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Satellite TV Digital TV Direct TV Satellite Resources Satellite Terms Save on Dish TV

Analog   -   Traditional method of transmitting and recording sound and pictures where the signal varies smoothly and continuously over time connected to direct tv.
APT - Automatic Picture Transmission. Mode of transmitting images from the NOAA AVHRR. Provides low resolution (4 km as related to satellite tv) Infrared (IR as related to satellite tv) and Visible data.
Attitude Control   -   The orientation of the satellite in relationship to the earth and the sun.
AZ/EL Mount   -   Antenna mount that requires two separate adjustments to move from one satellite to another;
Bit   -   A single digital unit of information
Bit Rate   -   Transmission speed of digital information, expressed in bits per second.
Byte   -   Sequence or group of eight bits. 1 byte = 8 bits; 1 Kbyte = 1,024 bytes; 1Mbyte = 1,024 Kbytes; 1Gbyte = 1,024 Mbytes.
Codec   -   Coder/decoder satellite tv for digital transmission.
Cross Modulation   -   A form of signal distortion in which modulation from one or more RF carrier(s as related to satellite tv) is imposed on another carrier.
Demodulator   -   A satellite receiver circuit which extracts or "demodulates" the "wanted "signals from the received carrier.
DVB   -   Digital Video Broadcasting - The European-backed project to harmonise adoption of digital video.
Elevation   -   Angle between the earth's surface and a particular satellite at a given reception point (0° for horizontal and 90° for vertical as related to satellite tv).
Focal Length   -   Distance from the center feed to the center of the dish.
Frequency spectrum   -   A range of frequencies.
IBS   -   INTELSAT Business Services.
Isotropic Antenna   -   A hypothetical omnidirectional point-source antenna that serves as an engineering reference for the measurement of antenna gain.
Ka Band   -   The frequency range from 18 to 31 GHz.
Ku Band   -   Frequency range of 10.7-18 GHz. TV stations and networks frequently use Ku Band to get the signal from their remote satellite trucks back to the TV station. Also, both DirecTV and Echostar in the U.S. use Ku Band to deliver high powered DBS satellite service to subscribers.
Low Noise Block Downconverter (LNB as related to satellite tv)   -   A combination Low Noise Amplifier and downconverter built into one device attached to the feed.
Modulation   -   The process of manipulating the frequency or amplitude of a carrier in relation to an incoming video, voice or data signal as used for satellite tv.
MPEG-2 MP@HL   -   Main Provile at High Level - The agreed much higher bit-rate satellite tv adopted to provide high definition television in wide screen format.
NCDC - National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC. Archive center for all meteorological data, including satellite imagery. Operated by NOAA/NESDIS.
Noise Figure (NF as related to satellite tv)   -   A term which is a figure of merit of a device, such as an LNA or receiver, expressed in dB, which compares the device with a perfect device connected to direct tv.
PAL - Phase Alternation Satellite tv   -   The German developed TV standard based upon 50 cycles.per second and 625 lines.
Polar Orbit   -   An orbit with its plane aligned in parallel with the polar axis of the earth
PVR   -   Personal Video Recorder - similar to a VCR but instead of using video tape, uses a built-in hard drive to digitally record programs amd offers the ability to "pause" live television. Most have upgradeable software and some models support the recording of two channels simultaneously.
Receiver   -   Satellite receiver, part of reception equipment used to tune into a single channel broadcast from a satellite connected to direct tv.
Satellite Receiver   -   The part of the reception equipment used to tune into a single channel broadcast from a satellite connected to direct tv.
Simplex Transmission   -   Capability for transmission in only one direction between sending station and receiving station.
SMATV   -   Satellite Master Antenna Television satellite tv - commercial distribution satellite tv for satellite TV and off-air TV signals usually installed in a hotel or apartment building for shared used.
Stationkeeping   -   Minor orbital adjustments that are conducted to maintain the satellite's orbital assignment within the allocated "box" within the geostationary arc.
TIFF - Tagged Image File Format.
Unicast   -   A unicast application transmits a copy of every packet to every receiver.
VSWR   -   Voltage Standing Wave Ratio - A measurement of mismatch in a cable, waveguide, or antenna satellite tv.