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Cable television primarily transmits signals over-the-air via radio waves, similar to broadcast television.
Answer: False
Cable television delivers programming via coaxial or fiber-optic cables, contrasting with broadcast television's over-the-air transmission via radio waves.
The standard cable used for cable television in the U.S. is RG-11, which has a 50 ohm impedance.
Answer: False
The standard cable used for cable television in the U.S. is RG-6, which has a 75 ohm impedance, not RG-11 with 50 ohm impedance.
A coaxial cable consists of an inner conductor surrounded by a concentric conducting shield, separated by an insulating dielectric material.
Answer: True
This statement accurately describes the fundamental structure of a coaxial cable, which is commonly used for cable television signals.
Which of the following is a fundamental difference between cable television and broadcast television?
Answer: Cable television delivers programming via coaxial or fiber-optic cables, while broadcast television transmits over-the-air via radio waves.
Cable television utilizes physical cables (coaxial or fiber-optic) for signal delivery, whereas broadcast television relies on over-the-air radio wave transmission received by antennas.
What additional service, besides television programming, can cable television systems provide through their infrastructure?
Answer: High-speed Internet
Cable television systems are capable of providing high-speed Internet, FM radio programming, and telephone services through the same cable infrastructure, leveraging its versatility.
What type of cable is standard for cable television in the U.S. and what is its impedance?
Answer: RG-6, 75 ohm impedance
The standard cable used for cable television in the U.S. is RG-6, which has a 75 ohm impedance and connects using a type F connector.
In the 21st century, cable television systems have largely transitioned from analog to digital operation.
Answer: True
Since the 2000s, cable systems have been upgraded to digital cable operation, allowing for more efficient data transmission and a wider array of services compared to 20th-century analog systems.
The abbreviation CATV originally stood for 'cable television' and has maintained this meaning since its inception.
Answer: False
The abbreviation CATV originally stood for 'community antenna television,' reflecting its origins in relaying signals from large community antennas.
Between 1978 and 1988, cable television adoption in American households saw a dramatic increase from 7.5% to 52.8%.
Answer: True
Cable television adoption in American households increased from 7.5% in 1978 to 52.8% by 1988, demonstrating a rapid growth in popularity.
The very first local cable networks were operated in the United States in 1936.
Answer: False
The very first local cable networks were operated in London and Berlin in 1936, with operations in the United States beginning from 1948 onwards.
Cable television began as a commercial business in the United States in the 1940s.
Answer: False
Cable television began as a commercial business in the United States in the 1950s, not the 1940s.
Early U.S. cable systems primarily focused on creating original local programming for subscribers.
Answer: False
The initial function of early U.S. cable systems was to receive and amplify weak broadcast channels for communities with poor reception, not to create original local programming.
Early VHF television receivers could broadcast all 12 channels (2-13) in a single city without experiencing distortion.
Answer: False
Early VHF television receivers were limited to a maximum of 7 channels in a single city due to their inability to receive strong local signals on adjacent channels without distortion.
The All-Channel Receiver Act of 1964 mandated that all new television sets include a UHF tuner, which helped UHF stations become more competitive.
Answer: True
The All-Channel Receiver Act of 1964 mandated the inclusion of UHF tuners in all new television sets, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and accessibility of UHF stations.
Early pay TV channels like HBO were initially transmitted scrambled to prevent unauthorized viewing.
Answer: False
Early pay TV channels like HBO were initially transmitted 'in the clear' (unscrambled) on midband channels because standard TV sets could not easily pick up these non-standard signals.
United States regulations in the 1980s primarily restricted the development of cable-originated live television programming.
Answer: False
United States regulations in the 1980s fostered, rather than restricted, the development of cable-originated live television programming, encouraging local content creation.
'Narrowcasting' refers to the practice of broadcasting programming to the widest possible general audience.
Answer: False
'Narrowcasting' refers to the practice of targeting programming to specific, smaller audiences, in contrast to broadcasting to the widest possible general audience.
In the 1990s, digital transmission was introduced to make more efficient use of VHF signal capacity in cable systems.
Answer: True
Digital transmission was introduced in the 1990s to enhance the efficient use of VHF signal capacity in cable systems, allowing for more channels and improved quality.
A 1981 demonstration in the Netherlands showcased a 5-channel cable TV system, indicating early stage development.
Answer: False
A 1981 demonstration in the Netherlands showcased a 30-channel cable TV system, indicating a more advanced stage of development than a 5-channel system.
