Fact sheet
TV Distribution and the Evolution to Digital Transmission
What is digital transmission?
With the application of computer-based technology to broadcasting, programmers
can supply their signals in a digital form, coding the information into
a series of 1s and 0s. Digitization of signals provides CD-like sound
and high clarity pictures.
How are signals transmitted now?
Nearly all broadcast signals received by Canadian television viewers
are transmitted in analog format, which is the electrical transmission
of information as continuous waves. Recently-licensed specialty television
services are an exception.
What is digital video compression (DVC)?
It's a technology that allows distributors (i.e. cable companies, direct-to-home
satellite service providers like Bell ExpressVu and StarChoice, wireless
distribution networks like Image Communications, Sky Cable and Look TV
and telephone companies) to squeeze more video services into the space
previously occupied by a single analog channel.
Subscribers will need to connect their television sets to a special electronic
device, the DVC box, which will decompress the signals and reconvert them
into an analog format that can be received by standard television sets.
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What are the advantages of DVC for television viewers?
Expanded Channel Capacity
As existing signals are digitized and compressed, more channel space
becomes available. Distributors will be able to offer additional services,
such as:
- multiplexed programming (distributed on different channels at staggered
starting times);
- video-on-demand (pay-per-view basis);
- interactive media (two-way transmission for education, information
or entertainment purposes;
- transactional services (e.g. banking and home retail).
Addressability
Using their DVC box, individual subscribers will have some flexibility
in designing packages of services to suit their personal preferences.
How can consumers get digital broadcast services?
Four distinct types of distributors offer a wide
selection of digital broadcast services to television viewers: cable,
direct-to-home(DTH) satellite services (Bell ExpressVu and StarChoice),
telephone companies and multipoint distribution systems (MDS) such as
Look TV, Image Communications and Sky Cable.
Date Modified: 2002-03-26
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