Continued from page 1
Satellite, Meet My TV
With its capabilities well established, it was only a matter of time before
media industry began pondering satellite’s potential in television.
Like traditional broadcasting antennas, satellite television works with radio waves as well but with a much broader range. The older, larger dishes transmitted analog signals that rarely required decoding. Today’s smaller dish systems send digital signals, which produce a higher quality of sound and video. This digital signal is encoded into MPEG-2 format – same format as your DVD’s - and transmitted to your receiver box where it is decoded and translated into an analog signal that is then fed to your television. Why all fuss? Digital produces enhanced video and audio that you just can’t get from analog.
So how does it all work?
In order to receive satellite programming, you’ll need a broadcast satellite provider. These providers have contracted with various programming providers such as HBO, Showtime and of course, all your local channels. The programming providers send their programming to satellite providers who in turn send it back out via satellite to your dish. It is then transmitted from dish to your receiver box where it is decrypted and shown on your television.
Satellite television gives us ability to have a seemingly endless supply of programming without bulky equipment or a multitude of unique connections. And because satellite technology is wireless, you have freedom to move your entertainment system as much as you’d like.
About the Authors: Gary Davis is owner of Dish Network Satellite TV and has written numerous articles on the satellite television industry. Kate Ivy has written for a variety of publications and websites and is the owner of Ivygirl Media & Design.
