EPG download

Please bear with me, I'm new. How do you download the Electonic Program Guide (EPG) on the 501? Is it automatic or do I have to set something up?

Thanks

[spartanrob]

I am now registered (thought I already was). Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Mark Lamutt]

Welcome to DBSTalk, spartanrob! :hi:

The 501 downloads the guide automatically when you put it in standby mode (i.e. turn it off with the power button on the remote). I believe (haven't tested this myself) that you can also leave it tuned to one of the channels that is on transponder #1 off the 119 sat (channels 106, 107, 108, 162, 184, 208, 209, 230, 239, 304, 426) and it will update your guide data. If all else fails, scroll out in your guide until you get to the dreaded no information available blocks, then try to pull up program information for one of them - that should force the guide to be updated.

[spartanrob]

Thanks for the information, I look forward to playing with the system this weekend.

[Mark Holtz]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 501 "7-9 day guide" was carried on 110 only. Every other satellite, including 119, carries the 48-hour guide for the other receivers.

[Mark Lamutt]

Is it only on 110? If so, then he'd need to set the channel to one of the TP1 channels on 110.

[spartanrob]

So, the safest bet is just to put the unit in standby mode. How long should it stay in standby mode?

[Mark Holtz]

Depends. I leave mine in standby mode whenever I'm not using it.

[JohnL]

Originally posted by Mark Lamutt
Is it only on 110? If so, then he'd need to set the channel to one of the TP1 channels on 110.

Actually the Extended EPG (9 Day guide) that the 501 uses comes from Transponder 3 at 110 degrees.

Channels that are also on this transponder are Gem Shopping Network (Part Time) and 8 PPV channels as well as Dish's Interactive Home Channel.


BTW my Avatar is the reason I get Distant Nets even though I'm in a Grade A signal Contour. I love Dish's RV/Commercial Trucker Waiver Program.

John

[Mark Lamutt]

Thanks for clearing me up on that, John. TP3 channels on 110 are: 100,217,253,506,510,511,516,521,523,524,525

[spartanrob]

OK, you guys are talking a lot of greek to me, can you explain that in plain english? Thanks

[Mark Lamutt]

Sorry, spartanrob. If you leave your 501 on, and leave it tuned to one of the channels from my previous post, the guide will be updated on your 501 automatically.

With the dish 500 antenna, you are actually pointing at 2 different satellite locations - located at 119 degrees and 110 degrees (orbital slots). On those satellites are the transponders, from which the channels are beamed back to earth. Each transponder has a number of channels on it - I think an average of about 11 channels per transponder is what dish is doing at the moment. So, the channels that I listed in my post above are the channels that are being broadcast from the 110 degree satellite on transponder 3. Make a little more sense?

[spartanrob]

Thanks for clarifying. I will probably just shut it off at night to be safe.

[DarrellP]

If you want an instant update, go into the setup menu and do a check switch, this forces a guide download.