KVH Industries (USA) introduced a new TracVision C3, a low profile, low-cost satellite television antenna that uses the company’s integrated Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) technology for satellite tracking. Measuring only 14" high with a 32" diameter antenna is an attractive addition aboard hardtop vessels and houseboats that brings mariners high-quality digital programming from DIRECTV, the DISH Network, or other high-powered DVB-compatible satellite systems worldwide.

TracVision C3 system delivers digital-quality TV, data, and music signals from high-powered satellite television services to boats throughout the continental United States, whether docked, swinging at anchor, or underway up to 100 miles off the coast. It also works with DVB-compatible satellites worldwide, including ExpressVu in Canada, and both Astra and Eutelsat in Europe. With TracVision C3 and its preprogrammed library of satellite services, mariners can choose between hundreds of channels of news, sports, movies, and weather in addition to commercial-free, CD-quality music and Internet-style data broadcasts.

Stabilization is critical to maintaining satellite contact in marine applications where a vessel can be subjected to pitch, roll and yaw. KVH’s patented three-axis gyro sensor constantly measures and counteracts vessel motion. At the same time, DVB technology provides instant and foolproof identification of the satellite being tracked. These two technologies ensure that TracVision C3 provides an uninterrupted lock on the satellite transmission, regardless of the vessel’s motion. The system will switch to a second satellite when necessary to receive local or premium programming broadcast from a different satellite at another orbital location.