I have the Dish 1000, so I am pretty sure I am pointed at the 61.5 SAT. Should I just automatically get these or will I need more equipment?
Jay
There are three current types of DISH 1000 dishes, 1000.2, 1000.4 & 1000+.
The 1000.2 is similar to the old DISH 1000, but with an integrated LNB. It points at 110/119/129. The 1000+ points at 110/118/119/129. The 1000.4 is the ONLY dish in the 1000 series that points to 61.5, being designed for 61.5/72.7/77.
Only if you are a very new subscriber to DISH (in the last month) would you have the 1000.4, as they are only available at this time to new subscribers, and ALL of your equipment is required to be MPEG4 for the 1000.4 to work.
If you have the old style 1000, you will need a DPP44 switch, along with a wing dish (with DishPro LNB) pointed at 61.5. If you have the newer style 1000.2, all you need is the wing dish with DishPro LNB, and connect it to the wing dish input on the 1000.2 LNB. If you have the 1000.4, you would already have HD locals (only 8 & 13 are currently provided in HD).
DISH does provide an upgrade path for 61.5 through DISH'n It Up.