Only wanting HD nationals

[HIPAR]

I'm hoping those zillions of promised capacity HD channels will come down to me on the new 103 ka band satellite. Let's assume everything I want to watch will soon appear in HD on that satellite. Let's also assume I won't need standard definition on the 101 satellite anymore.

Since we don't know exact details about D* plans for this satellite my question might be somewhat premature and hypothetical but since I'm going to order HD service this fall from someone and want to start planning, I'll ask it anyway.

What will be the minimum equipment configuration to receive HD from the new satellite at 103?

a) I have no line of sight to satellites out of the 101 neighborhood
b) I have one HDTV set and don't need to view different channels in multiple rooms
c) I'm not interested in locals
d) I don't want premiums or sports packages
e) I don't need a DVR

I'll agree to special provisions required for a nonstandard installation.

--- CHAS

[Earl Bonovich]

a) If you don't have line of site to 101... you are going to have a nightmare getting 103.... but if you don't have 101... then no go, as 101 is a minimum for DirecTV service here in the US

b) Single box

c) Okay, then you will have to ask for the package without the locals

d) You don't need it.

e) H20/H21 (if available).

So you would need the DirecTV Choice with HD package... you can call to see if there is another package lower then that (not listed on their site)... but you will need at least 1 base pacakge that HD can be added too.

[66stang351]

I'm hoping those zillions of promised capacity HD channels will come down to me on the new 103 ka band satellite. Let's assume everything I want to watch will soon appear in HD on that satellite. Let's also assume I won't need standard definition on the 101 satellite anymore.

Since we don't know exact details about D* plans for this satellite my question might be somewhat premature and hypothetical but since I'm going to order HD service this fall from someone and want to start planning, I'll ask it anyway.

What will be the minimum equipment configuration to receive HD from the new satellite at 103?

a) I have no line of sight to satellites out of the 101 neighborhood
b) I have one HDTV set and don't need to view different channels in multiple rooms
c) I'm not interested in locals
d) I don't want premiums or sports packages
e) I don't need a DVR

I'll agree to special provisions required for a nonstandard installation.

--- CHAS

a) If I'm reading this right you CAN get 101 but are blocked most everywhere else. If this is right you should be OK.
b) You need an H20 or H21
c) I think locals are included by default and they won't take them out anymore. If they do take them out of the package for you it saves you 2 dollars a month.
d) They are not required so don't get them.
e) Don't get a DVR.

As Earl said Choice with HD package would be what you want.

You will need a 5lnb dish and an H-20 or H-21 receiver. Pretty much a standard 1 room install.

The only issue you may have is a lot of installers won't install if you can't receive all the sats. and there are a few national HD channels on 110/119 right now. These channels might be simulcast on 103 when it comes online though.

[tonyd79]

To clarify, all the programming information (like the guide data, the transponder info, etc.) is on 101, so you need it.

[syphix]

Plus, if you can't see 119/110, then you won't see the legacy HD channels (ESPN, HDNet, etc.) as they aren't moved to MPEG4 on 99/103....yet.

(Is there a timetable for their move to MPEG4/Ka?)

[paulman182]

It might be difficult to find an installer to do the job without line of sight to all of the sats. They would be afraid you would complain at some point, and they would get in trouble for doing a deficient install.

You are willing to sign something saying you are satisfied, but there is probably no such form for you to sign.

You could buy the equipment yourself from Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. and do your own install.

[tonyd79]

Good point, paulman. My last installer (who was a friendly and knowledgeable chap) said that they need at least 101 and 119 to align to. If there is not strong signal on both of them, they are told to not do the install.

[bobnielsen]

The alignment procedure calls for peaking the tilt adjustment for 119. The figure calculated from the zip code would be close enough for 99/103, however. I recommend that when you sign up for installation you tell the CSR that you are willing to go without 110/119 and have it documented on the work order (hopefully they will agree to that). I anticipate that once the 110/119 HD channels are mirrored (or switched) to 103 (or 99) that DirecTV may introduce a new dish with only 99/101/103 (like the AT-9 without the "sidecar").

[HIPAR]

Thanks for your help.

I see 101 and have be using it since 1998. I will definitely be able to see 103 when it's activated. I believe 99 is devoted to HD locals so I don't care about it because my local DMA is Scranton Wilkes-bare and it is not available in HD from D*. I'm more attuned to Philadelphia but they can't sell me those channels

Assuming I still need 101 for the program guide, how many coax cables will I need? Will I need any combiners and multiswitches? I have seen reference here to a new block converter that will be required. Where will that be connected?

