Glossary

Access card:

A removable credit-card-sized plastic card included with each satellite receiver. The card identifies each individual receiver and provides PPV billing information each month to your program provider.

 

Additional Outlet (A/O):

Receivers other than the primary one can be connected to the dish allowing other televisions in the house to be on different programs than the one connected to the primary receiver. An A/O also refers to a convenience outlet where there is not another receiver and the television will show the same programs as the television connected to receiver.

 

Analog:

A method of signal transmission in which information is relayed by continuously altering the wave form of the electromagnetic current. AM / FM radio, VHS VCR tapes, vinyl records and traditional land line telephones are examples of Analog communication.

 

Alternative Audio:

When a program offers more than one audio channel, customers can take advantage of that using the alternate audio feature on the satellite receiver system. There are two types of alternate audio programming: Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) and Multiple Audio Programs. SAP is a standard TV feature. Multiple Audio Programs deliver a set of audio selections with a specific program on each audio channel.

 

Audio/Video Jacks:

The A/V output jacks at the rear of a satellite receiver provide a superior picture and sound to your TV, VCR and Sound system. There are three jacks: one for the video, one for the right channel sound and one for the left channel sound. The audio jacks are necessary for the sound to be in stereo. Coaxial cable will not pass stereo sound to your television from the satellite receiver.

 

Azimuth:

The side to side adjustment of a satellite dish from true north, along the horizon, to the DBS satellite, measured in degrees.

 

Bandwidth:

The complete range of frequencies over which a circuit or electronic system is allocated to function. Bandwidth is the range of frequencies, measured in hertz (Hz), that can pass over a given transmission channel. The bandwidth determines the rate at which information can be transmitted through the circuit.

 

Beam width:

Beam width, as used in RF transmission of an antenna pattern, is the angle between the half-power (3-dB) points of the main lobe when referenced to the peak effective radiated power of the main lobe. Note: Beam width is expressed in degrees related along the horizontal plane.

 

Bent-pipe:

Bent-pipe is a signal relay scheme in which a terrestrial-based signal is sent to a satellite, which then relays the signal back to earth with minimal processing by the satellite.

 

Bit:

Binary digit: The smallest unit of data in a digital system, with a value of either 0 or 1. A group of bits, such as 8-bits or 16-bits, compose a byte. The number of bits in a byte depends upon the processing system being used. Whenever you see a lowercase b associated with a number, it’s likely to be a bit. It can be prefixed with kilo- (for 1,024 bits, or 2 to the 10th power) or mega- (1,024 x 1,024 bits)–and sometimes finds its way into data transfer speeds (such as 14.4 kbps).

 

Blackout Area:

A predefined area of the country where a particular programming service will not be available, usually because of contractual agreements.

 

Broadband:

Broadband is the transmission of multiple channels of data over a single communications medium. It also commonly refers to a transmission greater than 128 Kbps.

 

Broadband Satellite:

A Broadband Satellite is a special high-bandwidth satellite that provides multiple channels of data over a single communications beam.

 

Byte:

A group of data bits that are processed together. Typically, a byte consists of 8 bits. There are kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Terabytes, etc. 1 Byte = 8 bits 1 kilobyte = about 1,000 bytes 1 Megabyte = about 1,000,000 bytes 1 Gigabyte = 1,000,000,000 bytes 1 Terabyte = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.

 

CableCARD:

A CableCARD is small device, about the size of a credit card, that when plugged into a compatible

television allows for the reception of digital cable television channels. These cards are rented from the cable company. CableCARD technology can also be applied to digital video recorder, and personal computers. The CableCARD will not work with two-way technologies such as Internet, video on demand, or other service that interact with the user.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires cable companies to allow non cable company devices to gain access their networks. Cable providers are required to offer these cards for rent, with rare exceptions.

 

Check Switch:

A procedural term used in DISH network receivers to establish a good signal connection between the receiver and the multi-sat dish switch. Running a check switch procedure will start a series of test. At the end of the test you will see a display of the what satellites you can receive. If you see any ” X ” listed, call you local service technician or use our database to locate a technician.

