History of Satellite TV

By Gary Alan Davis

Arthur C. Clarke's Vision

Sir Arthur C. Clarke is generally credited with coming up with the concept of
using satellites in geosynchronous orbits to relay communications signals around
the world. In his honor, these are sometimes referred to as Clarke orbits. A
geosynchronous orbit simply means that the satellite is placed at an altitude of
22,300 miles above the earth's equator and travels at the same speed as the earth's rotational
speed. This keeps the satellite in the same spot above the earth at all times.
Clarke wrote an article titled "Extraterrestrial Relays", which was published
in Wireless World Magazine back in 1945. In his article Clarke, envisioned
three 'space platforms' placed at 22,300 miles above the earth and that worldwide
communications could thus be achieved.


Father of Satellite TV

But it is H. Taylor Howard a Stanford University Professor and former NASA scientist
Emeritus, who is generally acknowledged as the 'Father
of Satellite TV'. Howard designed and built the first satellite antenna and receiver
in his San Andreas, California garage in 1976. Howard died in a plane crash in 2002
at the age of 70. Now 32 years after Howards invention, it is doubtful that he
could have envisioned the quantum leap that satellite TV technology has made.



First Satellite - Sputnik

The very first satellite ever placed into earth orbit was Sputnik, which was launched
by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. The launch of Sputnik began what is commonly
referred to as the "space race". The United States answered with the successful
launch of Explorer I on January 1, 1958. Later that same year, NASA was created on Oct. 1, 1958, to perform civilian research related to space flight and aeronautics.

First Communications Satellite - Syncom II

The first communication satellite named Syncom II was developed by a group of businesses and government entities in 1963. Syncom II orbited at 22,300 miles over the Atlantic; the first
actual satellite communication was on July 26, 1963, between a U.S. Navy ship in Lagos,
Nigeria and the U.S. Army naval station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. However it wasn't
until 1978 that the television industry began using satellite communication for the
television industry. In 1975 a BBC engineer by the name of Stephen Birkill
built an experimental system for receiving Satellite Instructional Television.
Over the next three years Birkill continued to work on his system and in 1978 he
met Bob Cooper, a cable TV technical journalist and amateur radio enthusiast in the U.S
and Cooper invited Birkill to a cable TV operator's conference and trade show CC)S-78.
It was at the trade show that several satellite TV enthusiasts decided to help Birkill
with his experiments. Also, on March 1, 1978 the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
introduced the Public Television Satellite Serivce and as satellite technology
improved it was used more and more by broadcasters.

Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS)

In 1980, the FCC established the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), a new service
that consisted of a broadcast satellite in geostationary orbit, facilities for
transmitting signals to the satellite, and receiving equipment (black box) needed for people to access the signals. In turn, broadcasters developed methods of scrambling their signals,
forcing consumers to purchase a decoder, or a direct to home (DTH) satellite receiver,
from a satellite program provider. Before this signals could be receive by anyone
with a dish at no charge. Both DISH Network and DIRECTV are Direct Broadcast Satellite
providers. Soon after from 1981 to the early 1990's the 'big dish' market soared.
You could see these big ugly dishes a mile away. But they were cumbersome and very
hard to install.

As this stage of satellite TV development; it was much easier to
just have cable TV. Also the average cost of pruchasing a satellite dish and system
back in 1980 was a staggering $10,000. By 1985 that cost had dropped to around
$3,000., but still a hefty price to pay. In 1984 the U.S. Congress passed the 1984
Cable Act. This Act allowed for cable providers to scramble their transmission signals
thus bringing an end to the days of free satellite TV. In short, the 1984 Cable Act made
it illegal to steal satellite signals without paying for the programming.

