DTH (Direct to Home) service typically refers to satellite TV broadcasting directly to a dish antenna on the roof of one’s house. DTH service is comparatively a new industry in India, which is growing bigger & better day by day. Some of the leading DTH services in India are Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, Videocon D2H, Reliance Digital TV, Sun Direct and DD Direct Plus. The DTH service promises better picture, sound quality & better service. In short, DTH promises to redefine television viewing. From March 31, 2013, Cable TV Digitization (Phase II) is getting compulsory in 38  cities across 15 states of India having a population of over a million. So, if you have decided to switch to DTH services, then you should choose your service provider wisely which will be beneficial in the long run. Now, if you are confused & thinking which is the best DTH, here is a clear & an impartial comparison of DTH services in India.

Also read:

DTH services comparison in India

DTH services comparison in India

1. Quality of Service:

The most important thing that one looks for after a buying a commodity is the after sales service of the company to its customers. None can stay without watching television for a single day! All the DTH service providers offer a 24/7 customer care for you to manage packs or lodge any complaint. Most of the DTH providers now also provide online chat help during office hours. But who actually sticks to their promise?

Winner of this section: Tata Sky

Runner up: Airtel Digital TV

Tata Sky actually addresses the problem of their customers within 24 hours. Besides 24/7 Helpline, they also provide online support where you can self-help yourself. In addition to that if you have any hardware problem, they send their engineers within 24 hours & replace the damaged item instantly (if required). Many other DTH promises to send support within 24 hours, but it never happens!

2. Packaging:

The next thing you need to check out before making your decision is that, if the channel package designed by the company suiting you or not? Many DTH providers promise to give you hundreds of channels in your pack, but actually most of them are channels that no-one ever watches!

Winner of this section: Videocon D2H.

Runner up : Airtel Digital TV

Videocon gives more valuable channels in their packages than others. Higher end packages of Airtel are very good. Tata Sky either doesn’t add or adds the channels of the Zee Group very late whenever there are some new channels. They also don’t keep the sports channels of the Zee Group in their base pack (Ten Action, Ten Sports, Ten Cricket). On the other hand, DISHTV does the same with the channels of STAR Group. They don’t keep the sports channels of STAR Group in their base pack (Star Sports, Star Cricket, ESPN). That’s a big disadvantage!

3. Pricing:

Another important aspect is the price of the packages & the a-la-carte channels.

Winner for cheaper pricing of packages: Videocon D2H.

Runner up: Airtel Digital TV.

Winner for cheaper pricing of a-la-carte channels: Tata Sky.

 4. HD Channels:

If you are planning to buy an HD Set top box, then you must check how many true HD channels are available in a particular DTH platform?

Winner for having the highest number of true HD channels Videocon D2H.

Runner up: Airtel Digital TV.

 5. Number of Channels:

Last but not the least is the count of channels, your DTH service provider is giving you.

Winner of this section: Videocon D2H.

Runner up: Dish TV.

Videocon D2H not only gives the most number of channels in their packages compared to others, but also gives the most number of regional channels than anyone else. They also add new channels really fast & early.

 DTH service provider based comparison: 

Tata Sky

Pros: Top quality service, no hidden charges/ unwanted deductions.

Cons: Bit expensive, very slow in adding new channels, less regional channels.

 

Airtel Digital TV

Pros: Value for money from all prospective.

Cons: Low-end Packages are not that good.

 

Videocon D2H

Pros: Cheap & Good Packages, More HD & Regional Channels.

Cons: Size of Antenna is a bit small which could result in disruption of service even in slightly bad weather which can be a big disadvantage.

 

Dish TV

Pros: Many Channels, All Zee Group Channels available, allows you to store recordings in any external USB storage device, thus the recording facility comes at no extra cost.

Cons: Star Group channels not present in base packs, High Price of a-la-carte (single) channels.

 

Sun Direct DTH

Pros: Great variety of South Indian packs, undoubtedly the best Choice for South Indians.

Cons: Rest of India Packs are not good, Very less non-south Regional Channels.

 

Reliance Digital TV

Pros: All 250 channels available in up-scaled HD like quality with video resolution of 1080p at 50 Hz.

Cons: Lack of publicity/clarity, infrastructure.

 

DD Direct Plus

Pros: India’s only free DTH Service.

Cons: Very few channels, only free to air channels available, most channels are useless.

Final Verdict:

My choice for South Indians would be Sun Direct.

Choice for non-South Indians would be Airtel Digital TV.

My personal preference in decreasing order would be:
Airtel Digital TV -> Videocon D2H or Tata Sky -> Dish Tv -> Reliance Digital TV.
If you are from South India, then you can go for Sun Direct without thinking anything else. For the rest of India, my choice is Airtel Digital TV, as it is good in both service & audio/video quality. It has very good Packages with valuable channels which are not very expensive & also has a good number of Regional & HD Channels. So in short, it’s a complete DTH Service which gives back good value for money & is a better choice from every point of view.

To make your decision easier, we have given points (out of 10) to each DTH service provider based on its performance:

DTH comparison chart:

Quality

Tata Sky

Airtel

Videocon D2H

Dish TV

Reliance

Service

9

8

7

7

6

Economical

7

8

9

8

7

Quality of Packages

8

8

9

7

8

Number of Channels

7

8

9

9

7

Number of Regional Channels

7

9

9

8

6

Audio/Video Quality

9

9

8

9

9

HD Channels

8

9

10

7

7

Performance in bad weather

5

5

3

5

5

TOTAL

(Out of 80)

60

64

64

60

55

 

P.S: The facts posted in this DTH services comparison article are approximated facts of our personal survey & based on the latest rates/packages till date which are subject to change. You are advised to verify personally before you make a decision. Neither the writer of this post nor the owner of this blog advertises or endorses any DTH company. The idea was to present an impartial view to the consumers & not to influence anyone. The opinions expressed are purely personal. Opinions & experience of a product vary from person to person.

https://i0.wp.com/www.webadvices.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DTH-services-comparison-in-India.jpg?fit=468%2C254&ssl=1https://i0.wp.com/www.webadvices.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DTH-services-comparison-in-India.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1Sourav ChatterjeeGadgetDTHDTH (Direct to Home) service typically refers to satellite TV broadcasting directly to a dish antenna on the roof of one’s house. DTH service is comparatively a new industry in India, which is growing bigger & better day by day. Some of the leading DTH services in India are Tata...Technology News, Gadgets, Tutorial, Freebies