Dish America Questions

[PopcornNMore]

I currently have the Welcome Package ($14.99) + DVR ($6.00) and thinking about upgrading to Dish America ($34.99).

Questions:
1) Are locals included?
2) If locals are included are the SD versions included as well as HD?
3) Is DVR included or an additional $6?
4) Since all the channels are HD could a dedicated dish aimed at 129 be used for the best possible signal strength?

 

[osu1991]

Yes
No still $6
No as not all HD channels are on 129, some of the HD still comes off 110 and 119

 

[Mojo Jojo]

I currently have the Welcome Package ($14.99) + DVR ($6.00) and thinking about upgrading to Dish America ($34.99).

Questions:
1) Are locals included?
2) If locals are included are the SD versions included as well as HD?
3) Is DVR included or an additional $6?
4) Since all the channels are HD could a dedicated dish aimed at 129 be used for the best possible signal strength?

1) Yes (for the locals Dish offers in you area or if you "move")
2) Yes (if Dish offers the local channel in your area or wherever you "move.")
3) DVR service is $6. One exception would be of you had a 211 (with no other DVR receivers on the account) which can be integrated into a DVR (without streaming from what I understand) with a one-time $40 fee and an external hard drive.
4) Not sure...I believe someone posted an answer above.

 

[Mr Tony]

1. yes
2. yes
3. no its $6
4. sure you can. But the guide would only be only for 44 hours. The EEPG (9 days) is on 119. As noted not all the HD is on 129....some is on 110

The SD channels are the PI/religious/shopping channels. I use to have a 36" dish for 129 which worked fine but that goes back to the 2 day guide if you are 129 only.

edit: from looking at thelist the HD that is part of DA is on 119 now not 110
119 TP7
http://www.satelliteguys.us/thelist/index.php?search=dn119&sub=true&sort=TP&order=

 

[PopcornNMore]

I've seen that many of the America HD channels are located on both 119 and 129.

1) Why?
2) Which signal does your receiver actually use if the same channel is located on both satellites?

 

[garys]

1. The channels take up bandwidth and several sats are needed to supply so many channels.
2. There are no repeat channels on 119 and 129.

 

[Mr Tony]

you have to look at the map (if looking at the list) to make sure its CONUS or a spotbeam.
There are spotbeams on 119 and 110 for Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii HD.

The only HD on 119 for CONUS is TP7 as I linked to above.

 

[PopcornNMore]

I decided to order the Dish America package. My current setop consists of a Dish 500 dish with added LNB for 129 and DPP44 switch.

Problem: The signal strength on all HD channels on 129 is below 20 resulting in signal breakup. I've had Dish Network technicians here 3 times and they never fixed the problem.

Solution: I believe a dish 100.2 dish (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221117956356?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619) would perform better due to the larger size and intergrated LNB. I would then be able to adjust the dish myself to receive the best signal strength rather than have a Dish Network technician rush to get to the next service call.

Question: Would the DPP44 switch work with the dish 100.2 dish? I believe it would, but want to verify before I go ahead and purchase the dish above.

 

[Mr Tony]

you dont need the DPP44 switch. The 1000.2 has a switch built in

Why not just use a bigger dish for 129? I'm sure you have one laying around you can use...or just slap up a 18" dish. The reason 129 is so bad is a D500 the LNB's are already 4.5 degrees off boresite. Now add 9 more. There is minimal signal grabbing off the dish

 

[PopcornNMore]

you dont need the DPP44 switch. The 1000.2 has a switch built in

Why not just use a bigger dish for 122? I'm sure you have one laying around you can use...or just slap up a 18" dish. The reason 129 is so bad is a D500 the LNB's are already 4.5 degrees off boresite. Now add 9 more. There is minimal signal grabbing off the dish

I like the idea of not using the DPP44 switch, especially since only 1 TV receives the Dish Network signal. Plus since we don't subscribe to international programming the Dish 1000.2 might just be the solution. I believe the Dish 500 was installed several years ago, because our Pittsburgh locals were located on 118.7. Purchasing the Dish 1000.2 eliminates 4 long coax runs and the DPP44 switch.

 

[hdflsts2002]

I like the idea of not using the DPP44 switch, especially since only 1 TV receives the Dish Network signal. Plus since we don't subscribe to international programming the Dish 1000.2 might just be the solution. I believe the Dish 500 was installed several years ago, because our Pittsburgh locals were located on 118.7. Purchasing the Dish 1000.2 eliminates 4 long coax runs and the DPP44 switch.

