option to select from a wide range of channel line-up and the fact that cable signals are pretty dependable.
Regular TV
The regular TV’s broadcast gets you HD signals at a very nominal cost. Though, an antenna is required to catch the signals. On the downside, channels are limited, most popular programming is inaccessible and the service could be badly affected by the weather.
