HOW SATELLITE TV WORKS

Although satellite TV seems like it ’ s always been around, it wasn ’t until as late as the early 90s that it started to become a mainstream form of technology. A huge part of the reason for the boom in satellite TV ’ s popularity, at least in the UK, was the launch of Sky Sports. Sky Sports bid a huge amount of money to obtain the rights to broadcast live Premier League games back in 1992 and this is when people really started to take notice of satellite TV.

Given how popular satellite TV has become, it’s surprising how many people do not know how it works. The aim of this article is to explain how satellite TV works and the unique benefits it offers of broadcast TV.

The big difference between satellite TV and broadcast TV is how the signal is delivered. Although both satellite and broadcast TV uses radio signals, broadcast TV is delivered via a large satellite that send signals out to the surrounding area, which can be picked up using smaller satellites. The problem with broadcast TV is its limitations in the area that can be reached.

Because the signal is sent in a straight line, once you get past a certain point and the Earth starts to bend, the signal can no longer be reached. This isn’t too much of an issue for regional programming but it certainly limits the reach of broadcast television.

Satellite television got around this problem since the signals are sent from satellites that orbit the earth. This means that signals are able to reach a people in a wider range and the signal doesn ’ t become blocked because of distance, as is the case with broadcast television.

Early satellite television was broadcast in C-band and often people with expensive dishes could pick up all types of channels from different countries that were intended to reach such a wide audience. Today, however, most people get satellite TV as part of a package from a DBS provider.

Satellite vs Cable

Two of the biggest providers of TV, internet and phone services in the UK are Sky and Virgin Media. Sky offers its TV services through satellite, whereas Virgin Media delivers its channels through fibre optic cable. Here’s how they compare in some key areas.

Installation

Both satellite and cable television usual require that an engineer visit your home to set things up. In the case of satellite, a dish and box is installed, whereas with cable a junction box is installed.

Availability

Because cable has to be installed in an area to allow access to cable television channels, it restricts access to some people, especially those in rural areas. Satellite TV doesn’t have this problem.

Equipment required

The main difference here is that satellite TV requires a dish. Otherwise both options require a box and a remote control.

Price

Because Telecoms is such a competitive industry, there usually isn ’t too much difference in the price that you’ll pay between cable and satellite. Both Sky and Virgin Media try to price their services as competitively as possible so it more comes down to preference here.

Contact

RF Digital Systems

Electric House, Ninian Way,WilnecoteTamworthB77 5DEUnited Kingdom01827 254 622