Differences Between Free-To-Air TV, IPTV and PayTV Satellite Systems

While we have all realized that IPTV is the future of TV viewing, we need to reassess the impact of the other/older tv viewing technologies. Today will compare 3 of the most popular satellite Tv encryption/decoding technologies. By so doing, we shall be doing justice to the lopsided war between FTA Vs IPTV Vs PayTV. Previously on this site, you must have encountered the term FTA and  IPTV multiple times. What we are simply doing here is to draw the distinction. This will help us determine the most suitable for you and why.

If you are one of those who look forward to just sitting back and watching some TV during weekends, you’d be happy to have access to free-to-air(FTA) channels. You can make this possible by setting up your satellite system. Just by making a one-time purchase of all satellite equipment needed, like a satellite dish, a receiver, and some low noise blockers(LNBs), you will already be able to enjoy a great deal of FTA channels even without cable or satellite subscription. What is more, FTA is 100% legal. However, today’s article focuses on the distinction between our various satellite Tv systems.

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FTA Vs IPTV Vs PayTV: What are the Various Options Available to Us When Watching TV?

In some cases, we are restricted in how we can receive our TV pictures due to where we live and the available services. In addition, we can also be limited by the technology we need to get the right benefits.

Types of Television Providers

One of the most confusing issues when figuring out how we will receive our TV shows is understanding the different types of delivery available to us.
Let us break it down so that it can be easier to see our options.
The main types of television available in both the developed and the developing countries of the world can be broadly categorized into five main categories:

• Broadcast Television (Over-the-Air or Terrestrial TV)
• Free-to-air TV (FTA – or Unencrypted Satellite)
• Cable Television
• Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS – or Satellite TV)
• IPTV and Internet TV
• Broadcast Television

• Broadcast/terrestrial television

The broadcast television system is sometimes known as terrestrial TV. You can call it the most traditional type of TV delivery.

Furthermore, this TV type can be received for free and is traditionally picked up by an antenna (or aerial) in your home. The process involves sending a signal down a cable into a tuner integrated into your TV set.

This type of TV has been sent using an analog signal for many years. However, analog signals are starting to be replaced by digital signals. This is also known as Digital Terrestrial Television. Many houses in Nigeria are still using this type of tv system today.

• Digital or analog

Digital & analog systems are very similar to the broadcasting/terrestrial system above.
The TV tuner is often built into the TV set itself by default. However, to increase the number of channels you can receive, you may need to use an external box to receive the signal from the antenna.  And this box is then connected by cables to the TV or home entertainment system.
In the US, for example, this is how many people have historically received the major broadcast networks – ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, and The CW. Similarly, in Nigeria, we receive channels via digital and analog tv, such as NTAi, and other local tv channels such as AIT and Galaxy tv, most of which are now on satellite tv systems.
In the UK, the main broadcast channels are BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4, and Five.

• Free To Air TV

Free-to-air TV is similar in many ways to traditional broadcast TV transmissions – and can be seen as an extension of broadcast TV.
All the main channels available for broadcast TV can also be categorized as free-to-air and will be available using this method.

The main difference is that this type of TV is often sent using unencrypted satellite transmissions and can be received for free (or without a subscription) with the right equipment to receive the signals. For example, if you have a free-to-air standalone decoder like strong, Openbox, Dreambox, skybox, gsky, and so on, you can receive these channels.

Note; In this context, yet-to-be encrypted or newly added channels on test transmission also qualifies as free to air. However, the delivery method doesn’t have to be restricted to satellite transmissions. Therefore, the boundaries of this type of television and broadcast TV can be somewhat blurred.
Compared to traditional terrestrial TV, more channels are available to the consumer via free-to-air services. There will also be many radio stations as well as TV channels.

• Cable Television 

First, cable television companies provide TV, radio, phone, and internet services through a cable network connected to your home.

This delivery method usually requires a subscription, but this will provide a far greater choice of TV programming than what is available for free-to-air.
In addition, you will need a cable box(also known as a decoder/ receiver)  in the home to transmit the picture and sound to your TV.  You can choose between a standard play-only unit and a more advanced digital video recorder (DVR / PVR), which allows scheduled recording to an internal hard disk.

One major advantage of cable television is that there is no need to have external equipment like an aerial or dish outside your home. The picture from a cable service will also be unaffected by poor weather and atmospheric conditions, which can sometimes be problematic with a satellite TV service.
Cable networks can also offer high bandwidths, which are well-suited to transmitting high-definition pictures and supplying fast internet connections.

• Digital Satellite TV

As a reminder, Direct broadcast satellite is commonly known as satellite TV. Sat TV/DBS is a commercial subscription-based TV service for home consumers.
With this type of delivery, the home-user will install a satellite dish on the outside of their home. This dish is then directed at the location of the transmitting satellite in the sky. A cable is then run into the home and into a receiver box, which connects to the TV.
In some cases, these systems can receive a limited number of free-to-air channels which can be viewed without charge. However, for the full range of entertainment, sports and movie channels, the user must pay a subscription. Examples of digital Satellite tv are: dstv, mytv, consat, startimes, beIN, canalsat, skytv and so on.

• Internet Protocol Television or IPTV

IPTV is a technology that allows television services to be delivered over a proprietary broadband packet data network using the Internet protocol suite. Internet TV, on the other hand, is a television broadcast service distributed over the Internet.