Speaking as another Pittsburgher go 1000.4 and you'll be golden you'll probably go with EA but can also use WA if you have LOS issues. Our locals are on conus so you'll be able to grab them where ever you are. You'll not need the SW44 with that dish either.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Not having the DPP44 switch also removes the power inserter needed.

I assume that I would attach a coax to port 1 of the 1000.2 LNBF directly to the VIP722K receiver? Ports 2 and 3 would then be used if I added additional receivers in the future.

I saw within the Dish 1000.2 setup instructions that a DPP44 switch can be used, but I guess would only be needed if you had more than 3 receivers?

 

[Mr Tony]

I assume that I would attach a coax to port 1 of the 1000.2 LNBF directly to the VIP722K receiver? Ports 2 and 3 would then be used if I added additional receivers in the future.

yes but make sure you use the separator on the back of the 722 to split it to sat 1 & 2

 

[PopcornNMore]

I've read so much about dish 1000.2 vs 1000.4 on this and other forums that my head is spinning. I was all ready to order a dish 1000.2, but am wondering if I should go ahead and order the dish 1000.4 instead since the dish 1000.2 is being phased out and the dish 1000.4 is larger.

My findings:
1) Some pans are black and some are gray
2) Some pans are labeled Dish HD, some Turbo HD and some Dish 1000
3) Some LNB's are labeled Dish Hd, some DP Plus
4) Some people say the 1000.4 is hard to tune, some say no.
5) Some people say the dish 1000.4 pan bends easy, some say not true
6) Some people say the dish 1000.4 is approx. 2" larger than the 1000.2, some say the dish 1000.4 is approx. 4" larger than the 1000.2.

Who do I believe? What dish should I order? I'm thinking of sticking with my original plan of ordering the dish 1000.2 on EBay for $60 shipped, but want to hear some input to my findings above before I do so.

Note: I'm using a VIP722K receiver and am using the western arc.

 

[Mr Tony]

Dish 1000.4 is the Eastern Arc dish that sees 61.5,72,77
Dish 1000.2 is Western Arc 110,119,129

Pittsburgh locals are on BOTH arcs so you could use either one.
For a while there was a WA D1000.4 (it had a different LNB) but I think now they've gone back to the 1000.2

Either one will work for what you want to accomplish

 

[PopcornNMore]

Thank you Iceberg! I was going to ask what dish you had, but then saw within your signature that you switched to DirecTV.

I'll be ordering the 1000.2 today.

 

[Mr Tony]

When I had dish since I owned my 211 I had a Dish 500 and used one of my 36" dishes for 129 for HD locals (I was a "mover")
(and I actually had Directv when I got Dish)

 

[PopcornNMore]

I believe I need a drink after reading about all the Dish Network dish setups for the past several hours.

Before purchasing a dish 1000.2 I did more research and found that my current dish 500 + (http://sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Dishnetwork/Dishes/Dish-500-Plus-Dish500Plus.htm) is actually larger (23.8"H X 30.9"W) than the dish 1000.2 (20.7"H X 25.9"W). I'm now asking myself "why am I purchasing a smaller dish to receive 129 better?".

As I understand the dish 500+ and dish 1000+ systems require the use of the DPP44 switch which I was hoping to remove. I guess this would be the one benefit of using a dish 1000.2 system.

Before I purchase anything I'm going to try adjusting my current dish for better signal strength and replace any weather beaten coax and "F" connectors.

Question: Could a 1000.2 LNBF be placed onto my existing Dish 500+ dish to eliminate the DPP44 switch?

 

[Mr Tony]

The reason the D500+ is larger is due to 118.7 being KU Band (11.7-12.2) instead of DBS (12.2-12.75). Since you are a FTA'er you know that KU Band the satellites are lower powered. Thats why the dish is bigger. 110, 119 & 129 are all DBS sats

I dont think you cant take a 1000.2 LNB and try it on a 500+ dish due to the different focal point. Just get the 1000.2 and install it. Put the separator behind the 722 and enjoy TV
(you are over thinking this way too much)

 

[boba]

I like the idea of not using the DPP44 switch, especially since only 1 TV receives the Dish Network signal. Plus since we don't subscribe to international programming the Dish 1000.2 might just be the solution. I believe the Dish 500 was installed several years ago, because our Pittsburgh locals were located on 118.7. Purchasing the Dish 1000.2 eliminates 4 long coax runs and the DPP44 switch.

If you have /had 118.7 that is a DISH 500PLUS the largest dish currently used. A 500+ and a 1000+ use the same reflector just a different LNB.

The new DPP LNB for the 1000+ would eliminate the DPP44 switch. and runs around $40 on ebay if you do your shopping.