MFH-2, MFH-3 for MDU??? No new HD?!?!?!

[ibadukefan]

I live in a MDU. I just spoke with the contractor who deals with these in my area and they said there is no timetable for MDUs to get the new HD channels. They said the technology is not even available yet and may not be any time soon. They said it could be a year before it is available. I was wondering if the experts in these forums had any input on this subject. I am certainly looking for a 2nd opinion since the one I was given was not very good!

[Mertzen]

It is available for the 5LNB dish. Our HSP manages a system in downtown manhattan and almost exclusively put in HRs and Hs.

[ibadukefan]

Whoa, thats a lot of tech talk there Mert. How bout' breakin it down for me!

[Mertzen]

Simply said the technology and equipment is there. I have no specifics as to what new components are being used. But it is possible but I am sure very expensive and an big investment for the MDU company that services your building.

[ibadukefan]

Is there a website that shows that it is available? I would love to have some evidence? Also, aren't there some FCC implications for not giving us all the programming available to us???

[dgordo]

My sister lives in a building in downtown chicago that has all the new channels so I know its possible to get them. This isnt very technical but this pdf says that the new channels are available with MFH-3.

http://www.directv.com/images/assets/mdu/DIRECTV_MFH3.pdf

[texasbrit]

In some buildings it is possible to get all the channels because the installer used standard components like multiswitches. Larger buildings often use the MDU systems which currently rely on stacking technology, and can only receive the signals from 101/110/119, 72.5 and 95.
The new MFH3 systems using IP technology are just starting to be deployed. The MFH2 systems using the SWM technology are expected to start deploying by the end of the year. But your building has to invest in the new technology in order for you to get the new HD channels.

[scottz46]

I live in an MDU communications building. The MDU csrs i have talked to say that there is not currently a 5lnb dish for use in our building. According to some of these threads I feel like there is, or we might need some additional parts for the switch to happen. ANYONE out there know what exact parts are need. The one hundred or so of us out two hundred in our building would be greatly appreciative.

[bobnielsen]

A MFH-1 system can be upgraded to a MFH-2, which uses multiple SWM8 multiswitches. These are not yet widely available. The Slimline 5LNB dish is used.

[hellyea]

I live in a MDU building in downtown Chicago. Our System Operator is USA WIRELESS. This is what we've been told:

1. We have a 5 LNB Dish installed on our roof.
2. We don't have the technology to "access" the full potential of the dish.
3. The technology wont be available until 1st Quarter, 2008.

I called the D* MDU Division, was told that the system operator had to request buildings by mid October to get the equipment.

IS all of this true or even possibly true? Or is our sys op just procrastinating on upgrading our building?

[Earl Bonovich]

Actually your System Operator is pretty accurate in what they have told you, based on all the information we have so far regarding the new MFH-2/3 systems

[DirecTv Chicago]

I live in a MDU building in downtown Chicago. Our System Operator is USA WIRELESS. This is what we've been told:

1. We have a 5 LNB Dish installed on our roof.
2. We don't have the technology to "access" the full potential of the dish.
3. The technology wont be available until 1st Quarter, 2008.

I called the D* MDU Division, was told that the system operator had to request buildings by mid October to get the equipment.

IS all of this true or even possibly true? Or is our sys op just procrastinating on upgrading our building?

USA Wireless is 100%. DirecTV took requests for the amount of SWM units in mid October. Now that doesn't mean the dealer will receive the amount requested, but it was suppose to give DirecTV an idea of what was needed. Some dealers with the right connections will receive some in the next few weeks. Most however will begin to recieve MFH2 1st Quarter 2008.

Now the kicker is that many of these companies will continue to tell you it is not available after 1st Quarter 08. For example, USA wireless generally works with Headend and Sat 101 systems. So to upgrade straight into MFH2 would not be cheap for them or many dealers. Just keep pushing your dealers. The smart ones will implement them quickly to steal business from competitors.