Satellite TV - Enter DIRECTV and DISH Network

In the early 1990's four large cable companies joined together to launch a Direct
Broadcast Satellite company named Primestar. In June of 1994 the Hughes DIRECTV
Satellite System was launched. DIRECTV later purchased Primestar.
DIRECTV pioneered the development of the mini-dish, a small 18" diameter dish.
Today, DIRECTV boasts over 16 million households that have DIRECTV service. In 1996 the DISH Network Company a division of EchoStar Communications Corporation was formed and DISH now boasts over 13 million U.S. households with DISH Network Satellite Service. Both companies now
offer hundreds of programming channels to watch and each offers over 70 national channels
in High-Definition (HD). Both DIRECTV and DISH Network also offer dozens of satellite
radio channels and both have now gotten into providing High Speed Internet service.
Where satellite dishes alone once costs $10,.000., today both the satellite giants
offer complete satellite systems, including the satellite dish for free.

Today satellite TV is broadcast all over the world; making Arthur C. Clarke's dream a reality.

G Alan Davis is owner of [http://www.digitaldish.com/]Digital Dish, has over five years experience in the satellite TV business, selling both DIRECTV and [http://www.digitaldish.com/]DISH Network and has written numerous articles on the subject.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com

Satellite TV Deals FAQ

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Satellite TV 'What'?

So, what is a satellite TV?

It's a complicated question. In short, a satellite TV system is a wireless system delivering television programming directly to an end user. The whole system you can see in your home, a satellite dish, and a remote.

The small satellite dish, about 18 to 24 inches in circumference, is installed outside your house; with the satellite decoder linked to your TV. Television and satellite TV stations transmit programming via a digital signal (satellite TV signals).

Satellite TV 'Who'?

Two main providers of satellite TV in United States are Direct TV satellite TV and Dish Network satellite TV. Both satellite TV companies are promoting hard with their free satellite TV deals all over the country.

Nowadays, satellite TV business is turning into a huge success, where satellite TV became the fastest selling consumer electronics product ever to enter the market.

Why is satellite TV so success?
The short answer: pay LESS, get MORE!

Benefit 1: Amazing Savings.
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Benefit 3: Quality customer service.
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Topnotch picture quality, superior value and plenty of programming, if you want all these, digital satellite TV system are definitely your choice.

So, how satellite TV works?

To make things simple, this is what happens in your satellite TV system. Satellite TV broadcast stations, for example Dish Network or DirecTV satellite TV, use a powerful satellite antenna to transmit digital waves to the surrounding area.

Satellite TV viewers can receive the signal with a smaller satellite antenna. The digital signals used to broadcast television emit signals from the broadcast satellite antenna in a straight line.

To receive these signals, the satellite dish has to be in the direct line of sight of the antenna. Blockages such like trees or buildings in between would not cause any problems on the digital waves.

Is satellite TV suitable for you?

For United States, I can say that satellite TV is the right choice for 95% of the citizens. The figure would goes higher with current satellite TV market condition, with Dish Network and DirecTV offering free satellite TV deals all year long.

Compare satellite TV deals to cable TV! Either free satellite TV from DirecTV or Dish Network offers you more satellite TV program choicesup to nearly 300 channels! With current free satellite TV deals, you can even have your "own" satellite TV station with the satellite TV pay-per-view deals. This is different from normal cable TV, where you are forced to purchase whatever system your region offers and pay whatever price it offers. Direct TV and Dish Network offer you this advantage.

Cable TV users, ATTENTION! i am not going to say this twice!

If you are looking for your next home entertainment system, take time to discover DirecTV and Dish Network promotion in our site, you will love them. For cable TV subscriber, I am sure you will be make a switch very soon when you check out these free satellite TV deals!

Check it yourself, browse those Free satellite TV offers from Direct TV and Dish Network satellite TV systems, check those satellite TV benefits in details and you will know what am I talking about. Pay less, and have more with free satellite TV system from Direct TV or Dish Network!


Teddy L.Cc., an experienced freelance internet webmaster/writer, frequent writter on issue regarding [http://www.satellitetvissue.com]satellite TV deals, electronics goods as well as web hosting.Also, you can find more consumer info at this site: [http://www.dishnetworkissue.com]Free Dish Network offer.

