Digital TV
The shift from analog to digital TV is going on in several countries during the coming years. We take an active part in promoting satellite as the best solution for Digital TV. Digital TV has been available on SIRIUS since 2001.
Digital television is not restricted to any particular form of distribution. It can be received via a terrestrial network, satellite or cable. Whatever the method of distribution, a digital set-top box (digibox) is needed to receive digital television so that the television set can reproduce the sound, display pictures and text. The choice of channels offered via the various forms of distribution differs slightly. Some channels can be received via all the distribution platforms (satellite, cable and terrestrial networks).
It is easy to connect a digibox to a television set. Some people are capable of installing a satellite television receiving dish, but many prefer to have this done by an experienced installer.
The various forms of distribution need to fulfil certain criteria before digital television can be viewed:
- Satellite television: The digibox is connected via a suitable aerial lead to the LNB at the dish. A cable of this type is also suitable for a conventional television aerial.
- Cable television: The digibox is connected to its outlet in the apartment/building.
- Terrestrial television: The digibox is connected to a conventional television aerial with a suitable aerial lead.
- Mobile television: Can be received in several ways. Usually through existing mobile telephone networks (3G) but also through DVB-H (an international standard for television to handheld units) that is gaining market share.
- IPTV: there are different solutions for IPTV, both fixed net and wireless. Some companies offer a service where you use a box while others offer opportunities to view television wireless within a certain area.
For IPTV and mobile television there are some unclear issues regarding programme rights since you technically can for instance download television programmes via internet or to mobile telephones anywhere in the world.
Satellites are used in several forms of distribution, although users may not be aware of it. For example, cable TV networks often receive signals from satellites and feed them to the viewers on the network. For live broadcasts of sports events, news, etc, the pictures are sent from a mobile uplink via satellite to the TV studio, which then transmits the programme over the terrestrial network or via satellite. The viewer then receives the signal via a conventional aerial (terrestrial network) or via a dish (satellite) or via cable (can receive from both terrestrial network and satellite).
