Query about DTH

abhijit_reddevil · 24-12-2008, 04:49 PM

Friends,

I have this 32" LG LCD TV (model 32LC7R) which I had bought last june. I had cost me Rs.40000. I had been impressed by the sharp picture quality I had seen at Pantaloons E-zone. The pictures of even Sharp/Hitachi/Sony, etc were no comparison in the 32" LCD TV segment.. I had been using the local cablewallah's signal for the 6 months for my cable TV needs. I admit I had been stupid enough to do that

. It does not simply match with my TV. The picture quality was no match with the ones I saw at E-zone. Actually the not so intelligent sales guy insisted not to go for DTH at the first itself.

Recently I went to E-zone again and I saw the model that I have being displayed in full bloom. I was bowled over by the picture once again and decided, enough is enough, I must get DTH now.

Now the 1st question is: If I take any package from the DTH operators (Tata Sky, Dish, etc) will I get the picture quality I saw at the showroom? My TV has a max resolution of 1366x1024 (not sure though, but I think I am pretty close) and I am sure the TV at display at e-zone was demonstrated using this high quality signal.

Now the 2nd question is: Which operator (Dish, Tata Sky, Big TV, Sun DTH) to go for? I am from Kolkata. I have compared the packages and it seems Dish is cheaper but I am not sure about the picture quality. Summarizing our family's need for channel viewing, I compared the packages from Dish and Tata Sky and following is my finding:

Tata Sky: I have to take Super Saver pack + Lifestyle gold pack + sports pack (Espn, star sports, ten sports and star cricket). Total p.m. comes to Rs.385. The set-top box is Rs.1499 and installation charges, activation, etc is Rs.1000.

Dish TV: I have to take platinum pack (Rs.275 p.m.) It offers the similar channels as in Tata Sky package I shortlisted above. Am I missing something, as the price difference is over Rs.100? Dish has an ongoing offer right now where you get STB and platinum pack for 3 months for Rs.2090 only. Installation and activation charges is Rs.200.

Which one to take? Do you have any other options? I am really in a fix. Please help. Thanks.

And oh I forgot, if I take Dish TV, I have to additionally take the bouquet of Bengali channels "Mishti Bangla" for Rs.25 extra p.m. But I am not seeing Star Ananda in Dish TV package. Where is it?

Ethan_Hunt · 24-12-2008, 05:03 PM

I had just been to Croma, Vijay Sales & a few other electronic stores. My friend needed an LCD urgently. From what I saw the DTH channels being displayed on the 32 inch models looked pathetic. Either they were not calibrated properly or DTH just doesn't mesh with LCD's. They looked very blurry & pixellated. Hopefully if you view it from a good enough distance you won't notice much.

The best that current DTH can output is "near" DVD quality signals. I personally didn't find DTH's quality on any LCD out there to be really jaw dropping.

abhijit_reddevil · 24-12-2008, 05:45 PM

But how the e-zone guys managed to get such a picture? It is near flawless. Is it some type of HD signal?

Ethan_Hunt · 24-12-2008, 06:02 PM

I can assure you HD signals are not broadcasted in India, not yet atleast. Which brand of television was it displayed on? Do you recall the DTH service?

red_devil · 24-12-2008, 06:08 PM

one more at the cross roads

abhijit_reddevil · 24-12-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan_Hunt

I can assure you HD signals are not broadcasted in India, not yet atleast. Which brand of television was it displayed on? Do you recall the DTH service?

I can at least recall Sony and LG.

desiibond · 24-12-2008, 09:52 PM

Go for Airtel DTH. I compared all the DTH services and undoubtedly, Airtel has the best quality and it's lot better for big LCD and plasmas.

abhijit_reddevil · 27-12-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desiibond

Go for Airtel DTH. I compared all the DTH services and undoubtedly, Airtel has the best quality and it's lot better for big LCD and plasmas.

Coming to Airtel, it's DTH homepage says that the subscription charges are Rs.2500 with 3 months free subscription to Ultra pack. But it also mentions that price is Rs.424 per month. I did not understand. What is the exact charge per month? And what are these Rs.2500 and Rs.424? What happens after the 3 months period is over? What will be the charge then.

I am reluctant to call the customer care guys right now with these questions for obvious reasons. They will not stop contacting me unless I commit something to them.

Thanks for your help. How's Big TV, BTW?

Ankur Gupta · 28-12-2008, 03:52 PM

Initially you pay 2500 bucks which includes installation, dish charges and 3 months free subscription to the Ultra pack.
After 3 months you are charged Rs.424/month for the Ultra Pack.

I am a user of Airtel Digital TV and would recommend it over other DTH providers.

Rahim · 28-12-2008, 05:08 PM

Does any DTH, apart from CAS, feature Peace TV or Q TV or any Islamic channells? They are so biased

abhijit_reddevil · 29-12-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankur Gupta

Initially you pay 2500 bucks which includes installation, dish charges and 3 months free subscription to the Ultra pack.
After 3 months you are charged Rs.424/month for the Ultra Pack.

I am a user of Airtel Digital TV and would recommend it over other DTH providers.

Thanks, now I understand.

So, for one final time I ask, is it airtel DTH or tata sky?
Do they include some separate dedicated movie channels in that 3 month free subscription?