Three MPEG2 HD channels going away

[RAD]

Caught this post by srenker over at SatGuys, http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/160518-mpeg2-hd-see-channel-77-a.html

Channel 77 has been added, informing customers that the following MPEG2 HD channels will be discontinued soon:
Showtime
HDNet Movies
Universal HD

The slides (played with a Sirius XM station as audio) tell customers how to tune the MPEG4 channels and what to do if they have old equipment that won't receive MPEG4.

Wonder what plans D* has for that bandwidth when they free it up?

Edit: (tom robertson) More details are posted below, copied here for those just starting this thread:

At this time, there are two alternating slides on channel 77:
HD Channels of Showtime, HDNet Movies, Universal HD are transitioning to New Satellites

What does this mean for me?

You may need our latest HD equipment to view them on their new channel numbers:

537, 552, and 269

How do I know if I have proper HD compatible equipment?

The next slide illustrates a simple HD self test.

How do I know if I have the right HD equipment?

Here is a simple self-test for HD customers with Showtime, HDNet Movies and/or Universal HD channels.

Showtime customers, can you see channel 537?
HDnet Movies customers, can you see channel 552?
Universal HD customers, can you see channel 259?

If you can see the channel of the service you subscribe to, you have the correct HD equipment.

If you are unable to see these HD channels then you likely need a replacement HD Dish and/or HD receivers(s).
Please call 1-888-763-7772 to see if you qualify for a FREE HD Dish and/or HD receiver(s) replacement.


So if you know anyone who is still on MPEG2 and HD, let them know there will be fewer channels MPEG2 channels. We're seeing the signs of the last ones.

Peace,
Tom

[Sixto]

I added the satellite location for all of the MPEG2 HD channels to the thread a few days ago:http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1191378#post1191378
Two are on 110° and one on 119°.

Total of 13 MPEG2 HD channels.

Need to move non-core (international?) content to 110°/119°, to free up space on 101° for national HD.

[RAD]

Need to move non-core (international?) content to 110°/119°, to free up space on 101° for national HD.

Or to allow some international from 95.0 to move to 110/119 so they don't need the 2nd dish for some packages?

[Sixto]

Or to allow some international from 95.0 to move to 110/119 so they don't need the 2nd dish for some packages?Oh yeah, there are other ways to use the bandwidth on 110°/119°, but if we want to use the MPEG2 HD bandwidth for more national MPEG4 HD then we need the space on 101°. So they would need to move SD "non-core" content from 101° to 110°/119°.

[beavis]

I'm guessing they probably won't do anything to 119, cause it'll free up bandwidth for Jadeworld/Spanish/locals.

[garbec]

When?

[RAD]

When?

It doesn't say, just says they're "Transitioning to New Satellites", no time frame mentioned. It does say if you can't receive 537. 552 and/or 259 to call 1-888-763-7772 to see you qualify for a FREE (their caps) HD dish and/or HD receiver(s) replacement.

[hiker]

According to the thread here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=404012) it's supposed to be this month but chan 77 has no date.

[evan_s]

I suspect we'll see the International packages going Mpeg4 if they do transition to 110/119. You are already going to have to look at going out and redoing installs and it is another area to get the ball rolling for the mpeg 4 conversion. Also I think they are currently using more transponders on 95 than they are going to free up from turning off these hd channels so would need to do mpeg4 for it to fit.

Shifting some SD "non core" content from 101 to 110/119 could free up some space for actual mpeg4 hd on 101 to cover the seemingly missing 10 channels of HD capacity. It seems like that would end up taking a while tho especially if they also shift to mpeg4 and require receiver swaps. So far the Mpeg2 hd shut off is taking long enough and that transition has been in process since the HR20 and h20 where released a couple years ago.

[Mertzen]

Also I think they are currently using more transponders on 95 than they are going to free up from turning off these hd channels.
Ah nothing a bit more compression can't solve. Some of the channels on 95 are just too nasty to even look at compression wise.

[Mertzen]

I suspect we'll see the International packages going Mpeg4 if they do transition to 110/119.

