Digital television, or DTV, is the means of broadcasting TV over the air using digital rather than analog signals. The ability to receive DTV channels became a necessity for TV viewers as of June 12, 2009, the date by which Congress required all "full-power" TV stations to begin broadcast using only digital signals. The advantage of DTV is superior sound and picture quality to analog broadcasting, as well as the ability to offer multiple programming options and interactive capabilities.
Dish Network is one of the nation's largest providers of satellite TV, which produces DTV channels by broadcasting signals from "geostationary satellites" that orbit the earth to receiving satellite dishes on the earth's surface. The satellite receiver then sends digital signals to the viewer's TV set, producing sound and picture. In order to receive DTV channels via the Dish Network, a satellite dish that can range anywhere from 9 to 18 inches must be purchased and placed in an exterior location that can receive digital signals.
Comcast is a leading provider of cable TV in the U.S. Cable TV, which originated in the 1940s, is a means of on-air broadcasting via signals sent from the cable company to a cable box attached to the viewer's TV set. The signals are received through a coaxial cable that is attached to a cable jack in the wall at one end, and the cable box at the other. Cable TV viewers must purchase a cable box from a provider such as Comcast in order to receive broadcast channels.
Because Dish Network utilizes satellite TV technology, it usually has superior reception quality to cable because satellite TV receives signals from satellites orbiting the earth, rather than from signals sent through coaxial cables, as used for cable. However, satellite providers such as Dish Network require bulky satellite equipment that is often inconvenient to attach. Moreover, satellite dishes are more vulnerable to outdoor menaces, such as inclement weather and tree blockage, because they are located outside.
Comcast's equipment and installation are much easier than that of Dish Network. As a cable provider, usually all that is needed to set up Comcast is a cable box that hooks up to the TV and a wall outlet. There is no bulky equipment or difficult outdoor attachment. The advantage of this is that the outside menaces affecting Dish Network are not as likely to occur for Comcast users. However, Comcast users often sacrifice picture quality and channel variety for this ease.