What is cable TV? Does this technology still exist?

With streaming services, such as Netflix, conquering more and more people, especially the younger ones, today, doubts about what cable TV is once again common. 

Although streaming services such as Netflix are gaining more and more customers, cable TV subscriptions are still highly sought after due to the diversity of content they can offer. 

So, if you want to understand how cable TV works if it’s still worthwhile and the differences to other pay-TV services, keep reading this content! You may also be interested in “Cable TV network” here Tv por Assinatura

What is cable TV?

As with internet signal delivery, the television signal can be transmitted in different ways.

Basically, they are:

Satellite TV;

Cable TV; and

TV via optical fiber.

The satellite TV is the main form of transmission, still widely used to distribute the signal of open television channels. 

This technology relies on broadcast antennas, which send the signal to satellites in Earth orbit to be then distributed back to viewers. However, the signal of this type of transmission does not reach more isolated places with the same quality. 

The Cable was the first solution to the signal quality problem. For this, the signal received by satellite is centralized in an antenna of the service provider, which then redistributes it using a physical cable network.

In this way, the signal can reach viewers with less loss of quality due to weather conditions, home antennas, and other satellite signal interference factors.

Already the fiber optic TV is a newer technology that comes with the advancement of internet fiber optic. In this case, the logic for signal transmission is the same as for cable TV, with the difference that due to the superiority of the fiber cable material, the signal transmission is faster and even more stable.

However, fiber TV technology is considerably more expensive and harder to find due to the recent deployment of the fiber optic network by Brazilian operators.

What is better? Cable TV or Satellite TV?

When we talk about pay-TV services, operators can use both satellite and cable TV technology. 

Let’s then present some basic criteria to consider when choosing between the options, looking for the best among those available.

Quality and stability

In the aspect of signal quality and stability, cable TV has an advantage as it is no less subject to interference due to weather conditions. 

In addition, the equipment used in cable TV technology ensures high definition quality for the transmitted images.

Roof

In this regard, in rural regions and further away from urban centers, the physical cabling network necessary for cable TV installation may not exist.

Thus, satellite TV continues to offer greater coverage, being, in some locations, the most viable option for services such as television and the internet.

Discover the Oi service channels and see the coverage for your region!

Value

The value of cable pay-TV plans is usually lower than satellite ones. This is usually due to the cost of installing and maintaining the network, which, in the second case, may depend on the installation of long-range antennas.

Inclusion of other services

One of the advantages of cable TV technology is that it can also be used for the transmission of internet data and landline telephone calls. 

Therefore, operators usually offer packages to include the three services in a single bill, which can generate a lot of savings for consumers.

How to choose between cable or satellite TV?

Considering the criteria presented, you’ve probably already identified some of the advantages and disadvantages of cable TV. 

If you live in an urban area with a wide range of telecommunications services offered by different operators, it will probably be more advantageous to hire a cable TV service and include other essential services such as internet and telephone.

But if you live in a rural region, where the operators’ cabling network is precarious or non-existent, satellite TV will be cheaper.

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