What is a Master Antenna System?
Some people who live in an apartment building, condominium, home owners’ association, high-rise, co-op or other multiple dwelling unit (MDU) receive local TV stations through a master antenna system, sometimes called a common antenna or a MATV system. These antenna systems receive TV signals through an antenna on the roof or in a central location and provide the signals through wiring in the building or development that connects to the TV set in individual apartments or homes. Some of these systems provide the local TV stations for free, and some of them are packaged with satellite programming and charge a fee. These shared or community antenna systems are sometimes known as “satellite master antenna systems,” or “SMATVs”. Also, some people who live in MDUs receive local TV stations through a private cable operator (PCO) serving just one building or homeowners’ development.
MATV stands for Master Antenna Television. It is the means by which many apartment houses1 hotels, schools and other multi-unit buildings distribute TV and FM signals to a number of receivers. In order to accomplish this without a loss of signal quality, these systems must be carefully planned and engineered through the effective use of MATV equipment and techniques. An MATV system is basically a network of cables and specially designed components that process and amplify TV and FM signals and distribute them from one central location. If there were 100 TV sets in a building, it would be extremely expensive to Install and maintain l00 separate antennas. Not only would it be unsightly, but reception would suffer because that many antennas would interact with each other, causing interference problems.
Some people who live in an apartment building, condominium, home owners’ association, high-rise, co-op or other multiple-dwelling units receive local TV stations through a master antenna system, sometimes called a common antenna or an “MATV” system. These antenna systems receive TV signals through an antenna on the roof or in a central location and provide the signals through wiring in the building or development that connects to the TV set in individual apartments or homes. Some of these systems provide the local TV stations for free, and some of them are packaged with satellite programming and charge a fee. These shared or community antenna systems are sometimes known as satellite master antenna systems, or “SMATVs.” Also, some people who live in multiple-dwelling units receive local TV stations through a private cable operator serving just one building or homeowners’ development. How is this different from having cable in my building? If you subscribe to the cable TV service offered
