06 Okay, now I know a bit about BUD systems. But those minidishsatellite systems are fairly cheap and simple. What about DBS?
Description
This article is from the TeleVision Receive Only Satellite-TV FAQ, by TVRO Hobbyists drlev@hotmail.com with numerous contributions by others.
06 Okay, now I know a bit about BUD systems. But those minidishsatellite systems are fairly cheap and simple. What about DBS?
DBS, or direct broadcast satellite, is a relatively recent development
in the world of television distribution, with Hughes's DirecTV, the
first high powered DBS system, going online in 1994. DBS uses high
powered Ku-Band satellites that send digitally compressed television
and audio signals to 18 to 24 inch fixed satellite dishes. DirecTV's
introduction was the most successful consumer electronics debut in
history.
In 1996, Echostar's DISH Network went online and has gone on to
similar success.
So why all the fuss about DBS? To oversimplify somewhat, it's easy. It
takes little technical know-how to purchase and install DBS
hardware. Since they use smaller satellite dishes than TVRO, people
are more willing to have them installed since they aren't extremely
noticeable with their 18 to 24 inch diameter sizes. Consumer
electronics and discount stores can easily stock them in their stores,
making them a more visible product to non-technical consumers. DBS
systems also don't have any moving parts, such as a dish
mover. Channel surfing is almost the same to the viewer as broadcast
TV or cable with video quality that is quite a bit better (but lesser
than TVRO). And, of course, advertisements can't wait to tell the
consumer about how good "digital quality" is. Realistically, DBS is
"cable via satellite". The customer makes a one-time purchase between
$50 and $150 and pays monthly subscription fees for ALL the
programming; none of it is free.
In the modern era of programming choice, DBS certainly has its place,
along with other methods of television reception, such as over-the-air
broadcasting (analog and digital HDTV), analog and digital cable, MMDS
(microwave "wireless cable"), and, of course, big dish
satellite. Compared to even ten years ago, let alone twenty or thirty
years ago, television distribution has come a long way. But DBS is
just what it is: an alternative to entrenched cable television's
dominance and poor track record of picture quality and service. DBS
doesn't offer any wide variety of programming options or much hobbyist
value. Also, like other consumer products, is a reflection of the
efforts of a single company's vision of what you get to watch and how
they want you to get it. DBS is a great option for many people,
particularly those in rural areas not served by cable who want
no-hassle, out of the box television reception that doesn't show up as
snowy pictures on the TV set.
For more about DBS, read the rec.video.satellite.dbs DBS FAQ by Brian
Trosko. A copy of the FAQ is located at Robert Smathers's WWW Pages
at:
http://www.nmia.com/~roberts/dbs.html
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