A multitude of commercial premises including hotels, offices, housing developments and holiday parks, now utilise some form of structured cable system to supply an array of different programmes and information services to their end-user customers. These modern 'Multi point' distribution systems normally incorporate a form of MATV system (Master Antenna Television), which is dependent upon the client's specific needs. While MATV systems may vary in size and complexity, the basic structure of the system includes two clear areas of interest;- 1.The Head End System The MATV Head End is primarily tailored to provide the end-user with 'Off-Air' terrestrial services like BBC1, BBC2, ITV, C4 and C5. The 'Off-Air' services are initially received by a robust high gain aerial installation, which is mounted at a convenient position on the premises. A high quality antenna and Mast Head Amplification ensure that signal quality is optimised at the front end of the Head-End system therefore minimising any form of inherent noise, prior to the main amplification stages. This signal feed is then passed through channel equalisation stages to balance all incoming channels before additional filtering stages are used to minimise or reject unwanted interference sources. Clients now have the option of inserting additional UHF/ VHF channels for special features like information services (Guest Information), Video programmes (PPV) or 'Off Air' radio services (Radio1 etc), before the signal is then fed to the main launch amplification for onward distribution. 2. The Distribution System The output signal from the launch amplifier is now inserted into a structured cabling system constructed of high grade cable and screened outlet plates, which are installed within the premises to provide the end user with the required service package. Structured cabling systems can vary greatly in size, dependent upon the physical layout of the premises they are being installed into and the number of outlet points required to support the end-users customer requirements. DASTV have acquired a large amount of practical experience of installing /maintaining these types of system, by completing major projects for commercial clients across the country.
SMATV
This enhanced version of the previously described MATV system allows clients to combine the benefits of additional satellite programmes, with the terrestrial services that are normally available to domestic viewers. SMATV systems (Satellite Master Antenna Television) are now employed in most hotels and communal dwellings to provide end users with a broader range of programme facilities (Sky, CNN, Zee TV etc) for specialist interest groups, multilingual clients or private tenants. A domestic (DTH) satellite dish or a larger commercial satellite dish are normally utilised to provide source signals to the Head-End site, where signal decoding takes place before onward distribution to the interface point with the end-user (Outlet). This type of system normally involves the installation of a durable stand-alone satellite dish which ranges from 60cm to 1.2m in diameter, dependent upon the geographic position of the installation site and the satellite platform being used for the required services. Satellite services received by the dish can be supplied to the end-user using a variety different methods dependent upon the client's specific requirements and the cost limitations. Distribution methods may include the translation of satellite channels at the Head End system or the installation of multiple cable systems similar to IRS based technology which incorporate separate polarity (H/V) signal feeds and the latest polarity switching technology. SMATV systems can be custom designed and then specially produced to meet a clients unique requirements, before final installation and commissioning by DASTV.
IRS
IRS collects the broadcast signals from terrestrial (analogue & digital) and satellite transmitters, as well as FM radio and the new Digital Audio Broadcasts (DAB). All of these signals are then distributed via a single cable to a 3 socket wall outlet plate in the main rooms of the home, the cables are screened from electrical interference and the system can deliver all available TV channels to the resident, including both analogue and digital terrestrial, and digital satellite (with the addition of a minidish). IRS systems are equally suited to multiple dwelling units or single homes.
Installing IRS means that purchasers are free to decide to either connect their existing TV equipment to the system to pick up the existing analogue signals (until they are switched off), or to take up digital satellite or digital terrestrial television, now or in the future. This solution means that the builder installing IRS does not have to favour any one particular supplier of TV programming. The choice is left to the customer.
