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Top 6 Best DTH Connections in India

Edited By Piyush, Reviewed By Shashank

Looking for the Best DTH in India?

Great! You have come to the right place as we bring forth a list of the leading names that are ruling this industry since the past few years.  We are living in an era where television and cable networks have undergone a massive evolution.

Today, there are numerous service providers offering DTH connections to enhance the overall television viewership and experience. Many a times, you may wonder why you need these DTH connections. 

This makes it important for you to understand that DTH services have upgraded the digital picture quality, offer excellent sound, freedom, and other additional features which enable you to  get a refined television experience.

Best DTH

Thinking about getting a DTH connection isn’t a big deal; however, choosing the right network will go a long way in benefiting you. Mentioned below are some factors you need to consider while looking for a new DTH connection:

  • Packages:  You must check out the various plans and packages of all DTH service provider before finalizing any particular service provider.
  • HD quality is a must: As a customer, you must never compromise on the picture and sound quality and go with the operator who offers HDMI connection.
  • Channel Selection: You must go through the various channels offered by each operator and make your decision based on your preference.

Having a DTH service at home gives you the freedom to choose a specific number of channels, type of package, only pay for what you watch, and even have the option to devise your own plan as per your liking , budget and preference.

If you’re looking for a suitable and excellent DTH connection that offers flexible recharge options and gives maximum value for money, then we’ve got you covered with the best DTH connections available in India. If you are looking for state/city wise comparison then:

We Highly recommend you to read the DTH Connections Buying Guide at the end of this article to get in-depth knowledge about latest DTH connections technologies and  tips on  making an informed decision about which product to buy for your needs 🙂

Let's explore the list and have a look at the features along with the pros and cons of the Top 6 best best cable connection in india.

DTH comparison: Top 6 Best DTH in India (2022) -  Dish tv connection packages

Although my favorite among all is Tata Sky but you must check all of them to make your buying decision.

1. Tata Sky

Tata Sky

Specifications

  • Model: Tatasky HD Set Top Box Roi
  • Weight: 9.07 g
  • Product Proportions: 15 x 10.9 x 0.5 cm
  • Extra Features: HD(1080P) excellent picture quality
  • Batteries: No
  • Telugu Lite Pack: Rs 46.00/month
  • Malayalam Basic Pack: Rs 90.97/month
  • Hindi Smart Pack: Rs 96.00/month
  • Kannada Smart Pack: Rs 96.00/month
  • Family Kids Pack: Rs 213.28/month
  • Bengali Regional Mini Pack: Rs 42.71/month
  • Bengali Hindi Basic HD Pack: Rs 308.57/month
  • Dhamaka Pack: Rs 199/month
  • My Pack: Rs 99/month

Tata Sky is one of the prime direct broadcast satellite television providers in India.

They are the pioneers in this field and can be accredited with the introduction of  customized packages, enabling customers to choose various channels according to their tastes and preferences.

Tata Sky presently provides a total of 601 channels, 495 SD channels, and 99 HD channels along with various other active services and the Best DTH in India

It was the first brand in this industry to introduce features like record, play, pause and rewind Live TV.

The HD set-top box covers various channels such as actv English, actv games, actv sports, actv kids, actv learning, actv darshan, actv cooking, and actv stories

All these services are informative and enjoyable and appropriate for varying age groups.

Tata Sky has launched a number of enticing offers and packages that keep the interested customers rolling in. Their customer service is appreciated for its advanced technology and efficient 24*7 call centers that run in 14 languages providing multilingual customer service all over India.

You can select suitable options ranging from a variety of Curated Packs, Regional Packs, Add-On Packs, Tata Sky Services, and Specials to create an excellent viewing experience suited as per your preferences. You can also go in for a tailor-made plan by selecting your favorite channels and only pay for what you watch.

This will enable you to subscribe to only those channels that you require or watch on a regular basis. You can consider various packages including Best DTH for Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad etc, or go in for a power packed list comprising of all your favorite channels within a set budget. 

If you are living in Tamilnadu and wondering: which dish is best in tamilnadu? then you will surely get the best of service. I will recommend this one to be best DTH in Tamilnadu and surrounding regions.

Pros

  • Excellent video and audio quality
  • 24 – hour signal reception
  • Best customer support
  • Get renewal notifications and new channel additions
  • Easy mode of payment and mobile SMS

Cons

  • Expensive plans & packages
  • No reception on heavy rainy days
  • Fewer channels in packs

f you want to compare dth plans then our article is perfect for you.

2. Airtel Digital TV

Airtel Digital TV

Specifications

  • Model: Airtel HD
  • Weight: 22 kg
  • Bluetooth Technology: No
  • Batteries: No
  • Value Prime Kids Pack: Rs 315/month
  • My Sports Pack: Rs 393/month
  • New Mega - South Pack: Rs 477/month
  • My Sports HD Pack: Rs 493/month
  • My Family Pack: Rs 333/month
  • My Plan Pack: Rs 99/month

Airtel Digital TV is a DTH service provider that is owned and operated by Bharti Airtel.

It is one of the most prominent DTH connections with almost 12.8 million customers growing at a rapid pace

This makes it one of the leading DTH service providers in India offering unique and amazing packages.

Long gone are the days when you’d get your door to find out who’s visiting and miss your favorite scene. 

With Airtel Digital TV,you can simply pause the Live TV and resume without missing any of the action. They are known to introduce offers every now and then for their valued customers.

So, make sure to stay updated on the latest packages and offers that might be beneficial for you. All the packs are designed keeping the needs and preferences of the customers in mind.

Moreover, if there are any changes in prices or services they make sure to notify the customers beforehand. Especially for Bangalor, for me this one is surely the best DTH in Bangalore and in other parts of India as well. The customer care services are good and prompt  when it comes to resolving any sort of issues.

This is not the cheapest dth connection but surely the greatest.

Pros

  • A peculiar feature of a universal remote system
  • A slim and stylish outlook of Digital TV STB
  • Provides 10 trendy and few basic radio channels
  • No connection problems during bad weather
  • Pause and resume Live TV

Cons

  • Quite pricey
  • Hard drive is easily filled up
  • DVR heats up while using

3. VideoCon D2H

VideoCon D2H

Specifications

  • Model: VideoCon HD Set Top Box ROI
  • Weight: 22 kg
  • Product Proportions: 65 x 65 x 65 cm
  • Extra Features: Rewind/Forward (up to 64x), Pause Live TV, Mark- Skip- Watch
  • Batteries: No
  • Super Gold Pack: Rs 300/month
  • Gold Maxi Pack: Rs 331/month
  • New Diamond Pack: Rs 476/month
  • New South Gold Sports Pack: Rs 401/month
  • Gold Kids Pack: Rs 360/month
  • South Silver Pack: Rs 246/ month

Videocon D2H is a DTH connection that is part of Dish TV India Ltd offering top-notch quality services and packages to its customers in India.

It is one of the reputed DTH connection service providers with almost 29 million users.

They also provide the broadest channel package options catering to different customer demographics all over the country.

With Videocon D2H, you can easily set up a time-based recording, pause and rewind live broadcasts whenever you like.

You can get your package recharged through online and offline modes as per your convenience. Not only this, but they also offer d2h smart remote for an enhanced experience.

As there are numerous options for everyone’s entertainment, make sure to go through their packages and plans thoroughly and then select the one that matches your requirements and suits your budget without burning a hole in your pocket.

Also, don’t forget to check out the regional packages offered by them for your particular region. If you are looking for best DTH in Hyderabad, Kerala, Mumbai, and Delhi, then this one should be your number one priority. This does not mean it does not have good service in other areas, it is still one of the most prominent in DTH service space.

Pros

  • Excellent picture and sound quality
  • Records on standby mode
  • Option to fast forward and rewind up to 32x
  • Records two channels at a time

Cons

  • DVR heats up quickly
  • Cannot understand several features without a manual
  • Channels change when going through the program guide
  • Customer service

4. Dish TV

Dish TV

Specifications

  • Model: Dish HD+
  • Weight: 1.35 kg
  • Product Proportions: 15 x 8 x 5 cm
  • Extra Features: 50 HD Channels, 5.1 Surround Sound,
  • Power to select SD packs, 1080i Picture Quality
  • Batteries: No
  • Joy Pack: Rs 101/month
  • Family Sports Pack: Rs 266/month
  • Jumbo Family Pack: Rs 235/month
  • Bharat Pack: Rs 101/month
  • World - South Pack: Rs 325/month
  • All Sports Pack: Rs 330/month
  • Maxi Sports Pack: Rs 351/month

Dish TV, also known as DishTV India is a company offering DTH television services in India.

