Compare cable TV and digital

With the development of technology, the number of ways to transmit a TV signal is only increasing. Now, as of April 2019, there are five broadcasting standards in EU — terrestrial analog, terrestrial digital, cable analog, cable digital (aka IP TV) and satellite. And the choice of type when conducting a new television in an apartment is not an easy task.

Let’s try to figure out how cable TV differs from digital and which is better.

It’s worth mentioning right away that “digital television” in this material means the so-called IP TV, when the TV signal is broadcast by an Internet provider via an Ethernet cable. It is this standard that is now most widely used in both large and small cities.

How cable TV works

From the point of view of the interface, cable television is no different from terrestrial. Well, except for the type of broadcast. While terrestrial TV is distributed over the «air» in the form of short and long waves, cable uses, as is self-evident from the name, cable.

The cable TV cable is a regular antenna cable. And for the management of subscriber equipment, special switchgears are responsible. It is thanks to them that television is turned off when non-payment is made, for example. Or special packages, including paid content, become available to the subscriber.

Cable transmission allows you to broadcast a more “dense” signal (wires have a greater bandwidth than the air), so that such TV has more channels than the air one. In some cases, their number may be several hundred.

Using a standard antenna cable eliminates the need for special receiving equipment. The wire is simply inserted into the TV, after which tens and hundreds of channels become available to the viewer. It is convenient and does not require additional costs for subscriber receivers.

However, cable TV has quite a few cons:

1. A standard similar to ethereal, does not allow high-definition video streaming. On modern large screen TVs with HD, FHD and above, the picture may look “washed out” or “pixelated”, which reduces the viewing pleasure;

2. Although subscriber equipment is not required, connecting a second TV requires a thick and inflexible cable;

3. 
   Lack of interactive on the part of the provider leads to additional costs. For example, a child may accidentally switch to a paid channel or watch a movie on demand.

4. But the main problem lies precisely in the fact that Broadcasting is in low or medium quality. And outside the window is 2019 (at least), so on modern TV screens with a diagonal of 40 inches or more, the “picture” will look too unpleasant.

How digital TV works

Digital television, also known as IP TV, is a more modern broadcasting standard, which, at the same time, has a rather interesting mechanics of work. It does not affect the quality of the «picture» in any way, nor the cost, nor other parameters, it is simply interesting.

Digital TV is provided by an Internet provider and, in fact, is a streaming of a TV signal from TV channel servers. The provider «mirrors» the video stream through its server, directing it to the local network — the one to which Internet subscribers connect.

In order for a TV to be able to display a TV show in principle, it needs a special decoder. Most often, the «receivers» are supplied by the provider itself, giving out to users for rent. An Ethernet cable from the router is connected to these devices, and then they are connected to the TV via HDMI, SCART or coaxial interface.

An interesting feature of digital TV is that users have to wield two remotes. Channels are switched not on the TV, but on the receiver. The volume and some image parameters can also be adjusted there.

The use of an all-digital signal — and that is what is transmitted over Ethernet — allows you to achieve several important advantages:

1. 
   Ability to broadcast in HD. High-definition TV channels are exactly what modern TVs need. Only HD signal can be displayed correctly on large screens;

2. 
   interactivity. For example, you can connect and disconnect channel packages, watch movies on demand, listen to the radio, rewind missed shows, and record videos for future viewing. For all this, however, most often you have to pay extra separately;

3. 
   Easy scaling option. Of course, the equipment and connection will have to be ordered from the provider, however, to connect a second, third, or some other additional screen, it will be enough to forward a thin Ethernet cable.

4. In addition, providers now often offer low-cost home service packages that include internet, TV, and a receiver for rent. And all this for a relatively small amount.

Which is better — cable TV or digital?

It is self-evident that in modern conditions digital television is leading in all respects. It has only one drawback — the need to use subscriber equipment («receiver»). However, this is also solved by providers who willingly provide receivers for rent, including for completely symbolic money like 1 ruble per month.

Classic cable television is now dying out. Some providers are converting it to a digital standard, although the use of coaxial antenna cables does not allow it to «turn to its full potential». And analog remained only in a few cities.

Thus, if you are faced with a choice — cable television or digital — feel free to choose the latter. Even if you have to pay a little more, it will be compensated by better signal quality and a variety of content.