U-verse is another in the growing list of options for TV viewers.
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U-verse is AT&T;'s entry into digital TV, giving consumers another alternative to the major cable and satellite providers in the U.S. U-verse TV can be subscribed to on its own or bundled with high-speed Internet and home telephone service, integrating and combining the features of each to streamline home communications and entertainment and provide a price savings to subscribers of all three. As with any product or service, there are pros and cons when weighing U-verse against cable and satellite TV.
U-verse vs. Cable
AT&T;'s U-verse TV differs from standard digital cable by utilizing fiber-optic technology to transmit data to and from the home through phone lines, as opposed to copper-based coaxial cables, and it is decoded into audio and video signals by the set-top receiver box/DVR. U-verse also differs in its use of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), in which the data is delivered as a video stream consisting of a series of IP packets rather than being broadcast simultaneously as in standard cable transmissions. This difference applies to U-verse Voice as well, as it uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to convert the voices in telephone calls into data packets.
U-verse Advantages
Some U-verse features top what is offered by its cable and satellite competitors, including its Total DVR, which can store up to 233 hours of standard definition (SD) programming or 65 hours in high definition (HD). It can record up to four different SD channels at one time but only two in HD. Also, the fiber-optic and IP technology used offers "Multiview"--the ability to display four channels onscreen at once--and the "U-bar," which is a customizable display of local news, weather, sports, traffic and other information selected by the viewer. Also, as satellite TV is a one-way transmission, the viewer must have a home high-speed Internet network to receive on-demand and pay-per-view programs, which is not necessary with U-verse and digital cable.
U-verse Disadvantages
Though the U-verse Total DVR has a high-storage capacity, AT with cable, a TV can connect directly to the cable outlet, though it may not receive all channels the viewer subscribes to using that method. Also, with fiber optics, the signal can degrade over long distances, meaning the TV's picture may suffer if the viewer is not close to the nearest transfer hub.
Availability
Another disadvantage to U-verse is its relatively limited availability compared to standard cable and satellite providers. While subscription satellite companies such as DirecTV and Dish Network are available all across the U.S., as their services can be accessed by anyone with the proper satellite dish and receiver, and nearly every city or town is served by at least one cable TV provider, U-verse is only offered in 131 markets across 22 states as of 2011.
References
- AT&T;: What Is U-verse?
- Search Telecom: What Is IPTV?
- AT&T; Services: U-verse Availability
- DEF EFX: 5 Things to Know about U-verse
- Consumer Broadband: U-verse vs. DirecTV
Photo Credits
- Jochen Sand/Digital Vision/Getty Images