Broadcast and cable communication systems: Difference between revisions

Signal distribution and reception systems encompass methods for delivering audio and video content to audiences through [[Wikipedia:broadcast communication network|broadcast communication networks]]. Terrestrial radio waves to internet-based platforms; with historical and modern approaches including terrestrial broadcasting, cable television, satellite broadcasting, and Internet Protocol-based services; broadcasting has shifted toward IP-based workflows (e.g., SMPTE ST 2110), mobile-first delivery via 5G, and AI for automation and personalization. Streaming’s dominance and cloud-based production are reshaping traditional models, with LEO satellites like Starlink expanding broadband support for content delivery. This page explores these methods, their historical development, and potential mimicking/simulation solutions.

Terrestrial broadcasting, also known as over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting, transmits audio and video content via radio waves from land-based stations to a wide audience, received through antennas.

:'''Television''': Terrestrial TV stations broadcast signals received by household or portable antennas. Historically analog, most regions transitioned to digital formats like Digital Television (DTV) and the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard by the early 2000s (e.g., U.S. in 2009). ATSC 3.0, introduced in the 2020s, supports 4K resolution, HDR, and mobile delivery. Examples include local stations and network affiliates like ABC, CBS, and NBC.

::''Subscription: Typically free for viewers with appropriate equipment, though some regions require TV licenses (e.g., BBC in the UK).''

Cable television delivers programming through radio frequency (RF) signals over coaxial or hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks to subscribers’ homes. Originating in the 1940s to extend broadcast signals, cable TV expanded with dedicated channels by the 1980s and digital transmission by the 1990s. Subscribers use [[Set-top_box_emulators|set-top boxes (STBs)]] or [[Smart_TV_emulators#Non-smart_TVs|integrated tuners]] to decode signals, typically requiring a subscription. As of 2025, cable TV serves 68.7 million U.S. subscribers but faces declining viewership due to streaming services, holding 24.1% of TV viewership. Also see [[Early online services]].

::''Subscription: Requires monthly subscriptions, often tiered for channel packages (e.g., basic, premium). Bundled services include internet and VoIP.''

Satellite broadcasting uses geostationary or low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to transmit signals, offering broader channel selections and exclusive content like live sports.

:'''Satellite TV''': Providers like DirecTV and Dish Network deliver signals via dish antennas and receivers, requiring subscriptions. Popular in areas with limited terrestrial or cable access, satellite TV’s market share is declining due to streaming competition.

::''Subscription: Typically requires monthly subscriptions for access, with tiered packages for premium or exclusive content.''

Internet-based delivery uses Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit content over managed or public networks.

:'''IPTV''': Managed services like AT&T U-verse deliver live TV over private networks, "focusing" quality of service for subscribers, often bundled with internet and VoIP.

::''Subscription: IPTV typically requires subscriptions via telecom providers. Streaming services offer subscription-based (e.g., Netflix), ad-supported (e.g., YouTube), or free models.''

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*There are streamers out there doing a similar job such as [https://vaughn.live/thatsodisney ThatsSoDisney] for 90s/2000s Disney Channel, [https://vaughn.live/nickpicks NickPicks] for 90s/2000s Nickelodeon, [https://4gtv.stream/ 4GTV] for Classic G4, [https://www.twitch.tv/90srewind 90srewind] for primarily Nickelodeon, [https://vaughn.live/cartoonnetwork24 CartooNetwork24] for Cartoon Network, [https://vaughn.live/90scartooncentral 90sCartoonCentral] for general cartoons or [https://www.twitch.tv/sftv444 SFTV], [https://www.twitch.tv/90sand2000snostalgia 90sAnd2000sNostalgia] for general.

*There are IPTV channels such as [https://thetvapp.to/tv/metv-toons-live-stream/ MeTV Toons] for Classic Cartoons.

;Comparison

;RetroBlast: Cartoon Network/Anime.

;Swimrewind: Adult Swim.

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Broadcast television systems (or terrestrial television systems outside the US and Canada) are the encoding or formatting systems for the transmission and reception of terrestrial television signals.

;NTSC

:'''[[wikipedia:NTSC|NTSC]]''' was the first color television system to be widely adopted, NTSC works by transmitting a high frequency color signal on top of the legacy black and white image, the amplitude of this signal determines the saturation while the phase determines hue, this is a property that many early consoles and home computers took advantage of. Every nation using the NTSC system also used a 59.94hz field rate. Many [[NTSC filters|filters]] exist to replicate this display on emulators.

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|[https://pagesfromceefax.azurewebsites.net/ PagesFromCeefax]

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Transmission of television signals using digital encoding, contrasting with the earlier analog television technology which utilized analog signals. At the time of its development, DTV was considered an innovative leap forward, marking the first significant evolution in television technology since the introduction of color television in the '50s.

:;Teletext: In digital broadcasting, teletext continues to be supported through digital teletext or subtitling services, where text and basic graphics are transmitted as part of the digital multiplex, offering services similar to the analog version but with enhanced capabilities due to the digital nature of the signal.

Early TV was broadcast live. Different means were invented for recording a broadcast.

There are [[Preservation projects|preservation efforts]] by [https://radiopreservation.org/ Radio Preservation Task Force], [https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/about-this-program/ National Recording Preservation Board] and [http://arsc-audio.org/ Association of Recorded Sound Collections] dedicated to project operates in fulfillment of the “to develop an online inventory of extant American radio archival collections.” [https://database.radiopreservation.org/ Over 2000 radio collections] are linked in this database and more to come. Lots of recordings and captures preserved on Archive.org as well, such as: [https://archive.org/details/radioprograms Radio Show and Programs Archive]. See [[Ripping_games#Tape.2Fcasette|Tape/casette ripping guide]].

{{Main|Ripping games#Analog}}

*[[Preservation projects]]

*[[Set-top box emulators]]

*[[Auto-load next disc]]

*[[Arcade LaserDisc emulators#Comparisons]]

*[[Literature]]

*[[Home media players]]

*[https://old.reddit.com/r/RetroTVRevival/ Reddit /r RetroTVRevival]

*[[Wikipedia:Broadcasting]]

*{{YouTubeVideo|So2tNhuiuB0|VWestLife: Analog TV was smarter than you think}}

[[Category:Preservation]]