Your Technical Questions About the SuperDish / 921 / 811 Wanted

[Scott Greczkowski]

After last nights tech chat, I am sure many folks now have many technical questions about things like the 921 the 811 and the SuperDish.

I have contacted Dish Network and they have agreed to answer some of your Technical Questions.

Now please understand that they can't and won't answer everything, and chances are good that they will wait till a bunch of questions are asked before answering so this way they can avoid overlapping questions.

Also please note questions must be of TOTALLY Technical nature, no questions of Marketing or Programming. Since the folks that will be answering the questions will be from the Tech Department they can not speak for other departments. Any questions about Marketing, Programming or other non technical questions will be removed to keep this thread on topic.

I thank Dish Network in advance for their willingness to answer our users questions.

[fv3]

I have contacted Dish Network and they have agreed to answer some of your Technical Questions....

Since the potential exists for some customers to want 5 satellite [Dish 500 + 105 + 121 + 61.5 for east locals and/or SkyAngel] or 6 satellite configurations [Dish 500 + 105 + 121 + 61.5 for SkyAngel + 148 for west locals], will Dish support such configurations?

[wiz]

They said in the tech chat the superdish will not work with older receivers. Will it work with the 3900?

[Cyclone]

Since the Super Dish is a larger size, will it be able to use the same mast as the Dish 500 ant it will be replacing, or will a new mast be required?

[Kagato]

Can we assume the Dish 5000 will not work with the SuperDish?

Will HDCP flagged content force the Component Video to be Scaled Down to 480P?

Will DVI absolutely require an HDCP enabled device, even if the HD content in question isn't flagged for HDCP? (i.e. Will my Boxlight HD20 Projector which has DVI, but no HDCP, work with the 921?)

[dinkster]

Similar question to Kagato, as my older Mits HDTV only has component video in, how does HDCP affect the component output from the 921.

Yes I can always upgrade to DVI via the addition of the Mits Promise Module, but given the cost of the 921/Superdish/New Switches upgrade path, I would prefer not to be forced to spend an additional $1K for the TV upgrade assuming functionality of 1394 to the Mits.

I'm also very curious to know how the 921 will function to record OTA digital programming. On the 6000, all local digital channels are simply displayed as "Local Digital". Will the new unit display a program guide, perhaps using the PSIP to allow name/event based programming?

[RAD]

I currently have a Dish 500+Dish 300+6000 (8PSK/8VSB)+508+501+SW64, the LNB's are all legacy, not DishPro.

Both dishs are ground level pole mounted with the 500 being located on the far back lot line, the 300 (for 61.5) right next to the house, and the SW64 located in the basement.

The question I have is for SuperDish, it will have to replace the Dish 500, which currently have only 4 RG 6's running to it. Will I need to run more cables, since there's three LNB's or will the switch be located on the Dish? How does the Dish 300 for 61.5 fit into the picture? Even if you mirror all the HD on 61.5 to 105 I still have a couple of LIL channels on 61.5. If new cables need to be run will Dish do that as part of the install and bury the additional cable or is that left for me to do. Something for Dish to keep in mind, I can replace all this with a DirecTV Plus dish and use the four existing cables. Thanks - Rick

[Lee L]

I will third the component down rez question, this is very important as I and many other Mitsubishi HDTV owners can't even go buy a promise module to use the 921 since E* is not allowing 1394 connections to a display. If the component out is not full rez all the time, no matter what, 2 million or more Mitsubishi HDTV owners are SOL.

Will the DishPlayer work with the superdish, even if it only gets me the stuff on 110/119? Or does my wife have somthing else to (legitimately) complain about?

How will the 921 handle subchannels on OTA digital? Will we record the overall channel, say, channel 5 and then select which subchannel to view later, 5.1, 5.2, etch or will we be able to directly select the 921 to record a specific subchannel. The second option will save some drive space, I would think.

[LarryH]

Since the 105 satellite is a different type than the 110/119 birds, will there be new switches to combine the two LNB's on SuperDish?

[krt]

Will the 921 and 811 be able to pass 480i and 480p programming untouched through their component outputs? The 6000 currently upconverts everything to 1080i.

Thanks.

[Cyclone]

It looks like the 921 will support 480i/p, but the 811 will be the like the 6000 and will only output at 720p/1080i.

[Bobby94928]

It looks like the 921 will support 480i/p, but the 811 will be the like the 6000 and will only output at 720p/1080i.

If you take the 6000 out of HD mode, it outputs 480 on the s-video out. That's how I do it.

[BrianB]

It looks like the 921 will support 480i/p, but the 811 will be the like the 6000 and will only output at 720p/1080i.