Digital cable operation transmits signals as discrete data, allowing for more channels and better picture quality.
Answer: True
Digital cable operation transmits signals as discrete data, which enables the provision of more channels, superior picture quality, and additional data services compared to analog systems.
What was the original meaning of the abbreviation CATV?
Answer: Community Antenna Television
The abbreviation CATV originally stood for 'community antenna television,' reflecting its initial purpose of relaying signals from large community antennas to homes in areas with poor reception.
By what percentage did cable television adoption in American households increase between 1988 and 1994?
Answer: Approximately 9.6%
Cable television adoption in American households increased from 52.8% in 1988 to 62.4% in 1994, representing an increase of approximately 9.6%.
What was the initial purpose of the very first local cable networks operated in places like London and Berlin in 1936?
Answer: To relay terrestrial television channels in areas with poor reception.
The initial purpose of the very first local cable networks in places like London and Berlin in 1936 was to relay terrestrial television channels in geographical areas experiencing poor reception due to distance from transmitters or challenging terrain.
When did cable television begin as a commercial business in the United States?
Answer: 1950s
Cable television began its commercial operations in the United States in the 1950s, marking its transition from experimental systems to a structured industry.
What was the primary limitation on the number of channels that could be broadcast in a single city by early VHF television receivers?
Answer: The inability of receivers to handle strong local signals on adjacent channels without distortion.
The primary limitation on the number of channels broadcast in a single city by early VHF television receivers was their inability to handle strong local signals on adjacent channels without experiencing distortion, necessitating frequency gaps.
How did cable systems initially expand beyond the standard 12 VHF channels?
Answer: By utilizing non-standard 'midband' and 'superband' channels.
Cable systems initially expanded beyond the standard 12 VHF channels by utilizing non-standard 'midband' and 'superband' channels, which required separate tuner boxes for access.
What was the impact of the All-Channel Receiver Act of 1964?
Answer: It mandated that all new television sets include a UHF tuner, making UHF stations more competitive.
The All-Channel Receiver Act of 1964 mandated that all new television sets include a UHF tuner, which, over time, significantly enhanced the competitiveness of UHF broadcast stations by making their signals widely accessible.
Why were early pay TV channels like The Z Channel and HBO initially transmitted 'in the clear' (unscrambled) on cable systems?
Answer: Because standard TV sets of that period could not easily pick up these non-standard signals.
Early pay TV channels were initially transmitted 'in the clear' because standard television sets of that era could not easily receive these non-standard midband signals, thus providing a de facto form of access control.
What is 'narrowcasting' in the context of cable television?
Answer: Targeting programming to specific, smaller audiences.
'Narrowcasting' in cable television refers to the strategic practice of targeting programming to specific, smaller audiences with niche interests, rather than attempting to reach the broadest possible general audience.
What did a 1981 demonstration in the Netherlands showcase regarding cable TV?
Answer: A 30-channel cable TV system.
A 1981 demonstration in the Netherlands showcased a 30-channel cable TV system, illustrating the expanding capacity and technological advancements of cable television during that era.
What is the key characteristic of digital cable operation compared to analog?
Answer: It transmits signals as discrete data, allowing for more channels and better quality.
The key characteristic of digital cable operation, compared to analog, is its transmission of signals as discrete data, which enables more channels, superior picture quality, and additional data services.
What were 'midband' channels in early cable television systems?
Answer: Channels located between the FM radio band and VHF Channel 7.
'Midband' channels in early cable television systems were non-standard frequency ranges located between the FM radio band and VHF Channel 7, used to expand channel offerings beyond the initial 12 VHF channels.
In the historical context of cable television, what did 'Pay TV' refer to?
Answer: Premium channels like The Z Channel and HBO offered for an additional fee.
In the historical context of cable television, 'Pay TV' referred to premium channels, such as The Z Channel and HBO, that were offered to subscribers for an additional fee, often carrying movies or special events.
A splitter is used in a cable television setup to combine signals from multiple rooms into a single outgoing cable.
Answer: False
A splitter is used to divide an incoming cable signal into multiple separate cables for distribution to different rooms or television sets, not to combine signals.
TV gateways convert Internet Protocol (IP) streams to DVB-C/C2 for in-home television distribution.
Answer: False
TV gateways convert DVB-C/C2 streams to Internet Protocol (IP) for distributing television over an IP network within the home, not the other way around.
Cable television systems transmit multiple channels through a single coaxial cable using time division multiplexing.
Answer: False
Cable television systems transmit multiple channels through a single coaxial cable using frequency division multiplexing, not time division multiplexing.
