[Redlinetire]

I'm thinking of switching to Dish (from DirecTV) and I think I've got most of questions answered, but one I can't seem to fully grasp is all the hubub surrounding 61.5.

I'm in the Detroit DMA, and I read somewhere that my locals are now 'available' on 61.5.

From what I can pickup on the forum, that appears to be a good thing. But I can't seem to figure out why!

It seems like that I would need two dishes (1000.2 and one to pickup 61.5) to do that - is it really worth it? Are they in MPEG 4 on 61.5 and MPEG 2 on 129 - is that the big deal? I plan on using an OTA antenna for locals anyway (to pickup subchannels), so I likely won't even use the Dish locals. I realize though that I still have to buy them to pickup my local RSN.

Any insight/advice would be appreciated!
Thanks...

 

[garys]

First off, all HD will be mpeg4 on August 1st, there will be no mpeg2 HD after that date. Dish mirrors all National HD on both 61.5 and 129 and is putting some dma's up on 61.5 as it is easier to get, other areas have no problem getting 129. You would need a Dish 500 for 110 and 119 and a wing dish for 61.5. You do not need a Dish 1000. If you do not subscribe to your locals, your OTA guide will not have any info. Your RSN is available on the programing package AT100+ or above, not on your local package.

 

[tcatdbs]

I keep hearing "Wing Dish", is that a particular dish on the same mast, or just a second 300 or 500 on a different mount? I have an install next week, curious what he'll bring. I'm assuming two 500's for 110, 119 and 61.5. I assume E* will get their act together someday and replace these with a 1000 (once they move my HD locals off 61.5).... sure wish I could get them OTA.

 

[BobaBird]

A "wing dish" is an additional dish that points off to the side. Dish 500 gets 110/119, Dish 1000 gets 110/119/129. Neither can get the side slots on the same dish.

148          129 119 110                   61.5

Detroit's HD locals at 118.75° actually require the larger Dish 1000+. With the move to 61.5° you need 2 regular-size dishes, or someday the Eastern Arc dish.

 

[Redlinetire]

Thanks for the great info garys and BobaBird - I really appreciate it.

I did not realize that the RSN did NOT require the locals package, am I correct in assuming then that the RSNs are on CONUS (I think that's the term) and not a local spot beam? I will simply get it by subscribing to a AT100 or higher package?

If so, I may just continue with my current setup for locals (antenna+TiVo).

 

[garys]

Thanks for the great info garys and BobaBird - I really appreciate it.

I did not realize that the RSN did NOT require the locals package, am I correct in assuming then that the RSNs are on CONUS (I think that's the term) and not a local spot beam? I will simply get it by subscribing to a AT100 or higher package?

If so, I may just continue with my current setup for locals (antenna+TiVo).

You need AT100+ (AT100 package + locals or higher), AT 100 does not have rsn's as part of the package. Yes, rsn's are Conus = Continental United States.