 

Circular Polarization:

Circular Polarization is the peculiar condition of a RF transmission, in consequence of which they exhibit different properties in different directions. A signal transmitted from a transceiver at an angle (called the angle of polarization) will only be received by a similar transceiver when the transceiver are parallel to each and no when they are perpendicular to each other. If a transmission beam, which has been transmitted from a transceiver at an angle of about 56 deg, be received upon a second transceiver similar to the former, and at the same angle of inclination, the beam will be readily received when the two planes of incidence are parallel to each other, but will not be received when the two planes of inclination are perpendicular to each other. The beam has, therefore, acquired new properties by transmission from the first transceiver, and is called polarized transmission, while the modification which the beam has experienced by this transmission is called polarization. The inclination in which the beam is transmitted from the first transceiver is called the angle of polarization. A signal beam reflected from a metallic surface acquires properties still more complex, its vibrations being no longer rectilinear, but circular, or elliptical. This phenomenon is called circular or elliptical polarization.

 

Clarke Belt:

Named after its founder Arthur C. Clarke, the Clarke Belt is an orbit used by satellites at a height of 22,250 miles, in which satellites make an orbit in 24 hours, yet remain in a fixed position relative to the earth’s surface.

 

Closed Captioning:

Text stream included in broadcast signal that provides narrative description of dialogue, action, sounds, and other elements of the picture. Most often used by the hearing impaired and in environments where audio is undesirable (such as in restaurants).

 

Coax Cable:

Coax or coaxial cable is the standard type of cable used by all satellite TV technicians. The cable is round and is available in black, gray and white although black is most common used. Coax cable carries the signal from the dish to the satellite receiver and on to your VCR and TV. The two types used in today’s construction is RG59 and RG6.

 

Component video:

Component video uses three cables to carry video signals. These three cables contain signals that represent the levels of Red, Blue and Green in the video signals. They do not directly transfer the actual levels of Red, Blue and Green (RGB) , but an accurate representation of those levels in the original video signal. These cables and their corresponding connections on the back of HDTV sets, DVDS, and HD satellite receivers are called: Y, B-Y, and R-Y.

Y: Contains the “Luminance Signal”. The luminance signal represents the levels of black and white with in the video signal.

B-Y: Contains the difference of how much blue there is in the video signal relative to the luminance signal.

R-Y: Contains the difference of how much red there is in the video signal relative to the luminance signal.

more information available here

 

Compression:

A term used to denote reducing the amount of bandwidth needed to transmit video or audio, thus increasing the capacity of a satellite transponder. Signal Compression can lead to a lower image quality, depending on the degree and method used to compress the signal. When used on Internet video, compression allows a video to be transferred faster than an uncompressed video. The loss of image quality is offset by the shorted down load time.

 

CONUS:

Contiguous United States (CONUS) is a acronym for all the states in the US except Hawaii and Alaska. A satellite is said to be a “Full CONUS” satellite when it can effectively serve the entire continual United States. Satellites located west of 130 longitude and east of 75 longitude are too low above the horizon to effectively provide services to the opposite side of the United States.

Example: DISH Network satellite 61.5 is too low on the horizon to serve the west coast and DISH Network satellite 148 is to low on the horizon to serve the east coast

 

Dealer:

A satellite television dealership, consumer electronics retail outlet, or a local distributor who sells the DIRECTV System and DIRECTV programming services to consumers.

 

Decibel:

A decibel is a unit of measurement. Decibels use a logarithm to allow very large or very small differences between to two values to be represented in small numbers. In Electronics, a decibel can be represented as dBm for measurements of micro watts. Zero dBm is the representation for 1 milli watt of signal power. For every 3 dBm increase in signal power the actual milli watt increase is about double. All splitters, amplifiers, coax cable ect.. used with satellite and television signals have specifications which state signal losses, or increases using the dB unit of measurement. A signal level measuring 6 dB is twice as strong as one measuring 3dB and half as strong as 9dB.

 

Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS):

The signal frequency range (11.70-12.40ghz) intended for direct TV broadcast by satellite TV program providers. DISH Network, DirecTV and Pegasus are all DBS satellite TV systems.

 

DSS:

Digital Satellite System, also a common name used to refer to a DirecTV satellite system or component.

