DirecTV MPEG4 Rollout to begin

[SGAFTA]

It is so sad to see huntville listed as 84th spot. While we may only be 400K+, 200K of those are hi-tech jobs and engineers supporting NASA and DEFENSE. I do not think a one of them does not have all hi tech equipment, as I do in our homes. I am not an engineer, but am so awating to get rid of this dishnetwork 811s and dump this to go back to DTV, I will even pay to get out of this that is how sad it is.

sgafta
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[elephant98]

Based on some posts in this thread, it looks like it possible that the Miami area might get MPEG4 by the end of the year. The only problem is, as with some other posters, I recently purchased the HR10-250 HD-DVR and won't want to switch over to MPEG4 until the new MPEG4 HD-DVR is released (hopefully sometime in Spring 2006). This is especially the case for me since I receive crystal clear HD-locals with an OTA antenna.

My basic questions are:

(1) I know it has been a rumor for a while, but has it finally been confirmed by DirecTV that the new MPEG4 HD-DVR will similarly be offered as a free switchout (with a 2 year commitment and possible $49.95 fee) when it becomes available.

(2) If I choose to wait to switch to MPEG4 until the new HD-DVR is released, are there any potential problems/issues that I might face from DirecTV by waiting? (Other than not getting local HD channels or any new HD National channels through DirecTV). I would like to think not, but I'm asking just in case.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jim tressler]

anyone see the broadcast today on 592?

Robert any details?

 

[guffy1]

anyone see the broadcast today on 592?

Nothing is showing on Channel 592 for me...

The channel is labeled "KaKu Video Broadcast"..

Its just a black screen with the X721 message though...

 

[charper1]

I am sure it is for internal use only, and I assume that Jim Tressler is authorized; although I do not know him.

 

[lurch]

yeah I seen it,its a training video on the new ka/ku dish.Only people with hsp accounts can view it.The dish seems pretty complicated to dial in at first,and its pretty big!

 

[jim tressler]

In my younger days - I used to be authorized for these types of channels lol.. not anymore however.. I was hoping someone could fill us in - a screen cap of the monster would be nice

I am sure it is for internal use only, and I assume that Jim Tressler is authorized; although I do not know him.

 

[rad]

yeah I seen it,its a training video on the new ka/ku dish.Only people with hsp accounts can view it.The dish seems pretty complicated to dial in at first,and its pretty big!

OK, I have a simple question. How many cables need to come off the dish to the switch? I ask since my current setup is on a poll mount at the back of the yard and if I need to pull more cables and bury them I'd like to get that done before the ground starts to freeze (unless the D* installer will take care of doing that work as part of the upgrade?). Thanks

Deja Vue, I remember going through this time of stuff when E* said that we would need a 105 Superdish in order to get all that new HD programming that was coming

 

[Smthkd]

yeah I seen it,its a training video on the new ka/ku dish.Only people with hsp accounts can view it.The dish seems pretty complicated to dial in at first,and its pretty big!

Funny how its next to the porn channels! Maybe they are getting KA/KU training about sex with MPEG4 Compression!

 

[lurch]

Thats too funny!!!!! you will need 4 lines still,off the dish to the switch.I'll try to get a pic up.

 

[rad]

Thats too funny!!!!! you will need 4 lines still,off the dish to the switch.I'll try to get a pic up.

THANKS! Really didn't want to have to run a new line. I'd have to go through the wifes flower beds and that would have been a BIG time pain.

 

[jim tressler]

thanks lurch.. if you can

so were back to 4 lines and not 5???

Thats too funny!!!!! you will need 4 lines still,off the dish to the switch.I'll try to get a pic up.

 

[chrisexv6]

Yeah, this is semi-important to me as well. I had the 4 lines coming off the current dish hidden behind my vinyl siding when it was installed last year. Id hate to have to add a 5th wire and not be able to fish it behind the siding. If we only need 4, makes life easier.

-Chris

 

[lurch]

pics arent the greatest but here goes

 

[lurch]

3 more,

 

[lurch]

hope these help!!!

 

[rad]

Lurch, THANKS VERY MUCH! Yep, that's one big puppy, glad it's behind a bunch of bushes in the back yard.

Question, what's the two flex ports on the switch? Can you use one to diplex in an OTA feed like the current 5x8 switches?

 

[pstineme]

Wow. That thing looks huge. I'm not even sure I want one of those on my house. Maybe I'll look into a ground install and get some bushes to hide it.

 

[Barney]

Great pics there....huge Dish.
Well, since the "rumor" is the new HD-DVR might be out next Spring & Austin is #53.........I'll just have to read the reviews here & how the change over takes place & wait.

Going to be a busy couple weeks there in the 1st DMA.

Barney

 

[jdk]

The Flexports are used to access the other Ka satellites used for some locals and International programming.

An expert will have to chime in, but looking at the multiswitch, they've put two satellite's worth of signal onto each pair of RG6. Someone who knows more about the specific frequency ranges for OTA (too lazy to look them up), and might know exactly how DirecTV is going to stack two satellites on two cables would have to chime in - perhaps they have to use the "normal" frequency range for OTA to fit this on one cable.

So you still might be running an extra cable (for OTA), or since DirecTV is now supplying you locals - you don't need that OTA antenna any more!