Confusion About Cincinnati Locals

[superJess]

We just signed up for Dish in November. I just learned from a thread here that Cincinnati got several local channels in HD the week after we had everything installed. We certainly do not see these HD channels. What exactly do I need to do to see the HD locals? I read that they are on satellite 77, but I'm not sure what exactly I need to change.

[bearsloft]

I'm not an expert. But I did just went through this myself. First I'm not sure what dish you currently have. I expect that you got a 1000.2 dish and are receiving 110 119 and 129. At least that is what I got when I upgraded to HD (I was already a Dish subscriber and upgraded this past Dec). I have the 200 channel DVR packaged with HD added and of course locals.

Anyway I was quite pissed when I found, just as the installer was walking out, that I did NOT get locals in HD. There were other problems (weak signal caused by a misaligned dish) and I spent several evenings with the India Defense CSAs, and more quality time with American Special CSAs. It took two trips, one to fix the dish, and the other to add a dish so that I could get local HD.

My understanding is that local HD (for Cincy) can be had off of 77 or off the infamous Eastern Arc 61.5. Theres lots to be read about 61.5 here in the forums. The policy has been that it was reserved for new customers only. Although that was supposed to change in February. I have no idea if it has. But those who get a 1000.4 dish to receive 61.5 do not need another dish. They are done.

I on the other hand have two dishes on my roof. But at least I have my lousy 3 locals in HD :-) 5,9, and 19 are the only channels currently in HD locally.

Like I said I had to complain and I had a valid argument that when I upgraded I THOUGHT I was going to get my locals in HD. So I managed to get this for free. Although I had to sign a 2 year commitment. I didn't really care as I had already signed a 2 year commitment in December. All I did was add 6 weeks to my existing commitment.

Let me throw out a suggestion though. Before going to too much trouble (or cost), I'd definitely hook up an antenna to your reciever and activate locals OTA (over the air). Depending on where you live, and how strong the signal is, you might be satisfied. I live in Blue Ash, and I have trouble with 9 and 54. Otherwise I get Cincy locals pretty well. But I watch a lot on 9 and EVERY TIME the signal broke up, I'd get madder and madder about the whole thing. And then I'd look at the rabbit ears next to my new plasma screen and get even madder that I'm paying for this high tech fancy shmancy satellite TV service and I'm still using rabbit ears :-).

Good luck, I hope I answered some of your questions in my rant. If you have any other questions for me, let me know.

Bear

[BobaBird]

The Cincinnati HD locals are only on 77°.

[rvrman]

SuperJess

1) If you can put a roof top antenna up or in your attic - you can get ALL your local HD.
2) Get a good indoor antenna and you can get ALL / MOST of your local HD.
Although it is trial and error on finding which indoor antenna will work for you.
3) Have Dish come out and put up a second dish for the Eastern Arc.
4) Have Dish come out and remove your existing dish and replace it with the NEW 1000.4 dish.

I have had #1 for 2 years and love it. And still use it.
I tried #2 and got frustrated.
I just did #3 couple weeks back. I REALLY got frustrated.
Went up the chain of command at Dish and had them come out and do #4.
I am a HAPPY CAMPER now.
I've got a couple of phone #s that might help you.

[bobukcat]

Do a search on this forum on "Eastern Arc" and you'll find tons of information but in addition to the other poster's comments you have to have all MPEG-4 recievers (no old MPEG-2 SD rcvrs) and purple smart cards in all receivers in order for EA to be an option.

[superJess]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

We do get our locals in HD OTA today, although we're unable to get 9 or 19 in where we live. The problem I have with OTA HD is that I can only record one at a time and it takes a lot of coordination to decide which shows to record OTA and which shows to record in SD so that I get a max number in HD, but don't miss shows because of priority due to only one OTA tuner.

I'm frustrated that 1) Dish never told me that my locals were available in HD, I had to find it here and 2) that I may need a new/additional satellite when I signed up less than one week before the HD locals were available.

When I signed up, I expected that once the Cincinnati locals were available in HD, I would automatically get them. I had no idea I would have to ask for them and potentially pay more to get them. I guess I will contact Dish and see what I can do.

[bearsloft]

I guess I will contact Dish and see what I can do.

I suppose you are in a commitment period. So that will limit your negotiations some. But when you call, you have to get past the India Defense. They will give you NOTHING. Complain about your situation. Tell them your unhappy and want to leave. Then they will transfer you to someone who might be able to help you.

Not only are the India CSAs hands tied (as to what they can give you) they also just don't have a clue (ok maybe not all of them). When I was having my issues with the misaligned dish (the installers fault), they concluded that that was why I didn't have local HD. I explained to her that I didn't have the right dish to get 77 or 61.5 but she wouldn't listen to me. And when I finally got (another call) someone to understand they wrote me a work order to 'REPAIR' my local HD dish. Not install one :-) Obviously this person didn't understand either.

Sorry, it still annoys me and I can't help ranting when I get started. Point is, just don't settle for the gruel that the first level CSA gives you. Remind them that Direct can give you what you want if Dish can't.



Good luck.

Bear

[bobukcat]

SuperJess, I went through the same thing you're dealing with only I have been a customer for a long time. Here is a link to my successful resolution to the matter:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1899368#post1899368

In short, you should not have to pay anything additional to get this resolved but be sure you meet the requirements that I mentioned in order to switch to Eastern Arc (all MPEG4 + Purple Smart Cards) before contacting them.

I'm sorry you're new relationship with E* is off to a rocky start!