As the country’s most trusted DTH service brand, it is in huge demand owing to the various unique features and affordable package ranges offered by it.

Prior to finalizing a specific service, do check all the offers on various packages so as to make the best selection.

You can customize a package comprising of your favorite channels which falls within your budget.

Also, you don’t have to pay for those channels you don’t watch. Dish TV offers a wide range of packages along with Add-on packs that include family entertainment, sports entertainment, English entertainment, regional entertainment, Hindi entertainment, Hindi movies, infotainment, kids, news, lifestyle and music, devotional and HD add-on.

If you are in a low budget, then you can go in for affordable channels in your base price and then add channels under various entertainment options according to your interest or preference. I will also recommend this to be best DTH in Chennai, it has amazing service in that region

Pros

  • Stunning picture and sound quality
  • Unlimited recording through pen drive
  • No extra HD access rates
  • Well crafted interface
  • Add/Remove channels without any inconvenience

Cons

  • No signals during rainy and cloudy days
  • Random troubleshooting problems

5. Sun Direct

Sun Direct

Specifications

  • Model: Sun Direct S32102
  • Batteries: No
  • NCF1 Pack: Rs 130/month
  • ROI DPO Pack: Rs 194/month
  • ROI DPO Pack 2: Rs 244/month
  • ROI DPO Pack 3: Rs 421/month
  • HD ROI DPO Pack 1: Rs 322/month
  • HD ROI DPO Pack 2: Rs 422/month

Sun Direct is a DTH connection services provider in India. Earlier, they offered a satellite dish and set-top box for a free and basic monthly plan as low as Rs 75/month (approximately).

Presently, the basic monthly plan costs Rs 159/month. Sun Direct is gaining widespread popularity all across India due to the most economically priced packages offered by it in DTH services.

Within a few years, it has become one of the most prominent DTH connection service providers with 3 million users.

As they offer an affordable range of packages, you can easily find a suitable one with your favorite channels.

Do check out their package range thoroughly and then pick the one that suits your budget and requirements.

Pros

  • MPEG 4 Technology
  • Multi-audio option
  • Flawless audio and picture quality even for SD

Cons

  • Additional charges for more regional channels
  • Customer care

6. Reliance Digital TV

Reliance Digital TV

Specifications

  • Model: Reliance Digital TV
  • Batteries: No
  • Bronze Pack: Rs 270/month
  • Silver Pack: Rs 300/month
  • Silver Sports Pack: Rs 350/month
  • Bronze Sports Pack: Rs 280/month
  • Platinum Pack: Rs 430/month
  • Max HD Pack: Rs 550/month

Next and the last on our list which is Reliance Digital TV. Reliance needs no special introduction as it is the top-notch brand in the country.

After facilitating customers with JIO network and mobiles, this brand has now entered the world of digital TV and is all set to give stiff competition to all other existing brands.

However, it is not only the brand name that draws our attention towards this DTH connection but the plethora of valuable features that simply make us fall in love with this service provider.

The picture quality being offered is unarguably amazing. It is crystal clear with MPEG 4 technology. Now, you can also get rid of all your cable woes such as service breakdown or channels shifting. Select from their flexible packages with ease and enjoy entertainment at its best.

Pros

  • Offers exclusive cinema channels
  • Enables you to lock a channel
  • Allows you to set up the personal program guide of channels
  • Shows on-screen alert pop-up message for reminders
  • High-end technology of MPEG4
  • Superb picture quality along with audio quality
  • Availability of all channels at minimal base packs
  • No connectivity issues during bad weather

Cons

  • STB’s get overheated & slow channel navigation
  • Customer service
  • Incorrect package activations

Buyer's Guide: How to Purchase DTH Connections in India

If you have decided to get a DTH connection, it is essential for you to consider  various factors before finalizing any network. Every brand has its pros and cons. However, the decision to select a particular service will solely depend on you.