 

Digital Compression:

A process of translating video images into a digital code which takes up less transmission space than the original signal would have. This allows more channels per satellite transponder: from four-to-one for live video to eight-to-one for film.

 

Directional Couplers.

 

DirecTV, Inc.

A subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corp. that is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the infrastructure and programming for the DirecTV System.

 

DirecTV System:

The trademark name for the consumer hardware created to receive DirecTV programming. The hardware includes a dish (standard size is 18″), a remote control, and the DirecTV Receiver.

 

DirecTV Receiver:

A satellite receiver used to receiver DirecTV programming. There are several manufactures of DirecTV receivers.

 

DirecPC:

See DirecWay

 

DirecWay:

DirecWay is the new name for the DirecPC satellite internet access system offered by Hughs Networking. The system utilizes geostationary satellites to provide speeds up to 400Kbps (much higher is typical but 400Kbps is the maximum advertised speed). A 3 foot dish is used along with a USB modem.

 

UPDATE: As of 3-1-06, Direcway is now HughesNet. The service and equipment are the same, only the name has changed. For more information please our HughesNet section.

 

DiSEqC:

DiSEqC™ (Digital Satellite Equipment Control) system, which is a communication bus between satellite receivers and peripheral equipment using only the existing coaxial cable. DiSEqC™ can be integrated into consumer satellite installations to replace all conventional analogue switching, providing a standardized digital system with nonproprietary commands and enabling switching in multi-satellite installations.

 

DISH Network:

The trademark name of Echostar, Inc. for its DBS Satellite TV system and programming.

 

DISH Network System:

The trademark name for the consumer hardware created to receive DISH Network programming. The hardware includes a dish (standard size is a 20″ multi-sat dish, called DISH 500), a remote control, and the DISH Network Receiver.

 

DISH Network Receiver:

All DISH Network receivers are manufactured by Echostar Corp.. Some units are made for JVC and they do differ slightly, but they are still the same.

 

DISH 500:

A multi-satellite dish used to receive DISH Network programming. Some programming for DISH Network is only available if you have a DISH 500 dish or a 2nd single satellite dish pointed to the 110 satellite for DISH Network. The DISH 500 dish is used to receive simultaneous satellite signals from the 119 and 110 satellite slots. The use of the number 500 is misleading. While the multi-sat dish can technically receive 500 channels, most of those channels are local networks from other cites. Since you can’t subscribe to those channels you do not have access to 500 channels. For more information about Multi-Satellite dish options from Dish Network and DirecTV, go here.

 

DISH PRO:

DISH PRO technology is used by DISH NETWORK. All Dish Network receivers since early 2002 are DISH PRO ready. The DISH PRO technology uses a 1 Ghz bandwidth at 950 to 1950 Mhz to transfer the satellite signal from the LNBF to the receiver. The LNBF voltage is fixed at 19 VDC. DISH PRO uses DiSEeqC controls to communicate with the LNBF for multi-satellite selection. DISH PRO compatible receivers will also work with standard LNBS. Adapters are available to convert DISH PRO signals to standard signals for incorporating non DISH PRO compatible receivers into a DISH PRO system.

 

Dolby Digital / AC-3 Compatible:

Dolby Digital provides 6 independent sound track channels through the optical output jack. When connected to your AC3 compatible home theater audio setup, this connection provides Dolby Digital Surround Sound (when Dolby Digital is part of the programming being viewed).

 

Dolby Pro Logic:

Dolby Pro Logic (known as Dolby Surround in the theaters) is based on the use of an amplitude-phase matrix. This is a method of encoding four channels of information into two tracks of stereo media and then decoding them back into four channels for playback.

 

DTH:

Direct to home. Official term used by the Federal Communications Commission industry to refer to the satellite television and broadcasting industries.

 

Dual LNB:

A dual LNB has two coax connections. You can operate up to two satellite receivers with a dual LNB. Do not confuse this with a dish that has room for two LNB’s.

 

DVB:

Digital Video Broadcast standard for digital radio and television, using MPEG2 compression. DVB is being supported by all European manufacturers and broadcasters.

 

Echostar:

The company that owns and operates DISH Network.

