Our Independent Guide satellite systems & video delivery
Our heritage is the satellite TV business. In this part of Europe there are all kinds of ways get high quality video and audio into the home or business premises. We keep an eye on all of the possibilities. Below we’ve outlined some of the solutions together with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Do you have questions or comments? Please get in touch.
Introduction
These days most people watch video on a flat-screen of some kind. It’s often driven by plasma or liquid-crystal technology. There’s a never ending discussion about which is better – it’s like loudspeakers. In many cases the best choice depends on the circumstances and the user preferences.
But one thing is clear to us. There are many fantastic screens out there that have exquisite external design. But they are displaying a truly awful picture – full of artefacts and blemishes, especially when it comes to fast moving events like sports. In many cases these problems are not due to the display, but the processes in the distribution chain between the content maker and the consumer.
In most of Europe, and The Netherlands in particular, there are three ways to bring a live video signal indoors. You receive pictures from;
A signal broadcast over the air from a terrestrial transmitter. In the UK this is branded as Freeview, in the Netherlands it’s a pay-TV subscription system called Digitenne. This technology is known as DVB-T (terrestrial digital video broadcasting) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T
A signal fed into the house as part of a digital TV package supplied by the cable company. Many of these companies also offer Internet services and telephone service as part of a basic or extended package.
A signal received from a small satellite dish mounted on the outside of the building.
Let’s examine each of the three options.
Satellite
Satellite TV reception is made possible by pointing a satellite dish towards one or more broadcast satellites operating in geostationary orbit. The dish needs to be positioned in such a way that there is unrestricted line of site between the dish and the satellite. In the tropics that means the dishes point up. In Northern Europe, they point at a lower angle to the horizon.
The broadcast satellites like Astra, Eutelsat, Nilesat etc. are positioned 36,000 km above the equator in such a way that they are always at the same point in the sky, so the dish only needs to be pointed in the right direction once, during initial installation.
A typical satellite system consists of two parts. The satellite dish is mounted outside and pointed towards the satellite. A cable runs from the dish to a set-top decoder box inside the building. Often these boxes have a slit so you can insert a subscription card to view pay-TV channels. On the back of this box are connections for a TV display, a digital video recorder and options to put the sound through a hi-fi set.
Satellite dishes come in a variety of sizes, depending on their capabilities. In general they have got smaller over the years (dishes of 54 cm in diameter are common in Western Europe) and many can receive signals from more than one satellite. The cliché picture of giant dishes is now largely confined to the scientific world of radio astronomy!
International regulations mean you do not need permission or a licence from local authorities to mount a dish. There may be local by-laws from people who own the building, so check contracts before you invest. Satelliet Specialist has experience in what to look for. The good news is that designs are far less obtrusive than they used to be. Dishes can be made of gauze material or transparent plastic. Traditionally they are white, but also come in other colours to blend in with the surroundings. The only condition is that they need to be mounted at a location that provides uninterrupted view of the satellite. Signals cannot be received through buildings that block the path.
The set-top box inside the building converts the satellite signals into video and audio signals that can be watched on a LCD or plasma display. The boxes also generate an on-screen menu of the signals that can be received. Some boxes are capable of receiving and displaying both standard definition (SD) and the new higher definition (HD) pictures being introduced across Europe. There are hundreds of channels which can be received free-of-charge. But most boxes also offer the ability to use a subscription cards which unlocks scrambled pay-TV channels. You need to purchase these smart cards separately and the price depends on what selection of programmes you want to see. Note that not all cards are available in all countries. It may be that the satellite TV operator restricts the coverage of its channel for copyright reasons. Some programmes are regional. So if you move from India to The Netherlands, the bouquet of available programmes may be different.
Advice for Expats (or those planning to move)
Satelliet TV can advise on what is available where – and for what price. If you are moving from one country to another, check with us beforehand for advice on what can be received in your new location. Our knowledge database is always current. Clients who subscribe to our clients-only news briefings get to know about new services and changes first.
Advantages of satellite reception:
Subscription costs generally lower than digital cable options.
Huge variety of programme channels, significantly larger than cable or Freeview. This is very useful if you speak English and want to receive English language programmes in a country where English is not the mother tongue. Cable companies tend to focus on languages of that nation.
Reception of programmes is possible through most of the European continent. If you move within this region, the programme choice remains the same.
Satellite TV provides the highest quality video and audio, especially on High-Definition signals.
Easy navigation between channels on a set-top box that you own.
Disadvantages of satellite reception:
A satellite dish with direct line-of-sight to the satellite is needed. Obstructions by buildings or other objects usually mean reception is impossible. The dish needs to be fixed (not the best option for those on a boat).
Higher initial investment costs that cable or terrestrial digital (DVB-T) services.
Extreme weather conditions (storm clouds) can occasionally impair reception of weaker satellite channels. Most satellite dishes can withstand high winds.
Interactive services (such as on-demand movies or Internet) are in their infancy and are generally more expensive than cable options. Note that in rural areas, web services are making progress since it will never be economically viable for cable companies to provide extensive services to rural communities.
If you want to watch a different channel in another room, then you will need a separate indoor satellite decoder. Each box can only view one channel at a time. Some boxes have two tuners to allow you to record one channel while viewing another.
Satelliet Specialist is happy to advise you on the best choice.
