TataSky HD Vs Airtel HD?

[rohitmusic]

Hi,
I will be getting a HD connection for Sony Bravia EX300 TV.

I have shortlisted Tata Sky and Airtel.

I have read following things about both:

Tata Sky:
Pros:
- Excellent service
- Good HD channels quality
Cons:
- lesser number of channels (SD + HD)
- Tata seems to be having some space crunch hence they are not able to add new channels and pushing more channels in limited "space"/bandwidth? hence PQ is lower.
- Using MPEG2 as compared to MPEG4 (but I have read that MPEG4 does not make a huge difference to Picture quality.)

According to TataSky, MPEG-4 and DVB S2, compression standards used byAirtelDTH, have noeffect on the picture quality. The DTH service providers use different compression technologies,from MPEG2 to MPEG4 to provide digitaltelevisionsignals to consumers through satellite. Thesetechniques determine a service provider's number of channels to consumers. They have no impacton video quality.

The ASCI in a reply to Tata Sky's complaint said, "As per their (Consumer Complaints Council - CCC) decision, thecomplaint has been upheld as the advertisement contravened Chapter 1.4 of the ASCI code. The CCC concluded that the advertisement is misleading, as the viewer of the TV commercial is led to believe that Airtel Digital TV hassuperior picture quality because of MPEG4 or DVBS2."

Airtel:
Pros:
- More number of channels
- Better picture quality for normal channels?
- Cheaper
Cons:
- Bad service
- incorrect settings on channels leading to issues while viewing.

I need to take a call on one of these.
I want to take a service which will be good from long term and overall perspective.

Also any idea when the Tata's space constraint will be addressed. I heard some G10 satellite will be launched. Will this help?

Rumors are high that either TS had got space on different satellite or they are going to introduce and use Vertical TP space.

Thanks!

 

[sam9s]

its an old debate, search fourms and you will get loads of threads for the same. Personally I have seen Airtel as well ....... and its in no way even remotely close to the Audio Video quality that TataSky HD offeres ......they might not be adding number of channels as of now in comparision but what ever they have it has a far superior PQ then Airtel.

 

[YPS]

TataSky HD is Best

 

[technobhatt]

its an old debate, search fourms and you will get loads of threads for the same. Personally I have seen Airtel as well ....... and its in no way even remotely close to the Audio Video quality that TataSky HD offeres ......they might not be adding number of channels as of now in comparision but what ever they have it has a far superior PQ then Airtel.

TataSky HD is Best

I really would like to know...on what basis these sentences are spoken !!

There is a need to do side by side comparison in Audio-Video quality for both Airtel and Tata-Sky , then only difference can be realized !!
I use Airtel and I can also say, it's best....But I will not...because it's NOT best !! It has all sort of issues and the same is the case with all other DTH in India !!

What I am aware of is...
Tata Sky applies DRC on the audio of most of the Sd channels, and even providing Mono Audio on few channels. We actually don't realize it...
If we talk about Video quality....Tata Sky has added 10 HD channels in a single Transponder of its Satellite, which is actually capable of adding only 8 HD channels with optimum quality ...But..by compromizing the Bit-Rate and quality, Tata Sky has somehow made it possible....!!

Airtel also applies DRC on the audio of few channels, but its HD channels ensure the best Video quality without any compromise !! Audio quality is pretty good without any DRC on most of the HD channels except StarMovies HD and Discovery HD !!
The worst part with Airtel is...its customer service !!

 

[aakashr]

You need to take a call.............HD channels vs customer service, what is more important for you. It is clearly visible Airtel for channels and Tata Sky for service, choice is yours!!!
Another important criteria is the interface which has not been discussed. I feel the software interface of Tata Sky beats all others. I remember a couple of years back when I was in UK and was watching Sky...........I fell in love with the interface, only to be taken by surprise to see the exact same interface on Tata Sky in India.

 

[technobhatt]

You need to take a call.............HD channels vs customer service, what is more important for you. It is clearly visible Airtel for channels and Tata Sky for service, choice is yours!!!
Another important criteria is the interface which has not been discussed. I feel the software interface of Tata Sky beats all others. I remember a couple of years back when I was in UK and was watching Sky...........I fell in love with the interface, only to be taken by surprise to see the exact same interface on Tata Sky in India.

