[tff17]

I just received my replacement HR20 (had to reset the first one at least 5 times a day) and had a question about the converters. I have been reading the forums for awhile, but decided to post to get some more info.

I know that you don't currently need the converters and they may be causing some freezing or losing satellite signal problems. If I install the HR20 without the converters, when will I need to add them back? Will these only be needed after D* adds new national MPEG-4 stations? I am really hoping that this unit is stable, as I am dying to watch hockey on my regional sports network in HD.

 

[litzdog911]

You won't need them until the new Ka-band satellites go live in early 2007. Keep tabs on this Forum and you'll be among the first to know when that happens.

 

[Enrique B Chamorro]

Hello,

On Sat. the HR20-700 was installed.
The software was downloaded and is current.
A new large dish was installed, the order ticket has "KA/KU"
I am in the Chicago land area and the tech. put the B-Band converters
on both lines feeding the HR20.
He said it helps with the local HD channels.
Do I need the B-Band converters?
What is the benefit if I remove them?
Should I remove them one at a time or both at the same time?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[PoitNarf]

Hello,

On Sat. the HR20-700 was installed.
The software was downloaded and is current.
A new large dish was installed, the order ticket has "KA/KU"
I am in the Chicago land area and the tech. put the B-Band converters
on both lines feeding the HR20.
He said it helps with the local HD channels.
Do I need the B-Band converters?
What is the benefit if I remove them?
Should I remove them one at a time or both at the same time?

Thanks for the help!!

Read the post directly above yours. They are not needed yet, but will be when the new sats are launched. There is no harm in taking them off now, you won't lose anything until the new sats start broadcasting. Some people have been taking them off because they seem to have a high failure rate which can result in the HR20 experiencing a variety of bugs.

 

[Enrique B Chamorro]

OK, I will take them off.
I was not sure if my being in Chicagoland and getting HD ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX
was different from the first poster living in Washington DC.

Will I need one for the OTA rooftop antenna cable when the HR20 will be able to convert OTA HD?

 

[PoitNarf]

Will I need one for the OTA rooftop antenna cable when the HR20 will be able to convert OTA HD?

Nope, the converters are only for the satellite inputs.

 

[carl6]

I'm wondering what kind of plan, if any, DirecTV has for dealing with all of the MPEG4 receivers that do not have B-band converters installed on them. It seems like (a) installers are not bothering to put them on in many cases, and (b) people are removing them if they are installed. So what is going to happen next year when they are needed?

Also, if they are having as high a failure rate as is indicated, there will need to be either a redesigned device that is more reliable, or an enormous stock so ongoing replacements can be sent out rapidly.

Carl

 

[litzdog911]

I'm wondering what kind of plan, if any, DirecTV has for dealing with all of the MPEG4 receivers that do not have B-band converters installed on them. It seems like (a) installers are not bothering to put them on in many cases, and (b) people are removing them if they are installed. So what is going to happen next year when they are needed?

Also, if they are having as high a failure rate as is indicated, there will need to be either a redesigned device that is more reliable, or an enormous stock so ongoing replacements can be sent out rapidly.

Carl

Agreed. It's going to be a mess when the new Ka-band satellites go live early next year and many many customers suddenly can't receive the new channels. Perhaps this is a good time to start gobbling up BBCs .... they could be in hot demand next year