Digitenne (DVB-T or Freeview)
Terrestrial digital video broadcasting is expanding in many European countries as analogue services are being switched off or dates are announced for analogue closedown. These dates vary per country. In the Netherlands, for instance, all analogue TV broadcasting has already ended. In the UK, dates between 2010 and 2012 have been announced depending on the region. You can see the dates here http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch
Digitenne is different from the UK Freeview system, although the basic technology is the same. In the UK, Freeview offers most of its channels for free, so once you have bought the set-top box there are no further charges. The Netherlands operator has opted for a different business model. You buy a set-top decoder box and a smart card. The subscription is cheaper than cable, but the choice of channels is more restricted (23 TV channels, 19 radio channels as of January 2010). The technology is such that this choice is not going to expand, and (for the moment) the Dutch system is not designed for High Definition. In the UK, Freeview is planning to introduce some HD services, but nothing like the same range as offered by satellite TV or cable companies.
Digitenne Installation.
A digitenne package consists of a smart decoder, a smartcard (the size of a credit card), a small antenna and the required connecting cables. You connect the cables to any TV display, and insert the smart card into the digitenne box. The subscription is activated automatically a few hours after the package has been purchased. You also need to connect the antenna, which will operate indoors for most parts of the Netherlands. The set up time is literally no more than 10 minutes.
Advantages of Digitenne
Simple plug-in-and-play installation.
Lowest subscription costs in the Netherlands for 23 TV channels and 19 radio channels. The set-top box is provided as a free loan in the Netherlands. You listen to the radio through your TV or by connecting separate amplifier and speakers.
Although you need a separate set-top box for each TV display/receiver you have, each Digitenne subscription allows you to connect up to three TV’s. The first digitenne receiver is free as part of the subscription package. Digitenne are offering to hire the second and third receiver for € 4, per month per receiver.
The antenna does not have to point at the transmitter (like a dish towards the satellite). So this is often the simplest solution for people who want to view live TV on a boat or on a camping site in the Netherlands.
Disadvantages of Digitenne
Reception still patchy in rural parts of the Netherlands and impossible outside the borders of the Netherlands (you must be within the limited coverage area of the transmitter). For Dutch expats, digitenne is not an option.
In some city areas with high electrical background noise from mobile phone towers, tramlines etc, and perfect reception may require mounting the antenna outside. But this ‘stick” antenna is small and unobtrusive.
Some people want more than the 23 TV channels on offer or a different selection. The package is designed to appeal to the Dutch speaking consumers which make up the majority of the clientele. This is reflected in the channels offered on TV and radio.
The radio channels need to be listened to via the TV or a separate hi-fi installation. You cannot listen to this digitenne radio service on a standard AM/FM radio.
HD channels not coming to the Digitenne platform for the foreseeable future.
Digital Cable TV services
There are two main types of providers:
In the Netherlands, cable TV operators such as Ziggo and UPC are offering digital TV services, usually as part of a subscription offering that includes Internet access and telephone.
KPN, the former state phone company is competing with the cable companies by using its phone line infrastructure to offer Interactive TV services (http://www.kpn.com/tv/interactievetv-8.htm) , as well as Internet and phone services. In practice, although the technologies to bring signals into your building are different, the results are similar. Like its cable rivals, KPN is expanding its offer of on-demand films
There is a cable connection already present in almost all Dutch homes and businesses. The cable company for that region (or KPN) supplies you with their set-top box which you connect to the TV display in the room of your choice.
Advantages
One stop solution for TV, radio, telephone and Internet services.
Plug-and-play, simple set-up
You have a greater choice of channels than Digitenne (though less or the same as satellite TV). Some channels are exclusive to cable companies. You won’t find them on satellite or Digitenne.
The electronic programme guide includes on-demand services (like films).
Disadvantages
For the moment at least, the choice of cable TV provider in the Netherlands is very restricted. If you don’t like the subscription packages on offer from the cable company (or its rival KPN), then you have no alternative. If your mother tongue is not Dutch, you may find the offer from the cable company does not include your favourite channels, or that they fall outside the cheapest basic package. You may have pay extra to view these channels.
Complicated subscription packages. Ask advice from Satelliet Specialist what you are really getting for your money? Are you paying for services you don’t need. Can you get extra decoders for TV’s in other rooms
You get little or no choice in the brand of decoder – this is determined by your provider. Cable companies seem to gravitate towards cost considerations before considering features. Check the decoder can do what you want and that the electronic programme guide is easy to use. Does the decoder have an option to record another channel while you’re watching another? If so, how?
Although HD services are starting to be offered through Dutch cable companies, satellite TV offers a much wider choice.
The quality of some digital TV channels via the cable is noticeably inferior to the same channels when viewed via satellite. This is because the cable companies want to squeeze more channels and services down the same pipe. But in general the picture quality is good (better than Digitenne, not quite as good as satellite).
Reception restricted to within the border of the Netherlands. Set-top boxes don’t work abroad.
Not all companies allow you to take your decoder with you if you move to another part of the Netherlands.
Satelliet Specialist understands all the advantages and disadvantages of each of these delivery systems. Depending on your needs, Satelliet special can suggest various solutions to ensure you have exactly what you want, where you want it! Please note that prices and channel capabilities mentioned on this website were correct at publication time, but of course are subject to change.
Ready to discuss? Need more specific advice? Get in touch.