Now a days, Airtel has also recently upgraded its Interface and it's exactly similar to TataSky !! These interfaces are developed by NDS...TataSky and Airtel have same vendor for their interface !!

 

[YPS]

Now a days, Airtel has also recently upgraded its Interface and it's exactly similar to TataSky !! These interfaces are developed by NDS...TataSky and Airtel have same vendor for their interface !!

My Dear Frnd.....we will be repeating the samething :-D

Better to gothrough online forums and feedback..........I am not saying you ll not get negative feedback for TataSky but majority of ppl are fed up with Airtel. ;-)

 

[technobhatt]

My Dear Frnd.....we will be repeating the samething :-D

Better to gothrough online forums and feedback..........I am not saying you ll not get negative feedback for TataSky but majority of ppl are fed up with Airtel. ;-)

Well...I am really not interested in indulge myself in such arguments. But I am a member at most of the DTH forums and I too understand what and all are features of each DTH platform. I am aware of the feedback of most of the members there.
But the point is....
You just put a single liner saying "Tata Sky is THE BEST"...This is what prompted me to retort !!
Have you ever used any other DTH other than Tata Sky or have you done any comparison between different DTH platforms ?
Just because you're using TataSky, doesn't make it THE BEST !!

If you say something is BEST, please provide few features of the product and reasons....nobody will complain. A single liner is nothing but a sentence with prejudice

 

[YPS]

I am shifted form Airtel to TataSky.......nothing else need to say form my side

 

[Kittu]

TataSky is better.

 

[YPS]

TataSky is better.

Kittu........technobhatt............will be need long explanation on your one liner too... hyeah:

 

[Shivam]

I have stopped viewing TV channels. I didn't feel it justified to pay for viewing advertisements. It has already been a little less than a year since I stopped using my airtel connection.

When I was using it, I compared it side by side to tata sky and dishtv and found airtel, the best in terms of quality and dishtv the worst. I later found that the customer service was not that poor too as was expected for airtel. They were actually fairly good.

 

[rohitmusic]

The worst part with Airtel is...its customer service !!

This is the only thing I am concerned about Airtle! Else I would have got it NOW!

 

[rohitmusic]

You need to take a call.............HD channels vs customer service, what is more important for you. It is clearly visible Airtel for channels and Tata Sky for service, choice is yours!!!
Another important criteria is the interface which has not been discussed. I feel the software interface of Tata Sky beats all others. I remember a couple of years back when I was in UK and was watching Sky...........I fell in love with the interface, only to be taken by surprise to see the exact same interface on Tata Sky in India.

Thanks!
I would be mostly watching HD channels For obvious reasons.
Also I will be not watching much regional channels (something that Airtel excels at?) Only marathi which Tatasky covers here in Pune.

I guess Tatasky should be adding more HD channels once their space constraint is resolved. I guess it is just matter of time?

I have read horrific customer service reviews of Airtel so am bit cautious!

 

[rud3dawg]

Hey.. In Tata Sky the HD cannels have gone up in number from 7 to 10 or 11 I guess..(I don't watch much of TV).... but immediately the prices for the HD package has also gone up.. If only individual custom channels selection would ve been cheaper.. I wouldn't ve opted for all the language packs necessarily..!! Imagine we dont even watch 50% of the channels subscribed..

 

[rohitmusic]

I am a member at most of the DTH forums and I too understand what and all are features of each DTH platform. I am aware of the feedback of most of the members there.

Hi,
It is great that you are already part of other DTH forums. I am very much interested in knowing the general feedback on both these service providers in the general forum community.

What is the "general" recommendation in these forums between Tata sky and Airtel?

I want to make an educated decision. So any inputs will be helpful.

Regards!

 

[rud3dawg]

Hi,
It is great that you are already part of other DTH forums. I am very much interested in knowing the general feedback on both these service providers in the general forum community.

What is the "general" recommendation in these forums between Tata sky and Airtel?

I want to make an educated decision. So any inputs will be helpful.

Regards!

Hey.. can I ask something to all the FM here.. How frequent is it that you call the Customer support.. (Am not trying to pull a fast one or something).. Because I probably have called about 7-8 times in the last 4 years..Ofcourse I might be calling more frequently.. now that I have an AVR and might stick to the Living room alittle longer..

