What Do You Need for Cable TV?
Cable television allows customers to receive a large number of television channels and additional services over a physical wire connection. Though some services like high definition television and digital video recorders require special equipment installed at the customer's location, cable companies note that customers using basic services can receive a number of channels without any additional equipment.
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Basics
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According to the technology reference website TechTarget.com, cable television is simply a way to distribute television signals to a large audience without the use of over-the-air transmitters. In a typical cable television network, a locally-operated center receives signals from television channels and networks from around the country, often via satellite relay. The local center then re-transmits these signals to the local community using a physical cable, the basis for the "cable television" name.
Requirements
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According to the national cable television operator Northland Cable Television, customers who receive basic service can do so with only a cable connection and a television. For basic services, customers need only to plug a coaxial cable connected to the cable television network into a television; any connected television can then receive the company's basic channel lineup without the need for any additional equipment. Customers who own older televisions with no coaxial cable input can use a 300-ohm to 75-ohm converter, readily available at local hardware and electronic retailers, to adapt the cable signal for connection to the television's VHF antenna screw terminals.
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Special Equipment
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Though customers can receive basic cable television service without the need for additional equipment, customers who use special devices called set top cable boxes can enjoy a number of additional benefits. Set top boxes interpret digital signals from the cable company to enable special features like high definition television, an extended channel lineup and a request service known as video on demand. According to Comcast Cable, one of the nation's largest cable television service providers, some set top boxes allow users to digitally record and store favorite television shows and movies. These devices, known as digital video recorders or DVRs, allow customers to schedule recordings, pause and rewind television and even save movies for more convenient viewing.
Additional Services
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Many cable television companies have expanded their services to deliver more than traditional television services. According to Comcast, many cable companies use their digital connections to provide broadband Internet connections to their customers. Cable companies also capitalize on their bi-directional communication channel to provide digital telephone service, an enhanced offering that converts voice conversations to data packets for transport across the cable and data network.
Benefits
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Cable television, according to Northland Cable Television, provides reliable television connections that do not require external antennas or cumbersome satellite dishes. Many cable customers also enjoy local television stations not available from satellite service providers. Deliver of television signals via cable TV ensure a high quality picture and sound, compared to static and other interference that is common with antenna connections.
Considerations
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Though cable television delivers audio and video over a fairly reliable connection, the physical cables can become damaged or even destroyed by accidents, vandalism and natural weather events. In addition, cable service providers must maintain licenses to re-broadcast television signals, and disputes between cable companies and television networks can sometimes interrupt service to thousands of customers.
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References
- Photo Credit cable connector image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
