If you are looking for a reliable pay television provider, Dish Network and AT&T are certainly ready to take your money. While Dish Network has been around for years, AT&T U-verse is a service still in its infancy. How do these two companies compare when doing a line by line comparison?

With Dish Network, the first thing to check is if you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky, as the installer will need to mount a satellite dish on or near your home for reception. This eliminates access to satellite television for some folks. AT&T U-verse also has service limitations. The telephone company network is being upgraded one area at a time so that this service can reach the homes and apartments of those served by AT&T.

Now if you actually have the option of choosing from either one of these services, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Dish Network service usually requires a 24 month service commitment, while U-verse is not currently a service that requires a contract. If you are moving soon, you may want to avoid satellite TV for the time being.
• While Dish Network only offers video packages, U-verse offers voice and high speed internet service as well. If you are shopping for a total communications bundles, then signing up with the phone company may be the better option.
• When comparing pricing and programming, Dish TV is a little less than U-verse service. For those on a budget these days, going with satellite TV may save you $130 or more per year compared to U-verse bundles.

Both companies offer free installation, and you can also find great discounts if you are new to either company. Making a few phone calls to get exact quotes and doing a bit of internet research will insure you make the right choice for you and your family.

The digital video recorder has to be the best add-on to my television. Ever since I got hooked up with the DirectTV Russian package and their top of the line digital video recorder, my television viewing habits have been altered.

Here is an example.

If you have not watched television with a TiVo or a DVR, you do not know what you are missing. You have total control over everything you decide to watch. If you are watching a program, and all of the sudden you realize that you are starving, you can just hit the pause button. Go make your food, and then come back when you are ready, even if it takes an hour!

Then when you begin viewing your program again, you will have the added advantage of skipping through any advertisements that come up. Pass right through them each time they pop up! Sometimes I don’t see a commercial for days.

Now here is how I get the most out of my digital video recorder setup. No need to channel surf anymore. I simply set up my DVR to save the programs I like. Even when watching football, I set the digital video recorder, then I sit down about half an hour after the game starts. This way, I can fast forward through all the commercials, and watch the game in about half the time.

Finally, I can always see new episodes of my favorite series. For example, new episodes are coming out soon of Friday Night Lights on Direct TV. On the digital video recorder, all I have to do is pick the record series option, and each time the show comes on, my Direct TV DVR finds it day or night, and saves it for me. I can set it to save all of the episodes, or just the first-run episodes. All of this in high definition too!

Then, when I have the time to watch television, all of my favorite shows are ready and waiting there for me to watch. No need to rearrange my schedule around the networks, not with my new DirecTV digital video recorder.

While other companies like AT&T U-verse and Verizion Fios have also begun to offer DVR service, satellite TV companies like DIRECTV pioneered the product.

Television has changed a lot over the past 10 years. A plethora of cable networks to choose from, flat screens, hi-definition picture. With new and constantly evolving technologies, plopping down in front of the television got a little bit more complicated. These days, the hardest decision is no longer choosing your favorite channel or what program to watch. It is whether you should select cable or satellite.

Like many other decisions in life, you can make a pro and con list to help you figure out your choices. Then come to a final decision. We have compiled a short list for you below. This should help you out a bit.

Let’s start with the advantages of cable. Whether it’s Comcast or Cablevision, digital cable is expanding at a rate its creators at Motorola are ecstatic with. New technology in this service have provided greatly improved picture quality. Plus there are so many more channels. All this comes at a lower price tag than satellite. Cable channels are also easily accessible from multiple rooms in the home.

On the downside, however, Cablevision costs depend on where you are located as local taxes do affect your monthly cable bill. Another factor, cable companies don’t easily have reach into rural parts of the United States. And since cable companies broadcast their signals from a home base, you should also be ready to foot the bill when they hike service costs. This is to enhance equipment that is required for your viewing pleasure. So, comparing its price to satellite TV isn’t quite a valid point of argument. It all ends up pretty much the same with all the added charges.

Now for the pros of satellite TV. Your television experience will match that of a cinematic experience. Trust me, I am not exaggerating in this area. Satellite TV services such as DirecTV and Dish Network promise hundreds of channels on HD. They also have that movie quality audio and picture displays. Because of the science behind satellite television, it is readily and easily available in both urban and rural areas. Definite advantage to satellite.

As for the cons, getting started and purchasing all the equipment when you sign up can be expensive. Also, satellite reception is moody and often dependent on the weather conditions. Lining up your choices next to each other, such as Dish TV vs Cox Cable is the best way to comparison shop. It doesn’t matter how you choose. Flip a coin. Consult your friends and neighbors. It’s your tv, anyway. It’s your choice. Just make sure you don’t regret the pricey decision.