The 'headend' is the cable company's local distribution facility where television channels are received, processed, and prepared for distribution.
Answer: True
The headend is indeed the central facility where television channels are received, processed, and multiplexed onto a single coaxial cable for distribution to subscribers.
Upstream channels in a cable system typically occupy a higher frequency band than downstream channels.
Answer: False
Upstream channels typically occupy a lower frequency band (5 to 42 MHz) compared to downstream channels (50 MHz to 1 GHz).
At the local headend, cable companies primarily receive channel feed signals through terrestrial broadcast towers.
Answer: False
At the local headend, cable companies primarily receive channel feed signals through dish antennas that capture signals from communication satellites, not terrestrial broadcast towers.
A Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) system uses optical fiber for the final distribution to individual customers' homes.
Answer: False
A Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) system uses optical fiber for trunklines to local neighborhoods, but coaxial cable is used for the final distribution to individual customers' homes.
In an HFC network, TV channels remain in optical form until they reach the customer's home.
Answer: False
In an HFC network, TV channels are converted from optical to electrical signals at optical nodes in local communities before being distributed via coaxial cable to the customer's home.
A service drop is the main trunkline that connects the headend to local neighborhoods in a cable television system.
Answer: False
A service drop is the coaxial cable that brings the signal from distribution lines to the customer's building, whereas trunklines connect the headend to local neighborhoods, often using optical fiber in modern systems.
Downstream channels in a cable television system carry data from the customer's home to the cable headend.
Answer: False
Downstream channels carry data from the cable headend to the customer's home, while upstream channels carry data from the customer's home to the headend.
Optical nodes in an HFC system are responsible for converting optical signals back into electrical signals for coaxial distribution.
Answer: True
Optical nodes in an HFC system perform the critical function of converting the optical signal received via fiber back into an electrical signal for subsequent distribution over coaxial cable to subscribers.
Taps are active RF devices that amplify the signal for individual customers in a cable television distribution network.
Answer: False
Taps are passive RF devices that branch off from the main coaxial cable to deliver the signal to individual customer premises; they do not amplify the signal.
What device is typically used to branch off an incoming cable signal to multiple lines for different rooms within a subscriber's building?
Answer: A splitter
A splitter is a small device used to divide the incoming cable signal into multiple separate cables, allowing distribution to different rooms or multiple television sets within a building.
How do cable television systems transmit multiple channels through a single coaxial cable without interference?
Answer: By assigning each channel a unique 'frequency slot' using frequency division multiplexing.
Cable television systems employ frequency division multiplexing, assigning each channel a unique 'frequency slot' on the coaxial cable to prevent interference and allow simultaneous transmission of multiple channels.
What is the primary function of the 'headend' in a cable television system?
Answer: To receive, process, and multiplex television channels for distribution.
The primary function of the headend in a cable television system is to receive, process, and multiplex multiple television channels onto a single coaxial cable for efficient distribution to subscriber residences.
What is the typical frequency band used for upstream channels, which send data from the customer box back to the headend?
Answer: 5 to 42 MHz
Upstream channels, which transmit data from the customer's home back to the headend, typically occupy a frequency band of 5 to 42 MHz.
How do cable companies primarily receive the feed signals for individual television channels at the local headend?
Answer: Through dish antennas capturing signals from communication satellites.
At the local headend, cable companies primarily receive feed signals for individual television channels through dish antennas that capture signals from communication satellites, enabling access to a wide array of programming.
What is the main reason a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) distribution system is used in modern cable networks?
Answer: To provide greater bandwidth and extra capacity for future expansion.
Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) systems are primarily used in modern cable networks to provide greater bandwidth and extra capacity for future expansion, leveraging the efficiency of optical fiber over longer distances.
What happens at an optical node in a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) system?
Answer: The optical signal is converted back into an electrical signal for coaxial distribution.
At an optical node in an HFC system, the optical signal received via fiber is converted back into an electrical signal, which is then distributed over coaxial cable to individual subscribers.
According to the source material, what is the function of a cable television distribution box?
Answer: It contains a splitter to divide the incoming signal for different rooms.
A cable television distribution box typically contains a splitter, which divides the incoming signal to supply separate cables routed to different rooms within the building, facilitating multi-room signal distribution.
What is a 'service drop' in the context of cable television distribution?
Answer: An overhead or underground coaxial cable bringing the signal from distribution lines to the customer's building.