 

Electronic Program Guide (EPG):

A chronological listing of all available programming covering an extended time period (typically 36 hours or more). This listing displays on your TV screen.

 

Elevation:

The upward tilt to a satellite dish antenna measured in degrees required to aim the antenna at the communications satellite. When aimed at the horizon, the elevation angle is zero. If it were tilted to a point directly overhead, the satellite antenna would have an elevation of 90 degrees.

 

Features:

The separate functions of a satellite receiver that may make one satellite TV system more appropriate for your requirements over another. It is important that satellite TV shoppers understand what the different features are and how they may be needed to create a perfect installation for the shoppers needs. Many features are unknown to shoppers and often new satellite TV dish owners learn to late what they features they should have been looking for. Here are is a list of the most common over looked features when purchasing satellite TV systems.

Digital Dolby A/C-3

Oval Dish

UHF Remote

 

Feed Horn:

A device which collects the signals at the focus of the satellite dish and channels them to the LNB.

 

Footprint:

An area of the earth that the signal transmitted from a communications satellite is able to reach with a usable signal. The footprint depends on the satellites beam.

 

Frequency:

Frequency is a measurement of the number of complete waveform repetitions that pass a given point in given time-period. It is expressed in Hertz (cycles per second).

 

Gain: Gain is an increase in signal power by amplification, expressed as the ratio of output to input. Antenna gain is a measure of the ability of the antenna to focus signal waves in a particular direction. A single dipole antenna (rabbit ears are single dipole TV antenna) is said to have 0 gain.

 

Gauge: Gauge is a unit used to measure wire thickness. The smaller the number, the thicker the wire. (i.e. 10 gauge wire is much thicker than 16 gauge wire).

 

Geostationary: Satellites orbit the Earth 22,300 miles above the Equator and rotate at the same relative speed and direction as the Earth’s surface. Therefore, the satellites appear stationary. There are nearly 40 satellites currently in this type of orbit over North America, and well over 100 around the globe.

 

Hard Reset A hard reset is the same as rebooting a computer. First turn the unit off, unplug the power cord, remove the access card, reinstall the access card, wait 1 minute and plug the power cord back in. Turn it back on. That’s it! For help in located your access card go here.

 

HDTV: High Definition Television is a digital television format, which combines high-resolution video and theater like sound to create a movie theater quality TV viewing experience.

 

Installation: Setting up the customer’s dish and equipment to receive DBS programming. Installation includes mounting the satellite dish antenna, positioning it to receive a signal, and activating service.

 

Installer Technician: A trained field service technician that provides installation services of DISH network, DirecTV, DirecWay or Starband Systems.

 

Interactive TV: An interactive television service that lets you use the enclosed remote control to access up-to-the-minute news, sports, financial information, weather, get program trivia, respond to free offers and shop, all while you watch TV.

 

Internet Service Provider (ISP):

An organization providing Internet access to the public using computer servers connected

directly to the Internet.

 

IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder): A satellite receiver with a built-in decoder for unscrambling subscription channels. It is usually called the receiver.

 

Kbps: Kilobits per second. Refers to transmission speed of 1,000 bits per second.

 

Ka-Band: Band of frequencies from 19 to 30 Ghz (billion cycles per second) that are used by DirecTV, Dish Network and WildBlue along with others, for HDTV, MPEG4, Broadband Internet and general data. Ka band provides faster data transfer rates which is needed for MPEG4 and other fast data protocols for voice, video and data.

 

KaKu: Refers to a Satellite Dish used to receiver both ka and ku satellite signals. Go here for more information

 

Ku-band: Band of frequencies from 11 to 14 GHz (billion cycles per second) that are used increasingly by communications satellites. Requires large ground antennas, usually 6 to 12 feet in diameter.

 

L-Band:

L band is a fequency range between 390MHz and 1.55GHz which is used for satellite communications and for terrestrial communications between satellite equipment.

