2. Digital
Digital TV is a way of receiving your television signal in a digital format, which beats the outdated
Analogue television service. To use Digital TV you need to subscribe to a broadband such as Sky or
BT, and then you will automatically be linked to the Digital service. Every single form of television
has the digital package in it now, there are none of the previous forms of broadcasting, Analogue.
Pros for Audience:
Better viewing quality, you can get HD (High Definition)
Offers a wider variety of channels, still on the Freeview service, so no extra cost.
Sound quality is better than the older Analogue service.
Cons for Audience:
Costs more, you have to pay for the broadband and the television license.
It isn’t compatible with Analogue televisions unless a newer television model is purchased.
Sometimes the programme guide can be confusing and difficult to use if not designed well.
3. Analogue
Analogue TV is the older way of receiving your television signal in an analogue format. This is no
longer available to use because they have updated every single television to Digital television
service last year.
Pro’s for Audience
It has an infinite amount of data.
Density is much higher than Digital
Easier Processing
Con’s For Audience
Unwanted noise in recording.
When transmitting data at long range the unwanted disturbance is there.
4. Satellite/Cable
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and
received by an outdoor antenna. An example of satellite television is Sky, after purchasing a
package advertised by their company, a Sky engineer comes and fits a satellite dish to your house,
enabling you to connect to the satellite in space. Cable TV is a system in which television
programmes are transmitted to the sets of subscribers by cable rather than by a broadcast signal.
Virgin Media is an example cable television, when you buy the package from virgin, a television box
gets delivered. Then you have to plug in the coaxial cable to allow the virgin television box to
connect to their services via telephone lines.
Pro’s of Satellite/Cable
Improved Reception - the quality is generally better.
Very wide coverage, pretty much anyone can have it.
Con’s of Satellite/Cable
You can only use satellite TV if you are in a suitable location, otherwise it may not get enough
signal.
The look of the satellite dish on the side of your house looks aesthetically unappealing. So this
may affect your land value.
5. Interactive
Interactive television is a form of media convergence, adding data services to traditional television
technology. For example, on some television channels, you can press a red button at certain times,
which provides you with more information about the subject, sometimes they can include things like
games and quizzes. One of the most well known uses of this is from the show The X Factor, and by
pressing the red button you can vote without using a phone. Also, this is seen on the sales show,
where the entire show is based on selling the audience numerous items. There again you can either
ring the number displayed on screen or press the red button.
Pro’s
The viewers can immediately buy the goods they see on screen with the interactive system
Viewers can use interactive television to catch up on missed programmes.
Adds another level of entertainment.
Con’s
The television sales can get irritating and obtrusive.
Pressing the red button opens up a new panel so you cant see the show being watched.
6. On Demand
On Demand television is a extremely fast growing form of television viewing. It allows the viewer to
find and watch programmes they have missed, these are found mostly on websites like, BBC iPlayer
and 4OD. Now, even television providers like Sky and Virgin are incorporating an On Demand
system to their television packages, allowing their customers to watch the shows they have missed
on their television, instead of computer.
Pro’s
You can watch almost anything you like that has been played on the channel.
There is a huge variety of shows that you can catch up on.
Con’s
The shows that go on demand only stay on for a week, after that it gets deleted from the system
and it is very hard to watch without it being repeated on tv or something similar like that.
You used to only be able to watch On Demand television on a computer, meaning a smaller
screen and more uncomfortable.
7. Pay Per View
Pay per view is a type of television broadcasting service, offered by companies like Sky. It is where
you as the buyer, orders a ‘ticket’ to watch a show that will be played at a certain time. This will be
played to everyone who has bought the right to watch this show, sort of like a theatre production.
Events can be purchased using an on-screen guide, an automated telephone system, or through a
live customer service representative. Events often include feature films, sporting events and
other entertainment programs.
Pro’s
having the ability to select films whenever
getting the latest films
on demand so being able to watch whenever wherever
can also be accessed by mobile devices
Con’s
not always reliable, technical difficulties
quite expensive
the library is restricted
encourages piracy as they are so expensive
8. Streaming Content
Streaming content is generally found on the internet and allows people to watch any film or
television programme that is available on their library. It is different from downloading movies and
watching them because you are not actually saving the movie to your computer. Instead you are
accessing their files and watching it for a one off time.
Pro’s
its quick and easy to watch films
cheap for the amount of films you get
don't have to clog up computer with unnecessary files, safer than downloading
Con’s
you have to have internet connection when streaming
not reliable could freeze while streaming
it may cost quite a bit depending on who you subscribe to
9. HD
HD stands for High Definition, and it is of higher resolution than standard definition television. This
definition has a higher amount of scan lines, which is what make the resolution better. By definition,
the amount HD has starts at the lowest of 720, and going up to 4320. The most used being 1080.
The higher the number of scan lines the better the quality.
Pro’s
Much better viewing quality than SD television
more enjoyable to watch
a much clearer picture
Con’s
more expensive to buy
only select channels in HD
HD movies are a lot more expensive
only available on a HD TV
10. 3D
3D is a form of television that has been revolutionized in recent years, enabling the audience to
watch television or films in the third dimension. It originally was done with two different coloured
lenses on glasses, green and red, and the feature you are watching is broadcasted in those two
colours, the pictures being slightly out of line by a few millimeters. This gave the illusion that the
image was ‘jumping’ out of the screen. More recently they have mastered a version that does not
require modifying the colour of the film, instead you wear special clear lensed glasses, and the
picture you see is blurred, but with the glasses it is clear and 3D. They film this by using multiple
cameras in different angles and then overlay all of those shots, making a blurred version.
Pro’s
more enjoyable to watch
original, something different to normal TV
can switch from 3D to HD on a 3D TV
Con’s
need glasses to watch it
much more expensive
not all channels are 3D
3D movies are almost twice the price
11. Smart TV’s
Smart TV’s are televisions that are connected to your broadband in order to allow you much more
viewing flexibility. You can access apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime, to allow you to stream any
movie they have to offer. You can watch the regular television channels, and the system is set up
with an easy to use interface, customizable for the owner of the television.
Pro’s
its a more enjoyable, and you can access more from it
you could have it instead of a computer
you can link it to your smart phone or tablet
Con’s
its more expensive than an average TV
you may have to pay for 'apps' or movie 'apps' on top of the TV
weather may effect the connection, so may other things
