Suggest me good DTH service

[sri134]

Hi,
I'm going to buy a 42inch LED LCD TV tomorrow and I suppose having only a STB is not enough (correct me if I'm wrong).
On the other hand I do not have slightest of the idea regarding any DTH services.

Can some one point me to a good DTH service available. Any kind of information/tips are welcome as I'm completely novice in this matter.

Thanks.

 

[just4kix]

I am using TataSky HD without DVR. The service and quality is excellent but the price is very high and the number of HD channels is too low. Because TataSky is still using MPEG2 (which requires more bandwidth than MPEG4) and they have not been able to migrate to G-SAT, the likelihood of more channels is as bright as finding a waterhole in the Thar desert.

All in all, I would recommend Videocon d2h because it provides decent quality, highest number of HD channels (21 as of date) and is fairly priced.

 

[Rupam]

I'm using Airtel DTH HD, my experience has been quiet good with them. They have now total 17 true HD channels + all other SD channels are upscalled by them. I find that their A-la-carte channels are very competitively priced. But the channel packages are not upto the mark for English channel viewers.

 

[sri134]

Thanks for the replies.
I have no idea what is DVR. I was checking Airtek Digital. Considering HD package.
Does it use MPEG 4? Is it any better?

 

[just4kix]

Thanks for the replies.
I have no idea what is DVR. I was checking Airtek Digital. Considering HD package.
Does it use MPEG 4? Is it any better?

DVR is "Digital Video Recorder". It allows you to record TV programs of the same/different channel while you are watching TV or even when not watching. It can be programmed to record a program. Search the web about it.

MPEG4 is not necessarily better in quality than MPEG2. Both are lossy formats. But MPEG4 uses a much advanced method of compression that is more efficient. MPEG4 stream will achieve the same quality as MPEG2 while being much more compressed. Hence MPEG4 requires lower bandwidth. Note that quality of picture depends upon the amount of compression.

 

[tasanjeev]

I am using TataSky HD without DVR. The service and quality is excellent but the price is very high and the number of HD channels is too low. Because TataSky is still using MPEG2 (which requires more bandwidth than MPEG4) and they have not been able to migrate to G-SAT, the likelihood of more channels is as bright as finding a waterhole in the Thar desert.

All in all, I would recommend Videocon d2h because it provides decent quality, highest number of HD channels (21 as of date) and is fairly priced.

+1. just4kix nailed it. Go with D2H.

 

[Rupam]

yes airtel uses MPEG4. Pic quality is very good but sound in 5.1 does lack punch.

 

[just4kix]

Note that MPEG2 as well as MPEG4 are both lossy formats. The final picture quality depends upon the bit rate used for compression. MPEG2 can produce same PQ as MPEG4 - some of my (older) blu-rays are encoded in MPEG2. Where MPEG4 scores is that it is more efficient and can produce the same quality while keeping file size lower. This results in lower bandwidth usage.

 

[sri134]

I'll check Videocon D2H and Airtel and see which is more useful for me.
Thanks again for your replies.

 

[ajopaul]

Does any of the DTH service providers allow us to opt for a channel on a per day basis? This is useful for sports for some infrequent events.

 

[Rupam]

Does any of the DTH service providers allow us to opt for a channel on a per day basis? This is useful for sports for some infrequent events.

Airtel DTH does. If you opt for a channel ( including HD) then the first months rental is deducted at first then from the next month the price is deducted on the daily rate basis. So after one month you can cancel at anytime. I use this facility to watch various tournaments (football, tennis) on HD and then when the tournament is over I disconnect.

 

[plasma]

Airtel DTH does. If you opt for a channel ( including HD) then the first months rental is deducted at first then from the next month the price is deducted on the daily rate basis. So after one month you can cancel at anytime. I use this facility to watch various tournaments (football, tennis) on HD and then when the tournament is over I disconnect.

Just get Videocon D2h. Its a no brainer. You get most HD channels and over 360 channels in the Platinum HD pack at just 480 bucks a month. It should cover all sports events. Ala-carte prices are ridiculous sometimes.

I have D2h and am very happy with the PQ and AQ.

 

[lake1988]

Even better ..with Rs.388 Gold HD pack you will get all 22 HD channels + selected other SD channels..
have a demo..Let me tell you dolby audio on H channels are really mind-blowing.

 

[plasma]

Even better ..with Rs.388 Gold HD pack you will get all 22 HD channels + selected other SD channels..
have a demo..Let me tell you dolby audio on H channels are really mind-blowing.

True but the request was for not missing any sport event. Gold HD pack is low on sports channels.

 

[ajopaul]

Airtel DTH does. If you opt for a channel ( including HD) then the first months rental is deducted at first then from the next month the price is deducted on the daily rate basis. So after one month you can cancel at anytime. I use this facility to watch various tournaments (football, tennis) on HD and then when the tournament is over I disconnect.

Ok, what if I had not opted for that channel at all, but want it like once or twice every month.? Real use case - football champions league . I may not even watch it live, but still want it to record it and watch it early morning or something.