| Nearly thirty years ago it was not unusual to see | | | | satellite system. All of these highly organized |
| an enormous satellite dish, approximately the size | | | | broadcasts are then picked up by the small units |
| of a Volkswagen Beetle, parked in a homeowner's | | | | mounted on customer's homes where the |
| front yard. These pioneer owners of satellite | | | | transmission is completed to their television sets. |
| equipment would probably never have suspected | | | | Over the course of the last decade there have |
| just how quickly and how enormously their | | | | not been a great many changes in this |
| satellite capabilities would improve. | | | | fundamental system design, with the exception of |
| Not only have the satellite dishes themselves | | | | the introduction of high-definition programming. |
| been reduced to the size of a pizza, but their | | | | This is a remarkably precise and clear image and |
| range of services is amazing. While those original | | | | soundtrack that far exceeds standard movie and |
| dishes operated in an entirely different method | | | | television quality. Millions of consumers are in |
| than modern equipment, they all worked to | | | | possession of high definition television equipment, |
| achieve the same end - superior reception and a | | | | and they have been actively seeking ever more |
| wider range of channels. | | | | options in programming available in this format. |
| Owners of satellite systems will require the dish | | | | To that end the satellite industry has continually |
| to be attached to an appropriate region of their | | | | launched more private satellites strictly dedicated |
| home or yard in order to receive an unobstructed | | | | to expanding such offerings to their millions of |
| signal from orbiting satellites. The satellite dish then | | | | customers. There are more than a dozen |
| receives the digital signal and transfers it to the | | | | satellites currently orbiting the Earth strictly for |
| owner's receiver box, which is connected to a | | | | the purpose of providing HD channels and |
| television in the home (or alternately routed | | | | networks to satellite customers. |
| through a DVD player or some other piece of | | | | In addition to this technological advancement, |
| electronic equipment). | | | | many satellite customers have sought out |
| To understand the direction in which the satellite | | | | advanced features such as digital video recorders |
| industry is guiding its efforts, it is important to | | | | and comprehensive services associated with this |
| understand just how the satellite industry is | | | | equipment. To date there are some satellite |
| structured. There are five different areas involved | | | | companies making not only DVR equipment |
| in the provision of satellite television systems and | | | | available to their customers, but also HD DVR |
| these include a programming source, which | | | | equipment which is capable of retaining the |
| broadcasts channels and programs, a | | | | programs and films broadcast in this method for |
| programming center, satellites in orbit, satellite | | | | replaying at a later date. Additionally, some satellite |
| receivers mounted on homes and businesses and | | | | companies have introduced DVR equipment that |
| receiver boxes connected to home electronics. | | | | can be contacted via a mobile device or Internet |
| The programming source works through its | | | | connection and is capable of being programmed |
| various centers to receive and distribute national | | | | while the owner is out of the home or out of |
| network and local programming into their orbiting | | | | reach of the equipment. |