High - definition televisionshave come from the realm of early - adoptinghome theaterenthusiasts into the average consumer mart . Early HDTV sets cost thousands of dollar , but today stores sell some models for less than $ 300 . However , buying an HDTV is just the first stone’s throw in get at HD programming . Consumers still necessitate an HD media source to take full advantage of their newtelevisionsets .
High - definitionsatelliteservice – or satellite HD – is one inspection and repair selection for high-definition television . By subscribing to a satellite HD service and purchasing the appropriate equipment , high-definition television owners can see a wide variety of programs with crisp , clear visuals and immersivesurround sound .
Satellite HD inspection and repair works almost the same agency as stock satellite video . The satellite service supplier receive programming from various sources , then beams acompresseddigital signal containing its full channel batting order through a satellite looker to a satellite in geosynchronous orbit . This intend that the satellite maintains its position relative to the Earth , moving at the same speed as the Earth ’s rotation . If we could n’t put planet into geosynchronous orbit , planet TV would n’t exist . That ’s because the customer needs to align his or her own satellite dish so that it ’s aimed at the correct planet overhead . If the artificial satellite move in intercourse to the Earth , the customer would have to unceasingly correct the design of his or her satellite smasher , and sometimes the satellite would move to the other side of the Earth and no amount of adjustment would lead in a sign .
The orbiting orbiter acts as both areceiverand atransmitter . It receive the feed of channels from the divine service provider , then transmit that selective information back in a beam toward the Earth . The customer ravisher acts as anantenna . The dish pick up the signal and sends them to a receiverset - top box(STB ) . For a more elaborated analysis on how satellite television works , read our clause on " How Satellite TV Works . "
Older satellite system receivers convince the signal from a digitally compressed format like MPEG-2 into an analog sign . But high-definition television curing can translate high - definition signals – that ’s where satellite HD comes in . Satellite HD overhaul use the same principles as unconstipated satellite TV , but with dissimilar encoding methods . With the right STB , you’re able to decode and reckon this high - definition sign .
In the next part , we ’ll learn how satellite service provider encode signaling . We ’ll also discuss the equipment you ’ll call for to pick up those signals and decrypt them so that you could watch HDTV .
Satellite HD Signals and Equipment
Uncompressed video signals postulate a lot of bandwidth – so much , in fact , thatsatellitescan’t handle get and transmit that much data at the same time . That ’s why satellite service providerscompressvideo signals , particularly when they’rehigh - definition video . They apply a concretion organisation standardized by theMoving Picture Experts Group(MPEG ) .
There are a few unlike MPEG encryption standard . You ’re probably intimate withMP3 files , which are audio file that habituate the MPEG-1 standard . Until recently , satellite systems squeeze video using the MPEG-2 measure , which reduce video size by a factor of about 55:1 . Today , DISH net and DIRECTV , the two major satellite divine service providers in the United States , use the MPEG-4 compression standard . This data format is more efficient than MPEG-2 and is well suited for complex , fast - move images like those in sporting events and action movies .
Before the switch to MPEG-4 concretion , satellite service providers could only offer a few HD channels due to the demand on organisation bandwidth . Ascable companiesbegan to develop HD packages , planet systems had to look for newfangled agency to deliver HD signaling to customers so as to stay ahead of the contender . Both DIRECTV and DISH connection have upgraded to the MPEG-4 data format , which allows both party to furnish more HD channel by pullulate them more efficiently . regrettably , this rising slope also means that client have to upgrade their equipment for view that computer programming .
Satellite companies had designed client dishes and determined - top boxes to receive and convert sign propagate in the MPEG-2 format . The MPEG-4 format was n’t at all like MPEG-2 , so customers ' existing equipment could n’t invite and decode the new signals . These client had a option to make : nonplus with the old service and keep their old equipment , or devote money to raise and access more HD content . While satellite service providers are presently leaving the pick up to case-by-case customers , in the hereafter all providers will use the MPEG-4 formatting . At that point , old equipment will become useless .
Apart from the dissimilar encoding techniques , satellite HD receivers are exchangeable to received specify - top boxes . The video signal arrives at the customer ’s dish and jaunt through a transmission line to the liquidator . The recipient has three problem :
In the next section , we ’ll learn about the country of satellite HD Robert William Service today .
Today’s Satellite HD Service
Manysatellitetelevision serve providers offer HD computer programing as an incentive to attract customers . The two major orbiter service supplier in the United States are DISH connection and DIRECTV . Both companies offer several different service packages aimed at every grade of consumer , from families to serious couch potatoes . DISH web and DIRECTV also provide several options for the great unwashed interested inHDTVprogramming .
DIRECTV and DISH internet are constantly act upon on ameliorate avail , include bundle pricing and transmission channel pick . This makes it difficult to liken the two providers , but in oecumenical here ’s how they match up :
In many regions , orbiter HD overhaul providers offer more transmission channel in eminent definition thancable . For example , in Atlanta , Comcast , a cable television troupe , offer 15 channels in HD , include several local broadcast station . Because cable television companies are regionally orientated , it ’s easy for them to dribble local HD stations . planet television divine service providers are nationwide orient . In some regions , the supplier might have an office that collects and circularise local HD communication channel signals to the appropriate artificial satellite . calculate on a client ’s region and provider , he or she might be able-bodied to watch local channels in HD . Otherwise , the only fashion a satellite client can view local HD is to use an antenna connected directly to thetelevisionset to pick up the programme signals .
To learn more about artificial satellite high-definition television and other service , follow the links on the next Thomas Nelson Page .
