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If you know where to look, affordable TV is attainable. Of course, it's imperative to have a resource that's dedicated to deciphering the small print and introductory offers that will save you some money and time. For quite some time, we've been doing just that and have become a trusted resource in TV, internet, and home security.
Call Spectrum at (855) 650-4212
Call DISH at (844) 686-2613
DISH services more than 14 million customers, available in just about every state. It's important to state that, as a satellite company, users of the service must have a clear view of the sky to prevent any possible interference. In addition to this, the company also service people who cannot get fiber or cable with their DSL service. This usually applies to those in areas of low population.
Spectrum, on the other hand, is a company that has become the second largest cable provider in the United States since the Charter Spectrum merger with Time Warner Cable and Bright House. Together, the company services 25 million people in the South, Pacific Northwest, and Northeast. They specialize in home security, TV, internet, and phone through their coaxial cable network.
These two companies, while offering similar services, differ in multiple different aspects. Cable service does have the edge in terms of speed, but it's not one that's available in sparsely populated areas. However, satellite cable is accessible for those who can affix a dish on virtually any stable surface. Most of the time, satellite isn't as swift or reliable as cable. The choice between the two lies in what package a household may be looking for, as well as the availability of the service in your particular area. Please, use our zip code finder to determine whether any given service is available in your area.
DISH is probably one of the best companies when it comes to set up and installation. They offer free installation for up to six rooms and next day service. At current, there aren't too many companies that are willing to come out and hook up cable or Internet free of charge, and as a result, they have been enjoying a high number of subscribers. DISH is also known for expertly handling customer inquiries.
Spectrum isn't as well renowned in any of these regards, though they do stick by their two-hour appointment window. Furthermore, they offer a very cost-effective installation fee for those looking for TV only service, but they're willing to wave it for bundle customers.
DISH's top of the line packages can reach up to 330 channels for the would-be customer, making a wholly affordable option. However, bundle customers will have to suffer with slower internet speeds, driving down the value just a bit for power users.
The interesting thing about Spectrum is that they currently have the most HD channels out of any other cable provider. Their packages are extremely varied, so once you start cycling through their offerings, you may find that this claim isn't as stellar when compared to other providers' price points.
Satellite will always have its problems with inclement weather - DISH or otherwise. If there's a good amount of rain, snow, or any other obstructions, you're not going to find satellite to be the most worthwhile expenditure. DISH does their best by battling this, but there's only so much that they can do.
With DISH being satellite, you'd expect that Spectrum to get better marks. It's true that they've become more stable in recent years, they still lag behind a great deal of companies in terms of reliability. However, with more work to be done with their merger, we expect them to become much better in the future.
Unlike Spectrum, DISH only does contracts. While this isn't always attractive for customers, they do lock you into that price without any increases or hidden charges. As such, most DISH customers are extremely satisfied because they know exactly what they're going to pay.
Spectrum isn't as fortunate. They've long been accused of hidden charges and price increases. While they offer a affordable price from the onset, many feel as if these hidden charges and fees make their overall product less desirable. If the company can be more upfront about this in the future, Spectrum will assuredly receive better marks.
DISH's internet options come with a 2 year price guarantee, speed up to 40 Mbps, and 24 hour customer service. However, users should be wary of data caps.
Spectrum offers no data caps, security suite, internet speeds up to 60 Mbps, and the fastest in-home Wi-Fi in the cable industry.
DISH's Hopper 3 DVR service is probably the best in the business. It allows you to record up to 16 shows at once time, features built-in Netflix, and storage up to 500 hours of HD content against 2,000 hours of SD. Lastly, the Hopper lets the user watch recorded, on-demand, and live programming anywhere you want.
Spectrum allows for up to 4 TV connection, 300 hours of standard definition storage, 3D-availability, and the ability to record up to 8 hours at once. So, while it may not have the depth and breath of as DISH, there's still some good value to be had.
All in all, DISH has a very good reason to bill itself as a leader in the industry. Not only do they lead the industry in customer service, they also have some of the best value per package. Furthermore, the company has just added DSL high-speed internet to some of their service areas, making them a fantastic choice for those people who would want a bundle. That said, DISH will make you sign on the dotted line for two years, but they back that up by stating that they won't charge you a penny more than the stated price. Equipment-wise, the would-be customer will absolutely love the Hopper and its laundry list of built-in features.
In terms of Spectrum, it's true that Charter hasn't had the best track record in the past few years. What's more is that Time Warner hasn't either. It's true that the merger into Spectrum has made them both better, though they still have a long way to go in terms of customer service and rapport. This can also be said about their hidden charges and strange price increases. Though, in all honesty, the company has made a concerted effort in becoming more transparent with their millions of customers. In the coming years, we should see some vast improvements here and in addition to the variety of the hardware and complimentary features they'll be sure to roll out.
In terms of current product quality, Spectrum TV does have the most high definition channels currently available on the market. When you factor that into their 10,000 on-demand titles, Spectrum TV isn't a bad bet.
That said, either of these companies can work out for the prospective customer. While they both have their faults, there are a multitude of customers who really enjoy what they get out of both Spectrum and DISH. There are certainly worse options to be had, regardless of what you may find your particular needs dictate.
