TVRO Basics (Big Dish)

The first satellite television systems for the consumer were TVRO (TeleVision Receive Only) satellite systems. TVRO started sprouting up all over the U.S. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. TVRO satellite systems are characterized by big dishes that are usually 6-12 feet across. TVRO systems receive television signals from C-Band satellites. A C-Band satellite has 24 channels (transponders) on each satellite. There are over 20 C-Band satellites that may be received in the continental United States. A TVRO satellite system must have a movable dish in order to access the signals from so many satellites. Even though most of the press and most of the advertising that you now see involves the small dish DBS systems, TVRO is still alive and well.

Other words are often used to describe a TVRO system. Some of these words are Big Dish TV, Full view, C Band Satellite TV, and BUD (Big Ugly Dish).

The biggest variety of programming in satellite television is available through TVRO. Cable TV programming is available to the TVRO owner, along with programming that is usually not available to cable TV subscribers. There are two types of TVRO satellite channels.

The first type of TVRO satellite channels are called scrambled or subscription services. In order to view these scrambled channels you will need two things. Number one is a piece of electronic hardware called a descrambler. In most modern satellite receivers the descrambler lives inside the receiver and is sold as part of the receiver. The descrambler has a metal plate over it and can be removed by simply sliding it out. Be sure that you unplug the receiver from the wall socket before you remove or replace the descrambler from its slot in the receiver. The second thing you will need to view scrambled channels is to buy a subscription to the channels of your choice. A subscription is just a phone call away. There are many companies that handle satellite TV subscriptions. Each company will have a variety of program packages designed for your viewing preferences. You can find out about the programming companies from one of the satellite TV magazines or from the advertisements that may appear when you go to a satellite channel that is blanked out because you don't have a subscription. When you call the programming company the picture will usually pop on the screen while you are talking. It's easy!

In addition to scrambled satellite TV channels, TVRO has a big variety of free channels available. The variety of channels includes news, educational, foreign language programming, music, old movies, and many other unusual programs. These free channels are called in the clear or unscrambled channels. Some of these free channels are regularly scheduled programs, such as Classic Arts Showcase, other free channels are known as feeds. Feeds can be scheduled or unscheduled programs. Feeds are used by networks or other programming providers to beam shows, events, or news to their affiliates. When these programs are beamed unscrambled, TVRO viewers can pick them up. For instance, if a game is being played in Atlanta Georgia and a TV station in L.A. is carrying that game, a TVRO system can pick the game up, provided the signal is not scrambled. There is a huge wealth of programs, available to the TVRO owner, that are broadcast unscrambled. News feeds are a favorite of mine. News feeds may be used by network or other program providers to beam reports out in the field to their central location. Some news feeds are used by their program providers live, others are fed to their central location where they are edited for a later program. Unedited news feeds can be very interesting.

If you enjoy radio you can tune in MANY radio stations from all over North America. The variety of music available for free with a TVRO system is truly amazing.

The TVRO owner can upgrade a regular C band TVRO system in order to add the capability of picking up Ku band signals. From Ku band satellites, the TVRO system can pick up additional free feeds and free programming. There are also scrambled signals on Ku band, but most of what the TVRO system can view on Ku band is free. People that are into sports and news feeds are some of Ku band's biggest fans.

Ku band satellite signals are at a higher frequency than C-band. Most modern satellite receivers have the ability to receive Ku band signals. The only upgrade that is required is in the modification of some of the outside electronics at the dish. The upgrade involves the feed and LNB, which are above the center of the dish, usually under a plastic cover.

Copyright © 21st-satellite.com - Digital Satellite & DirecTV Information