And upgrade all these customers to HD IRDs. Where is that money coming from?

[GaryPotter]

I'm surprised they didn't do this much sooner.

[Mertzen]

I'm surprised they didn't do this much sooner.

I think we'll all be surprised how many MPEG2 cust still are out there.

[evan_s]

Ah nothing a bit more compression can't solve. Some of the channels on 95 are just too nasty to even look at compression wise.

Assuming they go MPEG4 on the channels it could easily end up improving the quality. Mpeg 4 is a more efficient codec and the mpeg4 HD channels are both lower bit rate and much better quality than the MPEG2 HD channels.

As far as where the money is going to come from since DirecTV would be forcing the change I'd assume they would upgrades peoples receiver for no charge to the customer like they have been swapping hr10-250's to hr2X's. It will cost DirecTV some money up front but will end up saving them money in the long run since future international installs will only require a single dish simplifying installs and reducing their international customer acquisition costs also making it much easier to add it to existing customers packages. Additionally they won't have to continue renting the sat space at 95.

Consolidating to a single dish for all installs and eliminating their 2 rented sat locations seem to be goals that DirecTV is working towards.

I think we still are quite a ways from converting their entire install base of SD customers over to MPEG4 but I expect they will continue to move smaller subsets over to mpeg4. International packages, Sports pack subs, specific DMAs as some examples of groups that can all be migrated to Mpeg4 for SD as subsets of the overall subscriber base.

[mreposter]

I think we'll all be surprised how many MPEG2 cust still are out there.

Many customers living in apartment buildings and multi-unit condos have trouble with the larger dish.

[Doug Brott]

I can confirm ...

As most of you know, DIRECTV has been dual-illuminating a number of channels in both MPEG2 and MPEG4 HD. The following channels are slated for removal in late February and a few slides are running right now on Channel 77:


71 - Showtime
74 - UHD
78 - HDNet Movies


A crawl will appear 3 times at the top of each hour advising you to tune to Channel 77 for additional information. Here, you should be able to check whether or not you are adversely affected or not.

If you have an MPEG4 HD receiver, you will continue to receive these channels, but they will no longer be available on 71, 74 and 78. You will instead need to tune to channels 537, 259 and 552 respectively.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Great news!

that should, in theory, improve SD PQ, right? IIRC, each of these takes up the space of 6 SD channels. That's a lot of bits freed up.

[Tom Robertson]

At this time, there are two alternating slides on channel 77:
HD Channels of Showtime, HDNet Movies, Universal HD are transitioning to New Satellites

What does this mean for me?

You may need our latest HD equipment to view them on their new channel numbers:

537, 552, and 269

How do I know if I have proper HD compatible equipment?

The next slide illustrates a simple HD self test.

How do I know if I have the right HD equipment?

Here is a simple self-test for HD customers with Showtime, HDNet Movies and/or Universal HD channels.

Showtime customers, can you see channel 537?
HDnet Movies customers, can you see channel 552?
Universal HD customers, can you see channel 259?

If you can see the channel of the service you subscribe to, you have the correct HD equipment.

If you are unable to see these HD channels then you likely need a replacement HD Dish and/or HD receivers(s).
Please call 1-888-763-7772 to see if you qualify for a FREE HD Dish and/or HD receiver(s) replacement.


So if you know anyone who is still on MPEG2 and HD, let them know there will be fewer channels MPEG2 channels. We're seeing the signs of the last ones.

Peace,
Tom

[Tom Robertson]

In theory yes, but since these are on satellites 110° and 119°, they will have little direct effect on the bulk of the SD channels which are on 101°. Now, if some other movements occur, it could help with SD; but I'm not sure there is anything that would move to 110°/119°.

The goal seems to be to have all the core programming on 99°, 101°, and 103° with only some specialized programming on 110/119.

Cheers,
Tom

[inkahauts]

Great news!

that should, in theory, improve SD PQ, right? IIRC, each of these takes up the space of 6 SD channels. That's a lot of bits freed up.

