Comprehending how satellite TV works can feel overwhelming if you’re not technologically inclined. Simply, unlike other viewing options — where messages are transmitted from land-bound towers to antennas on our TV sets or via cables to our homes — satellite television is powered by satellites in space, which send messaging to dishes affixed to our homes.
How Satellite TV Works
More specifically, individual TV channels send feeds to a centralized hub called the Digital Sky Highway (DISH). DISH then transmits these feeds to a central satellite in space. When you select a channel from the comfort of home, these satellites take the desired data feed and send it to the dish on your house.
Your dish receives the signal and broadcasts it to a receiver box. The receiver then decrypts the feed, giving you a visual and audio transmission of your favorite shows. Amazingly, this whole process happens at the speed of light.
The Benefits of Satellite TV
While not brand-new technology, satellite TV has retained a seat at the table for television providers for quite some time. And with so many benefits, it’s easy to see why.
- For one, it’s user-friendly — all the series you want to watch are concentrated in one central hub. There’s no need to tab in and out of different host sites to find content.
- There’s a broader selection of channels from local television stations to those much farther afield.
- You can easily pick up a signal in rural locations (RVs and remote cottages can also be equipped with satellite television).
- The picture quality is superior, and satellite TV is often more cost-effective than streaming multiple channels or cable providers.
How Satellite Television Is Installed
Some satellite TV providers provide a free installation service, while others require you to tackle the install yourself.
Satellite TV kits often have a dish, mount, cables, and receiver. Satellite dishes can be installed on the house’s exterior or near the home on the ground. Ideally, the dish will be located close to the television’s location, so cables can be run from the dish to the receiver with minimal disruption.
Do you know what are the different types of wall mounts for TVs?
Choosing a Location
Either the rooftop or the highest point on the side of a house will offer a good install point as there’s less likely to be anything major obstructing the dish’s line of view to the sky — like neighboring buildings or tall trees.
You may, on occasion, need to correct the dish — it gets nudged out of place by snow or blown out of alignment by winds, for example. In these situations, you need to be able to have easy access to the dish to set it back in place. Another primary consideration is to keep your dish clear of other utility lines.
Installing the Dish
Once you’ve found your desired location, installation is quite simple. Using a masonry bit, drill the mount into the wall, making sure it’s secure using metal plugs. Attach an L-shaped bar, otherwise known as a mount mast — making sure it’s plumb — then slide the dish onto the mount.
For homeowners in the northern hemisphere, dishes should be facing south; homeowners in the southern hemisphere need to face dishes north.
Connecting the Receiver
To enable messaging from the television to the dish, you need a middleman called a receiver. Drill close to the television from the outside of the home inwards. Feed the cable through the hole, connecting the receiver to the dish. Now, connect the receiver to the TV using the cable provided.
Satellite TV Maintenance
Now that your satellite television is functioning, there are a few measures to take that will extend the longevity of your set-up. Satellites require little maintenance, and one dish can provide many years of entertainment, but as mentioned, you maybe required to realign your dish if it gets bumped.
You may also want to clear your dish of debris to help you retain optimal signal and for aesthetic purposes. Further, if snow or rain accumulates, gently brush away the dampness to extend the dish’s lifespan.
The Takeaway on Satellite Technology
While installing and maintaining satellite television might seem insurmountable, many service technicians can make the process a breeze. Better still, seek out a satellite television provider who offers free installation with their packages.
