Direct
to Home (DTH) technology refers to the satellite television broadcasting
process which is intended for home reception. This technology is originally
referred to as direct broadcast satellite (DBS) technology. The
technology was developed for competing with the local cable TV distribution
services by providing higher quality satellite signals with a greater number of
channels.
In short, DTH refers to the reception of satellite signals on a TV with a personal dish in an individual home. The satellites that are used for this purpose is geostationary satellites. The satellites compress the signals digitally, encrypt them and then are beamed from high powered geostationary satellites. They are received by dishes that are given to the DTH consumers by DTH providers.
Though
DBS and DTH present the same services to the consumers, there are some
differences in the technical specifications. While DBS is used for transmitting
signals from satellites at a particular frequency band [the band differs in
each country], DTH is used for transmitting signals over a wide range of
frequencies [normal frequencies including the KU and KA band]. The satellites
used for the transmission of the DTH signals are not part of any international
planned frequency band. DBS has changed its plans over the past few years to
include new countries and modify their mode of transmission from analog to
digital. But DTH is more famous for its services in both the analog and digital
services which includes both audio and video signals. The dishes used for this
service is also very small in size. When it comes to commercial use, DBS is
known for its service providing a group of free channels that are allowed for
its targeted country.
DTH in India
India
is one of the biggest DTH service providers in the world. The requirement is
very high because of the high population and the increased number of viewers.
The low cost of DTH when compared to other local cable providers is also one
main reason for this substantial growth.
In
India, the DTH requirement is more than in any country as the population of
viewers is at very high rate.
The
idea of DTH was first provided to India in 1996. But it was not approved then
as there were concerns about national security. But the laws were changed by
the year 2000 and thus DTH was allowed. According to the new rule, DTH
providers are required to set up new stations within 12 months of getting the
license. The cost of the license is almost $2.15 million in India with a
validity of 10 years for renewal. The latest reports suggest that almost 25% of
the total Indian population use this facility while others use local TV
connections.
Some
of the common DTH providers in India are
1.
TATA Sky
2.
BIG TV
3.
Sun Direct DTH
4.
Dish TV
5.
Airtel DTH
6.
Videocon DTH
Working of DTH
For
a DTH network to be transmitted and received, the following components are
needed.
- Broadcasting Center
- Satellites
- Encoders
- Multiplexers
- Modulators
- DTH receivers
It
must be noted the channels that are broadcasted from the broadcasting center
hare not created by the DTH providers. The DTH providers pay other companies
like HBO, Sony MAX and so on for the right to broadcast their channel to the
DTH consumers through satellite. Thus, the DTH provider acts as a mediator r
broker between the consumers and the programme channels.
The
broadcast center is the main part of the whole system. It is from the broadcast
station that the signals are sent to the satellites to be broadcasted. The
broadcast station receives the signals from various program channels.
The
satellite receives the signal from the broadcast Center and compresses the
signals and makes them suitable for re-transmission to the ground.
The
DTH providers give dish receivers for the viewers to receive the signal from
the satellites. There may be one or multiple satellites that send the signals
at the same time. The receiver receives the signal from them and is passed on
to the Set Top Box [STB] receiver in the viewer’s house.
The
STB receiver changes the signal in a form suitable for our television and then
passes it on to our TV.
Advantages of DTH Technology
- The main advantage is that this
technology is equally beneficial to everyone. As the process is wireless,
this system can be used in all remote or urban areas.
- High quality audio and video
which are cost effective due to absence of mediators.
- Almost 4000 channels can be
viewed along with 2000 radio channels. Thus, the world’s entire
information including news and entertainment is available to you at home.
- As there are no mediators, a
complaint can be directly expressed to the provider.
- With a single DTH service you
will be able to use digital quality audio, video, and high-speed
broadband.