I have no clue how bad Airtel's CC is .. butrecently I ve asked aTatasky CSR 1 very serious techie Question.. 'The Remote code for their HD+ remote', I had to re iterate 4-5 times to 2 CSR s and then to a "Technical team". Who inturn tried to convince me that the remote codes can be used are 002,0003 or something which am sure must ve already been reserved by some other manufacturers eons ago (If the codes go in ascending order....)

Another Querry of mine which had a poorand delayed response I got after asking the CSR (WHO HAD CALLED ME TO CHECK IF I 'D LIKE TO UPGRADE OR CHANGE THE PACKAGE & ANY ADVISE IF NECESSARY.) What package would suite me well IF I wanted most of the english channels and a selective number of Hindi & Telugu Channels..(I had listed all of em).. This was followed by several calls and no information or feedback and again.. smartly.. The CSR directs me to the Site... well DUH!!! *IF you couldnt advise me then why bother me *. I repeatedly asked him to give me proper list that I can get a hard copy of and decide there after. I know for a fact that going back and forth ont he site definitely confuses me when I wana see the optimum package deal!!!


I guess It depends how often do you need a CSR assistance.. like opting for movies on demand.. etc

My Two cents/ I mean my 20 Rs for this part of the story!!!

 

[rohitmusic]

Hi,
I will be getting a HD connection for Sony Bravia EX300 TV.

I have shortlisted Tata Sky and Airtel.

I have read following things about both:

Tata Sky:
Pros:
- Excellent service
- Good HD channels quality
Cons:
- lesser number of channels (SD + HD)
- Tata seems to be having some space crunch hence they are not able to add new channels and pushing more channels in limited "space"/bandwidth? hence PQ is lower.
- Using MPEG2 as compared to MPEG4 (but I have read that MPEG4 does not make a huge difference to Picture quality.)




Airtel:
Pros:
- More number of channels
- Better picture quality for normal channels?
- Cheaper
Cons:
- Bad service
- incorrect settings on channels leading to issues while viewing.

I need to take a call on one of these.
I want to take a service which will be good from long term and overall perspective.

Also any idea when the Tata's space constraint will be addressed. I heard some G10 satellite will be launched. Will this help?

Thanks!

Has anyone done a A-B comparison for following:
1. PQ for SD channels
2. PQ for HD channels

Also based on above pros and cons which are "facts"? which service provider would be a "wise" choice?

Lets say I can choose only one. Which is better of the worse?

 

[sam9s]

I really would like to know...on what basis these sentences are spoken !!

There is a need to do side by side comparison in Audio-Video quality for both Airtel and Tata-Sky , then only difference can be realized !!
I use Airtel and I can also say, it's best....But I will not...because it's NOT best !! It has all sort of issues and the same is the case with all other DTH in India !!

What I am aware of is...
Tata Sky applies DRC on the audio of most of the Sd channels, and even providing Mono Audio on few channels. We actually don't realize it...
If we talk about Video quality....Tata Sky has added 10 HD channels in a single Transponder of its Satellite, which is actually capable of adding only 8 HD channels with optimum quality ...But..by compromizing the Bit-Rate and quality, Tata Sky has somehow made it possible....!!

Airtel also applies DRC on the audio of few channels, but its HD channels ensure the best Video quality without any compromise !! Audio quality is pretty good without any DRC on most of the HD channels except StarMovies HD and Discovery HD !!
The worst part with Airtel is...its customer service !!

I have used Airtel as well, my Bro in Law has airtel, my landlord has airtel. What ever tech gebrish you use to explain TS, visually there is clear, difference between the two on plain simple LCDs. Infact TS is been played on a 47" LCD in my house and Airtel was on 42 even.... then TS was far better in PQ.

Customer service of TS is far better than any DTH provider. Recgarge speed is blazing. Ability to choose each channel independently to create a package ............. correct me if I am wrong is only there in TS ...

 

[rohitmusic]

"Ability to choose each channel independently to create a package ............. correct me if I am wrong is only there in TS ..."

JFYI... If I recollect correctly Airtel has this ability to pick and choose while for TS we need to buy complete pack of channels together even if we want only some channels. Just heard it, not sure.