Reliance Big TV Experience so far....

As I'm nearing completion of 1 year with Big TV, I felt like giving a proper review now would be better. After the initial euphoria over getting DTH package and getting quality television programming, finally I opened my eyes to reality. Even though, the audio/video quality of regular cable television may not match the that of DTH, the ground reality is that the regular cable offers better programming content than DTH at a better value for money. Cable television I personally feel is more useful for regional viewers. For example, I getting almost all the telugu channels that are on air on regular cable but almost one third of those channels with Big TV

1 Full month of Reliance Big TV Experience...

Finally, after watching for a month now, I'm in a better position to give a review of BigTV. After getting over the initial euphoria of finally subscribing to DTH and getting better audio and video quality, now is the time to do a reality check. 

First I will start with the pros. No doubt, Big TV does offer better video and audio quality. I've watched Tata Sky as well and felt that Big TV does offer better audio and video quality. However, video quality would make better sense on a plasma or LCD HDTV. 

Now coming to the cons. The package is expensive just like the other DTH services. Channels like Neo Cricket, CNN, HBO have been offered free of cost only for the first month and after that you have to subscribe to these channels. So to get these, one may have to end up paying almost Rs. 100 extra per month. 

Reliance Big TV Experience

Last week, I got a Big TV connection. My cousin got me the connection as he liked the quality of the transmission. What surprised me and my cousin was the prompt installation of the service. Technicians came to install the service within 24 hours of buying the set-top box. 

Being in Southern state, I got the Smart Smouth 2190 package for 1 year subscription, which offers more Telugu channels than Tata Sky, Dish TV or Airtel's Digital TV. But the channels were less than that offered by Sun Direct. However, all the telugu channels that I regularly watch were included in the package. The package contains almost all the channels that I prefer to watch inlcuding Sports and Movie channels. So, I thought it worked to be a great deal for me, as the local cable channel costs me Rs. 200 x 12 months = Rs. 2400 for 1 year. 

But more than the cost, the audio and video quality made the difference for me. As they claim, Big TV does offer DVD quality picture and CD quality audio. Also, no longer do I need to miss my favorite programs when the local cable operator doesn't have electricity. I'd this frustrating experience especially during recent World Cup Soccer. Also, the video and the audio quality offered by local cable operator doesn't match upto Big TV's transmission quality. Though I agree that local cable operators offer more channels and in many cases more regional content. But, I still would prefer DTH as it offers more quality in terms of both audio and video. But more than that I'm waiting for them to introduce HD Channels. Then I can get a full HD LCD TV. But the video and audio quality of the service are enticing me into buying a LCD TV with home theater system.

The only con I found has been their software, as it seems to be little slow when mobing between the program guides. But since being a newbie I have to get used to it handling it more aptly. Also, now I have to see how's the transmission especially during rains and cloudy weather. 

So far, I have not needed to call up customter care, so cannot really comment on their customer care. I'll post a thorough review later.