Need Creative Solution for Installation Problem

[scottbrooks]

Presently have standard defintion direcTV with DirecTivo. Strong signal on all transponders -- 80-95%. Bought HD TV and ordered DirecTV 5 lnb dish and dvr without realizing I'd need a wider view of SW sky to get signal from multiple satellites. During site visit, DirecTV techs said tree obstructions would make this impossible. Next door neighbor -- who has wider open view of SW sky -- agreed to allow me to mount my dish on his roof (plan would be for him to continue to receive his standard def. programming via this dish and continue to pay his regular bill). Tech said he could hit four of five satellites from neighbor's roof, with the exception being the one that carries LOCAL HD channels. This is the satellite farthest to the left if you are looking from the dish towards SW sky. I'm hoping you can answer these questions and/or offer any suggestions to prevent my stepping back to pre-historic and costly Comcast cable:

• . Are HD local channels the only stations carried on the fifth satellite?

• Will DirecTV give me the national HD feeds for Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, etc.?

• Could I get the standard definition local channels along with the HD national feeds?

• Considering that we didn't get good signal on an antennae back in the old days, is there any chance that a modern antennae would pick up the local HD channels clearly?

• Do you know of any knowledgeable people in the greater DC area who could look at this for me?

Thanks for your help.

 

[bonscott87]

First of all, the new sats are at 99 and 103. Core sat now is 101 so you only need another 2 degrees to the left. Unless you have a tree right on the left edge of your line of sight you should be fine. Sounds like it's close, installer should be able to find someplace you get get a signal, maybe backyard on a pole? In any case, 99 is very close to 101 so you literaly would need a tree right on the left edge of your 101 to block it.

• . Are HD local channels the only stations carried on the fifth satellite?

HD locals and HD RSN's are carried on 99 and 103 currently. ALL new HD that DirecTV plans to add later this year will also go on 99 and 103. So if you are into HD and the new channels you need to see all 5 sats.

• Will DirecTV give me the national HD feeds for Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, etc.?

Only if you get waivers from your local stations or you don't have a local affiliate in your area (say you don't have a Fox station then you can get the national Fox feed).

• Could I get the standard definition local channels along with the HD national feeds?

Yes, SD locals are included in every package, assuming they are available. HD locals just get added in if they are available as well.

• Considering that we didn't get good signal on an antennae back in the old days, is there any chance that a modern antennae would pick up the local HD channels clearly?

Antenna technology really hasn't changed much in the past 30 years. I have a 15+ year old rusting antennna on my roof and it pulls in the digital/HD channels perfectly. Check www.antennaweb.org to see what is available in you area and what kind of antenna you need. Also go to www.avsforum.com and find your cities local HD thread where you can post for advice from people actually in your area.

• Do you know of any knowledgeable people in the greater DC area who could look at this for me?

If you are actually in DC, unless you have mountain in the way you should be able to easily get your HD locals via antenna and if you're north of the city you'll probably pull in Baltimore as well. Again, the DC HD locals thread on AVS should be your first stop after antennaweb.

Good luck!