When it comes to television technology, we have seen huge changes in recent years, specific to satellite. While we see the number of homes and businesses now turning to satellite television, understanding all the various aspects of this type of service can be confusing. To help clear up the confusion, we have put together a glossary, broken down into two parts. Therefore, when you get ready to consider adding satellite television to your life, you can use these glossaries as reference points.
Access Card – Allows the satellite provider to know the person connecting to the service
Additional Outlet (AO) – Allows additional receivers to be connected to the primary receiver
Alternate Audio – Various types of channels available for specific television or movie showing to include foreign language audio dubbing
Attractions – Previews of future special programming
Audio/Video Jacks – A/V outlet jacks located near the back of the satellite receiver to ensure outstanding audio and video
Azimuth – Side to side adjustment on the satellite dish
Bandwidth – Complete range of frequencies
Bit – Acronym for “Binary Digit”, which is the smallest unit of data possible in a digital signal
Bullet Amplifier – Device that boosts signal power on the user’s equipment to accommodate loss from splitting devices
Blackout Area – Predefined area of the country were a specific programming service is not offered
Byte – Group of data bits processed together
Check Switch – Procedural term used in DISH Network receivers for establishing a solid signal connection between the dish switch and receiver
Clarke Belt – Named after the founder, Arthur C. Clarke, this belt is an orbit used by satellites, making an orbit in 24 hours while staying in a fixed position
Closed Captioning – Text stream as a part of broadcast signal, providing narrative description of dialogue, sound, action, and various other elements associated with video
Coaxial Cable – Cable that transmits high frequency signal with little no loss
Dealer – Satellite television dealership
Digital Compression – Process of translating video images into a digital code
Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) – Signal frequency range of 11.70 to 12.40 GHz for satellite television, program providers
DirecPC – Same as DirecWay
DirecTV – Subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the programming and infrastructure
DirecTV Receiver – Satellite receiver used for DirecTV programming
DirecTV System – Trademark name for the consumer hardware designed for programming of DirecTV
DirecWay – The new name for a satellite carrier by the name of DirecPC
DiSEeqC – This acronym stands for Digital Satellite Equipment Control, which is a type of communication bus between peripheral equipment and satellite receivers using only a coaxial cable
Dish – Receiving piece of equipment at the home or business, capturing the satellite signal from outer space, which then relays information to the television set
DISH 500 – Multi-satellite dish used for receiving DISH Network programming, capable of receiving simultaneous satellite signals
DISH Network – Trademark name for EchoStar
DISH Pro – Technology used by DISH Network for communicating with LNBF for multiple satellite selection
Dolby Digital – Provides six independent sound track channels through an optical output jack
Dolby Pro Logic – Also called Dolby Surround Sound in theaters, this is used for an amplitude phase matrix
Drip Loop – Portion of loose cable, allowing slight movement of the equipment so nothing becomes unplugged or unhooked
DSS – Digital Satellite System, commonly linked to a DirecTV component or satellite system
DTH – Acronym for “Direct to Home”, which is an industry term used by the FCC for satellite television and broadcasting
Dual LNB – Features two coax connections so you can operate one or two satellite receivers
DVB – Acronym for “Digital Video Broadcast”, which is the standard for digital radio and television using MPEG2 compression
EchoStar – Head company that owns and operates DISH Network
Electronic Program Guide (EPG) – Chronological listing of all available programming over a timeframe, which is usually a minimum of 36 hours with the listing displayed on the television set
Elevation – Upward tilt to a satellite dish antenna, which is measured in degrees
F-Connector – Connector that screws on the outside and is crimped onto the coaxial cable
Features – Functions of the satellite receiver, making the system more appropriate for your viewing pleasure
Feed Horn – Device that collects the signals at the focus of the satellite dish and channels them to the LNB
Filtering – Limits type or amount of viewing
Footprint – Area of earth were the communication satellite signal is able to reach
Gauge – Unit used to measure wire thickness
Geostationary – Satellites that orbit the earth 2,300 miles about the equator, rotating at the same direction and relative speed of the earth’s surface
Grounding Block – Device that connects two coaxial cables to the earth ground so electrical surges are eliminated
Hard Reset – Same as rebooting a computer
HDTV – Acronym for “High Definition Television”, which is a digital television format
Installation – The process of setting up the customer’s dish and equipment to receive DBS programming to include dish mounting, antenna setup, proper positioning, and service activation
Installer Technician – Trained professional that provides installation and technical support system
Interactive Television – Service that allows you to use the enclosed remote control for access to current news, finances, weather, sports, trivia, shopping, and more
Integrated Receiver Decoder – Acronym IS IRD, which is a satellite receiver with a built-in decoder for unscrambling subscription channels
Ka-Band – Band of frequencies from 19 to 30 GHz used by DirecTV, WildBlue, and DISH Network
KaKu – Satellite dish used to receive both ka and ku satellite signals
KBPS – Stands for “Kilobits per Second”, which is the transmission speed of 1,000 bits per second
Key – Password allowing a person to limited or restricted access
Ku-Band – Band of frequencies from 11 to 14 GHz
Before You Go On.....
Sign up to the
SatelliteTVonPCReviews.com Newsletter!
"Keep up to date with the Latest Developments in Satellite Television Technology, get free insider reports, Plus Take Advantage of Exclusive Discounts on Our Product Range"
This is a private
SatelliteTVonPCReviews.com mailing list. Your details will never be sold or given to any third party.
