| If your family has grown and matured since the | | | | providers offer different options for HD |
| last time you upgraded your television service | | | | programming. Typically, cable providers will offer |
| provider, it may be time to reassess whether it is | | | | only a handful of HD channels, whereas satellite |
| meeting your needs. Some members may | | | | providers offer almost 100 or more with standard |
| enjoy sports, others want the movies, the | | | | packaging. |
| musician in the family wants special programming, | | | | You’ll also need to consider what type of |
| and the outdoorsman begins to feel left out of | | | | channel offerings your family will require. Do you |
| the mix. | | | | need children’s programming, or could you do |
| With the upcoming move to all-digital television | | | | without it? Are you avid movie watchers and |
| service, it seems to be much easier on the | | | | would benefit from premium movie |
| pocketbook to subscribe to new cable or satellite | | | | programming? Do you want exclusive access to |
| service versus investing in special equipment. | | | | sports or other specific genres? |
| This may present an issue when trying to | | | | Satellite offers hundreds more channels than |
| determine which services will cater to your family, | | | | cable, as the dishes can handle more signals than |
| but there are a few points to consider. | | | | the cables run to your home. This means that |
| First, you want to determine which type of | | | | you’ll have more choices and variety in |
| service will offer the highest-quality and most free | | | | channels, including foreign and far-away |
| equipment. More and more satellite providers are | | | | programming. |
| now offering free dishes and HD receivers, as | | | | Satellite service has been considered a |
| well as HD DVR recorders. | | | | less-than-stellar choice in the past due to bad |
| On this note, the DVR may be something needed | | | | weather concerns, but recent advances have |
| for your family. If the kids are watching a | | | | virtually eliminated these problems. With a clear |
| movie, dad can record his hunting show and | | | | line of site to the southern sky, it is actually very |
| Bobby’s game at the same time for later | | | | rare that weather is bad enough to affect your |
| playback. | | | | signal and picture quality. |
| DVR recording also allows you to pause your | | | | Finally, inquire about parental control options and |
| program for a snack or bathroom break, without | | | | package pricing. Most customers discover that |
| missing a beat. This can be of great value if you | | | | satellite is just as affordable as cable service. In |
| frequently purchase pay-per-view movies; | | | | addition, you may be able to bundle satellite |
| you’ll have the option to stop it just as if it | | | | Internet and phone service to save money on |
| was a rented DVD for untimely interruptions. | | | | other bills, also. |
| Next, consider the availability of HD | | | | As your family grows and tastes change, cable |
| programming. Even if you haven’t | | | | may not offer the programming needed for a |
| purchased an HDTV yet, you most likely will in | | | | wide variety of preferences in your household. |
| the near future, or you could receive one as a | | | | Ask your local satellite provider about how they |
| gift from a loved one. | | | | may help you to access all the programming |
| HDTVs are becoming more available and | | | | needed to satiate everyone’s personal tastes. |
| affordable as time goes on, but different | | | | |