Satellite TV

I am so tired of the stupid local TV programmes, just don't wanna tolerate it any more, or maybe one day I would thought my TV set out of window. So I search information about satellite TV on Internet, and bought some devices to setup a satellite TV receiver. Now I can watch hundreds of higher quality programmes. What's more? My TV set is safer than ever. ^^

As the large amount of time we spend on watching TV, considering whether the context of programmes are appropriate are important for our mind. I think it's similar with what dishes my mother serve, and I pick my prefer dishes. Then after months or years, I grow into specific body shape. The healthier food I have daily, of cause the healthier I gain in a long run. So TV programmes, I think, could have similar effects on us, but in other way, our mind. Right? In the following, I will talk about the satellite TV, having a brief introduction and recommending some related websites, which help you know how to setup your own satellite TV receiver if you are interested.

With satellite TV, there are plenty of programmes, accounting for several hundreds, which is supplied by providers from HONGKONG, TAIWAN or Philippine etc. So now I don't need to spend lots of seconds with PPStream(P2P TV Software) waiting for changing channels and watch unclear images of my favourite channels on the small PC screen . Famous channels such as Discovery, National Geographic Channel, CNN, BBC, AXN and NBA are all can be received. Check out this website for the channels provided by one satellite (Some people receive 9 star, I just receive 2 star. The more star you wanna receive, the more dishes that is setup on top of house are required): http://www.otvro.com/138.0.htm

It's not expensive to setup a satellite TV, if you don't want to buy TV cards from provider, which may be more than 5000 RMB per provider per year. Just few people can afford it in China. In the way of piracy, it only cost about 1500 RMB to setup satellite TV station(Dish, Controller) and receive more than 2 hundred channels supplied by many providers. Most of people can set it up easily, but it's a kind of piracy, you should be aware of whether related regulations are strict by local government. If not, try to follow these guys.

Just kidding.

The most important device of satellite TV is satellite signal controller, which is connected by cables to TV set and from satellite dish located on top of house or by window. Currently, the most popular digital controller in China are DM500(DreamBox), in foreign are DM7020. It's similar to a small PC which is setup a Linus system. Many settings of it need another PC connected to it to be done. So it means setting up such device may be a bit of challenge if lack of basic computer knowledge. But it also means such controller is flexible, it allow user to download plug-ins on Internet, then installed them on it for more customized functions of controller. In addiction, it's capable to watch programmes on PC thought local Ethernet cable. Just keep in mind what kinds of programmes you are watching on PC, as the signal sent to your PC and TV set is simultaneous. This means programme played on your PC is as same as the TV set.

The word "Card" I refer to is like a KEY which is used to decode signal received from satellite. Different provider have different keys, so if you want to watch different keys legally, you have to buy these expensive cards. But even if people in China have plenty money to these keys, it's not easy to get one from some providers, whose programmes are banned by Chinese government. So let's try the illegal one. Years ago, people need to copy a card from someone who have bought one, but copied cards can't change keys automatically as the original one can, so people need to make lots of efforts to update it regularly. With the development of computer technology, we can make it more flexible. As the DreamBox is similar to computer, it can receive keys without any cards inserted. What it need to do to decode channels is to connect to server or other user's DreamBox for sharing cards thought Internet. To share cards, the devices have to setup some protocols.

Here I give a brief introduction to the two major protocols: CCcam and GBox. CCcam is a sort of server to client protocol. GBox is similar to P2P protocol, which is utilized by BT software. Generally, receiving cards by CCcam need to buy services from pirate, who buy cards from providers and share them for huge profit. Another way is to share cards with your friends by GBox protocol. Just like the theory of BT software, the more people share their cards with GBox, the more channels they can watch.


Recommended Websites:

Want to begin? Check out this one(In Chinese):
http://www.ttkws.com/

Nice website about these two protocols:
http://www.gboxforum.com/cam