XPost: rec.video.satellite.tvro, rec.answers 
 From: drlev@hotmail.com 
  
 Archive-name: Satellite-TV/TVRO/part10 
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 PART 10 - Glossary and Sources Cited 
  
  
 GLOSSARY - 
  
 Addressability: Remote-control function of equipment that allows a program 
 distributor to activate, disconnect or unscramble the signal received by a 
 subscriber. 
  
 Analog: A format in which information is transmitted by modulating a 
 continuous 
 signal, such as a radio wave. 
  
 Antenna: (communications usage) The basic element of a satellite receive 
 site; 
 a 
 parabolic dish-shaped device that is either fixed (locked onto a particular 
 satellite), steerable (able to "look at" more than one satellite of the same 
 sort), or even dual (able to receive both C- and Ku-Band signals, one at a 
 time 
 or both simultaneously). 
  
 Aspect Ratio: The ratio of a television screen's width to its height, the 
 standard being a 4:3 ratio. Projection equipment may produce a variance from 
 this standard. 
  
 Attenuation: (communications usage) Signal strength loss between the 
 transmission and reception points. For example: Heavy rainstorms can cause 
 microwave signals to seem to fade, i.e., to attenuate, as the rainstorm 
 passes 
 through an area. 
  
 Audio Subcarrier: The audio signal that is part of a video transmission is 
 carried on a specific frequency (above the visual signal), known as a 
 sub-carrier, which can be either on one or more channels. 
  
 Azimuth: The angle between an antenna's beam and the meridian plane, 
 measured 
 along the horizon. Along with "elevation," azimuth is a coordinate used to 
 precisely point an antenna at a particular satellite. 
  
 Backhaul: 1. A point-to-point transmission in real-time from a remote site 
 to 
 the mix point or to the network distribution center. 2. To send a program 
 from 
 a 
 remote site to the network operations center for real-time distribution. 
  
 Bandwidth: A measure of the information capacity in the frequency domain. 
 The 
 greater the bandwidth, the more information it can carry. For example, 
 television signals require a bandwidth of 3 million hertz, while telephone 
 conversation needs only 3,000 hertz. 
  
 C-Band: Frequency range from approximately 4 to 6 gigahertz (billion cycles 
 per 
 second) used by communications satellites. 
  
 Component Video: A method of generating television images, either analog or 
 digital, where the information is carried in separate signals representing 
 the 
 red, blue, green and brightness of the televised scene, and combined into a 
 master signal before transmission to the viewer. 
  
 Composite Video: A method of generating television images in which color and 
 brightness are combined into a signal. Any single signal is comprised of 
 several 
 components. 
  
 Component vs. Composite: (video usage) In composite video, all the elements 
 in 
 a 
 television signal-sync, color, audio, etc.-travel together and interfere 
 with 
 each other in slight, almost imperceptible ways. Conversely, in component 
 video, 
 the signal is broken down into parts traveling separately. Because there is 
 no 
 chance for interference between the components, a higher quality video 
 results. 
  
 Compressed Video: Technology which makes it possible to transmit multiple 
 high 
 quality television signals simultaneously in the amount of bandwidth 
 previously 
 needed to carry only a single television signal. 
  
 DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite): A class of satellite service defined by 
 the 
 FCC and reserved for direct-to-the-home transmission with no intermediate 
 re-broadcast or cable carriage needed. DBS satellites utilize higher powered 
 transmissions than regular satellites so that consumers may receive signals 
 with 
 small inexpensive antennas. 
  
 Digital: A communications format used with both electronic and light-based 
 systems that transmits audio, video, and data as bits ("0's and 1's") of 
 information. Codecs are used to convert traditional analog signals to 
 digital 
 format and back again. Digital technology also allows communication signals 
 to 
 be compressed for more efficient transmission. 
  
  
 Dish: (communications usage) A satellite antenna. 
  
 Dolby (TM): Patented noise/hiss reduction systems developed by Ray Dolby to 
 improve audio recording quality. Dolby A is commonly used in television; 
 Dolby 
 B 
 was developed for use in consumer electronics. 
  
 Downlink: 1. The process of receiving a satellite transmission. 2. The 
 antenna 
 used to receive a satellite transmission. Other terms for the equipment 
 include 
 "dish" or "earth station" 
  
 EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power): A satellite signal strength as 
 received at a particular location, measured in decibel-watts per square 
 meter. 
  
 Earth Station: The terrestrial portion of a satellite link consisting of an 
 antenna, amplifiers, and equipment for receiving and/or transmitting a 
 satellite 
 signal. 
  
 Encoded: A form of scrambling a television signal usually using a "fixed 
 key" 
 method where all descramblers of a certain type are pre-set to unscramble 
 the 
 encoded signal. 
  
 Encrypted: A form of scrambling a television signal, where the receiver must 
 not 
 only have a descrambling device, but also have its "address" registered with 
 the 
 signal distributor 
  
 Federal Communications Commission (FCC): An agency created in 1934 by 
 Congress 
 to regulate broadcasting in the United States and its territories. 
  
 Footprint: (communications usage) The geographical coverage area of a 
 satellite 
 transmission within which the signal can be downlinked or received. 
  
 Frequency: The number of complete oscillations (cycles) that an 
 electromagnetic 
 wave makes in a second, usually expressed in hertz; or the number of sound 
 waves 
 per second produced by a sounding body. 
  
 Geostationary (Geosynchronous): Refers to a satellite's orbit which is 
 synchronized to the rotation of the earth, thereby causing the satellite to 
 appear to remain stationary. Communications satellites are parked in 
 geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the equator. 
  
 HDTV (High Definition Television): A developing technology for producing and 
 distributing television of greater clarity and scope by increasing the 
 number 
 of 
 lines used to comprise the television picture. 
  
 Headend: Generally, a cable television system's master control operation 
 where 
 signals are received (sometimes from a variety of sources: satellite, 
 land-lines, microwave, even taped or live origination) and delivered on 
 various 
 cable system channels. 
  
 IRD (Integrated Receiver and Decoder): A small box housing the electronics 
 enabling the user to downlink and decode satellite signals. 
  
 Ku-Band: Frequency range from approximately 11 to 14 GHz (billion cycles per 
 second) used by communications satellites. 
  
 LNB (Low noise block downconverter): A special amplifier that boosts the 
  
 [continued in next message] 
  
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