Tata Sky vs Dish TV

[gshankar]

Tata Sky or Dish TV. Any pointers on which one is better :

1. Set-top box + installation charges :
   Tata sky : 3130 (thanks to the current 'festive offer' from Tata Sky, otherwise these charges were 4000).
   Dish TV : 3150
2. Monthly subscription : 300 for both (to get the channels I need)
3. Channels available : Any channel which is available on one of them and not on the other. Zoom is available only on Dish TV and Neo Sports is available only on Tata Sky. Any more such channels? Is it that they add/remove a channel as per their wish?
4. Signal reception, picture quality?
5. Customer Service?
6. Any other point?

[rms12]

To add to this, there is also BSNL IPTV. I recently visited one of their stalls where they showed a demo. Picture quality wise I couldn't make out much difference compared to other DTH. Perhaps all are same in this aspect. However I found few things worth pondering about:

- 4-6 mbps dedicated line for IPTV (this is in addition to the phone and broadband line)
- no dish required(just like our good old cable operator)
- set-top box can be rented at Rs 100 per month instead of outright purchase
- Monthly subscription for 170 channels is Rs 150
- As of now they are only transmitting 64 channels
- One only needs to pay monthly subscription(Rs 150) from the day all 170 channels are available. In other words if you take connection today you only need to pay the rent for the set-top box which is Rs 100 every month
- On-Demand Music completely free
- On-Demand Movies varies from Rs 10 to Rs 75 per movie

The representative promised me of 24x7 service availability and no reduction in quality of transmission during rains etc..

I know this doesn't answer the original query but it certainly makes the DTH scene in India more interesting.

[gayathri]

Originally Posted by rms12

- 4-6 mbps dedicated line for IPTV (this is in addition to the phone and broadband line)
- Monthly subscription for 170 channels is Rs 150

How is it that a 256kbps broadband internet (unlimited) costs ~ Rs 1100 pm. but a 4-6 mbps dedicated line for IPTV that also has paid channels costs Rs 150 pm?

Am I missing some funda ?

[rms12]

Originally Posted by gayathri

How is it that a 256kbps broadband internet (unlimited) costs ~ Rs 1100 pm. but a 4-6 mbps dedicated line for IPTV that also has paid channels costs Rs 150 pm?

Am I missing some funda ?

Good question, I will perhaps ask the representative(he is supposed to call me when some of the regional channels that I'm interested in are available) about this.

[guha_77]

Tata Sky will cost you Rs.350 per month, if you need all channels and this includes all regional channels , which you may not need. For Rs.300 you will get only regional channels and Hindi channels. No English channels.

[gayathri]

Originally Posted by rms12

Good question, I will perhaps ask the representative(he is supposed to call me when some of the regional channels that I'm interested in are available) about this.

Not likely that the sales rep. would know about this. My doubt over pricing stems from this:
Airtel recently launched 8mbps (4 GB cap on downloads) connection for ~ Rs.2000 pm. In Airtel's own words and as Business-Standard analyzed this is more likely aimed to test the waters for an IPTV rollout.

I guess there would be bigger market for a 2mbps broadband connection at a decent price than 8mbps one. So, sure this is for IPTV. And therefore BSNL could be highly subsidizing this scheme.

[rms12]

I think 4-6 Mbps is only from BSNL exchange to your home. But in case of broadband, it's (bandwidth) valid for WWW network also, for which provider company has to shell good amount of money.

[gayathri]

Originally Posted by rms12

I think 4-6 Mbps is only from BSNL exchange to your home. But in case of broadband, it's (bandwidth) valid for WWW network also, for which provider company has to shell good amount of money.

Hmm, maybe right! Also,
1. Nothing has been said about Data Usage Rates. i.e Rs. x per min of IPTV usage. I suspect that would be a fine print.
2. IPTV would be available if the distance between your home and BSNL exchange is Max. 2-3 Kms.

limitations in physical infrastructure?

[sreddy]

Tata sky packages:
Scheme One:
Hindi channels = 250
Hindi channels + English = 300

Scheme Two:
South Starter = 200
South Starter + English = 300
South Starter + English + Hindi = 350

[yogi]

Tata Sky Packages Website.