I think there is confusion here. The 811 and 921 with both output 1080i/720p or 480i, but only the 811 will do both at the same time. The 921 will need ot be switched like the 6000 does now.

You can output 480i with the 6000, you just need to switch the output.

Brian

[thescrub]

Yes I can always upgrade to DVI via the addition of the Mits Promise Module, but given the cost of the 921/Superdish/New Switches upgrade path, I would prefer not to be forced to spend an additional $1K for the TV upgrade assuming functionality of 1394 to the Mits.

dinkster, i'm sorry to say but unless you have a 2004 Mitsubishi there is no DVI upgrade. Right now Mits. is denying that their "Promise" includes DVI. If you want more info on the issue you might check out the Mits. section of http://www.hometheaterspot.com/ and search on promise module.

Questions:
1. Please verify what kind of DVI it will be (DVI-I).
2. While it is not planned is the hardware in place for the 921 to support monitor output on the "DishWire" to a 5C compliant device?
3. what about the new technology that will allow a dual receiver 721/921 to work over a single cable run?

[Mark Lamutt]

Will it be possible to point a single dish at 105 or 121? What size will the dish need to be, and what kind of LNB will be required?

How will the outputs from a superdish pointed at 105, 110 and 119 and the output from a dish pointed at 148 be combined together?

Will the superdish be usable with my current dp34 switch, or will the switch and lnb on my dish pointing at 148 need to be upgraded to something else?

[Cyclone]

Will the 921 and 811 be able to pass 480i and 480p programming untouched through their component outputs?

I know about the SD in the S-Video and Composite. His question was about 480i/p via Component that I was answering. 811 no, 921 yes.

[Martyva]

The price was mentioned about both the 921 and 811 receivers. How much is the super dish?

[RAD]

The price was mentioned about both the 921 and 811 receivers. How much is the super dish?
Nothing was said, they said that's for marketing to handle during a Charlie Chat.

[gpflepsen]

Nothing was said, they said that's for marketing to handle during a Charlie Chat.

They don't want to drop that bomb yet. I'm guessing they are looking for the shock waves created by dropping the hint of charging for the new dish hardware needed for them to compete in the future of DBS.

Another acronym: BS

[Raymond Simonian]

Will the 921 and 811 bring in the current HD channels with one dish 500 pointed at 110 and 119 and one dish 500 pointed at 61.5. I currently have a 501 and 301 bringing in channels from all three satellites. I have a dual output LNBF on the 500 pointed at 61.5 and a twin LNBF on the 500 pointed at the 110, 119. One cable goes from each to the two SW21 swithes. One cable comes out from each switch. One cable then goes to the 301 and one goes to the 501. Can I have the 811 and the 921 set up this way until the superdish comes out. I am assuming these receivers will be out before the superdish or this question is irrelevant.

[cicijay]

1) Will "Professional" :read: Installation be "Required" like it was when I upgraded my receiver to the 501? (Good thing I took half the day off so I could have a professional plug in my receiver)

2) I will still need the 61.5 for :angel: . What will the config be to get the SuperDish and the 61.5? With only the 911.

[Mike123abc]

I currently have 3 separate dishes for 119 (24"), 110(24") and 61.5(35") to eliminate rain fade. I have more 35" dishes lying around. Would it be possible for:

1. the ability to buy an LNB for a dedicated dish for 105 (35" dish).

2. When will the DishPlusPro switch be available? It would be nice to be able to get it installed and working in advance (yes I know 121 and 105 are still vacant, but some of us like to be ready on day 1, AMC-2 could start moving at any moment!!!).

3. Will ALL the HD on 61.5/148 be mirrored on 105, so we can get rid of 61.5/148 if we do not need for locals or internationals? Or will we have to keep the wing for HBO/SHO/etc?

4. Can you use a sw64 and Sw21s like the Philly market does to look at the 4 satellites (119/110/105/61.5) without the new DPP switch?

[Mike Phillips]

Complete information on the 322/522 receivers coming out(release date,price,etc.).Thanks,Mike

[fv3]

I currently have 3 separate dishes for 119 (24"), 110(24") and 61.5(35") to eliminate rain fade. I have more 35" dishes lying around. Would it be possible for:

1. the ability to buy an LNB for a dedicated dish for 105 (35" dish).

2. When will the DishPlusPro switch be available? It would be nice to be able to get it installed and working in advance (yes I know 121 and 105 are still vacant, but some of us like to be ready on day 1, AMC-2 could start moving at any moment!!!).

3. Will ALL the HD on 61.5/148 be mirrored on 105, so we can get rid of 61.5/148 if we do not need for locals or internationals? Or will we have to keep the wing for HBO/SHO/etc?

