Computer Software

Conditional access (CA) lets viewers choose what to watch from thousands of programs at the touch of a button. This pay per view technology also lets parents block shows and games the don’t want their kids to watch. All thanks to the little top boxes that sit on their television sets. This non technical article presents conditional access for home viewing.

Satellite Broadcasts – Conditional Access

Conditional Access enables broadcasters to block programs from some viewers and charge others to see the show. Broadcast options such as pay-per-view (PPV), video-on-demand (VOD) and broadcast video are all based on conditional access technology. The basis of conditional access technology rests on scrambling and descrambling the pictures on your screen. Just as important is entitlement and entitlement management to determine which viewers are permitted to the see the show and block other viewers.

Satellite digital TV – Conditional Access

While digital TV and conditional access seem to have been here forever, they are relative new comers compared to movies. The conditional access digital TV standards were first finalized in 1993. Since then, conditional access enables broadcasts and billing for satellite broadcasters, cable and terrestrial stations. Satellite Digital TV stations are major conditional access users and vital to their financial growth and product development.

Scrambling / Descrambling – Conditional Access

Conditional access is the gate keeper that lets subscribers see the show and makes the show incomprehensible to unauthorized users. Entitlement checking takes place simultaneously with the broadcasting of the show controlled by the conditional access gate keeper. The show broadcast also includes encrypted codes – “Control Words” – to enable the descrambling for authorized viewers with conditional access permission. These codes are sent inside dedicated messages called entitlement control messages for the “top box” on your TV set to decode.

Entitlement Management – Conditional Access

The entitlement management function consists of distributing entitlements to receivers. There are several kinds of entitlements that match different levels of subscriber service: As we all know, the most popular are monthly and pay per view. This info is sent inside dedicated messages entitlement management messages and Shazam! There’s the show you wanted to see, now all you need is a cold drink, popcorn and some friends to enjoy the show.

What you are about to read should not come as a shock to you, especially if you are a subscriber of cable TV.

Comcast Corp, the dominant cable provider in the nation, has raised cable TV rates for the third time in three years The rates will go up about 6 to 7 percent, depending upon where you live. Other cable providers, like RCN, have also raised rates by about 8 percent.

7 percent is double the rate of inflation. Comcast’s prices have risen three times faster than inflation since 2000.

Although cable price increases have moderated in recent years from the double-digit hikes of the 1990s, many research analysts predict that costs will keep going up.

“Operational costs” are the culprits for the rate hikes. “Operational costs” include energy costs, improvements in customer service and network maintenance. Cable companies have millions of miles of outdated lines buried below ground, and are in the process of converting their technology to digital, which will be expensive. Comcast spent nearly $200 million in the past year to maintain and enhance its fiber-optic network in the Bay Area alone.

More Facts

Cable rates have climbed 40 percent in the past six years, from an average $34.40 in 2000 to the $47.93 just announced for 2006. During that same period, inflation increased 14.3 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is it any wonder why the sale of satellite tv is increasing?

There are about 65 million homes nationwide with cable TV, a number expected to decline to 61 million by 2008. DirecTV accounts for 15 million subscribers and EchoStar’s Dish Network for 12 million.

Because satellite providers don’t have to pay taxes levied by local governments and feature smaller infrastructures, consumers get more bang for the buck with satellite.

With cable, additional charges are typically assessed for installation and equipment. These charges range from $30 to $80. Satellite Tv offers free instulation, free movie channels, and free upgrades, usually as an incentive to get customers to sign up for their services.

More pros of a satellite dish.

* Digital picture means better quality
* More flexible programming options
* Cost is cheaper per channel
* Good solution for those living in rural areas

According to a J.D. Power study, the average cost of satellite service is about 4% less than cable. Satellite subscribers
save an average of about $2.00 monthly compared to cable.

So, as the rates for the cable companies continue to rise,
you can expect comsumers to continue the migration to
satellite tv.

When we speak of transmission of pure digital television, we mainly talk about its reception and display of the signals. These signals come to us through the broadcasting over air or by transmission through the satellite system or cable system in our houses. There is a class of Direct TV that is getting a lot of name at present which is called DirecTV HDTV. When we combine a digital TV of high resolution with a Dolby surround sound (AC-3), we get a DirecTV HDTV. To have a stunning image, this combination has been made.