I have no qualms about doing the install myself as I'm technically oriented. I installed my 18 inch dish and have been keeping things working myself.

I guess what I'm asking is if I can simplify the install and wiring by eliminating what I can't use or don't need. A 101 neighborhood only dish would really be convenient and solve lots of problems.

--- CHAS

[bobnielsen]

-The two existing satellites at 99 and 103 are used for HD locals. D10 at 103 and D11 (scheduled for December 2007 launch) at 99 will have both national and local channels, including many DMAs not currently served. The 5 LNB dish has a built-in multiswitch with 4 outputs cabable of selecting any of the 99/101/103/110/119 channels. You will need two cables for a DVR and one for each standard receiver (additional receivers will require an external multiswitch).

Directv may not want to supply a receiver and dish without having their installers do the job. You can purchase receivers at Best Buy, Circuit City and Costco. Dishes are available at http://www.solidsignal.com and elsewhere. You might be able to talk a CSR into some crediits if you go that route. A signal meter (even an inexpensive one) would be helpful, as the alignment is more critical than for 101. Solid Signal has videos which demonstrate the procedure, although the included instructions are probably sufficient.

[CCarncross]

Dont want to dvr, look for an H20/H21(soon to be out), you will need the new 5lnb dish(AT9, or newer AU9), and without dual-tuner dvrs in use, one cable run from the dish to each receiver(up to 4), connected through a BBC. If you choose to use the OTA input on the H20, you will want a separate cable from your antenna(or from a distribution amp) to each receiver as well. The only things you would be missing are the current mpeg2 national HD channels, basically current channels in the 70-99 range). Eventually they will most likely move to 99 or 103 and be transmitted as mpeg4, but no one knows when that will happen.

[HIPAR]

Let me try to understand what the 101 area Ka band satellite configuration is to be.

There is currently a working Ka band satellite at 99 .. I was aware of it
There is currently a working Ka band satellite at 103 .. I was not aware of it
The recently launched D10 Ka band satellite will also transmit from 103 this fall
A future D11 Ka band satellite will also transmit from 99

I assume all will send MPEG4 data streams

Additionally, I believe there are actually two Ku band satellites at 101. These are the ones I've be using with standard definition MPEG2.

Do I understand this correctly?

--- CHAS

[1948GG]

Additionally, I believe there are actually two Ku band satellites at 101. These are the ones I've be using with standard definition MPEG2.

Do I understand this correctly?

'Not exactly'. The two Ku sats at 101 (16 high power transponders each) were replaced in 2005 with DirecTV8, a full 32 high-power transponder Ku/DBS sat (with some ka routing capability).

Before that, there all kinds of mixes of Ku/DBS sats all the way back to DirecTV1, which was 16 Low Power transponders, launched in 1993. As the launch weight ('throw weight' actually) of the rockets got better, the electronics (and the solar cells) got better, the sats were abe to do much more on one 'buss'.

You Ka stuff is correct, except the thing to keep in mind is the current Ka capacity (spot beam locals) from the Spaceways (99/103) are the Ka High-Band; the new sats (DirecTV10 and 11) are Ka-Low-Band. The Ka band is just about twice the bandwidth of the original Ku/DBS band, plus of course the orbital spacing is 4deg (99/103) rather than 9deg (i.e., 101/110/119 etc). since Ka band is 20Ghz vrs. the 12Ghz of the Ku/DBS band.

DirecTV11 is due to be launched in December by Boeing Sea Launch, so by maybe the end of January the full complement of Ka stas will be up and operational.

[66stang351]

Thanks for your help.

I see 101 and have be using it since 1998. I will definitely be able to see 103 when it's activated. I believe 99 is devoted to HD locals so I don't care about it because my local DMA is Scranton Wilkes-bare and it is not available in HD from D*. I'm more attuned to Philadelphia but they can't sell me those channels

Assuming I still need 101 for the program guide, how many coax cables will I need? Will I need any combiners and multiswitches? I have seen reference here to a new block converter that will be required. Where will that be connected?

I have no qualms about doing the install myself as I'm technically oriented. I installed my 18 inch dish and have been keeping things working myself.

I guess what I'm asking is if I can simplify the install and wiring by eliminating what I can't use or don't need. A 101 neighborhood only dish would really be convenient and solve lots of problems.

--- CHAS
You won't need any extra switch or combiner unless you have more than 4 tuners. The 5lnb dishes have outputs for 4 tuners. Per what you said you wanted, 1 non-DVR HD receiver, you would need one line from the dish to that receiver and nothing else.