A 'service drop' is an overhead or underground coaxial cable that serves as the final connection point, bringing the cable television signal from the main distribution lines to the customer's building.
In a cable television system, what is the direction of communication for 'upstream' channels?
Answer: From the customer's home to the cable headend.
In a cable television system, 'upstream' channels refer to the communication path that carries data from the customer's home (e.g., from a set-top box or cable modem) back to the cable headend.
What is the function of 'taps' in cable television distribution lines?
Answer: To branch off from the main coaxial cable to deliver the signal to individual customer premises.
Taps are passive RF devices in cable television distribution lines that branch off from the main coaxial cable to deliver the signal to individual customer premises, allowing multiple subscribers to connect to the same distribution line.
Most cable companies require a set-top box because the majority of digital cable channels are encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.
Answer: True
The majority of digital cable channels are encrypted or scrambled to prevent unauthorized access and reduce cable service theft, necessitating a set-top box for decoding.
On modern digital cable systems, signals are typically encrypted to prevent cable service theft, and set-top boxes can be remotely deactivated.
Answer: True
Modern digital cable systems encrypt signals to prevent theft, and set-top boxes can be remotely deactivated if a subscriber fails to pay, ensuring controlled access.
Broadcasters were forced to scramble premium cable signals after tuners capable of receiving mid-band and super-band channels were incorporated into standard television sets.
Answer: True
The incorporation of tuners capable of receiving non-standard mid-band and super-band channels into standard television sets necessitated scrambling premium cable signals to prevent unauthorized access.
'Cable-ready' tuners in televisions became less common because they were too expensive to manufacture.
Answer: False
'Cable-ready' tuners became less common because they contained descrambling circuitry that allowed consumers to access premium channels without paying, leading to revenue loss for operators.
A conditional access module card is used to convert analog cable signals to digital format for modern televisions.
Answer: False
A conditional access module card is used to decrypt scrambled digital cable channels for authorized subscribers, not to convert analog signals to digital.
Why do most cable companies require a set-top box or conditional access module cards for viewing channels?
Answer: To decode encrypted signals and prevent unauthorized access.
Most cable companies require set-top boxes or conditional access module cards to decode encrypted digital cable channels, thereby preventing unauthorized access and reducing service theft.
What is required for an older analog television to receive digital cable channels, even unencrypted ones?
Answer: A digital television adapter.
For older analog televisions to receive digital cable channels, even unencrypted ones, a digital television adapter is required because analog TVs cannot directly process digital signals.
What unexpected challenge did cable operators face regarding descrambling circuitry?
Answer: Descrambling circuitry was often published in electronics hobby magazines, allowing unauthorized access.
Cable operators faced the unexpected challenge that descrambling circuitry designs were frequently published in electronics hobby magazines, enabling individuals to build their own devices and access programming without payment.
Why did 'cable-ready' tuners in televisions and VCRs become less common?
Answer: They contained descrambling circuitry that allowed consumers to access premium channels without paying.
'Cable-ready' tuners in televisions and VCRs became less common because they contained descrambling circuitry that enabled unauthorized access to premium channels, leading to significant revenue losses for cable operators.
What is the primary role of a set-top box for cable subscribers?
Answer: To connect the cable signal to the television and decode encrypted channels.
The primary role of a set-top box for cable subscribers is to connect the cable signal to their television and decode the incoming, often encrypted, channels into a displayable format.
What is the purpose of a conditional access module card in cable television?
Answer: To decrypt scrambled digital cable channels for authorized subscribers.
The purpose of a conditional access module card in cable television is to decrypt scrambled digital cable channels, thereby granting access only to authorized subscribers based on their service package.
What does it mean for digital cable channels to be 'encrypted' or 'scrambled'?
Answer: Their signals are intentionally altered using a coding method to prevent unauthorized viewing.
When digital cable channels are 'encrypted' or 'scrambled,' their signals are intentionally altered using a coding method to make them unwatchable without a specific decoding device, thus preventing unauthorized viewing.
Older cable systems had no issues with data uploading because their amplifiers were inherently bi-directional.
Answer: False
Older cable systems faced significant problems with data uploading because their amplifiers were unidirectional, only allowing downstream data flow, necessitating costly upgrades for bi-directional communication.
PacketCable is a standard primarily designed for analog cable telephony to ensure basic voice communication.
Answer: False
PacketCable is a standard for digital cable telephony, designed to manage Quality of Service (QoS) demands for traditional analog Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) over cable networks.
Digital cable telephone service typically uses more bandwidth than a dedicated analog circuit-switched service.
