How Does Satellite TV Works

Satellite TV is a system for watching television in which a broadcast centre sends a signal to a satellite in orbit around the Earth. Then the satellite returns the signal to Earth where it can be picked up by satellite dishes. The satellite dishes use receivers to convert the signal into a picture that is then seen on a television screen.

What is a TV satellite?

A TV satellite is a big electronic unit that hovers 22,300 miles above the surface of the earth in a stationary orbit. It is designed to receive signals from satellite TV centers and send them back to the earth. These satellites are needed for wide-range broadcasts because satellite TV providers utilize radio waves in their broadcasts, which only travel in straight lines. In order for the antennas to pick up the signals, they have to be lined up properly with the signal and not be blocked by trees or buildings.Because a satellite can broadcast a signal from above, it can be picked up directly by the antenna if there are no trees or buildings blocking the signal.

What does a satellite dish do?

A satellite dish captures the signal that is sent from a satellite down to earth. The curve in the dish allows more of the signal to be captured and then focused onto the feed horn which is at the front of the dish. This feed horn then relays the signal to a low noise block (LNB) converter. The LNB can then convert the signal and pass it on to the receiver.

How do these satellite receivers work?

The satellite TV receiver is what lets you change channels and can be found right next to your television. What the receiver does is decode the signal that it receives from the LNB and changes it into a video and audio signal that is then sent to the television screen. Both DISH Network and DIRECTV allow you to have digital video recorder (DVR) receivers. These receivers let you record various TV programs, even if you are not watching them. You can also choose to get a high definition (HD) receiver which lets you see satellite TV programs in high definition.

Where do the satellite TV programs come from?

The TV networks that you see on satellite TV like ABC, HBO, and CNN are paid by the satellite TV providers DSTVfre for example - to get their programming rights. Then, these networks send the programs to a broadcast centre. The satellite TV provider’s broadcast centre then sends the programs to a satellite.

Who are the major satellite TV providers?

The biggest satellite TV providers are DSTV, STAR TIMES, CANAL + and others. DSTV has 125 satellite TV channels as well as 45 satellite radio stations, some channels are country specific. Their cheapest package is Access 35GHC/7.57$ per month.

StarTimes has 105 satellite TV channels and 25 satellite radio stations. Their cheapest package is Nova 15GHC/ per month.