A

Activation Fee

Fee charged for the start-up of a service.

Analog

A method of signal transmission in which information is relayed by continuously altering the wave form of the electromagnetic current.

B

Blacked out program

A program that cannot be viewed in specific locations (for example, a sports event).

Bandwidth

A range of frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Broadcast Programming

Your local and network channels. These are local Channels available via the system.

C

Changing Channels

While viewing a program, selecting channels using the Up or Down arrow buttons or the number pad.

Compression

A term used to denote reducing the amount of bandwidth needed to transmit video or audio, thus increasing the capacity of a satellite transponder.

D

DB

Decibel; an analog unit of measure of signal strength, volume, or signal loss due to resistance as expressed in logarithmic form.

DBS

Direct Broadcast Satellite - The transmission of audio and video signals via satellite direct to the end user.

Digital

A method of storing, converting and sending data in the form of binary digits; i.e., 0 or 1.

Dish

Slang term for antenna.

Direction.

(azimuth) Refers to the left or right positioning of your satellite antenna. Direction is noted on the compass in the form of numbers indicating degrees. When you are adjusting the antenna, you can enter your ZIP code into the Point Dish and Signal Strength menu. The menu will display the direction and elevation to the satellites so you can aim your satellite antenna.

DSS

Digital Satellite System.

DISH 300

Collects only one satellite signal from space.

DISH 500

Collect two satellite signals from space.

E

Elevation

The up/down positioning of the satellite antenna. When you are adjusting the antenna, you can enter your ZIP code into the Point Dish and Signal Strength menu, and the display will show the approximate elevation for your antenna.

F

Flat Lines

Allows the satellite to be installed without drilling holes into the home for wiring purposes

G

GSO

Geosynchronous Orbit; satellites in geosynchronous orbit travel around the earth in an area approximately 22,300 miles from the surface at the same rate that the earth turns, therefore completing one revolution every 24 hours.

H

HDTV

High Definition Television; Technology, which significantly increases the resolution video signals offering vastly, improved picture quality over the current NTSC standard.

Hz

Hertz; Cycle per second.

I

IR (Infra-Red)

Some remotes use infra-red light to transmit signals to equipment. Some remotes that come with the receiver use UHF to control the receiver, and IR to control other equipment; others use IR to control the receiver also.

J

K

kHz

kilohertz

L

LNB

Low-Noise Block Integrated Feedhorn. This is the component that receives the signals reflected from the dish surface and transmits them to the receiver.

M

MHz

Megahertz

MPEG2

Motion Picture Expert Group 2. The industry standard.

Modulator Connection

The process of superimposing an information signal onto a carrier for a transmission.

N

O

Open TV

Interactive program for TV. The newer receivers are equipped with Open TV software.

P

Personal Television (PTV)

Includes the ability to pause live TV, play, stop, fast forward, fast reverse, skip forward, skip back, set manual/auto record event timers, one-touch record and includes recorded events management features to play, delete, or protect a recorded event.

Program Guide

An on-screen guide to all the programs that are currently being shown, and all the programs that will be shown for the next week. You can select current and future programs, and purchase pay per view events in the Program Guide.

Q

R

Rating Codes

Codes have been assigned to the program to indicate content and suggested audience.
The following codes are used:

G: General Audience. Suitable for young children.

P: Parental Guidance suggested.

PG-13: Parental Guidance suggested. Not recommended for children under the age of 13.

R: Restricted. No children admitted under the age of 17 unless accompanied by an adult.

NC-17: No Children under the age of 17 admitted.

NR/AO: Not Rated/Adult Oriented

Expanded Ratings, locked out by content:

Language: Adult language.

Violence: Graphic Violence.

Sexual Content: Sexual scenes.

Nudity: Nude scenes.

Receiver

The piece of equipment that controls your access to all network features and programs.

RF

Radio Frequency.

RF or VHF Connection

Also called modulator connection. A type of connection that supports good picture quality, and good mono ("non-stereo") sound. Usually the easiest and quickest method to wire your system together.

RG 6 Coax Cable

The Grade of coaxial cable that is used to install a DBS system.

S

Satellite Antenna

The piece of equipment that receives the broadcast signal from the satellites, amplifies it, and transmits it to the receiver. This refers to the entire antenna assembly, whether it is mounted on the mast, or on a pole.

Smart Card

Technology that allows for the upgrade of encryption security through the use of a consumer-installable card containing a new computerized security code.

StarBand

Satellite dish that allows both broadband internet access and DISH Network programming.

S-VIDEO, or Super VHS

Highest quality video connection. If used, the VHS audio connections must also be used.

Switches :

21 Switch - Collects satellite signals from two separate locations and combines them into one.

44 Switch - Also connects satellite signals from two separate locations and combines them into one. It can also be used to connect up to 4 satellite receivers

64 Switch- Collects satellite signals from three separate locations and combine them into one. It can also be use to connect up to 4 satellite receivers

T

Tariff

The usage fees charged for any given service.

Terrestrial

In communications parlance, this refers to earth, land or ground-based telecommunications systems.

Transponder

A satellite component that receives and retransmits a TV signal or perhaps many narrower-band data or audio channels.

U

UHF

Ultra-high frequency. Some remote controls use UHF to control equipment. Some remotes that come with the receiver use UHF to control the receiver and infra-red (IR) to control other equipment. UHF signals can travel longer distances than (IR), and can penetrate objects, making it possible to control the equipment from other rooms in the building. Some broadcast TV channels are UHF (typically 14 through 83).

Uplink

To transmit to a satellite for relay; also, the dish used to transmit.

V

Video Compression

Technology that significantly reduced the bandwidth required to transmit a video signal, making possible the carriage of numerous NTSC quality signals satellite transponder.

Video Connection

Better quality phono (RCA) video connection. Also called composite video.

W

X

Y

Z