Dishnetwork HDTV?

[GnatGoSplat]

To use HDTV, I know I would need a 6000 receiver.
Is HDTV programming completely different than the Top100? Can I still get the Top100 on a 6000?
On the Dish website, it looks like HD programming is on completely different satellites, 61.5 and 148. Does that mean the 6000 needs 2 dishes with 2 different LNB's, one for HD and one for non-HD? Or is the non-HD programming on 119/110 even available to the 6000?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Yes you can get all Dish Network programming on a Dish 6000 (At 50, 150, etc... plus HDTV.

You need a second Dish pointed at 61.5 or 148 to get the HD signals being sent.

[GnatGoSplat]

Does the second dish use the same LNB as the first, or a special HDTV LNB?
I saw the 6000 can also receive local stations if it has an optional add-on tuner module. Is this integration seamless?

[Cyclone]

Yes, the 2nd dish uses a normal LNB. It adds not just the HDTV channels, but also several other SD channels as well.

If any of your locals (you don't have your location defined in your profile so I can't tell where you're at) are on the 61.5 satellite, then Dish will install the 2nd dish for free.

Also, if you get the 6000, definately get the OTA (over the air) HDTV tuner module. Most HDTV is available over the air and not via satellite. Check your local broadcasters to see what stations are available to you. You will need a TV antenna to get these OTA signals with the adapter.

Good news about the 6000 is that the OTA channels and the satellite channels are seamless. The OTA channels are from 2-99, and the satellite starts at 100 on up. Many current models with OpenTV support remap locals down to the sub100 channels. The 6000 will not do this with satellite provided locals. But they are still available in their 8000 range.

Oh, the 6000 has an old ugly program guide. We have to live with it until the new HD tuners come out.

[lapplegate]

In addition to the 2nd dish, you will also need an SW-21 switch so that the cables from both dishes can be brought to the reciever as 1 cable.
Larry

[scooper]

Larry - not quite a true statement - it depends on what else he has for LNB's / switches. Your post is a single case. There are many more equally valid ways to get a Dish500 and a sideslot.

[GnatGoSplat]

Thanks, I understand much better now.

I'd need an adapter to use a 6000 receiver since I have a DishPro LNB, would I also need the SW-21?

[P Smith]

GnatGoSplat,

You couldn't mix Legacy and DPro LNBF/switches; only one way to use your 6000 and DPro LNBFs - use DPro adapter and Dpro switches.