[venky]

I have recently taken IPTV connection. But I am totally dissatisfied with it. Most frustrating part is that set top box boots!!! You have to start your router, once the link comes you have to start set top box. That too in my case Twice I have to boot set top box then only TV starts. This entire process takes 15 min. So you need 15 min to start your TV . And while watching TV if links goes down then again you have to start this process.

It is too complex to use for non computer literate person. Because of these problem I am going to disconnect it. Clarity wise it is same as dishtv/tata sky.

[munir]

Originally Posted by venky

I have recently taken IPTV connection. But I am totally dissatisfied with it. Most frustrating part is that set top box boots!!! You have to start your router, once the link comes you have to start set top box. That too in my case Twice I have to boot set top box then only TV starts. This entire process takes 15 min. So you need 15 min to start your TV . And while watching TV if links goes down then again you have to start this process.

It is too complex to use for non computer literate person. Because of these problem I am going to disconnect it. Clarity wise it is same as dishtv/tata sky.

In that case, I'm fully satisfied with Tata Sky. just takes few seconds to start the set top box. Sometime due to heavy cloud, signal goes off but comes back in 5-10 minutes ( happened 4-5 times during the whole rainy season, which is quite acceptable). Only part I hate is, Calling STD number for ordering any movie or anything, sometime they kept me waiting for 6-7 minutes due to heavy call load, so I have stopped ordering for their movie (anyway those are not very latest movies). Otherwise service is very good.

[vikram]

I am using the Hathway Digital cable through my local cablewala (Bangalore). I upgraded two years back from normal cable to Digital. He charged me 3000 for the set top box and monthly charges are 250. Clarity is very good same as Tata sky and Dish TV. Also, I have not seen the Jerks or lost in signal which are usually seen in Dish/Tata connection So, check out this option also with your local cablewala.

[alfar]

Does anyone have any feedback on BIG TV?
In your opinion, which one is better: TATA sky or BIG tv?

[sreddy]

Originally Posted by alfar

Does anyone have any feedback on BIG TV?
In your opinion, which one is better: TATA sky or BIG tv?

From what I heard and inquired, TATA Sky comes at a price of 2700 for installation and STB. Apart from this, I think you need to pay a monthly charge(about 175/- to 300/- not sure) to view the channels. Also TATA Sky offers you only about 60-70 channels and for the rest I think you need to either go for Jumbo pack which is about 350-400/- per month, or pay for other channels separately which you wish to see.

In BIG TV, the installation and STB comes at a price of 1990/- for 1 year free subscription and you get about 147 channels. In case you need Sports channels (STAR Sports/Cricket & ESPN), the package is 2190 for 1 year. So for 2190 you get 147+3 Sports channels for 1 full year. After the completion of 1 year, the per month subscription for these 147 channels is not yet fixed is what I heard. But that should not exceed 200/- per month as it then shoots upto 2400/- per year and it makes no sense as new installation itself would cost only 2190/-

Hence I went for BIG TV and have got it installed at my place.I was told that installation would take about 10-15 days maximum but me being lucky got it installed in less than 3 days.

[rms12]

Originally Posted by alfar

Does anyone have any feedback on BIG TV?
In your opinion, which one is better: TATA sky or BIG tv?

You can get more information here.

Customer care - 022-3033 8888 | 1800-200-9001 (Toll free)
More details - Reliance BIG TV

I think you can buy the Big TV STB @ any Reliance communications outlet.
I bought the same from Digital Shoppy outlet @ Miyapur.

[yogesh]

Originally Posted by alfar

Does anyone have any feedback on BIG TV?
In your opinion, which one is better: TATA sky or BIG tv?

I have Big TV.. No problem at all, even in storms and bad weather. For cheap monthly cost, it is good. But, in terms of new channel addition, it is worst. Since launch, the only new channel that got added was Colors.

But, can go for Airtel if you want good Interactive service and prompt new channel addition.

You can also try out Videocon's new Direct 2 Home service. More details here: Videocon D2H.