DTV HD on existing dish

[sawzalot]

I have a quick question and don't feel as though it deserves a new thread, but I can not find a similiar situation posted here so here goes. I have a DTV dish for really no other reason other than four or five russian channels for my wife and of course there are some very basic channels along with this and I mean very basic. I have comcast HD in my HT / living room and two other bedrooms, the DTV is in the Master bedroom and familyroom. Comcast contract is over in about thirty days I would consider going all DTV HD through out but hoped that I could get away with just one dish on the roof, is this possible or do I need two, I called CS about six months ago, to do this and explained the situation and they assured me that I only needed one dish but when the installer showed up he had a second dish that he said would be required for the HD Channels and the original dish needed to stay also for the Russian channels is this accurate or can I get away with just one dish, which would be ideal for me. Thanks for your response, sawz..

[sawzalot]

We have basic DTV for 29.99 plus 30.00 for the international, so it is about 60.00 total per month and then the triple play comcast is by no means cheap so I am ready to go all DTV if I can get one dish and a decent price, I would still need internet though and there is nothing faster than comcast around these parts, sawz..

[litzdog911]

You would need two dishes .... A Slimline HD dish for the main DirecTV SD and HD channels, and a 95ºW International Dish for your Russian channels.

[sawzalot]

You would need two dishes .... A Slimline HD dish for the main DirecTV SD and HD channels, and a 95ºW International Dish for your Russian channels.

Thank you for the response, I guess that could very well be the deciding factor in my decision on the change over as I surely dont think I will go with two dishes on the roof, will this ever change to one dish or is it just not possible due to location of each sat.

[joe diamond]

Thank you for the response, I guess that could very well be the deciding factor in my decision on the change over as I surely dont think I will go with two dishes on the roof, will this ever change to one dish or is it just not possible due to location of each sat.

Sawzalot,

You are a good guy for looking into this before the installer arrives. The international programming on the 95 west longitude satellite may change. Directv doesn't tell me anything.

But you may want to start the exact inquiry with DISH. They have international channels...I am currently reading their literature myself.

Also you may be able to get several dish antennae on the same pole if the number of pole sites is an issue. You also get several monthly bills with this approach.

Good luck,

Joe

[ndole]

The two dish approach is required for any D* installation with international programming involved. If I were in your position (I'm a bit frugal) I would accept the two dishes, and appreciate the reduced cost of having one provider instead of needing Directv and Cable.

[litzdog911]

I've heard nothing to suggest that DirecTV will migrate away from the 95ºW satellite for its International Channels anytime in the next couple years. So those packages will likely need a two-dish solution for the foreseeable future.

[2dogz]

I've heard nothing to suggest that DirecTV will migrate away from the 95ºW satellite for its International Channels anytime in the next couple years. So those packages will likely need a two-dish solution for the foreseeable future.

One other possibility is that they develope a 6 LNB assembly for the slimline dish. Seems there is space for one or two additional LNB horns on the current 5 LNB that is sort of "reserved for future use". Maybe. Remember the old satc upgrade kits back in the day. If the new horn had its own cable output then they wouldn't have to monkey with the builtin multiswitch, just add an additional cable downlead to the inside multiswitch.

Of course, a new integrated 6 LNB assembly would be a easy way to go.