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Portable Satellite Radio - The World at Your Fingertips

Portable Satellite Radio - The World at Your Fingertips
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_King]Ron King

A fantastic new way to get all your news, talk shows and numerous types of music is the satellite radio. On the market today, there is now an even better way to do all this, and that is the portable satellite radio. You can enjoy this technology no matter where you are. Not just in your automobile, but also in your home, boat, even while doing your workout. Your entertainment will travel with you and is right there in your pocket or purse. We are living in a unequaled time where new technology is bursting at the seams and entertainment can be as near as your pocket.

Of all the manufacturers on the market, highly known is Sirius Satellite Radio, which now offers a portable satellite radio with radio tuner that you can put together with your MP3 for continuous entertainment for you and your family. Other available portable satellite radios include Altec and Toshiba.

You can at times have a challenge receiving, but in many cases it is not the radio, but dense cloud covering. The brainpower of man has produced assorted new extraordinary inventions for us to use, but one thing he cannot challenge is the weather. Although this is an incidental occurrence, it is not the norm when using portable satellite radios. If you follow the directions that come with your purchase, you shouldn't have any problems.

With each passing day, engineers at all these companies press on to look for new ways to develop their own technology. They are diligent in their attempt to improve their products. The audio system in the portable satellite radio receiver is one of the various things they are striving to advance and in truth have already done so. Their plan is to give the clearest sound and foremost quality to the product.

The number of companies that have enrolled in the satellite radio system continues to increase. These are the days of almost daily and constant change in our way of life. Many years ago, you wouldn't have been able to hear a radio station in another country, and today your favorite stations are always at the tip of your finger.

Get your [http://sat-radio-now.com]Portable Satellite Radio today. Also see [http://sat-radio-now.com/Articles.html]Portable Satellite Radios for FREE articles. Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

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How I Learned to Love Satellite Radio

How I Learned to Love Satellite Radio
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gail_Pruszkowski]Gail Pruszkowski

My new car came with a three month trial subscription for XM. I never thought about satellite radio before and I was sure I'd never use it. Why should I pay for something I can get for free? So what if I have to listen to a few commercials in between the good stuff. Besides the car also came with a six CD changer and a jack for my iPod, so who needs radio? But this wasn't costing me anything and I had a three hour drive to the beach ahead of me so why not give it a try.
Being a fan of reggae I went to channel 86 first. Gregory Issacs was singing "Night Nurse." Wow. I was impressed. When my favorite reggae station went off the air I really missed it. That show got me through umpteen Saturday mornings of overtime at the day job.

I started surfing through the other music channels - rock, the decades, country, show tunes, jazz, alternative, blues, world music, classical and on and on. This was all good but I like a little talk radio once in a while. News, Sports, Right America, Left America, Middle America, Oprah, Book Radio... What? Book Radio? That's for me! I listened to a story about pirates for a few minutes. This was sounding better and better.

I moved on to Radio Classics. A familiar drawl caught my ear. Westerns are not my thing but this guy was playing a darn convincing cowboy. I listened to the whole thing. Turns out it was Jimmy Stewart playing Britt Ponset in "The Six Shooter." The episode, "Cora Plummer Quincy," originally aired in 1953. It seems that Cora Plummer remarried soon after her husband died and her son was convinced the man was after the family ranch and money. He tries to get rid of him, but Britt steps in and saves the day.

It sure brought back memories. I was reminded of the days I'd come home from school and listen to stuff like this on the radio. My drive went by in a flash. Am I a convert? You bet. Could I get all this on CD or iPod? Maybe. Would I have bought "Six Shooter." No. So there it is - my number one reason to subscribe to satellite radio - the magic of discovery. The fun of coming across something entertaining that I wouldn't have found otherwise.

