This document discusses picture resolution standards in digital television broadcasting. It notes that unlike analog TV which had just one standard, digital TV uses different picture resolution variants through DVB-S that receivers can automatically decode. Recently, satellite channel guides have started listing picture resolutions so viewers can find higher quality programming. Providers can manipulate resolution to save on transmission costs without viewers realizing it could be better. The document examines resolution variants and their automatic handling in receivers.

1. CONTENT
TECHNISAT DIGIT 4S
Digital FTA satellite receiver .........14 Dear
Readers
MATRIX JAVA
Yes, those were the days…in the analog
Blind Scan FTA receiver ..............18 age you could either receive something,
or you couldn’t. And when there was
something to receive, then it was only one
TV signal, or it was nothing. Either yes or
no, black or white, 1 or 0. That was the
analog age.
In today’s digital age it is much more
than just 1 and 0: there is an incredible
PROMAX TV Explorer variety. One TV signal is not necessarily
Professional the same as another; digital technology
Digital/Analog TV, provides us with quite a few variants. As
Satellite, Cable Signal equipment users we may not notice this all is actually quite amazing: all satellite
Analyzer ................20 that much, but as viewers it becomes much receivers can easily decode many of the
more evident, especially when the picture different picture resolution variations. And
quality is something we may not have seen in these same receivers there is no need
before. to change a setting for this to work; they
all produce a single video signal from these
In this issue of TELE-satellite, we will focus variants that every TV can correctly display.
on picture resolution in the DVB-S standard. It doesn’t matter if the pixels are doubled,
Instead of one defined norm like there was or even quadrupled, everything is handled
in the analog days, DVB-S offers a variety automatically. Yes, the developers of these
WAVE FRONTIER like that found in a supermarket. But as DVB norms know all the tricks on hiding
TOROIDAL T90 equipment users we really don’t experience the important data. Picture resolution is
any of this. While most of the receivers on certainly the most important when it comes
Multifeed dish ........24
the market today can provide us the PIDs of to a TV signal.
a signal, there are (up until now) none that
can display the picture resolution. Recently, the SatcoDX channel lists have
started including the picture resolution of
Picture resolution is what we as viewers a satellite channel. And as time goes by,
actually see on the TV screen; the PIDs just more and more SatcoDX scanning stations
make reception possible. Once the PIDs are will switch over so that eventually anyone
DG-120 PLUS entered, reception functions properly. But who wants to know it will be able to find
the picture that we would be looking at for out what the picture resolution is of every
H-H mount motor ...28
years is not explained in any way. What channel.
the receiver does to present the picture to
you is available in detail but what we see is This now gives you a new sorting
kept a secret. capability: you can now search for programs
that transmit in higher quality. You might
Programming providers are taking clear then also be able to see that higher picture
advantage of this. To save on transponder quality may go hand-in-hand with higher
costs or to transmit more channels for programming quality.
the same amount of money, the picture
“MINI ACTUATOR” from EDON Enjoy your high-quality TV!
resolution is simply reduced. The normal
DiSEqC motor ...................................36 viewer has no idea that the providers can
manipulate picture resolution. There is no Alexander Wiese
hint of this given anywhere. The normal
viewer just takes it as it comes and doesn’t
realize that it could be different. P.S. My favorite radio station of the month
is Love Radio (SIRIUS 5E, 11.766H, 27500,
Satellite Reception: In our report on page 46 of this issue 6163), Ukrainian soft hit parade with a few
Feed Made From a we highlight the different variants. It news breaks and hardly any commercials.
Vegetable Can .....30
Satellite Reception: C-Band Reception in
Europe with a 120cm Antenna .............................. 42
Basic Functions: Satellite Technology:
Basic manual for satellite receivers ....................... 10 Video Quality in digital TV ..................................... 46
Satellites over India ............................................. 48
Feature: The stronger, the better
Satellite Exhibition/EEBC 2006:
– it that always true? .......................................... 12
Telecom & Broadcasting will build
TELE-satellite Receiver Guide .......................32, 34 „City of the Future“ ............................................. 49
ADVERTISERS
ARION ................................................... 7 JAEGER/WEISS .....................................21 SPAUN ...................................................47
ARIZA ...................................................26 KATHREIN .............................................49 STAB .....................................................51
CHANGHONG .........................................15 MOTECK ................................................31 STARSAT ............................................... 4
DIGITAL TELEMEDIA ............................. 17 OPENTECH.............................................52
STATE MICRO TECH. .............................. 19
DOEBIS ............................................... 8,9 PANSAT .................................................37
TECHNISAT ........................................... 5
DVB SHOP ............................................. 41 PANSAT .................................................43
TELE-satellite CITY ...............................40
EDON .................................................... 11 PROMAX ................................................45
EMP .......................................................38 SADOUN ................................................35 TOPFIELD .............................................. 2
FORTECSTAR .........................................39 SMARTWI ..............................................29 VANTAGE ...............................................19
HORIZON ..............................................33 SPACECOM ............................................23 VANTAGE ...............................................31