Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Basics

DBS stands for Direct Broadcast Satellite. DBS is broadcast by medium and high powered satellites operating in the microwave Ku band. These high powered, high frequency satellites make it possible for the signals to be picked up on a small dish. Digital compression makes it possible to have many channels on a single satellite. The current major DBS systems that are operating in the USA are DIRECTV and DISH Network. The DIRECTV and DISH Network systems both have 18 inch satellite dishes. One of the big advantages of DBS systems is that the small dish does not have to move.

All current DBS systems in the U.S. have nothing but scrambled channels and require descrambling with their own special receivers. For example a DIRECTV system can't pick up DISH Network or TVRO signals. A typical TVRO system can't pick up DIRECTV or DISH Network signals. The consumer can only receive programs intended for their type of satellite TV system.