South Carolina ETV

Leadership

South Carolina ETV

Distribution

ETV uses multiple and complementary delivery services to transmit programming to schools, homes, businesses and state agencies. Originally, ETV broadcasted only over the air using transmitters around the state to feed South Carolina schools and homes. Today, the network uses a combination of over-the-air broadcasts, satellite, EBS, microwave, and the Web as an integrated distribution system of complementary components that cover the state.

Satellite

ETV is a national leader in the use of cost-effective multi-channel satellite technology to serve schools, businesses and government agencies in every corner of the state.

ETV's state-of-the-art system supports 10 channels of audio and video transmission using the new cost-effective digital satellite technology and our extensive existing microwave system.
Schools in every corner of South Carolina are using this satellite technology to bring advanced course work opportunities to every student regardless of the location or funding level of the school district.
Many State agencies and Higher Education institutions utilize and the share the cost with ETV, making this system cost-effective for the state and for the users.
Satellite capability includes video, audio, and data transmission.

EBS

EBS is an acronym for "Educational Broadband Service" which is a delegation of spectrum channels the FCC assigns to educational institutions, such as ETV. These channels are utilized to transmit closed-circuit TV channels and wireless broadband Internet. Today, many schools have viewing sites with the capabilities to receive educational programming through their respective TV distribution channels. ETV has one of the largest EBS networks in the nation with 67 licenses that literally covers the entire geographic state.

Until recently EBS had 4 TV channels per license that served all the school districts in South Carolina, but the FCC has reregulated the EBS spectrum and now allows the channels to be digitized, and leased and operated as a wireless broadband carrier. The state is currently in negotiation to potentially lease the excess EBS capacities to Telco’s and offer a future statewide commercial wireless broadband service. The service will be mandated by the FCC to offer educational programming on at least 5% of the network. This could open up a myriad of learning opportunities to South Carolina schools and students as more and more educational content and video is web-based. Until the state can conclude any leasing contractual opportunities, ETV is moving to temporarily broadcast on a single TV channel per license in order to continue offering educational programming.

To learn more about EBS and the Digital Education Services (DES) within the schools, please visit our web sites:

Microwave

Directional microwave transmissions are highly focused streams of energy, fired like rifle shots from one tower to another. This signal does not spread out like those ripples that occur when a stone is thrown into a pond.

Originally, this video technology was used to carry ETV's programs from Master Control in Columbia out to the many EBS transmission towers that blanket the state. Today, the ITFS transmitters are fed by the digital satellite system making possible one of the most innovative technological changes in ETV's history. Using the same equipment, ETV will now have these directional microwave links aimed back to Columbia from all over the state. This means numerous sites around the state at schools, colleges, state agencies and local government facilities can originate programming and send it back to Columbia for broadcast around the state and the nation. It also permits 2-way videoconferencing from many South Carolina sites.

For example, classes taught by top teachers in every corner of the state can be transmitted back to Columbia and sent up on the satellite for reception at any ETV downlink site. Guests can appear live on ETV productions without having to drive all the way to Columbia to sit in an ETV studio. It's a cost effective way to move ideas instead of people saving valuable time and money as ETV strives to meet its educational mission.

The Web

Proving that "Smart Is Fun," Knowitall.org is ETV's comprehensive Internet resource for K-12 students, teachers, and parents. Knowitall.org has images, videos, virtual tours, and interactive games that engage students in the fun of learning, and all Knowitall.org content is correlated to South Carolina curriculum standards.

StreamlineSC offers a vast array of streaming videos-on-demand that will be available on-demand to all South Carolina public schools and tied to the curriculum standards.