How does TV work? Many of us enjoy the advantages of television-based information and entertainment but often have no understanding of how or why television works or how to get TV for yourself. TV distribution itself comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, but generally there are three basic forms of delivery systems: satellite Direct-to-TV, Direct-to-DVD, and Internet-delivered content. Let’s take a brief look at each.
Satellite Direct-to-TV: This method of direct delivery consists of two separate components. First, the satellite dish and receiver is mounted on the roof of the home, or other out-of-the-way area where TV signals can be obtained. Second, the viewer who wishes to watch TV must connect to the television using an appropriate connection. In this case, most consumers opt for high-speed broadband Internet rather than a more expensive cable connection. Satellite providers also usually provide additional features, such as HDTV and extra TV channels, at additional costs.
Direct-to-DVD: A satellite dish and receiver connected to the same dish provides an opportunity for multiple viewers to view the same TV shows at the same time. Picture quality is typically better when watching TV on a bigger screen, with a larger number of pixels. Direct-to-DVD sets do not rely on HDTV signal conversions. Viewers still need a good broadband connection to watch TV on a direct-to-dvd set. If the broadcasted TV shows are not available in HD, viewers will only see their regular TV viewing options.
Direct-to-Internet-delivered content: Movies, music, sports events, news, and other TV programs can be downloaded from certain websites. Popular websites are Sky Cinema, Vue, YouTube, and Hulu. Satellite subscribers can get exclusive access to movies and TV programs from websites like iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon Video. For those who have yet to hear, direct-to-internet-delivered content can rival any recorded TV show or movie, according to broadcast standards.
High-speed Internet: It takes much longer to receive a TV signal over the airwaves when compared to satellite. Cable connections deliver TV signals in a similar fashion to cable TV, which means the same high-quality picture and sound are delivered. This allows viewers to stay up to date with favorite shows and programs. Cable TV subscribers must pay a separate monthly rate to watch TV on their computer or laptop. A satellite subscription is typically cheaper. However, users can get access to special sports packages and movie rentals.
Distribution Models: Different countries have different broadcast distribution models. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have closed the gap between cable TV and satellite TV by bundling both services in a single bundle. Canada has the largest number of viewers for TV than any other country in the world. However, this does not mean that other countries are behind. Over the past few years, several Asian countries like Japan, China, and India have started to provide internet access through cable TV.