Published: June 19, 2025 by Rungreung Huanraluek
What is a centralized TV system?
Centralized TV system MATV, SMATV, CATV, IPTV : Part 1
Centralized TV System is a process of receiving video and audio signals from various sources, such as terrestrial antennas, satellite dishes, satellite receivers, computers, video players, or live production. All these signals are then converted into a uniform format and their channels are arranged to prevent overlap, resulting in a single set of TV signals that can be efficiently distributed.
The purpose of a centralized TV system is to distribute the obtained TV signals to individual televisions via cables or networks within a building, between buildings, or at a community, provincial, national, or even international level. This system aims to reduce the problem of multiple antennas cluttering rooftops in the past, solve issues in areas with poor TV signal reception, and can also be developed into a subscription-based centralized TV system for commercial use.
Types of Centralized TV Systems Currently Found:
1. MATV (Master Antenna Television): An in-building centralized TV system that receives signals from terrestrial antennas.
2. SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television): An in-building centralized TV system that receives signals from both terrestrial antennas and satellite dishes.
3. CATV (Community Antenna Television): A centralized TV system for communities, villages, sub-districts, districts, provinces, or at a national level.
4. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television): A TV system that uses an internet network for signal distribution, supporting viewing on a wider range of devices than just televisions, and can be further developed beyond just TV viewing.
Types of Signal Sources Fed into a Centralized TV System:- Terrestrial TV signals in DVB-T or DVB-T2 format.
- Free-to-air satellite TV signals in DVB-S or DVB-S2 format.
- Signals from local cable TV in DVB-T or DVB-C format.
- Signals from satellite receivers or other encoding devices via A/V or HDMI.
- Signals from computers in A/V or HDMI format.
- Signals from all types of video players in A/V or HDMI format.
- Live broadcast or self-produced program signals in A/V, HDMI, or SDI format.
- CCTV signals in A/V or HDMI format.
All signals are converted into the same TV format and channels are arranged to prevent overlap using signal conversion devices such as Modulators, Encoders, Transcoders, Channel Converters, IPTV Servers, and IPTV Gateways.
