Cable TV: The Basics
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), cable television dates back to the 1940s — and was specifically developed for communities that were unable to receive TV signals because of terrain or distance from TV stations. These early pioneers located antennas in areas with good reception, picked up broadcast station signals and distributed those signals via coaxial cable to subscribers.
Although today's technology is far more advanced, offers crystal-clear pictures and crisp sound, the way in which cable TV works is remarkably similar. A few highlights of modern cable television service include:
- Basic cable television channels are typically transmitted without any encryption — which means that anyone with a cable TV connection can receive them.
- Premium cable channels, such as HBO, Starz, Showtime, etc., scramble their signals and require paying subscribers to use a cable box or converter in order to see each channel's offerings.
- In 1992 the U.S. Congress enacted a must-carry rule that required all cable TV systems to carry local broadcast stations in their lineups. This rule was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997.
- Digital cable technology, which was created by Motorola, allows cable television providers to compress video channels and offer two-way communication. This technology gives providers the opportunity to offer more channels, as well as interactive television services, high-speed internet access, telephone and video-on-demand services that are all encrypted for security.
For additional information about cable TV, visit FCC.gov.
Cable TV Resources
Category:
