Overview of Low Power TV (LPTV)

 

1        Purpose of this document: To brief community and church leaders on how to establish LPTV or Re-broadcasting Stations for the Hope Channel. 


2        Background:  Hope Channel may be received by satellite in every continent.  Regional leaders around the world are responsible for using its 24/7 broadcasts to uplift their local cities.   This document explains in layman’s language how to use do this using LPTV.


3        Opportunity:

Television is without doubt one of the most powerful and influential methods of communication today.   It reaches people everywhere, without regard for economic status, culture, class, belief or level of education.   It reaches behind secured doors and into the privacy of individual thoughts.   It influences behaviour and buying patterns. 

Much evil has been propagated by television.  We need to counteract this trend and use this powerful medium to reach people with the Good News of salvation instead.

We invite individuals, groups, institutions and churches to have a part by distributing Hope Channel to uplift, educate and bless their communities


4        What is LPTV?  Low Power Television (LPTV) is a method of broadcasting Hope Channel programs terrestrially so that ordinary TV sets receive broadcasts (without satellite equipment), from a nearby UHF or VHF transmitter.

5        What are the advantages of LPTV?

  • Virtually no extra equipment costs for the viewer.  Compared with Satellite, Internet or Cable TV – all of which cost money to install, a LPTV viewer needs only a TV and in some cases an external antenna (costing not more than $12 USD).
  •  The LPTV station operator can insert locally produced TV programs suitable for the audience in that city, at any time.  This is especially useful if local programs are available in local languages.  Laypersons are motivated to prepare video material.
  • It increases the visibility of and opportunities for outreach by the local church.  Few denominations can afford to operate a 24/7 TV station.
  • LPTV is the best method for delivering Hope Channel to the TVs in a city at lowest cost per viewer, enabling you to share Hope Channel and your own programs with many thousands of viewers.

 6      What are the disadvantages of LPTV?

  • The range is limited, depending on the transmitter power, the topography and the presence of other broadcasters.   More than one transmitter may be required to reach a very large city (over 5 million people)
  • Viewers some distance away may need to install an external antenna and / or booster.   These are low cost items.
  • Viewers cannot easily “stumble upon” the new channel.  LPTV requires significant advertising and promotion to make viewers aware of the presence of a new channel.
  • Viewers may need technical assistance to scan their TVs to pick up the new channel.

 

7       Why use Low Power?

There is a common (and incorrect) belief that TV requires very high power, with associated high costs.   Our research has shown that LPTV can reach considerable distances at much lower costs.  For example, a 2 watt* station may be viewed up to 16 km (11miles) away.

We often use transmitters with up to 80 - 120 watts* of power, with excellent results.  Such transmitters are very affordable.

 
8        Stages

Here are the stages it follows:

Stage 1 – Receive Hope Channel at your church or local studio

Stage 2 -  Send signal to transmitter on mast or tower and out to the city

Stage 3  - City homes receive your channel next to other broadcasters on their TVs


9          What permissions do you need?

  •        You would need one or more licences from your local Regulator
  •         You may need authorisation to set up a mast or tower

  •         You may need clearance by aviation authorities


10         What equipment do you need?

Equipment will vary according to the complexity of your operation.  The basics are listed below:

  •          Satellite downlink (reception) equipment, (very common) for your source of programs to feed to the transmitter
  •          A small transmitter, in a cabinet, the size of a large travel case.
  •          Special feeder cable from transmitter to antenna
  •          An antenna mounted high above the city on a short mast or pole
  •          A DVD / VHS tape player
  •          In some cases, a microwave transmitter / receiver if the transmitter is far from the studio.

11        What other facilities do you need?

             At the transmitter site:

  •          Electricity supply
  •          Security
  •          Mast, tower or pole
  •          Place for transmitter

 

             At the studio site:

  •         Electricity supply
  •         Small room or part of a room, with some furniture
  •         Place for downlink equipment

 

12         What staff do you need?

This will depend on what operations you need to conduct, what local insertions you make and how these are produced and handled.

 

*Note:  The method of wattage ratings for transmitter power in this document is based on British RMS Watts.   These figures should be doubled for the USA.