How Direct Satellite TV Systems Work
Direct satellite TV, or DirecTV, as its trademark name shows, is the leading direct broadcast satellite (DBS) provider in the United States. In addition, the same satellite television provider also serves a significant share of the satellite television market in the Carribean and some Latin American countries. As of December of 2006, Direct satellite TV has already an estimated 16 million subscribers all over the US. Moreover, the revenue of the company for 2006 is at $14.76 billion. Along with DISH Network, Direct satellite TV competes with cable television for a larger chunk of the television viewing market. Subscribers of Direct satellite TV need to have a dish antenna installed to be capable to receive signals from a geostationary satellite. Usually, this satellite dish has a diameter of 18 inches. New dish installations for the company however, use an 18x20 inch antenna to be able to pick up signals from 3 satellites all at the same time. This is necessary to be able to cope up with the increased programming that Direct satellite TV systems will be offering to its subscribers.
Piracy is a major concern for many direct broadcast satellite companies in the United States. Piracy in satellite television happens when a television viewer uses special devices or gadgets to circumvent encrypted satellite signals of premium television channels. Direct satellite TV combats piracy by using access cards to identify legitimate subscribers. These are updated every 2 years to make it increasingly difficult for pirates to hack into their system. A satellite receiver, also known as integrated receiver-decoder, uses an access card to decode the encryption of programming signals for them to be viewed by a subscriber. Combating illegal reception of signals is an ongoing campaign for DirecTV. Furthermore, Direct satellite TV presents high-definition television (HDTV), local channels and other interactive services for its customers. Other satellite providers also provide this kind of service. DirecTV is able to add more high-definition channels to its programming by using a new transmission protocol on two of its satellites, Spaceway-1 and Spaceway-2. The specification of current standard for HDTV has a picture resolution of 1920 x 1080i. The company, likewise, contracted with selected electronic companies all over the world to manufacture a new satellite receiver model. This updated receiver is able to decode MPEG-4 signals, which will help the company realize its plan to include more high-definition channels in their programming in the near future. Aside from HD channels, Direct satellite TV also gives local channels to its many markets. Among the local channels that they broadcast are ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and PBS. Broadcast signals for local channels in its large markets are transmitted through its satellite at 101W. A different satellite transmit local channel signals to the smaller markets of Direct satellite TV. The company has also offered local HD channels recently. However, this requires the use of new satellite receivers and larger satellite dishes. The latter should be competent of receiving signals from a maximum of five satellites all in one time. |