While the days of analogue television have been left in the 20th century where they belong, it has left the UK viewer with an extensive range of options to choose from, making the job of knowing which is best for you a bit of a confusing task, especially with the advent of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.
However, for some homeowners, especially those living in more isolated areas of the country, investing in a satellite is their best option for a quality picture and great range of channels. Yet, even this can throw up tricky choices as you decide which satellite TV provider you want to invest in.
There was a time when choosing a dish was relatively easy, as Sky TV dominated the UK market. Offering hundreds of channels and its iconic sports coverage, it was definitely the best option 15 years ago. However, newer options have begun to appear with one of the more viable alternatives being FreeSat.
Both Sky and FreeSat offer their viewers a host of benefits and are both great for getting that TV fix, but it’s also good to have a better understanding of how each service is run so that you can make an informed decision.
As professional aerial and satellite dish installers, helping countless customers perfect their TV watching experience, we at South Wales TV Aerials have a pretty solid knowledge on the pros and cons of each viewing option. With this in mind, we decided to demystify the process for the satellite viewers amongst you.
What are the benefits of a satellite?
For those of you still on the fence as to whether installing a satellite dish is best for your home, you will be happy to know that there are a range of benefits from going down this route. For starters, thanks to the way that satellite signal is transmitted to your house, you can expect an overall better picture than its cable alternative. As the signal is only once removed from the original source, you are likely to receive a higher fidelity picture, especially if you live in more isolated areas of the UK.
There is also the added benefit of being able to access a much wider range of channels than other options if you invest in satellite television. In comparison to cable services, which may only be able to offer channels connected to their country of origin, dishes have the ability to pick up channels around the world. Also, with new satellite dishes being able to pick up channels automatically rather than having to be moved, meaning you can maximise your channel hopping.
While cable offers viewers a host of other benefits, satellites can be especially advantageous for areas where quality cable options aren’t available. This would typically be for homes in rural or isolated parts of the country.
Freesat TV vs. Sky
Now we have a bit more of an understanding of how a satellite dish can be a great investment for your home, let’s look into which provider is the best option for you. While both offer benefits, they provide their services in unique ways.
Sky TV
Arguably the biggest advantage of investing in Sky TV is the level of choice that one of its dishes can offer. Whether you’re after some classic British TV, a late night boxing match being televised in the US or a pick of the best hi-definition content; a satellite dish from Sky is the TV viewer’s dream. Also, as Sky ‘simulcasts’ the five main networks, meaning it is broadcast through multiple means, you can expect a clear signal where digital may struggle.
Of course, the main issue with choosing the premium option is the premium price. To have access to all that Sky has to offer could end up setting you back around £50-£60 a month, which for some, might be a bit steep.
Luckily, the people at Sky have considered this, as they do offer their own ‘Freesat from Sky’ service. For a one-off payment of £150, you can receive a stripped down version of the standard service. This can be great for those looking for a good in-between, however, there will be some more premium services that will not be available.
FreeSat
In a bid to offer customers a more affordable alternative to the more expensive Sky, FreeSat has joined the fray. As a subscription-free HD-TV service, all you will need to do is pay a one-off fee and you can access over 130 digital channels via its own unique electric program guide. Ending up being the much cheaper option, it’s a great choice for people that are looking for the standard set of shows and don’t require the premium packages.
Of course, this does mean that you will have to miss out on some of the more exclusive deals that Sky and other premium suppliers offer, especially when it comes to their sports packages.
When it comes down to it, the perfect choice out of these two satellites will come down to what you want from your television. If you’re happy with the standard set of shows, FreeSat is perfect, however, if you’re looking for the superior viewing experience and are happy to fork out the extra cash, Sky might be your best bet.
The importance of hiring a professional for freesat box or sky tv installation
Whichever satellite you choose to have installed at your home, it’s really important to enlist the help of a professional to ensure the job gets done properly. The process may seem relatively simple, however, it can end up being much more complicated than you first estimated.
The biggest advantage to hiring a professional is that it keeps you safe. Satellite dishes need to be installed at a high enough point for the signal to be clear, which means working at height is pretty much inevitable. An installer will have all of the gear and personal protective equipment to ensure they are as safe as possible while working at height.
Satellite installation also requires a fair amount of knowledge to ensure you get the right signal. If the dish isn’t properly installed or positioned, you may end up with a sub-par picture and constant drops in signal. By hiring a specialist with experience in providing their customers with a great picture, you can ensure that you’re all set to get your TV fix.
Ensure a perfect picture with South Wales Tv Aerials
A satellite dish can be extremely beneficial for homeowners looking for a great picture and an extensive range of channels and, if you’re in the South Wales area, we can help. As one of the area’s leading satellite and aerial installers, the team at South West TV Aerials has helped countless happy customers with their satellite and digital TV installation needs.
Whether you’re in need of a Sky satellite installed, help with wall mounting your TV or are looking to transform your lounge into a stunning home cinema, our team of highly trained consumer electricians are on hand to help.
Our 24 hour phone line is always there for when you need us most and, with our super-efficient same-day service, we can have your television set up by dinner time. If you would like to learn more about how South West TV Aerials can help with your installation needs, get in touch with a member of our team at one of our many branches or, for more information, why not visit our website?