These set top boxes offer much more than your imagination and give you a taste of the new entertainment world. Mentioned below are a few pointers that you must take into account while making the selection.

Types of Set Top Box

The type of set top box plays a crucial role in deciding which DTH connection to buy. In our comprehensive research we found The Best DTH for chennai, Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad, Bangalore etc. There are these types of set boxes available with service providers:

Plans & Packages

Different companies provide different packages to their customers. Due to high competition in this industry, most companies devise unique and suitable packages to stay ahead of their competitors. Our article helps you to find Best DTH in Bangalore, Tamil Nadu etc. 

This is beneficial for the users as they get various options to choose from. However, make sure to thoroughly check all the packages before hopping on to the final choice.

Channel Selection

This may seem like an easy task, yet most individuals are overwhelmed by the various choices offered by these companies. Budget plays an important role at this point. Some channels can be more expensive than others; so make sure you opt for what you really want to watch.

HD channels

Nowadays, most companies offer HD channels as almost every TV set possesses HD picture quality feature. Do check the HD options as minor differences in picture quality may be prevalent.

A DTH connection and set top box must support HDMI connection in addition to others so that the viewers can enjoy watching movies in the highest quality. Look for the set top box with multiple HDMI ports so as to enjoy phenomenal picture quality.

Customer Care Service

Having a good 24/7 customer care service that resolves your queries and issues on time is highly appreciated. Not all companies offer great customer care services and are unable to deal and connect with their customers professionally.

Thus, it is important for you to check the customer care services offered by various companies beforehand in order to avoid unnecessary problems after making your purchase.

Picture & Sound Quality

As compared to the olden days, contemporary DTH networks have surpassed the local cable connections in terms of picture and sound quality. This feature is one of the prime factors that must influence your final decision of buying a specific DTH connection.

Tata sky is known to offer amazing graphics and cinematography with 1080i resolution and sharper images in 16:9 aspect ratio.

Check the Viewing Platform

DTH networks require a viewing platform to catch different channels to  impart an immaculate viewing experience to the customers. A good DTH connection must possess back-up mechanisms and be able to catch a large number of channels without any hindrance even in  extreme weather conditions.

Therefore, it is  advisable to buy a DTH connection with a large viewing platform to enjoy entertainment at its best. 

Must-Have user-friendly electronic program guide

An electronic guide helps viewers to navigate through the available channels and apps that the DTH connection has to offer. These guides are in-built using different software and work differently. Almost all DTH connections offer electronic program guides to facilitate the customers.

However, you need to make sure that this guide is user-friendly in order to be able to navigate through the channels easily. So, while buying a DTH connection you must check the nature of the electronic program guide and then make the final choice.

Look Out for the warranty period

Generally, DTH connections offer a one year warranty for any new connection; however, this may vary from one DTH service provider to another. We suggest you to look for the warranty of a  DTH connection provider first and then take a step forward.

Make sure that DTH service provider offers an annual maintenance contract for extended warranty.

Don’t miss the “Record” Feature

The best DTH connection and its set top box come with a feature of recording events and programs even in your absence.

So, when you are looking for a Best DTH in India, don’t miss out on this exceptional feature so you can enjoy your favorite serials or programs even if you’ve missed them at the time they were broadcast. In addition to this, what makes these set top boxes and DTH network phenomenal is their reminder feature.

Just set the reminder for your favorite programs and movies and they will automatically get recorded, giving you the option to watch it later. You can also view the same movie or episode over and over again.

Disk space can’t be overlooked

Disk Space is yet another important feature to consider while buying a new DTH connection and set top box. It is the space required to store your recorded movies and serial episodes. The best set top boxes come with larger disk space giving you optimum storage.

Less disk space restricts you from storing more movies and episodes. Thus,  disk space shouldn’t  be overlooked. With better space, you can even record a series without having to worry about the storage capacity.

Remote Connection is an add-on

You might be thinking that a remote is a very common thing and all set top boxes feature the same. A remote control is an important add-on that comes with your package. Apart from this, it is important to check that your remote is incorporated with all the necessary features or not. 

