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Learn how Simplestream supported Virgin Media Television in launching Virgin Media Play, a next-gen streaming platform. Read the official announcement!

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What is Downlinking?

Downlinking refers to the process of receiving content or data from a source and transmitting it to a pre-determined device or destination. Typically, this process involves the interaction of multiple satellites which communicate using signals on a specific downlink frequency to transmit data. To grasp the concept more clearly, consider how two walkie-talkies must operate on the same signal frequency to successfully receive and transmit messages between each other. In the context of video streaming platforms, downlinking involves obtaining content from a source and making it available to end users through a website or platform (I.e. Netflix or YouTube).

What are the main steps involved in the downlinking process?

The downlink process typically involves six key steps to complete. In chronological order, the process includes the following:

Content Acquisition is the process of obtaining media assets such as videos, audio or live streams from various sources to build a library of content that is well suited for end users.

Encoding and Compression refers to breaking down media content into smaller, bite-sized chunks, which optimizes media files for easier transmission and storage.

Satellite Communication (uplinking) is when encoded media content is sent to satellites using ground-based antennas (also known as ground stations or receivers).

Satellite Reception is crucial, as this occurs when the satellite confirms receipt of the emitted signal before proceeding to the following step.

‍Transmission (downlinking) refers to when the received signal is sent back to ground stations in its de-coded form. Thus, essentially making the content available for use.

‍Distribution entails sharing the downlinked media content in order to make it available to end-users. This usually works by programming ground-stations to send content to pre-determined networks or platforms, such as YouTube or Netflix.

What are the common uses of downlinking?

It is important to note that while there are various types of downlinking, consumers typically encounter the following types in their day-to-day activities.

‍Downlinking for TV Broadcasting allows TV broadcasters to effectively deliver their content to homes and enables widespread access and availability to linear TV channels in real-time.

‍Downlinking for internet access offers fast and seamless connectivity, allowing end users to instantly access media content through activities like streaming movies, downloading files, and browsing the internet.

‍Downlinking for navigation and GPS allows our devices to continuously receive signals from several satellites, that enable our devices to access real-time data in order to calculate precise positioning and navigate accurately.

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