 

Longitude:

Longitude is the angular distance on the earth’s surface, measured east or west from the prime meridian at Greenwich, England, to the meridian passing through a position, expressed in degrees (or hours), minutes, and seconds. Satellites in geostationary orbit are position in orbital slots based on the longitude of the orbital position. Seattle WA is at 122 degrees west longitude. A satellite positioned at 121 longitude would be located 1 degree east of due south. A location at 110 degrees longitude would point a dish approximately 11 degrees east of their due south to receive the same satellite.

 

LNB:

The Low Noise Block (LNB) is the device located on the front arm of the Satellite Dish. The LNB receives the bounced satellite signals from the dish reflector, amplifies the weak signal and lowers the signal frequency to a frequency capable of traveling down a coax cable. Their are several types of LNB, with most only working on a specific dish type. A dual LNB can accommodate up to two satellite receivers or one Trio / Ultimate TV receiver. By using a Matrix switch you can add more then two receivers to a dual LNB. If you are using a Multi-Satellite dish you will need to use a Multi-satellite switch capable of handling the number of receivers you wish to use. Read about Dish Network LNB’s and DirecTV LNB’s.

 

LNBF:

An LNBF is an LNB with an integrated feedhorn. Most LNB’s in use today are actually LNBF’s.

 

MDU:

Multiple Dwelling Unit, includes apartments, condominiums and town houses.

 

MPEG2:

MPEG2 is a video compression method. Compression is used to combine several programs into one satellite transponder. MPEG2 is also used to compress video for internet use. MPEG2 will be used for many years more as MPEG4 is slowly introduced into the market,

 

Multi-satellite dish: Satellite program providers maintain broadcast satellites in multiple orbit locations to provide wider signal coverage and greater programming variety. In order to receive programming that extends beyond the satellite provider’s “core” programming — examples include HDTV programs, and local channels in many areas — it’s often necessary for consumers to use a multi-satellite system, such as the DirecTV Oval Dish or DISH Networks DISH 500.

 

Multi-satellite switch:

A satellite receiver only has one input connection. To accommodate the Multi-Sat dishes offered by DirecTV and DISH Network, you must use a Multi-sat switch. Each systems uses a different type of switch. You can not intermix DirecTV and DISH Network switches. DirecTV controls a multi-sat switch with a 22kHz signal and DISH Network use a digital signal to communicate with their switches. Cable length is critical when using DISH Network switches. Most newer DISH Network systems come with a Twin 500 or a Quad for larger jobs. These are LNBF’s with built in switches. Some oval dish systems for DirecTV come with a switch built in to the dish it self.

 

Must Carry:

The FCC has established a condition that if a satellite service provider is going to carry one local network in a specific market place or DMA then they must carry all local networks in that market place. Must carry became effective at the beginning of 2002.

 

National Standards and Testing Program(NSTP):

The NSTP is a program created to provide basic installation training to satellite TV install technicians. The program is best know as SBCA certification, due the fact that the Satellite Broadcasting and Communication Association created and administers the NSTP. The program started in late 2001 and is a requirement now by most major companies. The NSTP has two levels for residential work. Level 1 is for basic single receiver applications and level 2 is for multi-receiver applications. The NSTP has undergone severe criticism by the satellite industry for being to easy, to expensive to get and in general a meaningless certification. While all serious installers should be certified by the end of 2002, being certified does not mean a install technician knows more then the most basic concepts of how to install.

 

NTSC:

National Television Standards Committee A video standard established by the United States (RCA/NBC} and adopted by numerous other countries.

 

National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC):

The organization that provides telecommunications services to rural electric and rural telephone cooperatives. If you live in a NRTC district you cannot use DirecTV services unless you go through your local NRTC office. Most of the DirecTV exclusive rights were sold to Pegasus and therefore you must go to Pegasus to receiver DirecTV programming. Even thought it is called Pegasus, it is DirecTV programming resold by Pegasus.

 

OTA:

Over the Air. This is the acronym commonly used to describe standard television broadcast signals received by a rooftop antenna.

 

Off-Air:

Same as OTA

 

Orbital Slots:

Refers to the location of satellites around the globe. Their are 6 main slots used for DBS TV. Echostar uses 61.5, 110. 119, 129 and 148 for their satellite TV services. DirecTV uses 101, 110 and 119 for their satellite TV service. A DISH 500 systems can receive signals from 119 and 110 simultaneously. To receive DISH programming from 61.5, 129 or 148 you will need a second dish. DirecTV uses a Oval dish to receive signals from 101, 110 and 119. More

 

Oval Dish:

Term used by DirecTV and DirecTV receivers to indicate you are using a multi-sat dish.

