There are five parts to a satellite system which is also identified as a direct-to-viewer DTV satellite system: the source of programming; the broadcast hub; the satellite; the watcher’s satellite dish; and the receiver.

SATELLITE SYSTEM PROGRAMMING SOURCE

The satellite system programming sources are the channels or sometimes networks which choose to send programs by broadcasting the content. The satellite system provider doesn’t create the original programming; it purchases the right to broadcast program content from other broadcast businesses such as HBO or CNN. The satellite system provider acts in the same way that a real estate broker does. The provider serves in the capacity of a go-between the viewer and the real programming sources. This method is actually the same as that used by cable companies. The only difference is the method of transmitting the information.

SATELLITE SYSTEM TRANSMISSION CENTER

The satellite system hub for broadcasting is at the heart of the entire satellite system. At the transmission center, the television production team gets notices from various programming sources and then proceeds to emit a message to the satellites located in Earth orbit in what is known as a geostationary path in space. A geostationary orbit is one in which the orbiting object remains in one position in respect to the person or object on the surface of the planetary body.

SATELLITES

The satellites are the key components of the satellite system. They receive the transmissions from the transmission broadcasting station and then send the programming to the selected centers on the surface below.

SATELLITE SYSTEM DISH

The parabolic antenna mechanism which is also known as a satellite system dish is the next component of the satellite system. The dish receives the signal from the satellite system in orbit around the earth and immediately processes it to the unit known as the receiver in the viewer’s home.

SATELLITE SYSTEM RECEIVER

The component of the satellite system that picks up the signal from space and passes it on to the regular television located in the owner’s home is known as the satellite system receiver.

Together these five components make up the whole known as the satellite system. It is interesting to note that each signal sent goes into space twice, once from the programming source to the broadcast center and once from the broadcast center to the satellite in space. This all happens, however in the blink of an eye.

The satellite system in your home, while providing a wealth of programming in all types of format is not inexpensive. Literally thousands of programs are bouncing around in cyber space and we only hear of just a relative few.

With a good satellite system in place, you can receive all the programming choices you are likely to need or want. The provider makes different packages available with much in the way of programming choices. The satellite system provides the hardware and the software, in a manner of speaking, and the remaining choice of the actual programs watched is up to the homeowner.