CDRH Home |  Search |  A-Z Index | Feedback

01/02/2004

What do I need to receive and/or watch the program?
You need a C- or KU-band, steerable satellite dish and a TV monitor or large screen projection system. Check the Technical Fact Sheet to see which type of satellite we will be using for your event. You can also use a bridging service to receive the program if you have a videoconference room.

Will the signal be scrambled?
No.  Our signal will be “in the clear.”

I have a small dish at my home for getting television programming. Will I be able to get the program on my dish?
No.  That’s a different kind of satellite dish.  It’s digital and is fixed on the satellite that is providing your home entertainment.

What if we don’t have a satellite dish?
There are several options available. Go to “Where to View a Satellite Program.”

Can we ask questions during the program?
Yes. We will be taking questions by phone and fax. The numbers will be provided during the broadcast. For some broadcasts, we will also accept e-mail questions prior to the program. Check the specific program information.

If I ask a question, will everyone know who I am?
You do not have to provide your name when you call in or fax.  We only ask for City and State.

Will there be program materials and how will we get them?
Program materials, when appropriate, will be posted on our web site under “Program Materials” for each program.  They will be in a form that you can print.

If we register as a downlink site, can we videotape the program?
Yes.

My screen says I’m on the satellite I want, but I’m not getting the program. What should I do?
Your dish may have been knocked off position by a storm. You may be able to adjust your dish yourself, “manually.”  First, call your in-house technician, in case you aren’t successful.  Then read “Receiver/Dish Adjustment Instructions” for moving your dish.  If yours isn’t one of the listed brands and you’ve lost your instruction booklet, we suggest that you take some clues from these instructions and/or look on your manufacturer’s website for instructions.

I’m getting the right programming on some of the channels, so I know I’m on the right satellite, but I’m not seeing the FDA program.
If you get programs on even numbered channels and not odd – or vice versa – you are likely having a polarity problem. Try going to the channel you need, and changing your polarity (see “Receiver/Dish Adjustment Instructions”).

I get all the other channels on the satellite great, but the FDA program signal is “ugly.”
You are likely having local terrestrial interference.  That’s because local microwaves operate in the same frequency range as C-band satellites, so sometimes you will be in the pathway of a microwave that exactly or closely matches the frequency of a channel we are on.  To help, turn on your “TI filter” and/or narrow your bandwidth to a lower setting.

4DTV-specific question (note:  these are possible solutions, as there are several different kinds of 4DTV receivers):

When I look for your program and/or channels that you suggest on checking, I’m not getting anything. It seems like I’m not getting anything except typical DBS/Cable programming.
This seems to be a fairly common occurrence with these receivers, that folks will be able to see everything EXCEPT analog channels. You can try one (or both) of these things (there may be a few different steps for your receiver – check your manual):

1. Move your dish to G0 (G zero), and select #9 on the main menu. It will automatically update your programming.

 2. Unplug your receiver, wait a minute and then plug it back in again.  This completely reboots your system, however, it also wipes out the programming.  When it reboots, it will automatically track to G0 and update/reprogram itself. Both of these solutions require time to work: from 10 to 20 minutes. (Additional resource: www.4dtv.com)

If neither of these work, contact your installer.

SATELLITE - For broadcasts, we use satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the equator. This orbit is perfectly matched with the rotation of the earth, so it appears like the satellites are “fixed” in space above the surface of the earth. There are two types of broadband, analog communications satellites: C Band and Ku Band. Each type has its own set of uplink and downlink frequencies. You must know what band your program is on. Most contemporary analog downlink dishes can receive both C and Ku transmissions. Each satellite has a name – GALAXY, TELSTAR, etc.

AZIMUTH - The arc (east-west) in the sky where synchronous satellites are located. The position of a satellite is referred to as the “coordinates,” given as “degrees east or west.”

ENCRYPTION - (Scrambling) A television signal can be encrypted (scrambled). You would need a specific decoder in order to view the program. We do not encrypt/scramble our broadcasts. FDA programs are provided “in the clear.”

TRANSPONDER - A specific circuit on a satellite that receives an uplink signal, modulates it to the downlink frequency, amplifies the signal and transmits it back to earth. Satellites have at least 24 transponders.

LINEAR POLARITY – A technique employed to increase the capacity of a transponder. By alternating the shape of a signal (horizontal or vertical), one can double the carrying capacity of a transponder.

CHANNEL – When speaking of satellite transponders, “channel” is another way of referring to the polarized signal: horizontal or vertical.

DOWNLINK FREQUENCY – The radio frequency used to send a specific signal back to the surface of the earth. Each “channel” has an assigned downlink frequency.

AUDIO - Each satellite video channel has two audio channels. The radio frequencies are the same for all channels: 6.2 and 6.8 MHz

DIGITAL - A recent alternative to the broadband, analog signal. This type of satellite transmission utilizes small, receive-only dishes, locked or fixed on a specific satellite.  Direct Broadcast Satellites (DBS) are examples of digital services, transmitting direct-to-home in the 12 GHz range and beyond. At this point in time, we do not have access to these digital satellites. Our broadcasts cannot be downlinked using DBS dishes.

FOOTPRINT - A term to describe the geographic area (coverage) of a satellite signal.

TECHNICAL FACT SHEET – A document that provides all relevant information for the satellite program.  Sometimes, a Program Announcement is the only technical information provided.  An Announcement or Technical Fact Sheet for a satellite broadcast should include all of the following information.  If it doesn’t, check with the program provider to get the complete information.

Basic Information (Example)

• Name of the Satellite (Galaxy 3C)
• Coordinates (95 degrees West)
• Transponder Number (Transponder 12)
• Polarity (Vertical)
• Channel (Channel 12 – the vertical polarized signal of Transponder 12)
• Downlink Frequency (3940 MHz)
• Audio Frequency (6.2 or 6.8 MHz)
• Trouble Number (The national/origination phone number for technical support regarding reception-problem questions.)
• Phone-in and FAX numbers (for asking questions during the program)

Know your satellite name, band, coordinates, transponder, channel, polarity and downlink frequency.

Know the time of your broadcast.

• Test time: A period of time prior to the actual program (usually ½ hour) when a special test signal is transmitted. Tuning, fine tuning, and trouble shooting would be done during this time.
• Program time: Usually listed as "eastern time", the time the program actually begins.

Know the "Trouble Number"

• The phone number in the operations department of the uplink site.  A technician is available to answer reception-problem questions.

Know the Phone-in and FAX numbers.

• Many teleconferences invite audience members to call/fax in questions/comments. Is a FAX machine available?

Know the set up of your downlink viewing room and technical support provided.

• Who is the A/V technician responsible for your downlink?
• Will that person remain on site until the program begins?
• Does that person have all of the satellite information necessary to complete the downlink?
• Besides tuning in the program, will the technician also record the event for you?
• How many people will the viewing area comfortably hold?
• Do you have sufficient video monitors, or a viewing screen? (30 or more people warrants a projector screen)
• Does the audio playback match your video in terms of volume and fidelity?
• Does the room have a phone (call-in questions) and FAX machine?