Satellite TV Basics
Introduction to Satellite TV
If you're reading this, you're most likely disenchanted and disillusioned with your current cable television connection. Don't feel bad—millions of people just like you were once tangled in miles of coaxial cables, weighed down by the hefty cost of restrictive plans, and saddled with dozens of channels they most likely never even watched. Cable TV is not always easy to live with, and sometimes it's better to just make a clean break, instead of trying to make a failing relationship work.
That's why we here at Satellite TV HQ want to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of your best alternative to typical cable TV. Right now, over 30 million people subscribe to Satellite TV—you've probably seen those sleek little dishes in your neighbor's backyard or arrayed down the side of an apartment building. Satellite TV is no longer an obscure or exclusive club for people with big wallets and gargantuan dishes.
Today, there are two major providers of Satellite television: Dish Network and DirecTV. Each one offers a large number of channels and several low-cost options for service. In addition to that, they offer freedom from the binding stresses of your local cable company, and that alone is worth it.
How it Works
While you're certainly not required to understand how satellite TV works, the ability to explain how your favorite satellite shows end up in your living room can make you very interesting company at a cocktail party! What follows is a very basic rundown of how satellite TV operates:
Before satellite TV programming can reach 20 million+ subscribers' homes, it must first begin on the ground at a satellite uplink station. DIRECTV and Dish Network operate their own satellite uplink stations.
These stations play two roles: First, they receive programming from affiliated networks like ESPN, CNN, and HBO. Because video programming contains a very large amount of data (think of a huge file on your computer), the uplink stations must then compress the data so that it can be easily transmitted to a satellite. Once the programming has been sufficiently compressed, the station transmits the data to satellites orbiting high above the earth.
When the satellites receive a transmission, they relay it back down to earth, where it is received by the satellite dish mounted on your home. The dish then amplifies the strength of the signal, which has weakened during its journey back from space, and sends it to the satellite receiver on your TV, which decodes the signal and turns it back into images and sound.
What Do You Need?
DIRECTV and Dish Network operate their own fleet of satellites. These satellites are positioned approximately 22,300 miles above the earth in geosynchronous orbit, which means that instead of circling the earth, they follow it as it rotates. As a result, these satellites never change their position relative to the ground—once you point your dish at a satellite, you will not have to adjust it.
Currently, Direct TV operates a fleet of four satellites and Dish Network operates 10 satellites. To receive signals from one of these satellites, you will need three pieces of equipment: a satellite dish, a receiver, and a remote control, all of which will be given to you when you subscribe to satellite TV service.
Depending on the programming package you order, your satellite dish will be either a round 18" dish or an 18" x 20" oval dish. The receiver looks like a cross between a cable box and DVD player, and can sit on top of your television. For an extra fee you can choose a receiver with a built-in digital video recorder so that you can record your favorite shows for later playback.
HDTV Made Simple
While many people have heard of High Definition Television (HDTV), relatively few know exactly what it is and how they can get it.
Programs broadcast in HDTV format offer higher resolution and far more detailed images than traditional television signals. HDTV images are so clear that they appear lifelike—high definition images of tropical fish almost look like an aquarium in your home! Most HDTV users would agree: watching pictures of this clarity substantially enhances the enjoyment of watching TV and movies.
Unfortunately, standard satellite TV dishes and receivers do not automatically provide you with a high definition picture. If you subscribe to DIRECTV or Dish Network and you wish to watch HDTV programming, you will need the following pieces of equipment:
- An HDTV-ready television or an integrated HDTV set
- An HDTV-compatible satellite dish and receiver
- An HDTV broadcast
- An HDTV Subscription from DIRECTV or Dish Network
The first thing you will need to enjoy a high definition picture is an HDTV-ready television or an integrated HDTV. HD-ready sets come ready to receive and play standard broadcast signals, but they are also capable of displaying high definition programming with the addition of a specialized receiver. Integrated HDTVs, on the other hand, have a high definition receiver built in and come ready to play HDTV programming right out of the box, but they cost far more money—Satellite TV HQ currently recommends purchasing a more affordable HDTV-ready television and adding the necessary receiver.
You will also need an HD-compatible satellite dish and receiver. Satellite TV providers offer high definition equipment packages that include an HD-compatible dish and receiver, though these packages generally come at a higher price than a standard dish and receiver.
Once you have your HDTV-ready television, satellite dish, and receiver, the last thing you'll need is a high-definition broadcast to tune in to. DIRECTV and Dish Network both offer a variety of HD channels, though Dish Network offers more because they acquired VOOM's HD lineup. Depending on your area, you may also be able to receive some local network broadcasts in high definition.
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