With millions of people tuning in to watch TV through satellite it is easy to understand why many companies and individuals are trying to start their own Satellite TV channel. It is an exciting opportunity for start up channels because they have instant access to millions of potential viewers already tuned in to satellite. So what are the steps involved? Well there are many different aspects; from choosing the right satellite (check out our blog article on how to choose the right satellite), choosing a production studio, choosing the correct video servers, and choosing the equipment to deliver your live feed from your studio to the satellite up-link. However in this article we are going to focus on choosing a video server and the equipment to deliver your live feed.
Let’s first discuss your video server (AKA playout). A video server is what schedules your videos. In other words you may load your video server with 500 hours of prerecorded content to broadcast on satellite. You then arrange the content in the order you want them to play. This is what is knows as a playlist. This playlist could be scheduled months in advance and contains your commercial inserts. Things that need to be considered when building and choosing a video server are; Will I need the ability to switch to a live broadcast from my studio? Will I need the ability to layer graphics over a live or prerecorded broadcast (example: Stock quotes, sports scores, scrolling marques and more). Do I want my channel to look as professional as possible? All of these factors need to be determined in order to choose the correct video server. The more features you want the more powerful it needs to be. Consider the video server the “core” of your satellite TV channel.
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So what other equipment do you need to consider to start your satellite TV channel? Well for one you need to decide how are you going to get your live feed from your studio to the up link station. There are several methods; Build a satellite up link (in excess of 100,000 USD), Install private fiber between two locations, or use high speed internet with a video over internet box. Although many channels around the world are still building up links I consider it out-dated and to expensive. The method I prefer the most is a 2Mb dedicated (upload) internet connection and video over internet box. This method is the same method that FOX NEWS , the NFL channel, and others around the world are beginning to use. There are companies that specialize in this method. Let me give you an example of how it works. Your live or prerecorded video feed is coming out the output of your video server and into the input of a encoder, and out the encoder into the input of a one of these little internet Video boxes. There is a box on the sending end and a box on the receiving end. These little boxes manage the video signal in real time and find the least congested internet path to deliver the live video feed. It uses smart cloud technology that allow the recovery of lost data packages to be recovered immediately. This ensures a clean, clear, and professional delivery of your video signal. The cost is much cheaper than spending hundreds of thousands on a satellite up link.
I would suggestion using professionals to set up your channel to avoid pitfalls. You can waste tens of thousands of dollars on using the wrong techniques if you are not familiar with what you are doing. Our services can help you start a satellite TV channel and avoid loosing money and wasting time. We have setup channels around the world on just about every major satellite. Feel free to browse our site or view our information on a satellite TV channel by clicking here.You may also fill our our contact form.
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