MATV

MATV stands for Master Antenna Television, a system that aggregates television signals at a central location and distributes them to multiple units in a building or campus. It relies on one or more receiving antennas located on the roof or in an equipment room. The signals are carried through coaxial cables, often with amplification and impedance matching to maintain signal quality, and delivered to individual outlets in each unit. The term distinguishes from individual rooftop antennas by its shared distribution approach.

How it works: A headend houses antennas, preamplifiers, and a distribution network. VHF and UHF channels are received, filtered, and amplified; splitters or distribution amplifiers feed the signal to living units. In analog MATV, channels are mapped to standard tuners; in digital MATV, channels may be modulated for QAM or DVB-T/T2 distribution, or converted to IPTV in modern installations. Some systems include SMATV components to incorporate satellite or terrestrial signals.

Variants and considerations: MATV systems can be pure terrestrial (OTA) or hybrid with satellite (SMATV) or IPTV. Network design must address signal loss over length, channel plan, and headend equipment; signal quality can be affected by network impedance mismatches, interference, and shared cable paths. Maintenance includes regular alignment of antennas and replacement of amplifiers as needed.

History and usage: Introduced to provide easier access to broadcast TV in multi-dwelling buildings, MATV rose in popularity in the mid-20th century and remained common through the late 20th century. With widespread cable and satellite services, use shifted but MATV remains in production for building retrofits, remote areas, or where OTA reception is preferred. It can reduce antenna clutter and simplify service provisioning for residents.