You are trying to determine how to get the programs you want to watch on your television. One way is cable TV. How does cable TV work? Cable TV providers receive their programming one of three ways. The signal can come from a satellite, or if the originating station is located nearby, the signal can come via a fiber optic cable or over the air. The central control center for the cable company is called the head end. Here the signals from the satellites, fiber optic cables and over the air broadcasts are processed into a band allotted by the FCC. The cable company scrambles the signal to prevent theft. The signal is then transmitted over a coaxial cable.
Each cable company utilizes miles of previously laid cables that are installed underground or on utility poles which may carry telephone and electric cables as well. Signal boosters are located throughout the network ensuring no loss of signal strength. The cable is then run from the utility pole in the street to your house just like a phone line. A connection is then made in the room where you plan to install the television.
You hook up your television and program the channels. If your television isn't cable ready or you want to access premium services, you will need a converter commonly referred to as a set top box. Once you are hooked up, you can watch live television.
Suppose you don't want to order cable TV. Is there another way to watch TV? How to get TV with out cable depends on where you live. If you live near a metropolitan area, the major networks that service the locale broadcast their signals over the air free of charge. You will need to purchase an antenna. The installation of the antenna can be tricky and you must have line of sight to the broadcast station. Trees, buildings or hills may block the signal to your antenna reducing you picture quality.
Another way to have TV without cable is streaming video over the web. Major networks sometimes offer their shows with limited commercials on their web sites. There are other web sites that stream recent and older television shows. Some of these websites require a subscription, but others are free. The problem with this technique is that the show that you want to watch may not yet be available, or may no longer be in the provider's library. Also, some networks do not stream any content at all. You should have a high speed internet connection to optimally down load video. This internet connection may require a subscription.
Each cable company utilizes miles of previously laid cables that are installed underground or on utility poles which may carry telephone and electric cables as well. Signal boosters are located throughout the network ensuring no loss of signal strength. The cable is then run from the utility pole in the street to your house just like a phone line. A connection is then made in the room where you plan to install the television.
You hook up your television and program the channels. If your television isn't cable ready or you want to access premium services, you will need a converter commonly referred to as a set top box. Once you are hooked up, you can watch live television.
Suppose you don't want to order cable TV. Is there another way to watch TV? How to get TV with out cable depends on where you live. If you live near a metropolitan area, the major networks that service the locale broadcast their signals over the air free of charge. You will need to purchase an antenna. The installation of the antenna can be tricky and you must have line of sight to the broadcast station. Trees, buildings or hills may block the signal to your antenna reducing you picture quality.
Another way to have TV without cable is streaming video over the web. Major networks sometimes offer their shows with limited commercials on their web sites. There are other web sites that stream recent and older television shows. Some of these websites require a subscription, but others are free. The problem with this technique is that the show that you want to watch may not yet be available, or may no longer be in the provider's library. Also, some networks do not stream any content at all. You should have a high speed internet connection to optimally down load video. This internet connection may require a subscription.
About the Author:
Find out how to get tv reception without cable at the authors website about cable companies.