Analog TV Digital Transmission

Remember the old days satellite analog TV, radio, etc. Most of us do unless youre really young. And still today there are plenty of analog systems in use. Normal radio still uses analog transmission. But the digital age has begun and more and more we will use digital systems rather than analog systems.

Digital transmission systems have many advantages over analog transmission systems, like higher quality of audio and video. How come digital systems can transmit higher quality signals than analog systems? The truth is that they dont. They just use some tricks to eliminate noise.

Analog Transmission Systems

When something like video and audio, is recorded by an analog system, the recording has a certain quality. This recording (when done professionally) has a very high quality. When the recording is transmitted it is modulated directly to a carrier wave, which is then transmitted through the air, cable, via satellite, etc. During this transmission, the carrier and the modulated signal will loose amplitude (power) and due to interference noise is introduced to the carrier and its modulated signal. The result will always be a received signal that has a lower quality than the transmitted signal. Hence, the modulated signal, the recording, will also be of lower quality than the original.

Analog transmission systems are unable to maintain the quality the original has.

Digital Transmission Systems

In the digital world the recording can be transmitted to another place without loosing any quality. An exact copy of the original recording is transmitted. So how come that digital transmission systems dont loose quality when transmitting a signal?

Well..... Actually they do lose quality just like the analog transmission system does.

Surprised? No Problem. Most people dont know that digital signals still need to be transmitted by analog transmission systems. The trick is that a digital system doesnt record analog signals, but encodes analog signals into bits (zeros and ones). A sample is taken many times per second and the size of each sample is written down in bits. For instance a sample with the value of 9 would be 1001 and 11 would be 1011.

The digital transmission system needs to transmit those zeros and ones, and it does this by modulating the carrier wave. Low power for a 0 and high power for a 1 (This is the most simple way of modulating. There are much more sophisticated satellite of modulation, but it would take a whole book to describe them all.)

So on the receiving end, it doesnt matter anymore what the quality of the signal is, as long as it still is possible to identify the zeros and ones. Noise in the received signal is no problem. A 1 with noise is still a 1 and a 0 with noise is still a 0. Of course the noise can not be too high, otherwise mistakes would be made and a zero would be received as one or a one would be received as a zero.

So Digital Transmission Systems are better because they eliminate the effect of noise completely. You dont look and listen to a received signal from an original recording, but you look and listen to a reproduced signal of the recording. The reproduction comes from an exact copy of the original recording.

The quality of what you see and hear now depends on your TV and Sound System. A high quality TV and Sounds System will give you high quality Video and Audio. The negative effects of the (still analog) transmission have been eliminated from the process.

Satellite TV makes use of Digital Transmission Systems. What you see at home will always be of Digital no (much less) noise Quality.

About the Author: Gary Davis has many years experience in the Satellite TV Industry and has written numerous articles on the topic. You can learn more about satellite television at Dish Network Satellite TV (http://www.dish-network-satellite-tv.ws).

The Fine Living Network on Satellite TV

Life doesn't have to be hectic. There's always time to slow down and take things down a notch. Life is to be enjoyed, after all. For those of you who are satellite need of a few reminders of how to get the best out of life, tuning up your HD TV to the Fine Living Network wouldn't be such a bad idea. This network, available via your satellite TV subscription, features a whole bevy of shows about living the good life. Their programs can be classified into four categories: Home Living, Buyers Guides, Life's Adventures and Day Dreaming. Here is a rundown of shows in each category that are not to be missed.

Breathing Room: Travel across the country with host, actress, and designer Amanda Pays, wife of actor Corbin Bernsen, as she takes an inside look at custom sanctuaries in American homes. Learn how others have personalized their own spaces to help them kick back and relax. Throughout the series, Pays has visited a mystery writer in Texas who has created his own personal library, a magician with a solar powered treehouse, and a Californian family who have a stress free breathing room with incredible views of the ocean.

Lulu's House: Host Lulu Powers and her friends show you how to live and enjoy a better lifestyle. Among other things, Lulu will teach you how to get fit in fifteen minutes, entertain your friends with something special, and decorate your home with garage sale bargains.

The Shopping Bags: This show follows hosts Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic as they shop for high quality products for the best prices. They will dish out all their knowledge, giving you tips, tricks and info that will make you a savvy shopper.

Real Estate Confidential: Get the inside scoop on what goes on behind the scenes in the world of real estate. On the show you'll get to know a team of crack agents who show you just how a property gets priced and how negotiations really work. It's a delicate yet tough business which competes with the roughest sports out there.

Haunted Homes: Get spooked watching this ghostly series. Join Mia Dolan, a British psychic as she ventures into the paranormal realm, meeting ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. You'll see things go bump in the night; but worry not, Mia will set these spirits free.

The Thirsty Traveler: This show will whet your whistle. Embark on a spirited adventure with host Kevin Brauch as he travels the world in search of the best brews, wines and spirits. As you explore the liquid world with Kevin, you'll also learn about the distinctive local customs and traditions of each area.

Any Given Latitude: This show takes you to exotic, luxurious locations around the world. You'll see the world's finest accommodations and get a satellite at top restaurants. Any Given Latitude will definitely stir the travel bug within you as they go off the beaten path, finding hidden and not so hidden treasures.

Dream Drives: This program takes you on a tour of some of the hottest, and most elegant architectural feats in the country. This is definitely a show you'll want to watch on your HD TV.

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. If you want the greatest selection of HD entertainment, sports and movie programming, check out the excellent Direct TV packages and deals available online.