| Satellite television is one of the latest and | | | | yourself you can do that as well. |
| greatest technologies to hit our homes! It is | | | | The Big Players |
| delivered by satellites (of course) high in the sky | | | | Satellite TV systems are available many areas |
| and provides a signal quality (HiFi). It can deliver | | | | around the world. The big satellite TV system |
| many more and a much larger range of channels | | | | providers in the USA are Star, Dish Network and |
| and services (internet access or satellite radio) | | | | Direct TV. In Canada you'll find that Bell Canada's |
| than the TV most of us use today. This | | | | ExpressVu and StarChoice are the main satellite |
| technology, however, is older than you might | | | | TV system providers. Latin America uses SKY |
| think. In fact, the first satellite television signal was | | | | Television as its main provider. Canal Digital, Sky |
| relayed in 1962. | | | | Italia and UPC are the main satellite TV system |
| How the System Works - A Summary | | | | service providers in Europe. |
| Satellite TV systems are very complicated when | | | | What about Cost? |
| you get into the technology. But when it comes | | | | In the past, Satellite TV systems were expensive |
| down to it, basically the signal is received by an | | | | and considered a luxury service. Today, however, |
| uplink station that transmits it to a satellite that | | | | it is very affordable and many TV watchers |
| orbits the earth; the signal is then relayed back to | | | | prefer it. Once more, the cost of the cable |
| earth and the transmission is received by dishes. | | | | television has steadily been rising. The satellite |
| It's so basic you're probably asking yourself "why | | | | television subscribers receive high quality, digital |
| weren't we using this method earlier"! | | | | signal. Plus, service packages come with additional |
| There are 3 Ways to Utilize a Satellite TV | | | | features included such as internet access, satellite |
| System | | | | radio, and more in their base price. From a users |
| 1. Directly by each viewer 2. Reception by local | | | | view, one of the best advantages of the satellite |
| television affiliates 3. or reception by headends for | | | | TV system is that it offers additional information |
| distribution across cable systems. | | | | about shows - something that you could not get |
| In order to setup your personal satellite TV | | | | with traditional cable television. |
| system, you'll need some equipment. First, a | | | | There are those people who have concerns about |
| recieving dish. This will pick up the signal and | | | | the reliability of the signal. Although there might be |
| assemble it for you. Next - a receiver. This device | | | | signal interruptions due to electrical storms or |
| decodes the signal and passes it to your television. | | | | very bad weather, but these service breaks are |
| Most service providers will provide this equipment | | | | rare and this technology is very reliable and |
| for you to buy or lease. If they do not, or you | | | | enjoyable! |
| simply would rather purchase the equipment | | | | |