True Catv Or Dstv

[HardenedSoul]

I'm considering subscription to the True Platinum package. The woman at customer services suggested that, as my location gave me a choice, I should go for DStv rather than CAtv. Her reasoning was that DStv was digital and offered picture quality improvements over cable.

Having read a few threads on here and looked at the Truevisions site, however, I get the impression that the CAtv option uses fibre optical cabling which can carry digital signals just as easily.

Isn't that likely to mean less disruption to the picture than the satellite when it rains heavily ?

[MJo]

If you can get dstv then forget true.

True is running absolute trash resolution in their cable, digital or not and the picture quality is horrible.

Dstv then again is proper or should i say normal provider that has digital signal and also some HD channels available. Also their channel selection is far superior to True. Not to mention their 7 or 8 sport channel with all live action without commercial breaks.

Edit: would appreciate if you have any information how to get dstv in bangkok or is it possible ?

[HardenedSoul]

I probably didn't make my question clear. True offer two methods of accessing their content - one is via cable, the other by satellite. I wanted to find out which method would be best in terms of reliability and picture quality.

in answer to your query, Jsat.tv can sort the hardware to access the DStv/Multichoice package but they say they don't sell smartcards required to watch the subscription channels.

[opalhort]

We are still on the good old UBC(True) analogue cable, but were told that we could upgrade to digital on the same cable. We didn't bother to do so (additional expenses).

DStv (True satellite service) is okay (our neighbours have it) but constant problem with the rain-fade.

If possible try to get digital on cable.

opalhort

[mjperry]

Just FYI but True's cable service has been down for 2 days in the Asoke, Ekkamai, Thonglor & Sathorn areas, apparently the fiber cable is broken somewhere, don't think they know when they can fix it, here's the Thai Visa thread about it:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/True-Visions...ms-t284456.html

Martin

[lopburi3]

AFAIK True has not installed any analog cable systems for at least 3 or 4 years - they changed to digital and only offer that to new subscribers - and do not offer the newer channels on analog. There distribution system has always been fiber optic up to the local area where they changed to coax, so the use of analog was a financial choice (am sure the converters they provided, which date back to the 1980's, were not that expensive). They also gave no break to those on cable to change and wanted higher price and for customer to pay for all costs. Not a friendly business attitude and why they lost our 2,xxx per month. We now use a local cable service at about 1/4 the cost and twice the number of channels and no need for extra remotes. If your only interest is outdated foreign programing and movies True is about the only legal game in town. But if you can live with a handful of English language stations (without the HBO re-runs) suggest you check local providers - they can be surprisingly good.

If you have no choice; and can install the dish, it may be the best choice as they do not seem to be pushing cable at all - here in Latphao where both are available most new systems seem to be sky. As said there is a rain problem but it is normally of short duration. Cable outage may be hours or days (although generally reliable).

[sammycic]

AFAIK True has not installed any analog cable systems for at least 3 or 4 years - they changed to digital and only offer that to new subscribers - and do not offer the newer channels on analog. There distribution system has always been fiber optic up to the local area where they changed to coax, so the use of analog was a financial choice (am sure the converters they provided, which date back to the 1980's, were not that expensive). They also gave no break to those on cable to change and wanted higher price and for customer to pay for all costs. Not a friendly business attitude and why they lost our 2,xxx per month. We now use a local cable service at about 1/4 the cost and twice the number of channels and no need for extra remotes. If your only interest is outdated foreign programing and movies True is about the only legal game in town. But if you can live with a handful of English language stations (without the HBO re-runs) suggest you check local providers - they can be surprisingly good.

If you have no choice; and can install the dish, it may be the best choice as they do not seem to be pushing cable at all - here in Latphao where both are available most new systems seem to be sky. As said there is a rain problem but it is normally of short duration. Cable outage may be hours or days (although generally reliable).

have to agree outdated programs, true showing last years americas got talent. i just watched wednesday nights show 6 hours after was shown in america. It is great if you have the cheapest package so you can watch the wwe only one week after shown in the us.let alone the same movie 5 to 6 times a day and then again one month later. all is good for is watching thai tv soap operas.

[HardenedSoul]

We now use a local cable service at about 1/4 the cost and twice the number of channels and no need for extra remotes. If your only interest is outdated foreign programing and movies True is about the only legal game in town. But if you can live with a handful of English language stations (without the HBO re-runs) suggest you check local providers - they can be surprisingly good.

Thanks for that, lopburi3 - much appreciated. Don't suppose you're at liberty to say which cable provider you use ? I've seen True's programming schedules and they're not so great. I'm more interested in English-speaking news/CNBC/Bloomberg and, perhaps, some documentaries and the odd US series.

I get movies and the like from the internet.

[sammycic]

We now use a local cable service at about 1/4 the cost and twice the number of channels and no need for extra remotes. If your only interest is outdated foreign programing and movies True is about the only legal game in town. But if you can live with a handful of English language stations (without the HBO re-runs) suggest you check local providers - they can be surprisingly good.

Thanks for that, lopburi3 - much appreciated. Don't suppose you're at liberty to say which cable provider you use ? I've seen True's programming schedules and they're not so great. I'm more interested in English-speaking news/CNBC/Bloomberg and, perhaps, some documentaries and the odd US series.

I get movies and the like from the internet.

have you looked into bbciplayer using vpn.

[lopburi3]

My provider is Hits but it is local to Chok Chai 4 area in Latphao. Different areas of the city have different small operators so need to ask in the area you live.

[Gobbledoc]

I would like it if someone can clarify what is DSTV please. I have stayed in several cheap hotels in Thailand, out of BKK who show a South African based TV shows. I must say the selection is far superior to my liking for modern shows that the top package of TRUE UBC I had.

I have also seen this same selection in Sri Lanka and India.

Anyone know if we can get this here?

In this thread members refer to the following, is DSTV True UBC?

"DStv (True satellite service) is okay (our neighbours have it) but constant problem with the rain-fade"

I think this may be it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DStv

http://www.dstv.com/dstvsa/content/en/sa/products?bId=1

[powderpuff]

TRUE use the term DSTV too. Digital Sat.

I am using & have used both.

Dropout due to thunderstorms is not too bad.

One little dish can support 2 IRD. So if yoo want to run more than 2 TV's & if cable is available in your area (you live in a house versus condo) then digital cable is the way to go. (TRUE).

I have been been a sub since 1991 when it was IBC & we had a microwave system.

[Gobbledoc]

OK, so www.dstv.com is not related to TRUE UBC in Thailand.

Thx

[powderpuff]

Hey Crossy. This is what I get in my condo.

HTV

[bobby57]

I would like it if someone can clarify what is DSTV please. I have stayed in several cheap hotels in Thailand, out of BKK who show a South African based TV shows. I must say the selection is far superior to my liking for modern shows that the top package of TRUE UBC I had.

I have also seen this same selection in Sri Lanka and India.

Anyone know if we can get this here?

Comment from a beginner!!

This month have discovered that True are not coverinmg the rugby from home! So now looking for who does. Found the DSTV from SA b ut how does one get it?? I live in the middle of nowhere (ie rice field country) in Khon Khen. Any suggestions from anyone?/

HELP