Nah.. they will use it for other channels...

[islesfan]

Honestly, this will make searching for shows a bit easier. Rather than having to sift through results looking for the MP4 version.

[Doug Brott]

Basically, if you have a "new" setup .. say in the last 2-3 years you are probably OK .. but it doesn't hurt to go through the check if you have a chance.

This change will affect only a small portion of subscribers and most of those folks probably already know about it just don't know when (until now).

[satjoe]

Or to allow some international from 95.0 to move to 110/119 so they don't need the 2nd dish for some packages?
We are being told that we will be moving to the one dish solution. 110 and 119 will be used for locals and international channels. Direct tv will be abandening the use of 95 and the 72 sats.

[Satelliteracer]

It doesn't say, just says they're "Transitioning to New Satellites", no time frame mentioned. It does say if you can't receive 537. 552 and/or 259 to call 1-888-763-7772 to see you qualify for a FREE (their caps) HD dish and/or HD receiver(s) replacement.


The "when" is coming soon....I know, you guys hate that. Unofficially, February they are coming down, but obviously those things can change.

Customers have been notified with automated calls, emails, direct mail, live agent calls for months and months so this is basically the last notification by putting the crawl up on the channel directly.

Not many customers left have to switch, but it is going to happen and it's sooner rather than later.


There are still other MPEG2 HD channels that will remain after, like ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, etc....but those are next to come down...after these three.

To answer someone else's question, the swap is for free for the KaKu dish and replacement of the old HD receivers. The swapped receiver will be leased, not owned. There is no commitment for the swap.

[gully_foyle]

In theory yes, but since these are on satellites 110° and 119°, they will have little direct effect on the bulk of the SD channels which are on 101°. Now, if some other movements occur, it could help with SD; but I'm not sure there is anything that would move to 110°/119°.

The goal seems to be to have all the core programming on 99°, 101°, and 103° with only some specialized programming on 110/119.

Cheers,
Tom

Does this mean that the days of the 5 LNB dish are ending? A smaller 101-centric dish would help in a lot of places.

[Jeremy W]

Does this mean that the days of the 5 LNB dish are ending? A smaller 101-centric dish would help in a lot of places.
They've already got the Slimline 3 dish that only looks at 99, 101, and 103.

[Tom Robertson]

Does this mean that the days of the 5 LNB dish are ending? A smaller 101-centric dish would help in a lot of places.

Well, there are a couple parts to your answer: 1) (as Jeremy W points out) many areas are already getting a new 3lnb head for the slimline dish. My expectations are that will be the primary head for most basic customers soon.

2) But I don't expect the slimline dish to go away or change. While some people have shown you can make a smaller dish "work", I expect DIRECTV will keep the full-sized slimline to keep the signal strengths up in all weather conditions. I also admit, I could be guessing wrong. :)

Peace,
Tom

[LameLefty]

Does this mean that the days of the 5 LNB dish are ending? A smaller 101-centric dish would help in a lot of places.

Directv has already begun installing a smaller dish, but it still has to be large enough to cover 99-101-103 because all of the MPEG4 HD (and a very few SD markets) are coming from 99 and 103. The Slimline 3 is getting installed in many locations for customers that don't require access to 110 and 119.

[RAD]

Directv has already begun installing a smaller dish, but it still has to be large enough to cover 99-101-103 because all of the MPEG4 HD (and a very few SD markets) are coming from 99 and 103. The Slimline 3 is getting installed in many locations for customers that don't require access to 110 and 119.
You sure it's actually a smaller dish? AFAIK it's the same Slimline dish that's used with both the 99/101/103 and 99/101/103/110/119 LNB's.

[LameLefty]

You sure it's actually a smaller dish? AFAIK it's the same Slimline dish that's used with both the 99/101/103 and 99/101/103/110/119 LNB's.

I was under the impression it was physically somewhat smaller since it didn't have to cover 110 and 119. Perhaps I was mistaken. :confused:

In any event, any of them are smaller than my trusty AT-9. :grin: