Many people are entirely new to the idea of how transcoding works, but it is actually very simple to understand once you learn more about the topic. Here’s a quick definition of transcoding and then discuss how it works in a little more detail.
What is Transcoding?
Digital information is converted into an analog signal using something called a demodulator. Demodulators are used because it takes analog signals and changes them into digital information, which is much easier to process. After the demodulator changes the signal into digital, the converter changes it back into analog, which is sent out through various different channels onto the various different television sets that are connected to the home. Digital and analog television signals are separated by a digital signal processor, which is essentially a computer chip. This whole process is what to refer to as transcoding.
How does the process of transcoding work?
Basically, when you subscribe to a digital cable service, the receiver on the television set will convert any digital signal into analog which is sent out to the cable company’s digital receiver. You may have noticed that after you watch one channel, your cable bill is cheaper. This is because the cable company sends their signal over a digital carrier, and then their receiver converts that signal into the analog signal you see on your television screen.
This is how it all works, but let’s take it one step further and explain what happens to each channel once it is sent over a digital carrier. Basically, the more channels that are transmitted over a given distance, the less money the cable company makes. So, they always want to minimise their expenditure, and one way they do that is by offering many different packages to their customers and then limiting the number of customers who can actually take advantage of them. For instance, if they are offering two free channels, they are going to limit the number of customers who can get them, or else they are not going to charge a lot for them.
How do customers receive the signal services they need?
When you subscribe to a digital television service, and your provider offers any kind of special features like recording shows and movies anytime you wish, this is called satellite TV. A lot of people think that if they want to record something, then they have to record it using a VCR, or even a PC and the most basic of computers are known as the “VGA”. However, there is another kind of computer, the “Immediate Drive” card. This is capable of handling both the video and audio formats.
In order for you to be able to watch this on your home computer, you must have a satellite dish that is connected to a Direct Broadcast receiver inside your home. What this means is that your computer needs to be connected to a service provider who offers digital television. The next thing that happens is that there is a signal between the dish and the receiver, which allows digital broadcasting. When this happens, the digital information is sent into the computer of the user.
In order to understand how it works, you have to know what is being transmitted. The first part of the digital program consists of the analog signal. This is sent by the TV service provider to its satellite. The satellite then receives it, decodes it, and then sends it out to the customer. So, if we want to watch television on our computer, we would need a digital television, and then we could watch the digital program that we desire.
Who offers these kinds of services?
The good news is that there are companies out there who offer both types of services. One of which is Ziggeo. Their computer system will allow you to watch digital programs, and it will also allow you to watch regular television programs as well. There is no digital or regular program that is exempt from transcoding. It all comes with the same end result, which is watching digital programs on your PC. With these services, you do not need to worry about finding and downloading the proper program, since they are already available.
