DirecTV 14 Launched 3:40PM - DEC 6 Eastern Time

[nelson61]

DirecTV 14 is tentatively scheduled for launch from the Arianespace Port on Dec 4, 2014, 20:38 Universal Time (3:28 PM Eastern Time).

It will be launched to the nominal 99W slot where it will provide replacement and or supplemental service to existing service from that location.

DirecTV 14 has two payloads; S2869 and S2711.
Satellite Space Station S2869 will provide KA Conus Plus and SpotBeam service. It will replace or supplement existing service.

Satellite Space Station S2711 will be the first commercial (non-test) service in the new 17/24 Ghz BSS frequency range. Since it adds bandwidth, it will significantly increase the channels available for Conus transmissions.

You may see the new bandwidth referred to as “Reverse Band “since it uses the DBS uplink band (17 Ghz) for downlink transmissions. It was commonly called “Reverse Band” during the development phase. The FCC has formally defined the transmission scheme as 17/24 Ghz BSS (Broadcasting Satellite Service).

DirecTV 14 is the first of three new DirecTV satellites that will provide or include commercial 17/24 BSS service. DirecTV 15, scheduled for launch next year will also include 17/24 BSS service and a new, unnamed satellite being developed for 79W will provide 17/24 BSS service.

DirecTV 14 will probably be ready to enter commercial service in February or March of 2015.

DirecTV lands in French Guiana

Initial Ariane 5 assembly completed

DirecTV 14 fueled

Rollout to Final Assembly

 

[raoul5788]

Getting exciting!

 

[gadgtfreek]

What is the deal with

17/24 BSS service

 

[raoul5788]

It's basically a new band, like ka/ku, that no one outside of Directv knows how it's going to be deployed.

 

[nelson61]

What is the deal with

17/24 BSS service

As Raoul says, no one really knows. They have been designing and working on it for more than 7 years and you have to think the newer receivers and lnb systems have incorporated the capability to use the new bandwidth.

How will it be used?

From a FCC filing six months ago:

"This additional capacity is coming online just in time to support the
launch of bandwidth-intensive ultra-high definition television (“Ultra HD”) services,
which promise a leap forward for video programming similar to that achieved with the
introduction of high definition service"

 

[gadgtfreek]

Ah, cool.

 

[mike123abc]

I am really interested in seeing 17/24 work and how they handle rain fade. How powerful are the transmitters? How much error correction? What is the achievable data rate? Looks like DIRECTV will now be able to test it all out.

 

[raoul5788]

They have been testing it for years, it is on D11.

 

[nelson61]

I am really interested in seeing 17/24 work and how they handle rain fade. How powerful are the transmitters? How much error correction? What is the achievable data rate? Looks like DIRECTV will now be able to test it all out.

The major technical issue is the need to avoid interferencing with the 17Ghz uplink beams used by DBS.

 

[lnbchris]

Sounds interesting. Maybe now we will get HD versions of some of the good channels that are still in SD.

 

[nelson61]

DirecTV 14 Schedule:

Launch on December 4 2014

Arrive at 76W test slot December 14

Four (4) weeks testing

Twenty three (23) days drifting to 99W

Ready for commercial operation at 99W on Feb 5th, 2015

DirecTV 14 Test Schedule

 

[edisonprime]

I just upgraded to Dish Type 18. Will I have to upgrade again?

 

[raoul5788]

Not anytime soon.

 

[harshness]

I just upgraded to Dish Type 18. Will I have to upgrade again?

When DIRECTV begins delivering "live" UHD content (thought to be somewhere in the 2016 ballpark) and you've decided that the content is worth the effort, you'll need to upgrade.

At the same time you'll also need to upgrade some of your inside hardware to better accommodate the UHD content of the day.

 

[goaliebob99]

When DIRECTV begins delivering "live" UHD content (thought to be somewhere in the 2016 ballpark) and you've decided that the content is worth the effort, you'll need to upgrade.

At the same time you'll also need to upgrade some of your inside hardware to better accommodate the UHD content of the day.

Probably more like mid 2015 - late 2015 timeframe... Also its already been said that if you have an HR44 you should be good to do live UHD. The only thing is you will probably need an LNB swap for reverse band so you can get the content in the 17 - 20 Ghz band where UHD will be broadcasted from.

 

[nelson61]

DirecTV 14 closing in on launch (Dec 4).

Mission Update

 

[nelson61]

The tech manual for those wanting to know all about DirecTV 14 and it's detailed launch and orbit schedule (to the fraction of a second).

Directv 14 Arianespace Launch Kit

 

[joed32]

A better question is when will the networks begin broadcasting UHD. It doesn't matter when Directv is ready if there isn't any content available. Just like 1080p is now. No one broadcasts in that format.

 

[mike123abc]

A better question is when will the networks begin broadcasting UHD. It doesn't matter when Directv is ready if there isn't any content available. Just like 1080p is now. No one broadcasts in that format.

I am thinking HBO would be one of the first ones. All the filmed content would be a natural 4k fit.

 

[goaliebob99]

Set your DVR's!!!!! The launch will be on Channel 9550 in HD.