Satellite TV

Satellite TV can be explained as TV broadcasts received through a satellite that is in geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth. An Earth TV station sends signals to the satellite, which are then relayed back to be received by a dish. Satellites are capable of delivering both analogue and digital services, but with the advancement in technology analogue transmissions are giving way to digital broadcasts.

In its early years satellite TV was quiet demanding in terms of the set-up costs, voluminous infrastructure and difficult lay-out. In comparison all that you need today is compact satellite dishes hovering on your rooftop.

Traditionally we have been using broadcast/terrestrial television method to broadcast signal delivery by radio waves transmitted through open space. Broadcast stations use a powerful antenna to transmit radio waves to the surrounding area. Cable TV is very similar to terrestrial television with the exception that the signal cable goes all the way to the provider where as terrestrial television goes over the air.

Both broadcast television and satellite television work wirelessly transmitting programs via radio signals. But broadcast television can work only within a limited range. Also radio signals are beamed out from the broadcast antenna in a straight line. Therefore to receive a perfect reception like you find on cable you have to be reasonably close to the antenna without too many obstructions.

Satellite television resolves the issues of range and distortion by transmitting broadcast signals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Being high up in the sky, they can cater to a lot more viewers.

ONCE YOU HAVE your satellite dishes on you can either programme it yourself but generally satellite TV customers get their programming from a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) provider, such as DirecTV or the Dish Network.

These subscription services provide different sets of customized channels in the form of attractive packages giving tough competition to your cable guy. The broadcast is 100% digital meaning great picture and superb sound.

Dish Network

The Dish Network is a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service that broadcasts more then 500 satellite digital television and audio channels to households in the United States. It was launched in March 1996, and is owned by Echostar.

DirecTV

DirecTV is the Dish Network’s primary competitor in the DBS service industry in United States. DirecTV is owned by DirecTV Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group.

So when you receive these direct to home (DTH) satellite services there are five major components involved: the programming source, the broadcast center, the satellite, the satellite dish and the receiver.

Programming sources refers to the channels that provide programming for broadcast like the ESPN, Star Sports, and HBO etc. The direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service provider simply pays these channels to broadcast their content via satellite.

The broadcast station is where the action takes place. Here, the DBS provider receives signals from different programming sources and beams a broadcast signal to satellites in orbit.

The satellites receive the signals from the broadcast center and rebroadcast them to the ground.

The customer’s dish on the rooftop catches the signal from the satellite and transmits it on to the receiver in the house.

The receiver receives the signal and exhibits it on a standard television.

This was our sincere attempt to remove all doubts and confusions in your mind regarding Satellite TV, Dish network, DirecTV.

It sounded complicated hope we have simplified it.