A new production and transmission equipment at the DirecTV HDTV station and even a new equipment for reception for DirecTV HDTV is required by the consumer. The strongest selling point for DirecTV HDTV is the higher resolution picture. After media’s perfect show up about DirecTV HDTV, the DirecTV HDTV has reached to all the electronic stores. The higher resolution which produces crystal clarity, as never seen before through picture tube, gives us a life like picture and digital sound. A usual TV gives us an effective picture resolution of about 210,000 pixels whereas in the highest resolution DirecTV HDTV format, each picture contains 2 million pixels. This nearly gives us ten times more detailed picture. The basic aim behind DirecTV HDTV is not to increase the definition per unit area but it is rather that the visual field percentage contained by the image should be increased. The proposal about all DirecTV HDTV was first submitted by General Instrument Corporation on May 31, 1990

By December 1990 ATRC also launched the same followed by Zenith and AT&T and the MIT. At present Japan is the only country which broadcasts DirecTV HDTV services to the viewers. The number of converters and receivers sold to the customers has reached to 100,000 and 30,000 respectively. The possibility of starting a digital satellite HDTV service in Japan has been eliminated by the establishment of the analog broadcast service, DirecTV HDTV. Right now, many stations do not broadcast HDTV program.

Slowly, the current analog TV can be either replaced or a new set-top box can be purchased for converting the digital signal. While purchasing any TV receivers we should first ensure that the new receiver has all the input jacks that match the connectors on the VCR, cable boxed DVD player etc.

We should always go in for a composite, S-video and component video as a minimum set of analog jacks so we can use our existing analog equipment with a new set.

The move is on. Last year millions of Americans switched from cable TV to satellite TV.

Why? When you compare satellite TV to cable TV you’ll discover the main reasons are cost, picture quality, program choices, and customer satisfaction.

Let’s check out the differences …

Cable vs. Satellite TV Fees

Cable TV fees across the country average $39.99 per month. In our area the cost for cable TV is $37.30 a month for 64 channels, plus $10.95 a month to add digital channels. Installation in one room is $39.95, plus $9.95 for each additional room.

Satellite TV fees from Dish Network are $31.99 per month for 60 channels, while Dirac TV charges $41.99 per month for 115 channels. Both satellite TV providers currently offer free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to four rooms.

Cable vs. Satellite TV Programming

Cable TV in most areas offers almost as many channels as satellite TV, and is broadcast in analog (over-the-air) format. If you want to have digital picture and sound you’ll have to pay an additional fee, usually $10 to $15 a month.

Satellite TV offers more channels than cable TV (more than 250 channels), and more HDTV (high definition TV) programming. All satellite TV channels are broadcast in digital format for the highest quality picture and sound.

Cable vs. Satellite TV Equipment

With cable you only need cable boxes that connect the incoming cable line to your televisions. There is usually no charge or rental fees for cable boxes, however, If you want a digital video recorder, you’ll have to pay an extra fee.

With satellite TV you need a satellite TV dish and TV receivers. Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer that equipment, plus installation, for free. Dish Network will give you a DVR (digital video recording) receiver or an HDTV receiver at no charge, while DirecTV charges $49.99 for DVR receivers and $299 for HDTV receivers.

Cable and Satellite TV Reliability and Customer Satisfaction

Cable TV outages average 3% to 5% per year. J.D. Powers and Associates ranks cable companies as good to poor in customer satisfaction.

Satellite TV outages average about 1%. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the two satellite TV providers — Dish Network and DirecTV — higher in customer satisfaction than any of the cable TV companies for the last five years

The Bottom Line

If you only watch a couple of shows a week, and you live in an area where you can’t get over-the-air TV and cable TV costs less than $20 per month, then cable may be your best option.

If, on the other hand, you want the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and news for the least amount of money … you want to watch your all your shows in digital video and sound … and you want the option of watching them in HD format and recording them
on a DVR receiver, then satellite TV is what you’re looking for.

The satellite TV systems and services offered by DIRECTV and DISH Network are almost identical — both offer more than 250 program channels, all-digital programming, HDTV (high definition TV) options, and DVR (digital video recording) capabilities.

So when you compare DIRECTV to DISH Network you’ll discover the biggest differences between them are the subscription fees and programming.