I tried channel 86 again. Yep. It was no fluke. This time Yellowman was singing "Disco Reggae." If only I had a convertible I could tan in my car and listen to classic reggae all day.

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for "Romantic Times BOOKreviews" magazine and her work has been published in the "Cup of Comfort" Anthologies. http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp/ http://write-juncture.blogspot.com/

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Why You Should Get XM Satellite Radio Now

Why You Should Get XM Satellite Radio Now
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Johnson]Jim Johnson

If you like listening to the radio, you should know that there are huge changes happening in the radio broadcasting industry and they all center around satellite radio. This new breakthrough will change forever the way that we listen to radio programming. If you haven't already heard a sample, or experienced satellite radio for yourself, make sure that you do soon.

Currently there are two major providers of satellite radio in North America and that is XM and Sirius. In this article let's see what you can expect to get when you become an XM radio customer.

First and foremost is the incredible unique programming that XM offers as part of it's service. With over 100 channels to choose from there is always something good to listen to. But check out some of these one-of-a-kind special broadcasts that is available, many of them only on XM :

* Music shows hosted by Bob Dylan, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Tom Petty, and Wynton Marsalis.

* Public Radio's Bob Edwards

* Major League Baseball games

* NASCAR

* World Cup

* Good Morning America Radio

* The Ellen Degeneres Show

* Oprah & Friends

and much more. New and fresh programming is being added constantly too.

Now consider that with all that great programming to choose from, most of it is provided absolutely free of all commercials and ads. Who actually likes listening to those anyway? And who likes having their favorite music or talk show interrupted by a person pitching something instead? Since the subscriber base pays for the programming with their $9.95 monthly subscription, there is no need to load up the channels with ads and commercials.

XM also records and transmits all of their radio signals in digital format, so as the listener you get clean clear sound that rivals that of CDs. This allows you to play XM satellite radio over your home or car stereo equipment without any hiss, fade, or loss of sound quality.

And because the radio signal is broadcast from satellites you never have to lose it like you do with standard radio stations. One of the most irritating things about standard radio for travelers is that the sound begins to break up and fade after just 30 miles or so and so you have to keep fishing for new radio stations that have the kind of programming that you like to listen to. But with XM radio that is a thing of the past.

So all-in-all XM satellite radio is inexpensive, high quality radio programming is always on no matter where you go. What could be better?

Jim Johnson is a successful author and publisher on consumer related matters. You can find out more about [http://www.satellite-radio.consumerreviewsonline.com/xm-satellite-radio.html]xm satelite radio and [http://www.satellite-radio.consumerreviewsonline.com/index.html]xm radios by visiting our Satellite Radio Review website.

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PSP - A Must Have For Grown Ups!

Getting a gift certificate to an electronics store for my birthday was quite unexpected. Being an older person, I thought a certificate to a spa or something. I am pleasantly surprised to say - BEST gift I have ever received!
Download Psp Movie, Game, Downloads.!

Being what they call a "noob' to handheld gaming - I did some research and found that the PSP I just bought can do movies, music, games, email, and even surf the web. Well, those are what the PSP can do - what I can do is something entirely different!

There are several great books out there for the newbies that show you step by step how to Download Psp Games, Psp Movies, Psp Tv Shows, Psp Software, Walpapers! actually negotiate this small device and how to get the most out of it. I 'studied up' on it before my vacation and this little thing saved my sanity on a seven hour layover and a diversion to another airport.

Playing games is fun, but the movies and music make it the device for me. There is some rumor of it actually being able to be used as a phone sometime in the near future - that would be nice, but not necessarily the prime reason for me.

I've now ended up with two more memory cards to store all my movies, game saves, & music. Luckily for me, the books suggest seriously to back up all your data onto your home computer - just in case.

I'm looking forward to the new games coming out, I've got 4 movies waiting and I can do all this in the grocery store line, or when I'm stuck in an office waiting room.

I would not have believed that I would become a 'gamer' but here I am!

Alison Jones

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