Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!dreaderd!not-for-mail Message-ID: Supersedes: Expires: 10 Apr 2002 11:01:42 GMT X-Last-Updated: 2002/03/15 Reply-To: "Delphi DVB Hobbyists" From: "Delphi DVB Hobbyists" Organization: Delphi DVB Forum -- http://www.delphi.com/mpg Newsgroups: alt.video.satellite.mpeg-dvb,news.answers,alt.answers Followup-To: alt.video.satellite.mpeg-dvb Subject: a.v.s.mpeg-dvb FAQ Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU X-Disclaimer: Approval for *.answers is based on form, not content. Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.MIT.EDU Date: 21 Mar 2002 11:03:25 GMT Lines: 155 NNTP-Posting-Host: penguin-lust.mit.edu X-Trace: 1016708605 senator-bedfellow.mit.edu 3930 18.181.0.29 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu news.answers:227106 alt.answers:61037 Archive-name: Satellite-TV/dvb Posting-Frequency: 6 Days Disclaimer: Approval for *.answers is based on form, not content. MPEG2/DVB FAQ Table of Contents I. The a.v.s.mpeg-dvb group FAQ II. Introduction to DVB 1.What is DVB? 2. If it's really just for hobbyists 3. Why would I want it? 4. How much does it cost? 5. Can all of this free programming really be legal? 6. Where can I get more information? III. The original a.v.s.mpeg-dvb group proposal and charter ________________________________________________________________ I. The a.v.s.mpeg-dvb group FAQ The group FAQ is a result of a collaboration of many DVB hobbyists. It is maintained by the webmaster of dvbwave.com and can be found at http://dvbwave.com/faq/ . Information about contributing to the FAQ can also be found at the same site. The information is this FAQ is only a small subset of the FAQ found at http://dvbwave.com/faq/ . This FAQ is oriented toward North American DVB. Some of the information in this FAQ may not be consistent with other geographical locations, especially the information concerning programming content and subscription availability. ________________________________________________________________ II. Introduction to DVB 1.What is DVB? DVB is an acronym for "Digital Video Broadcasting". It is an industry consortium of over 300 companies working together to promote a worldwide standard for the progression from analog to digital broadcasting. The DVB Consortium has a website at www.dvb.org that has information on background information and membership. While DVB is not solely involved in satellite distribution methods, for all mentions of "DVB" in this FAQ herein, it can be assumed we are interested in DVB-S (which is the broadcasting of digital signal over satellite). For information about the other types of DVB, please consult their website as mentioned above. Seeing as there is no popular subscription programming available to North American DVB viewers, it can be said that DVB in North America is generally of interest to hobbyists only. 2. If it's really just for hobbyists, does this mean there isn't any regular/good/decent programming on it? Some programming currently available on DVB is available nowhere else, other programming is available on your local cable television or DBS service. There is regular programming, but whether or not it's good or decent is up to the individual viewer. DVB is generally not a replacement for conventional sources of television programming, although for some, it's the only source of ethnic programming. 3. Why would I want it? You are: Interested in free ethnic programming that may/may not be available elsewhere. An avid, perhaps long time, satellite TV viewer and enjoy the challenge and reward of finding new (FREE) programming. Looking for programming that may have "gone digital". 4. How much does it cost? If you already have an analog satellite setup, the major cost will be the price of the DVB receiver. How much this costs depends on the feature set you're looking for. Prices range from perhaps $250 to well over $1000 for a top of the line Nokia receiver. Also, when estimating cost, factor in the cost of new C/Ku-band LNBs, a few DC blocking coaxial splitters, and other miscellaneous bits. If you do not have a current satellite setup, the cost can vary widely depending on whether you want a fixed or moveable satellite antenna and the type of programming you want to receive. For C-Band programming, the optimal dish size is around 10' and a brand new basic C/Ku setup will run around $1000 US not including installation. For a fixed Ku-band setup, a dish can be as cheap as FREE and generally less than $200 US (not including installation). As the programming is FTA (free-to-air), there is no cost involved here. 5. Can all of this free programming really be legal? The programming is being broadcast free-to-air (FTA) by the uplinker/production company. It is not really intended for consumer viewers. It is legal. 6. Where can I get more information? Check the "Related Links" section at the DVBWave.com site. http://dvbwave.com/faq/index.html#section7 ________________________________________________________________ III. The original a.v.s.mpeg-dvb group proposal and charter Charter: The purpose of this group would be the discussion of signals and hardware related to MPEG/DVB satellite communications. Justification: MPEG/DVB is a digital type transmission that is constantly growing in use in satellite communications in the US and Europe. The signals are usually received via C-Band or Ku Band equipment and viewed on television. There are presently discussion forums and email lists that run from browser based interfaces on the WWW. The membership in these forums and mailing lists is rapidly growing and becoming too bulky for the present types of discussion.