satellite

Direct Broadcast satellite (DBS) delivers hundreds of TV channels to millions of people around the world. Satellite owners buy slots in space and lease assigned transponder frequencies to service providers. In this paper, I briefly introduce the history and development of DBS, the major vendors of the products, and overall market situation. In order to illustrate why DBS is such a popular technology, I also give out the comparison between DBS and the traditional cable TV. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages. But the competitive advantages of DBS will make it attract more subscribers thus gain larger market share in the future.

Most network and cable programs are transmitted on a series of C-band satellites and some Ku-band satellites. These two types of satellites use different frequencies much as VHF and UHF broadcast TV use different frequencies.

Communications satellites were originally designed for commercial purposes for sending telephone, radio, TV, and other signals across the country and around the world for retransmission to businesses and homes by local telephone companies, TV stations, or cable companies. Enterprisin

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Competitiveness for Choosing DBS

Reasons

1. Moreover, over the next few months, satellites will take the lead in offering interactive digital TV services, as well as two-way high-speed Internet connections, coast to coast. In 1994, the GM Hughes DirecTV system was launched using a newly designed high power Ku-band satellite and an 18" dish. Quality of Picture and Sound

All DBS systems have excellent picture and sound via digital transmissions versus the "snow" or "shadows" frequently experienced with cable or antenna reception. Those pioneers, carrying the scars of their battle, are now leading this industry into the "digital information age" of the 21st century. As of May 1998, SkyPerfecTV had more than 700,000 subscribers in Japan, and DirecTV Japan had topped 100,000. Cable TV

Satellite TV Cable TV

Channel capacity More (225)Up to 55 pay-per-view Less (50 or so)

Video quality Better Worse

Audio quality Better Worse

Service payment A bit less A bit more

Multi TV watch Need additional receivers$90/each No further requirement

Typical monthly cost $32Add $6 for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox $30

Pros n Powerful signaln Crystal clear picture qualityn CD quality soundn No need to upgraden More channelsn Full sport packagesn Small 18-inch dish, no moving partsn Over 55 pay-per-view Channels n Most wide spreadn Extra outlets free except for installation cost $20n Low hook up fee, $20 ~ $30n Include the local channelsn Limited channels - 35 ~ 40n Reception is not as clear as satellite TV

Cons n Need an antenna or cable TV to receive their local stationn Extra TV set required an extra satellite receivern Affected by rain fade, loose image when hard rain or snown Need to pay additional for local channels n $20 per month just for cable, not including programmingn The rates never go down. "Launch Odyssey: The First Geostationary Satellite Launch from an Offshore Platform Is Scheduled to Take Place in 1998.

Approximate Word count = 3888
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)

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