Here is a blow-by-blow comparison of DIRECTV vs. DISH Network …

Satellite TV Equipment

* Direct TV offers free satellite TV equipment (the dish and receivers), and free installation in up to four rooms of your home. If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.

* DISH Network gives you free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to four rooms of your home. You can get a DVR receiver or an HDTV receiver at no charge.

Satellite TV Programming

* DIRECTV offers 255 program channels, including movie channels, music channels, pay-per-view movies and events, sports packages, and international programming. Programming packages start at $41.99 per month for 115 channels.

* DISH Network offers 256 program channels, including movie channels, music channels, pay-per-view movies and events, sports packages, and international programming. Programming packages start at $31.99 per month for 60 channels.

Customer Service

* DIRECTV has excellent customer service with 24/7 online support, and 24/7 toll-free telephone support.

* DISH Network also has excellent customer service with 24/7 online support, and 24/7 toll-free telephone support.

Customer Satisfaction

* DIRECTV is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction among all the cable and satellite TV providers.

* DISH Network is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among all the cable and satellite TV providers.

The Bottom Line

Both DIRECTV and DISH Network offer top-of-the-line satellite TV equipment and all-digital programming for the best picture and sound available.

DISH Network’s basic programming package is cheaper than DIRECTV’s, but DIRECTV’s Total Choice has a more channels.

DISH Network has more movie packages and foreign programming, while DIRECTV offers more sports packages.

Launched in 1996 by EchoStar Communications, DISH Network is the second-largest satellite TV provider in the world, with 11 million subscribers and 9 broadcast satellites.

In addition to TV programming, DISH Network satellite TV also offers 50 Sirius Satellite Radio music channels and Starband broadband Internet service.

J.D. Power and Associates recently ranked DISH Network #1 in customer satisfaction among all U.S. satellite TV and cable companies.

DISH Network Satellite TV System

To receive DISH Network programming you need a DISH Network satellite TV system to capture the broadcast signal and transmit it to your TV.

Due to the competition between DISH Network dealers, you can now get a complete DISH Network satellite TV system free when you subscribe to their programming service.

Here’s what you get when you subscribe to DISH Network’s satellite TV service:

* A free DISH Network satellite TV dish and stand.
* Up to four free receivers plus universal remotes.
* Free DISH Network HDTV (high definition TV) receivers.
* Free installation in up to four rooms of your home.
* Free gifts such as a free DVD player and home theater system (click on the links below for current offers).

DISH Network Satellite TV Service

Here’s what you get with DISH Network service:

* All-digital programming for the clearest picture and sound available.
* More than 256 program program channels.
* Up to 500 commercial-free movies per month.
* DVR (digital video recording) so you can record your favorite programs.
* Up to 60 pay-per-view programs per day.
* Your local channels broadcast in digital format.
* Fifty commercial-free Sirius Radio music channels with CD-quality sound.
* Toll-free, 24-hour, 7-days-a-week customer service.

DISH Network Satellite TV Programming

Here are the DISH Network programming packages currently available:

* America’s Top 60 ? 60 program channels for $31.99 per month.
* America’s Top 120 —120 program channels plus 32 channels of Sirius satellite radio for $42.99 per month.
* America’s Top 180—180 program channels plus 50 channels of Sirius satellite radio for $52.99 per month.
* America’s “Everything” Pak—230 program channels, Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, 50 channels of Sirius satellite radio, and DISH Network HDTV programming for $86.99 per month..

Note: For more information on DISH Network programming packages, current offers, and free gifts, click on the links at the bottom of this article.

Ordering DISH Network Satellite TV Service

You can place your order online, or you can call toll-free and order through a DISH Network representative.

The representative will take your order, schedule your installation, and answer any questions you may have. Installation time is usually one to five days after you place your order.

A certified Direct TV installer will install your system, test it to make sure it works, then show you how to use all the functions and controls.

Bottom Line

With DISH Network satellite TV service starting at a dollar a day, plus the fact that you can get a complete satellite TV system for free, DISH Network satellite TV is a bargain.

Conditional access (CA) controls access to digital television (DTV) services via encrypting programs people watch. It’s like the “umpire” in a ball game that calls your TV signal “safe” and lets you watch the show you want to see. There are various conditional access technologies, although they are all based on ATSC and DVB-compliant CA systems.

