The Science Behind Your Satellite Dish
Ever wonder how your Dish Network system or satellite TV system
works? There's actually quite a bit of science going on behind
the scenes, with several components working together to bring
you that digital-quality signal. Here's a quick look at the
pieces that form your Dish Network or satellite TV puzzle.
Your channel selection begins with the programming sources
themselves. Companies like Showtime, HBO, Cinemax and Starz
Super Pak! all create their respective programming. Channel
providers then purchase rights to this programming so that they
can broadcast the shows via satellite. Once a provider has their
programming in place, they turn their attention to the broadcast
center to compress and convert the programming for satellite
broadcast.
Your Dish Network Programming originally arrives as a digital
stream of video, which is then compressed and converted through
an encoder, typically using the MPEG 2 format. This format
reduces the overall size of the video, making it possible for a
satellite to broadcast hundreds of channels at the same time.
Once encoded, the video is then encrypted so that the broadcast
can only be viewed by paying subscribers. This encryption
"scrambles" the signal so that those without the proper receiver
pick up distorted and unintelligible video. After the video has
been encrypted, it is sent to the provider's satellite,
strategically positioned in the sky.
The satellite itself uses a dish similar to your own satellite
dish, to receive the video and send it back down to Earth to the
provider's subscribers. The satellite contains numerous
transponders, components that allow the satellite to pick up the
broadcast signal, amplify it and resend at a specific frequency.
In addition to the transponders, satellites typically have
several other onboard components, including a power source such
as solar panels or rechargeable batteries and a computer system
to monitor the satellite's various functions and conditions.
When the satellite sends the signal back down to Earth, it is
picked up by your satellite dish, a small round antennae that
receives the satellite's broadcast and send the video on to your
satellite TV receiver.
The satellite TV receiver is that little black box that sits
inside your home and allows you to choose which channel you want
to watch. The receiver actually performs several crucial
functions in the satellite viewing process, including the
decryption of the signal itself. If you'll remember, the
satellite signal was scrambled by the provider to protect it
from un-paying consumers. Your receiver "de-scrambles" that
signal and converts the signal into a format that your
television can handle, such as analog or more recently, HDTV.
Together these amazing components create a vividly clear digital
picture for over 200 satellite channels. How's that for
programming genius?
If you're interested in learning more about Dish Network and
satellite TV, go to http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws/
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