New Technology TV

Cable television went through a period of many years where it wasn't able to offer all of the services that satellite television companies offered. For instance, when satellite television companies were offering digital television service, cable companies were still offering analog. And, many cable companies offered fewer channels than the satellite TV companies. However, during those years, cable TV providers were hard at work at creating solutions to make cable television even better than satellite TV. This has resulted in an array of new technologies that have made cable television the provider of choice for most families. Among cable companies, Comcast is one of the foremost leaders in providing these new technologies and has created a service that not only rivals satellite television, but far surpasses it. Comcast's biggest upgrade has been to change over to digital television format. Though analog cable television was far better than any over-the-air television transmissions, it is not up to par with the crisp and clear pictures and sound of digital television. Digital television, like most digital applications, offers many more advanced options and far better quality than the older analog format. By upgrading to digital television, Comcast has made it possible to offer new options to viewers, such as On Demand television and HDTV, as well as features like the on screen program guide and parental controls. Overall, the switch to digital television has brought this cable television company completely up to date in regards to quality and options.

Another improvement that Comcast made to its system has been to increase the number of channels that it offers. Thanks in large part to the upgrade to digital television, increasing the number of channels available has been relatively quick and easy. Whereas cable television companies were limited to about one hundred channels for a long time, Comcast current offers nearly 300 channels. This increase in available programming has a lot to do with digital technology and the ability of digital programming to be compressed to use less bandwidth than analog television.

What is even more exciting is that the company is working on ways to deliver all programming practically on demand. Right now, bandwidth limitations make it impossible to offer more than a few hundred channels. Plus, as high definition television kicks into high gear, television service providers will be hard pressed to deliver as many channels as viewers want using existing bandwidth. This is where a technology called Switched Digital Video technology comes into play. By only delivering programming when it is chosen by a particular receiver (an instantaneous process), no bandwidth needs to be wasted by having all channels delivered to every television. This technology will become especially important as high definition television becomes more widespread and will make Comcast the leader in the television industry.

Of course, Comcast also offers other technologies that elevate its services above satellite television. On Demand television is one of these services, and is a very important component of its cable television packages. This technology creates a standard of viewer control and allows the viewer to watch programming or movies when it is the most convenient. The company's On Demand television selection is growing rapidly and is making it easier for people to get the programming they want when they want it.

By taking the threat of satellite television seriously, Comcast has created superior new technologies that have turned the situation around and made cable the better choice.