  • High Definition (HD)
  • Standard Definition (SD)
  • 4K or Ultra HD

It is advisable to select the set top box based on your TV. For example, if you have a tube TV then SD set top box is the best option for you. If you have an LCD or LED then just go for a HD set top box. To enjoy 4K picture quality, one should opt for a 4K or ultra HD set top box.

Additional Apps

The best DTH connection and set top box isn’t merely about channels and the recording feature. They must also offer other useful apps and services that can be used for entertainment and educational purposes. Some of these apps include those used to enhance children’s vocabulary and teach them how to count.

So, it is important to look for the additional apps feature while searching for the best DTH connection.

Go Wireless

The major function of a DTH service and set top box is streaming TV and movies but what if a service offers you much more than that? Shocked? Don’t be, as I am not kidding.

This is the time when the Indian economy is striving to become cashless and technology is becoming wireless. There are plenty of set top boxes and DTH connection networks in the market that include wireless or DLNA feature.

Owing to this feature, you can easily connect your smartphones and other devices with your network and enjoy watching your favourite web series during your leisure time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which  is the best DTH service in India?

Many service providers are offering DTH services across India at similar rates. However, when it comes to service, Airtel beats almost all of them hands down. Airtel Digital TV, owned by Bharti Airtel, is one of the most rapidly growing DTH services.  Their set-top box comes with a pause and play option. The installation is usually hassle-free. For example in Bangalore, the connection can be set up within 18-24 hours after making a request. Moreover, they support over 12 languages, and their customer care support is unmatched. All this comes at a small price, starting at INR 315 per month.

2. Which is the best DTH in India 2020?

Currently, the DTH offering the highest number of channels at the lowest price point, with reasonably good quality will win the battle. Also keeping those qualities in mind, we have given TATA Sky, the title of the best DTH in India for the year 2020.   TATA Sky was the first DTH service in India to provide live pause and rewind services. It comes with 99 HD channels and another 495 SD ones. There are multiple packs from where one can top-up for all major Indian regional languages. This is a service that can be tailor-made for your family with just a few clicks.

3. Which is cheaper: Airtel or Tata Sky?

For installation, Airtel charges ₹1100 for SD and ₹1300 for HD. The same for TATA Sky is ₹1499 for both HD and SD. Comparing basic prices; TATA Sky comes across as considerably cheaper. However, basic channels are rarely what you would subscribe for. With its array of customizable packages, TATA Sky does seem to have an upper edge. For example, a “Bengali Hindi Premium Sports English HD” pack might serve anyone who speaks these three languages and cost them less than ₹550 a month with HD. Airtel does not have a pack that offers as much at this price point.

4. Which HD set-top box is best?

When it comes to HD viewing, it is hard to beat the digital format. Reliance Digital TV wins this category with its crystal-clear MPEG-4 picture streaming, along with an enhanced digital sound. The video is streamed at full-HD 1080p resolution at 50Hz, after enlarging and digitally processing the original video 10 times. The picture quality is quite unparalleled. The price is a little stiff with the basic 194 channel Bronze pack starting at ₹300. However, if HD is your priority, we strongly recommend Reliance. No other DTH service provider has 300 channels in 17 Indian languages being streamed in full digitized HD.

5. How do I choose a set-top box?

Before choosing a service, understand what qualities you are looking for in the service and how you would prioritize them. For example, if your priority is HD pictures and price is no bar then one may suggest Reliance Digital TV. However, if the price is your main concern, you can simply choose to go for TATA Sky or Dish TV.  However, if you are finding multiple services that offer same quality as your first preference, then you can vote out the options depending on the next quality on your list. Like, you can choose Dish TV over TATA Sky for better sports packages.

6. Which DTH has the highest HD channels?

Undoubtedly, Reliance Digital TV wins this round. It offers 300 channels in 17 languages, all in full-HD. The picture quality shines through in MPEG-4, thus creating realistic images on the screen and surround sound mimicking qualities. However, not everyone has the upscaled budget that Reliance requires. For those looking for a cheap yet proper HD option, one can look at TATA Sky. It has 99 channels streaming directly in HD to your TV. The price point is affordable at around ₹514 for all HD and SD channels. It also has highly customizable packages, unlike Reliance Digital, whose packages are comparatively rigid.

