Satellite TV Systems – In The Beginning…

The innovation of satellite television had its debut in 1957 with the launch of the Russian satellite ‘Sputnik’. Research and development continued with the first communications satellite being launched in 1963 and named ‘Syncom II’. This satellite was the first of many to orbit and was developed by several governments and businesses. ‘Syncom II’ orbited at approximately 22,300 miles over the earth, with the first communication being on July 26, 1963, between a US Navy ship in a port near Nigeria and a naval station in New Jersey.

Telephone communications were first to utilize satellite communications with television communications first use on March 1, 1978, with PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) use as a distribution method. From 1978 through 1984, several broadcast networks instituted the use of satellite communications. As use and continued research and development continued, it was clear that all businesses and homes could receive satellite signals freely.

The early 80’s were years for development of Direct to Home (DTH) satellite receivers allowing any area in the world, including rural areas, to receive television programming for the first time. As with all new innovations, there are always disagreements concerning rights – the right to receive and the right to transmit, with broadcasters complaining that services were obtained illegally or pirated. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) took the position that users had as much right to receive signals as broadcasters had to transmit them. Technological development began in earnest to allow broadcasters to scramble signals to prevent unauthorized viewing. It then became necessary for users to purchase decoders to enable viewing television programming.

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Rooftop Range - Campersat AutoSeek

NEW RELEASE:
Fully automatic signal search at the press of a button

• New "Y" shaped LNB arm allowing lower folded
  down profile than competitive products
  
• New design with control system completely separate
  allowing full compatibility with any receiver
  
• New wall-mounted control unit with separate
  remote control for easy access
  
• Automatic seeking to last satellite used, to allow
  quick log-on after temporary stowage
  
• No roof protrusion of mechanical parts, allowing
  setup on the roof within control cable range

Rooftop Range - Campersat EasySeek

AWARD WINNING 2002 CCIA design. Easy internal manual control.

FEATURES

• Full fold-down roof mount for security
  
• Low interior roof profile - no protruding parts
  
• Cost-saving manual control from inside the van
  or motor home
  
• Electronic True Level Indicator of dish elevation
  for accurate initial setup
  
• New Digital Test Meter with Single Cable Connection
  
• New roof-top tray with captive fasteners, allowing
  easy service of all mounted assemblies

DIRECTV Delivers Live Local Channels to Motorists

KVH TracVision A7 Enables Mobile DIRECTV Customers to Receive Live Local News, Traffic, Weather and Sports

Recognizing the growing interest among American motorists who want the same DIRECTV entertainment experience in their cars that they have in their homes, DIRECTV is now delivering to car video screens live local news, weather, traffic, sports and other local entertainment programming.

Local broadcast channels via DIRECTV are now available to mobile customers on the open road within the continental United States to vehicles that have been equipped with a TracVision A7 mobile satellite TV system, launched today by KVH Industries, Inc. DIRECTV will provide mobile customers their local broadcast channels within the designated market areas where it already offers them to home viewers. Local channels availability may vary by market. DIRECTV delivers local programming in 142 markets, representing 94 percent of U.S. television households.

DIRECTV’s TOTAL CHOICE(R) Mobile with local channels package, created exclusively for mobile customers with a low-profile automotive TracVision system, is available for $44.99, and offers more than 185 channels. To receive local channels in their car, DIRECTV customers must purchase a new TracVision A7 satellite TV system, which includes an integrated GPS unit and new 12-volt receiver jointly developed by DIRECTV and KVH.

The mobile local channels offering is part of a larger strategy by DIRECTV to target the more than 20 million U.S. vehicles expected to have in-vehicle passenger video systems by 2011, according to the leading analyst firm Frost & Sullivan.

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