Noob Question: Benefits of 5LNB dish vs 3LNB

[bLiTz 2k]

Judging by my recent posts Im sure everyone here knows im a complete newb when it comes to the world of DirecTv and satellite, so I'm sorry if my threads are really bad...I apologize in advance..

Anyway, due to rules about mounting satellites in my co op style home, I cannot mount any dish larger than 18" to a vent pipe. Now DirecTV had explained to me that I needed the Slimline 5LNB AU9 dish for HD programming...

After some research and a quick convo with an installer, I found out that HD is possible with the smaller 3LNB dish.

What gives? What is the benefit of having such a massive dish if the smaller one can deliver HD? Thanks for any responses.

[say-what]

You will not get any of the new HD channels with the 3lnb - you will continue to receive the 10 or so HD channels that are currently available on the 3lnb until they migrate to mpeg-4 coding (no idea how much longer that will be. All future HD programming will require the 5lnb dish.

Are there other mounting options that may be available? Tripod, other location?

[bLiTz 2k]

You will not get any of the new HD channels with the 3lnb - you will continue to receive the 10 or so HD channels that are currently available on the 3lnb until they migrate to mpeg-4 coding (no idea how much longer that will be. All future HD programming will require the 5lnb dish.

Okay thats understandable. I just got the Sunday Ticket package, will I get all games that are broadcasted in HD at this current time? (not talking about newer channels like NFL Network HD)

[veryoldschool]

Judging by my recent posts Im sure everyone here knows im a complete newb when it comes to the world of DirecTv and satellite, so I'm sorry if my threads are really bad...I apologize in advance..

Anyway, due to rules about mounting satellites in my co op style home, I cannot mount any dish larger than 18" to a vent pipe. Now DirecTV had explained to me that I needed the Slimline 5LNB AU9 dish for HD programming...

After some research and a quick convo with an installer, I found out that HD is possible with the smaller 3LNB dish.

What gives? What is the benefit of having such a massive dish if the smaller one can deliver HD? Thanks for any responses.
Well first: the FCC rules say less than one meter for home dishes. Your condo management may not like it but they can't limit you to 18".
The Phase III dish doesn't have the 99/103 SAT capability, so the "HD" is the older MPEG-2 from several years ago.

[say-what]

As far as I know, Sunday Ticket will continue to use the current system for the foreseeable future.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Okay thats understandable. I just got the Sunday Ticket package, will I get all games that are broadcasted in HD at this current time? (not talking about newer channels like NFL Network HD)

If you have the Super Fan package you will receive the Sunday Ticket games in HD this year. Next year they will be moved to MPEG4 and you will need the 5 LNB dish to get them in HD.

[say-what]

Well first: the FCC rules say less than one meter for home dishes. Your condo management may not like it but they can't limit you to 18".
The Phase III dish doesn't have the 99/103 SAT capability, so the "HD" is the older MPEG-2 from several years ago.
A lot may depend on whether the current location is classified as a common area or exclusive to his unit. If it's a common rooftop, there may or may not be much he can do and they may have a decent argument regarding the physical capacity of the vent pipes to support the newer dish.

He can consult this thread for more info: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=93944

[bLiTz 2k]

A lot may depend on whether the current location is classified as a common area or exclusive to his unit. If it's a common rooftop, there may or may not be much he can do and they may have a decent argument regarding the physical capacity of the vent pipes to support the newer dish.

He can consult this thread for more info: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=93944

Well, the roof is common, and I dont think I have much of an argument with management on this one.

So next year everything will be MPG4 and I wont be able to use this dish for HD...I wish there was something I could do to avoid using the roof, but everything is pretty much common besides inside your home. Its a real catch 22 situation IMO.

[bLiTz 2k]

Also, will I get my HD locals with this setup? (NBC, ABC, FOX) or do I need an antenna?

[CCarncross]

If you are in NYC, then currently you should be able to get your locals in HD via sat, because NYC HD locals are mpeg2. IIRC, LA and NYC are the only 2 locals in HD that are currently mpeg2, pretty much every other city that has HD LiL is MPEG4 and only available via a 5LNB dish from 99 and 103....

[CCarncross]

There is talk that possibly as soon as next year it will switched over, but that might just be for the HD stuff

[bLiTz 2k]

There is talk that possibly as soon as next year it will switched over, but that might just be for the HD stuff

Thanks alot for the info CCarncross, I guess the 3LNB will last me a few months at least, then I guess I will have to try and do something about getting a 5lNB

[Keane]

Does the setup guide lie if it says that I have a 3lnb dish vs a 5lnb?

I'm trying to make sure I'm all setup with everything and finally got around to checking channel 499. It tells me "Channel Not Available" and just remains on the current channel I'm on. I called D* and the rep first asks if I have BBC's installed. I do on both lines. His response was that I must have a 5lnb dish since it was installed in June even though the Setup menu tells me it's a 3lnb. Am I nuts or is the rep? Anything else I should be checking?

[RobertE]

Does the setup guide lie if it says that I have a 3lnb dish vs a 5lnb?

I'm trying to make sure I'm all setup with everything and finally got around to checking channel 499. It tells me "Channel Not Available" and just remains on the current channel I'm on. I called D* and the rep first asks if I have BBC's installed. I do on both lines. His response was that I must have a 5lnb dish since it was installed in June even though the Setup menu tells me it's a 3lnb. Am I nuts or is the rep? Anything else I should be checking?

It may be set up incorrectly.

Have you looked at the dish to see if it is really a 5 LNB dish? Should have the words "Slimline" written on the face.

Do you get any HD locals via the sat? Not OTA.

Do you get any transponder readings on the 99 or 103 sat?

If you do indeed have the Slimline and are NOT getting anything on either 99/103 (or they arn't in the transponder screen), re-run the guided setup and select the 5 lnb setup.

[Keane]

It may be set up incorrectly.

Have you looked at the dish to see if it is really a 5 LNB dish? Should have the words "Slimline" written on the face.

Do you get any HD locals via the sat? Not OTA.

Do you get any transponder readings on the 99 or 103 sat?

If you do indeed have the Slimline and are NOT getting anything on either 99/103 (or they arn't in the transponder screen), re-run the guided setup and select the 5 lnb setup.

I've never noticed "Slimline" written on the dish, but I am getting HD locals through the sat.

After switcing to the 5lnb in the setup, I get zeros on the available 99 and 103 transponders.