 

Pay Per View (PPV):

An event that has an associated viewing cost, and which may be purchased separately from any package or subscription. This could include a movie, special event, sporting event, or an adult program. The event may be purchased using either impulse PPV (IPPV) by using your remote or over the phone PPV (OPPV). IPPV requires a 24/7 land based phone connection. OPPV usually carries a surcharge for the ordering process.

 

Parental Lockout:

Allows user to set a password to control access to programming based on channel, rating or content

 

Pixelization:

Occurs due to errors in decoding the MPEG bit stream Areas or patches of blocks of color appear instead of the higher resolution image. It appears as though parts of the image have been “censored” or “disguised” in such a way to make the underlying video unidentifiable. It might be described as the picture “breaking up”. The condition is usually more discernible in fast action or motion images. The patches of blocks appear and disappear, and can happen anywhere on the screen but usually are “part” of the image “in motion”. Pixelization most often occurs during rain fade or if the satellite system has to low of a signal strength to operate properly

 

Program Guide:

The on-screen guide grid that can be displayed to show the programming schedule, including the Master Program Guide or any subset of programs selected by using a channel list or theme categories (movies, sports, music, cartoons, religious, etc.) defined via the feature menu.

 

PVR:

Personnel Video Recorder. A PVR satellite receiver has a built in hard drive for digitally recording satellite television programs. Tivo and Ultimate TV are two systems offered for DirecTV receivers. Both systems come with 35 hour recording capability and have two internal satellite receivers. Dual tuners allow the user to record one program while watching another or record two programs at the same time. DISH network has several PVR equipped receivers. Some units do not have dual tuners. The latest DISH Network models do have dual tuners. Contact your local retailer for the latest information about PVR systems.

 

Quad LNBF:

A combination LNBF and multi-sat switch component for DISH 500 systems. Can accommodate up to 4 DISH Network receivers.

 

Rain fade:

The loss of signal from the satellite during a heavy rain. This happens more or less to all DBS systems. The loss of signal is usually for only a few minutes. Rain fade can occur even if it is not raining at our location. A large black thunderhead can block signal if it gets between you and the satellite.

 

Rating Level:

Standard rating levels applied to movies and other programs to help customers determine the amount of sex and violence contained in that event. Ratings include: NR (Not Rated), NR-M (Not Rated-Mature), G (General), PG (Parental Guidance), PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned), R (Restricted), or NC-17 (No Children under 17).

 

Rating Limit:

Set by the customer using the main menu. When a system lock is active, this limit controls the viewing of programs that have been assigned a rating level. See also Rating Level.

 

Receiver:

The IRD. Unit which takes signals from a satellite dish and converts them so that they can appear on TV.

 

Remote Extender:

After market devices that allows you to use a Infrared (IR) remote to control a satellite receiver from another room.

 

RG-59:

A common coax cable used in many homes for the last 40 years.

 

RG-6:

The type of coax cable recommended for digital satellite TV installations. RG-6 is a larger-size cable than the lower-grade RG-59 cable found in some homes. RG-59 has a small center conductor, a small insulating dielectric (white foam inside the cable) and typically a single outer shield. By comparison, RG-6 has a larger center conductor, a dual or quad shield, and a much larger insulating dielectric, ensuring greater bandwidth and lower frequency loss per foot.

 

R/F connectors:

Output/Input screw on connections for coaxial cable. R/F connectors will not provide stereo from the satellite receiver to the TV or stereo

 

S-Video Jack:

Some televisions have an input for a S-Video cable. This is better than audio/video jacks or R/F connectors. It is for the video, not the sound. All DirecTV and Dish Network receivers have s-video output.

 

Satellite:

A sophisticated electronic communications relay station orbiting 22,237 miles above the equator moving in a fixed orbit at the same speed and direction of the earth (about 7,000 mph east to west).

