Not so long ago people watched television in a very different fashion. All programming was broadcast through the air. There were few channels, therefore if there was a program a person wanted to watch, they had to be sure they were sitting in front of their TV on the exact day and time. The program could be blurry or snowy with little specs of white blowing around. Then in the nineteen nineties satellite TV dishes were made available for general population use.
Cable TV was the first non-military or government use of a large parabolic antenna. Now since they were tapping communication satellites in orbit, they could offer more and clearer programming. Opportunities were presented to broadcasters for more specialty channels like music, information, and shopping. It also helped the economy by having more advertising being shown to a larger audience.
Then in the nineties the parabolic antenna was offered to the general public. These parabolic antennas measured up to eight feet in diameter, much smaller than the ones used by cable companies. They were fairly expensive but would pay for themselves quickly because of the hundreds of free stations that were available to be viewed, cutting the fees of cable.
With these dishes people could get nationwide and worldwide programs. They could see first hand what was happening in other countries like the middle east as well as in Canada or even India. Paid subscriptions became available through broadcasting companies who offered month to month purchasing power with no contracts. They also had an la carte option which allowed people to purchase one channel and they could cancel it from month to month. They could buy a movie channel and get as many as nine movie channels for the same price as one on cable.
There was one problem. All these analog, meaning non-digital radio signals were through the air. Tall buildings or large trees could block reception whether the signals were coming from orbit or a tower. There had to be sufficient line of sight. Bad weather like rainstorms, wind or snow also effected the picture.
Then came digital signals. Small antennas of this type were made available. These signals worked much better. The picture was clearer and there were less interruptions. Analog signals were still being broadcast so the eight foot dishes still worked, but when the signals went all digital and HD they basically went the way of the dinosaurs.
Cable TV was the first non-military or government use of a large parabolic antenna. Now since they were tapping communication satellites in orbit, they could offer more and clearer programming. Opportunities were presented to broadcasters for more specialty channels like music, information, and shopping. It also helped the economy by having more advertising being shown to a larger audience.
Then in the nineties the parabolic antenna was offered to the general public. These parabolic antennas measured up to eight feet in diameter, much smaller than the ones used by cable companies. They were fairly expensive but would pay for themselves quickly because of the hundreds of free stations that were available to be viewed, cutting the fees of cable.
With these dishes people could get nationwide and worldwide programs. They could see first hand what was happening in other countries like the middle east as well as in Canada or even India. Paid subscriptions became available through broadcasting companies who offered month to month purchasing power with no contracts. They also had an la carte option which allowed people to purchase one channel and they could cancel it from month to month. They could buy a movie channel and get as many as nine movie channels for the same price as one on cable.
There was one problem. All these analog, meaning non-digital radio signals were through the air. Tall buildings or large trees could block reception whether the signals were coming from orbit or a tower. There had to be sufficient line of sight. Bad weather like rainstorms, wind or snow also effected the picture.
Then came digital signals. Small antennas of this type were made available. These signals worked much better. The picture was clearer and there were less interruptions. Analog signals were still being broadcast so the eight foot dishes still worked, but when the signals went all digital and HD they basically went the way of the dinosaurs.
About the Author:
Check out Satellite TV Comparison and compare the services provided by the best-known satellite TV providers. And learn more about Satellite TV Channels.
No comments:
Post a Comment