What Is Satellite TV?
Satellite TV is a television service delivered to people via communications satellites.
One of the reasons people still like getting TV from a satellite signal today is because it’s reliable and versatile. Anyone who wants a wide variety of programs may prefer satellite TV to other options.
One of the best things about satellite TV is it is usually available in areas where other types of TV services don’t work. For example, it’s a great choice if you live in a rural area without broadband or cable infrastructure, as you can access more TV and movie content from home easily.
How Does Satellite TV Work?
The communications satellites used for TV broadcasting exist in geostationary orbit and transmit and receive TV signals sent from TV studios or broadcasting hubs. From there, the signals beam straight back down to Earth.
Satellite TV providers install satellite dishes on your property and point them toward the sky. Once the TV signals from the orbiting satellites reach your satellite dish, they run through a cable to the receiver box, which decodes those signals and sends the picture to your TV. Cool, right?
For this to work, the satellite dish must point at the correct satellite without any obstructions (or the reception isn’t good).
Common Types of Satellite Dishes
Satellite dishes have come a long way since their inception, and there are several different types on the market today. Let’s take a closer look at some options you may see and discuss the key benefits of each.
Offset satellite dishes
Offset satellite dishes receive signals differently than traditional satellite dishes. In an offset dish, the feed horn is in an offset position toward the edge (rather than the center). So, when you look at an offset dish, it may look like it doesn’t point up to the sky at all.
DIRECTV uses offset satellite dishes for all customers. We offer satellite services to millions of Americans every day so you can access the shows and movies you love. That’s why we’re also proud to say DIRECTV has 99% signal reliability, plus our exclusive SignalSaver technology that allows you to keep watching during inclement weather.
