What Compression Schemes are used with BUDs?
Digital compression allows for more than one video and/or audio channel per satellite transponder. 1. DigiCipher II – DigiCipher II (DC2) is a digital encoding and encryption format developed by General Instruments (now part of Motorola) that is used for many American digital TVRO transmissions. In order to view DC2 channels, a special receiver called 4DTV is required. DC2 is a proprietary standard based upon MPEG-2. DC2 technology can be licensed to other companies, but no other companies have requested a license. Only Motorola manufactures 4DTV receivers. Those made for consumer BUD use cost around $400-$800 suggested retail, but are typically available at discounts that at times can be quite deep. 2. DVB/MPEG-2 – MPEG-2 is a general encoding scheme used for many differing digital technologies; DVB, which stands for Digital Video Broadcasting, is the satellite television-specific variety of the MPEG-2 standard. This is not so much a competing digital standard as it is an OPEN standar
