Anyone who has been tasked with building or upgrading a Headend knows that Broad band Equipment is expensive and you need a good deal of different units from Modulators, and Satellite Receivers to Transcoders and Encoders, to build out a fully functioning Head-End.
Once you determine how many Transcoders and Satellite Receivers you need, then you have to decide which of the top CATV Equipment brands will work for you. Will it be Scientific Atlanta, or Motorola, or maybe Blonder Tongue? I know, it’s a tough choice. The truth is, only you can decide which brand is right for your Head-End.
Here are some things to keep in mind that will help you to determine what Digital Broadband Equipment is right for you.
Availability:
First and For most, it is important to determine how many of each unit you need to complete your Head-End, and check the Availability with your supplier. If you need 25 Scientific Atlanta D9850 Satellite Receivers and Cisco only has 5, then you may need to go with a 
different kind of Satellite Receiver Keep in mind, that a Broadband Equipment Reseller like DNI, may be able to get you equipment that has been discontinued.
Reliability:
It is important that all of the CATV Equipment that you choose is reliable. Keeping in mind that all of your satellite receivers, modulators and demodulators must work flawlessly 24/7 – 365, it is important to do some research and decide which units are the most reliable. Do not just pick a product or product line because it is less expensive. Chances are, you will spend more money in the long run replacing bad units, then you would if you spent a little more on a more reliable product in the first place.
Cost:
This is a biggie! Digital Broadband Equipment can be expensive and if you do not have a limitless budget, as most people do not, then you have to be conscious of the cost of every unit that you buy. For many Headend Equipment buyers, cost is the ultimate deciding factor. However, it is important for you to know that Equipment Resellers, like DNI, who carry Broadband Equipment may be able to provide you with the equipment that you need at a fraction of the cost.
Budget for Extra:
No matter how great your CATV Equipment is or how much you spent on it, there is always a chance that a unit can malfunction. Malfunctions are typical, especially with HeadEnd Equipment that is perpetually running. That is why, the team at DNI, always recommends Keeping Spare Headend On Hand. I am not saying you have to buy and extra of every piece of CATV equipment that you buy, but I do recommend purchasing one or two spares for your most essential receivers and transponders.
In short, buying equipment to build a Head-End is a tough job, but not an impossible one. It is important to know exactly what your CATV needs are and determine the best equipment for you based upon research. You should also never let price alone, be the determining factor when you are buying Digital Broadband Equipment. If you have any questions about a specific type of HeadEnd Equipment or you are looking to start pricing out equipment, feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable HeadEnd Reps.