7. Which is the cheapest DTH?

Depending on the kind of service you want, both TATA Sky and Dish TV offer various cheap base packages. For Dish TV, packages start at a mere ₹101 per month. This comes with a variety of entertainment, movie, sports, infotainment, and other channels. For TATA Sky, it starts at ₹99 per month with similar channels. With both Dish TV and TATA Sky, the add-ons are all well-organized packages. One can choose between languages, sports, movies, entertainment, and kids packs. There is not much of a difference, except that TATA Sky DTH happens to be cheaper by a mere ₹2.

8. Which DTH has the best sound quality?

Reliance Digital claims to have digitally enhanced sound. Along with HD channels that stream in MPEG-4, this feature adds on much to the viewing experience. However, if you were to judge by sound alone, Sun Direct is the best DTH service out there. Sun Direct DTH is the only one that claims 5.1 Dolby Digital sound support. That is the best sound experience one can hope for in television. Generously priced at ₹130 per month for their basic package, it supports 70+ HD channels. Even its regional HD packs are priced reasonably, making it a go-to for many.

9. Which DTH has the best plan?

Each DTH service has plans catering to a different customer base. Some aim for cheap, others for picture quality, and some for customization for families with varied tastes. It is hard to try and choose just one that may be best for all. But in my most honest opinion, for those looking for a service that is not too pricey, while catering to their need for good HD picture and high-quality audio, TATA Sky is the best bet. It has features like 99 HD channels, packages starting at just ₹99, and regional channels to boast of. In short, it must be considered as best of both the worlds.

10. Which set-top box is best and cheap?

All set-top boxes are priced at a similar bracket of ₹1000 to ₹1500. The cheapest around the block are Airtel and TATA Sky with their SD set-top box priced at ₹999. What is more pivotal to the decision should be the monthly expense of the service.

Most offer to reimburse the price of the box and installation in long-term six-months or one-year packages. So, at the end of the day, you do not really pay for the box. The cheapest, with formidable service, is a tough competition between TATA Sky and Dish TV. Airtel is a close second.

Conclusion

DTH connection has become an important part of everyday life. Gone are the days when basic set top boxes were enough to satiate all your entertainment needs.  With changing times, needs have changed as well and so have set top boxes.

A basic set top box and a common DTH connection is not good enough to fulfill the outgrowing requirements of today’s generation. This generation needs multiple options and that’s why these 6 set top boxes are here to meet the expectations of the customers.

Our list of options is compiled by using the top reviews and investing in them is really a good idea. Owning a set top box and getting a good DTH connection tends to reduce possibilities of disturbance. It also gives complete value for money.

Here is the List of the Top 6 Best DTH Connections in India

Piyush

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About the Author

Piyush Kashyap is a Ph.D student at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Sangrur. He is a budding editor/ writer and has been working as a part-time reviewer for online content. He loves to read tech-based articles and has a knack for reviewing such articles He likes to stay updated about the latest trends in technology. He has also been working as a reviewer for many scientific journals. He also writes articles based on science. Know More About Piyush


  • Great article. This helps me in narrowing the choice down to 2 players namely Tata Sky and Dish TV.

    I’ll check on their website what would be the per month cost to me :).

    I’ve used airtel, was paying 702/month for HD pack and it seemed a little too costly. Videocon again, is just clunky. Slow GUI and the website is confusing.

  • Hi,
    Thanks for the info.
    I am using Airtel Digital TV and frustrated with the HD channels as most of the times it doesn’t work,and with the customer care as well.

    I won’t suggest Airtel to anybody, as having paid Rs. 500 every month, and keep calling the customer care every day makes your life miserable.

    Planning to switch over to Tata sky.

    Thanks.

  • Thanks for the information…. Bro…. I’ll have no time to read this articles…. But , I already readed features and comparison…. I’ll have only one day bro…. Say…. finally what will I decide to buy…. Please reply….

  • No doubt tata sky has good service but little upset with their decision with sony channels. As no of popular sony channels are missing with the package. Even giving good no of amount.

    • You can select the package according to your budget, if your channels doesn’t come in the package which comes under your budget, try switching the company

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