 

Satellite Dish:

A satellite dish is used to collect signals from a satellite in orbit and focus them to the front of the dish where a feed horn collects them and passes the signals on to the LNB to be amplified and sent to a satellite receiver. The larger the dish the more signal collected. The total amount of signal collected is a combination of the strength of the broadcasting satellite, the foot print of the satellite and the amount of signal the dish can actual collect and focus. In a digital system, the larger the dish does not translate into a better picture. A larger dish will reduce the effects of rain fade but not provide a better picture in normal operating conditions.

 

Satellite Home Viewer Act:

(SHVA) See Satellite Home Viewer Act.

 

SBCA:

Satellite Broadcasting Communication Association. The SBCA is a organization of satellite TV manufactures, program providers, distributors and dealers. The SBCA is the leading voice for the satellite industry in congress and all across the country. In 2001 the SBCA began the National Standards and Testing Program.

 

SBCA Certification:

See National Standards and Testing Program

 

Smart Card:

See Access Card.

 

Solar Outage:

Solar outages occur when an satellite dish is looking at a satellite, and the sun passes behind the satellite and within the field of view of the dish antenna. Solar outages can be exactly predicted as to the timing for each site. The outage occurs during the spring and fall as the sun moves up down the sky during the equinox. The outages only last a few minutes for a few days a year.

 

Splitter:

A passive device (one with no active electronic components) which distributes a television signal carried on a cable in two or more paths and sends it to a number of receivers simultaneously.

 

Sports Subscription:

A seasonal package of professional or collegiate games. The current popular packages are NBA-League Pass, NFL-Sunday Ticket, NHL-Center Ice and MLB-Extra Innings.

 

Spot Beam:

A spot beam is a satellite transmission that is focused on a specific area within the footprint of the satellite. To increase the capacity of channels they can provide. Both DISH Network and DirecTV started using spot beams in 2002. By using spot beams both providers can use the same frequencies in several markets simultaneously. The use of spot beams has allowed satellite TV providers to meet must carry requirements set fore by the FCC. Spot beams would be the reason you could receive your local networks at home but not when you travel more then a few hundred miles from home.

 

System Test:

This function provides a standard test sequence to help evaluate any problems with a Satellite TV system.

 

SW-21, SW-44, SW-64:

Multi-sat switches used by DISH Network systems. The first numbers references the number of satellite input connections and the second number indicates how many receivers that switch can accommodate. Switches can be confusing to setup and configure properly. You local service technician can help you determine what you have and or need, If you do not have a local technician please use your national database to locate one in your area.

 

Transponder:

A satellite component that receives, modulates, amplifies, and retransmits a signal. Through MPEG compression more then one television or audio channel are transmitted over a signal transponder. When you look at the signal strength screen from a satellite receiver, you are given the ability to check the signal strength on different transponders. Each transponder is responsible for a several or even a dozen or more satellite channels. Since each transponder is a separate electronic component on the satellite, you will see a difference in signal strength from one transponder to another. Some transponders will show no signal strength. This is a result of spot beams and is normal operation.

 

Twin 500 LNB:

A combination LNBF and multi-sat switch component for DISH 500 systems. Can accommodate up to 2 DISH Network receivers. If you need to connect more then 2 receivers, you will can switch to a QUAD LNBF

 

UHF Remote:

Ultra High Frequency remote control that can operate the receiver from another room. The IR (Infra Red) remote needs to be pointed at the receiver. Some manufactures including DISH, RCA, Hughs and Sony offer UHF remotes. UHF remotes to not require line of site to operate. They can control a satellite system from another room or in the same room if you wish to locate the satellite receiver out of site.

Some receivers have this function built in and others utilize a external box to receive the UHF signals and then pass the signals through a small cable that plugs into the back of the receiver. For satellite receivers that do not use a UHF remote you may be able to get a upgrade kit from your manufacture which will give you UHF capabilities. If a manufacture UHF remote kit is not available, Universal Remote Extenders can be used.

Widescreen:

Term given to picture displays with a wider aspect ratio than NTSC 4:3. Digital HDTV is 16:9 widescreen. Most motion pictures also have a widescreen aspect ratio, some even wider than 16:9.