Satellite TV service is a type of broadcasting service that enables the subscribers to receive television signals through a dish-shaped receiver unit from space satellites. Satellite TV has been around for several years now, providing wide range of channels. The uninterrupted service, crystal clear picture and sound, variety of programming packages, new sophisticated features & technology are some of the features that can be enlisted for Satellite TV service and that make it superior to Cable TV service.
History of Satellite TV
If we go back to the history, the first satellite television signal was relayed from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North America in 1962. This was followed by a series of launches viz. Intelsat( April 6 1965,first commercial satellite), Orbita(1967, first national network of satellite television ), Ekran(1976,first Soviet geostationary satellite to carry Direct-To-Home television.)
Technology behind Satellite TV Service : How does Satellite TV Work?
Satellite TV broadcasts signals by two types of communication satellites namely highly elliptical satellites and geostationary satellites. These signals are received by a satellite dish (18 to 24 inches, nowadays even smaller) positioned on earth facing the southern sky. The signals are further processed by another device called LNF that sits on the dish and amplifies the signals to transfer the signals to an indoor receiver. The receiver demodulates and converts the signal in to the desired forms like television signals, audio signals and data.
Advantages of Satellite TV
Variety of Channels
The Satellite TV service has enabled the viewers to access hundreds of channels from all over the world. The channels cover all areas of human interests – movies, music, news, sports, religion etc.
High Availability
Satellite TV service has made possible to enjoy TV channels for viewers who reside in places where there is no access to Cable TV . These viewers just need a satellite TV receiver and a clear view to the open sky.
Less Expensive
Unlike Cable TV, Satellite TV service providers provide installation and equipments(set top box & satellite dish) totally free of cost. Subscribers need to pay only for programming packages. Even installation in more than one room comes free. A Satellite TV subscriber can watch more channels than Cable TV for the same price with no setup costs or initial investment costs.
High Definition & Digital Video Recording
The satellite TV service has the advantageous features like HDTV and DVR. HDTV(High definition television) has a larger resolution and clear picture along with enhanced surround sound. DVR (Digital video recorder) facilitates the viewers to record all of the favorite dramas and sitcoms without configuring a timer so that it can be watched later. Some cable TV providers offer a DVR but at a higher price.
Parental Control
Subscribers(especially parents) can make certain channels accessible only to themselves using a password and they can also simply cut the channel out of the package altogether. Movies and television shows can also be blocked. They can also set the time and fix what hours the television is to be watched.
International Programming
International programming is a unique feature present only in Satellite TV. Satellite TV has various international programming packages (from Chinese to Spanish and international sports programming). Fox Sports World is the only 24-hour, English-language international sports network in the United States. Various other international programmings viz. African, Filipino etc. are also available. Directv provides 150 channels in 20 different languages whereas Dish Network provides 100 channels in 14 different languages.
Pay per View
Satellite TV service facilitates subscribers with the option of pay-per-view through which they can enjoy a movie sitting at home without going out to the theater and thus they can end up saving their fuel and ticket charges.
Shopping Channels – Shop from Home
Satellite TV service has also launched shopping channels in different varieties (from jewelery and clothes to electronics) through which subscribers can enjoy shopping from homes.
Online Gaming
Satellite TV also provides the subscribers with online games by which one can play games against other subscriber,for which extra charge is needed.
Amazing Picture Quality
Through Satellite TV service subscribers can enjoy 100% digital picture and sound no matter where they live. Cable TV subscribers have the option of upgrading to digital service but that would transmit only the supplementary channels whilst the rest will remain analog.
Good Reception
Satellite TV is available throughout the United States . So subscribers from any place within it can easily enjoy its unobstructed service of superior quality. So no problems of reception quality.
Good Customer Service
Satellite TV provides more satisfactory response to customer than the other TV network. For customer service the top satellite TV providers are ranked higher than the top cable companies
Drawbacks of Satellite TV
Extra Charges for Local Channels: This was once considered a drawback. However, now local channels come at no extra cost!!
Disastrous Weather: This problem is applicable only for people living in areas where there is heavy rain or snow. Heavy rain or snow, sometimes may affect Satellite TV reception
Dish Installation Problems: One setback about satellite TV system is that folks who reside in rented homes especially apartments dwellers may get into troubles with their owners and landlords over the matter of installation of the Satellite dish.
Growth of Satellite TV
According to the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association 20.36 millions of U.S households are going with the Satellite TV. In other words we can say that one in five television households – now receive their television programming through direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television services.
Thus it is crystal clear that Satellite TV service masters over Cable TV in lots of ways. Today millions of homes are moving to Satellite TV as it provides a great deal of choice and more packages than most cable companies.