What Is Decoder?
Decoder Is Any device which receives encrypted or protected data and decrypts or unlocks such data, bringing you to know the contents of such data is a decoder. Simply put, a decoder transforms encoded data and decodes it for you. When you watch TV channels, the setup box through which you receive the TV signals breaks down the complicated TV signals before presenting them to you in a format which your TV understands and displays.
What Does a Decoder Do?
Background. Satellite broadcasters often restrict their broadcasts on a territorial and paid-for basis by encrypting their transmissions. To access a broadcast, consumers buy or lease ‘decoder devices’ (such as set top boxes), which convert the encrypted transmissions into a watchable form.
What Is Decoder Made Of?
A parabolic reflector made of fiberglass or metal, usually aluminum, with a protruding steel feed horn and amplifier in its middle. A steel actuator that enables the dish to receive signals from more than one satellite.
How Does a Decoder Work For TV?
A digital decoder converts the digital signal from your TV provider into images. As a result, you can view the channels that are a part of your subscription. With some providers, you get a decoder when you take out a TV subscription. If not, you’ll have to buy one yourself.
Types Of Decoders?
The Digital Satellite Decoder:
This is the most common type of digital TV decoder used in developed, developing and under-developed countries of the world. These decoders use the satellite-like dish pan as signal receptors, positioned to face the sky at some
angle. The technology of the digital satellite decoder and dish setup allows your satellite dish to directly communicate with TV satellites in space and relates received signals to the waiting satellite TV decoders. In professional terms, the technology of signal transmission is known as Direct-to-Home Digital Video Broadcast (DTH DVB). This type is seen in the DStv model of dish and decoders used in most parts of Africa, including Nigeria.
There are many other types of satellite TV decoders and services in Nigeria and Africa. We have seen the MyTV, StarSat, NileSat, ArabSat, and so many others. All of these operate via similar technology, different TV satellites, parameters and settings. It is interesting to note that although there may be free TV channels on all these digital satellite TV systems, they are all Pay-Tv services. This means that you must pay money and subscribe to their services before you are given access to view their TV programs.
The Digital Terrestrial Decoder:
When you see high towering masts or antennas transmitting or receiving TV signals, this is terrestrial in nature. This type of technology uses highly raised poles or masts to propagate its signals. They do not transmit through satellites directly to your homes. That is why you do not need a satellite dish to receive such signals. Their decoders are configured to decrypt signals of this terrestrial nature.
Therefore, you cannot use a digital terrestrial TV decoder to decrypt signals from a digital satellite source. Even among terrestrial services, only the prescribed decoders can successfully unlock signals from a particular terrestrial source. Hence, one cannot use GOtv decoders on Startimes antennas and vice versa. In the same vein, DStv decoders cannot be used to view TV signals from MyTV satellites and vice versa. Any attempt to do otherwise is illegal and I condemn it in strong terms.
How Do I Connect My Decoder To My TV?
If you are using an HDMI cable, then plug it into the HDMI port on the back of your decoder and then plug the other end into an HDMI input port on your TV. You will then need to switch to the relevant HDMI source/input channel on your television.
Decoder Prices In Ghana:
DStv HD Decoder GHS 229.
Master Decoder GHS 200.00 to GHS 300.00
Multi TV basic Digibox Decoder – Gh¢ 150.00
MULTI TV HD PLUS DECODER PRICE GH¢170.00-300.00.
GOtv Decoder,cost between GHS 150 to GHS 250,