4. Can you use a sw64 and Sw21s like the Philly market does to look at the 4 satellites (119/110/105/61.5) without the new DPP switch?


1. Should just be a standard Ku band LNBF.

2. Don't know about switch, but AMC-2, according to my sources, is already moving.

3. Don't know

4. One should look at the Philly market configuration as the prototype for the future Dish configurations with FSS....

[Ken_F]

1. Under what circumstances will PIP be supported? For example, will you be able to display a SD PIP window while on a HD channel?

2. Do you plan to use the full 16:9 screen for additional guide information, or will you just be stretching?

3. Aside from HD capability and ability to record off-air signals, what are the other operational differences between the 921 and 721 for PVR functionality? For example, will the 921 have a one-hour pause buffer for HD?

4. Will the 811/921 differ at all from the 6000 in terms of aspect ratio options?

5. Will 8PSK be used at 105 initially? If not, do you plan to use 8PSK with AMC15?

[chris_h]

I have all of the same questions as Mark Lamutt, so give those double credit.

I also have this question: Will the 921 have a "native" mode for passing thru the 1080/720/480 signal thru on the component outputs as recieved? How will this mode be accessed?
1) A switch setting on the back of the unit
2) Via user selection (preferences menu)
3) Both (with user selection taking priority) (HINT, HINT!!!)

[krt]

I know about the SD in the S-Video and Composite. His question was about 480i/p via Component that I was answering. 811 no, 921 yes.


Thanks for the info. I hope that the component output settings will be configurable in the 921 menu such that the user can select what to do with each type of input signal (480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i). Ideally, I would like the 921 to pass 480i/p programming unouched, where as upconvert 720p programming to 1080i transparently.

On an unrelated note, I have a couple of more questions on the 921.

1. Will the OTA tuner in the 921 be more sensitive, and/or be able to reject more multi-path interference than the 8vsb tuner in the 6000?

2. Is 'dishwire' fully IEEE1394 compliant, or a proprietary implementation?

Thanks again.

[Zach2]

What's going to happen to Alaska residents who want HD since the "superdish" won't work here?


thanks

[Jacob S]

I would think that the current masts for the 18 and 20 inch dishes should work with the SuperDish but if it does not it would probably require a bigger pole such as those used with Primestar dishes. Them being plastic/fiberglass should make them weigh less so that may help a good bit.

I also wonder if they will make Quad lnbf's for outputs to four receivers on the SuperDish.

[lapplegate]

My questions are the same as the others.
1. Will the 921 work with an older (65809) mits?
2. I currently have a legacy Quad to run a 508, 4900 & 6000 with an extra co-ax (WAS for the 921), will I need switches, adapters ect?
3. My mounting pole, for the 500, is in ground with concrete, will the superdish fit on that pole?
4. Cost of superdish, other switches & adapters?
Thanks,
Larry

[Soycrema]

What type of DVI do the 921-811 use? DVI-D, DVI-I?? (don't think it wil be DVI-A)

[Cyclone]

DVI-I would be good for me since I use the RGB. I think I would be able to use an adapter to connect the DVI-I output to my RGB input of my Plasma.

[BobMurdoch]

How about a collection of diagrams to show what equipment is required to incorporate the Superdish with a variety of receivers (I selfishly request one for my 721 and 2 Dishplayers running off an SW64)

[Lee L]

How about a collection of diagrams to show what equipment is required to incorporate the Superdish with a variety of receivers (I selfishly request one for my 721 and 2 Dishplayers running off an SW64)


Bob, real quick and dirty I made what I am afraid the first page of that diagram is going to look like and attached it for you. ;)

Come on E*, prove me wrong. (I have 2 DP's as well)

[dcromer]

What is the outlook of the upconversion in the 921/811? Will it be a better upconverter than that of the 6000?

[bills976]

1) Again the question stands about Philly. What will they be doing with locals on 129? Will they finally cave and put them on 110/119 or 61.5?

2) How will the Superdish handle someone on the left coast who subscribes to locals and SkyAngel? It's possible now to have dishes aimed at 148, 119, 110, and 61.5, but how will adding the fifth orbital spot affect current software on the 6000, 501, etc., and will any new switches be needed?

3) As others have mentioned, what will this thing cost?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Thanks for your questions folks.

I will now close this thread and submit your questions to Dish Network for their reply.

Now understand that they will not reply to many of the questions but will do the best to answer the ones in which they can answer.

Again questions about marketing and programming will not be answered only questions of a technical answer for which they have a firm answer.

I will reopen this thread when I receive replys to some of your questions.

Thanks again for all your submissions! And thanks for making DBSTalk.COM your satellite information source.