Conditional access has three basic elements: broadcast equipment, set-top box, and security module. The broadcast equipment generates encrypted programs transmitted to your television or cell phone. The interactive TV set-top box filters your signals and passes them on to the security module. The security module authorizes these programs for decryption. The programs are decrypted in real time and sent back to the set-top box for display. It’s like at the ball game, the pitcher looks at the catcher, the catcher at the batter, the batter at the third base coach and the third base coach at the bat boy. If every one’s set, he pitches the ball.

Subscriber Management System (SMS) – Interactive TV
The brains of Interactive TV are in the Set-top box on top of your TV set. Your subscriber management system requests the permission to provide the authorization needed to view the programs. Other systems acts as a backup system in case your left stranded on third base..

Subscriber Authorization System (SAS) – Interactive TV
The clean up hitter in your access system responsible, waves your signal so you can watch the ball game on TV with your kids. There is also has a security module so you can keep your kids from watching gulls mate and people from charging their TV shows to your account. The Interactive TV wizards thought of everything… they even built a converter to watch digital
signal on your old TV set – the one had since your team won the World Series twenty five years ago.

Amazing technologies like Interactive TV are costly to develop, operate and upgrade. With out conditional access, the only way many people would see their favorite team is out at the ball park. Also, Believe it or not, many people go to the ball game and watch replays on cell phones powered by… Hey, I think he just hit a home run!

Are you one of the many consumers currently considering making the switch to satellite TV from cable TV but are overwhelmed with the options? Don’t worry, you are not alone. More and more people are deciding to make the transition to satellite TV but don’t know where to start. Hopefully, this article will help clear up some of the confusion by giving you an overview of one of the most popular providers of satellite TV, Dish Network.

Pricing
The first question everyone asks is “How much does it cost?”. Truthfully, it all depends on the options you choose to include in your plan, which can be customized to suit virtually any need. Dish Network’s cheapest plan, America’s Top 60, starts at just $31.99. This includes access to the 60 most popular channels in America. For the person who wants a solid variety of programming but doesn’t want any extra frills, this is the way to go. From here, Dish Network offers more extensive programming packages that top out with the master of them all, the “America’s ‘Everything’ Package”. This is for the person who literally wants it all. For a modest $86.99, it includes the 180 most popular channels as well as 31 movie channels. With this many choices, nobody should ever have a problem finding something to watch!

In addition to the ‘America’s Top’ series programming listed above, Dish Network also provides numerous other specialty packages including your Local channels, Sports, Movies, International, and HDTV. These packages can be mixed with the ‘America’s Top’ plans to create the programming just right for you.

Aside from programming, there may be some other nominal fees included if your package needs to support additional rooms, HDTV, and/or DVR:

Additional TVs
With any Dish Network programming package, your first two (non-HD) TV connections are free, but there may be an extra monthly charge for more than two TVs.

HDTV
As the home theater industry continues to grow at an increasing rate, high end equipment is quickly becoming more common in today’s homes. High definition television certainly falls into this category and Dish Network is there to accommodate. With their HDTV program you’ll receive free activation, six months of service for free, and your choice of 7 different receivers to choose from. After your free six months of HDTV service is up, the monthly charge becomes $9.99 plus another $5.00 for each additional receiver.

DVR
Another popular feature in home theaters that Dish Network provides for is DVR technology. This will allow you to record your favorite shows and watch them at your convenience. The free Dish Network DVR receiver will digitally store all your shows and movies in one place so there are no tapes or discs to keep track of. Simply navigate through the on screen menu, enter the name of the show you want to record, and that’s it! As with the HDTV program, Dish Network offers free installation and your choice of 7 receivers. There is an additional fee for each DISH Player-DVR of $4.98.

While this review is specifically on Dish Network, only one of the satellite TV providers available today, the products and services they offer remain quite comparable to their competitors and could be taken as a general review of the industry as a whole. When considering which satellite tv provider to go with, you must first decide what your specific needs are and then find the provider that best suits your situation. Home entertainment is a rapidly growing industry and is becoming more and more competitive each day. This is great news for you, the customer! This surge in competition coupled with regular advances in technology guarantee that the options available to you are only going to get better and cheaper in the months and years to come.