Answer: False
Digital cable telephone service uses significantly less bandwidth than a dedicated analog circuit-switched service due to data compression, resulting in better voice quality.
DOCSIS is a telecommunications standard that enables high-bandwidth data transfer over an existing cable TV system for internet access.
Answer: True
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) is indeed the standard that enables high-bandwidth data transfer for internet access over existing cable TV systems.
What technology do many cable companies utilize to offer internet access through their cable infrastructure?
Answer: DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)
Many cable companies utilize DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) technology to provide high-speed internet access through their existing cable infrastructure.
What was a significant problem with older cable systems regarding data uploading?
Answer: Amplifiers along the cable routes were unidirectional, only allowing downstream data flow.
A significant problem with older cable systems regarding data uploading was that the amplifiers along the cable routes were unidirectional, only allowing downstream data flow, which necessitated costly upgrades for bi-directional communication.
What is PacketCable primarily designed for in digital cable telephony?
Answer: To manage quality of service (QoS) demands for traditional analog telephone service.
PacketCable is primarily designed for digital cable telephony to manage the Quality of Service (QoS) demands of traditional analog Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), ensuring reliable voice communication.
What is a key advantage of digital cable telephone service?
Answer: It offers data compression, using less bandwidth and resulting in better voice quality.
A key advantage of digital cable telephone service is its ability to compress data, which uses significantly less bandwidth than a dedicated analog circuit-switched service, leading to improved voice quality and cost-effectiveness.
What does the term 'triple play' commonly describe in the telecommunications industry?
Answer: The combination of television, telephone, and Internet access services.
The term 'triple play' commonly describes the bundled offering of television, telephone, and Internet access services to residences by telecommunication providers.
What does DOCSIS enable for cable companies?
Answer: High-bandwidth data transfer for internet access over cable TV systems.
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) enables cable companies to provide high-bandwidth data transfer for internet access over their existing cable TV systems.
What is the primary function of a cable modem?
Answer: To provide bi-directional data communication for broadband internet over cable TV infrastructure.
The primary function of a cable modem is to provide bi-directional data communication for broadband internet access over the existing cable television infrastructure, converting network data into a compatible digital signal.
In the context of cable telephony, what does the 'local loop' refer to?
Answer: The physical connection carrying the digital telephone signal from the customer's premises to the company's switching center.
In cable telephony, the 'local loop' refers to the physical connection that carries the digital telephone signal from the customer's premises to the cable company's switching center, effectively replacing the traditional analog 'last mile' connection.
What does Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology allow for?
Answer: Voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology enables voice communications and multimedia sessions to be conducted over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such offering advantages like cost-effective or unlimited calling.
What does Quality of Service (QoS) refer to in telecommunications?
Answer: The overall performance of a service, such as a telephone call or internet connection, as seen by the users.
In telecommunications, Quality of Service (QoS) refers to the overall performance of a service, such as a telephone call or internet connection, as perceived by the users, ensuring reliability and performance for critical services.
Analog cable television service is still widely available in the United States, especially in rural areas.
Answer: False
Due to the digital television transition, analog cable television service is now a rarity in the United States, with most signals converted to digital form.
Cable television has had limited success in Africa primarily due to the high cost of laying extensive cable infrastructure in sparsely populated areas.
Answer: True
Cable television's limited success in Africa is attributed to the high cost of laying extensive cable infrastructure in sparsely populated areas, making microwave-based systems like MMDS a more viable alternative.
What is the current status of analog cable television service in the United States?
Answer: It is a rarity, with most signals converted to digital form.
Due to the digital television transition, analog cable television service is now a rarity in the United States, as most signals have been converted to digital form, requiring set-top boxes for reception on analog televisions.
Which continent is explicitly mentioned as having limited success with cable television due to sparse population and high infrastructure costs?
Answer: Africa
Africa is explicitly mentioned as a continent where cable television has had limited success due to the high cost of laying extensive cable infrastructure in sparsely populated areas, leading to the use of alternatives like MMDS.
How did cable operators in Canada gain more autonomy in the mid-1980s?
Answer: By being granted permission to enter into distribution contracts directly with cable networks.
In the mid-1980s, Canadian cable operators gained more autonomy by being granted permission by regulators to enter into distribution contracts directly with cable networks, giving them greater control over programming.
What is Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS)?
Answer: A microwave-based system used to deliver multichannel television programming.
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) is a microwave-based system employed to deliver multichannel television programming, particularly in areas where traditional cable infrastructure is not cost-effective.