Dish Network® Outlines Upcoming Hd Launch Schedule

**darrencp22** · 03-19-2008 01:54 PM

This is an incredibly dumb question. By why dont we have the technology to just "Grab" the signal from the antenna and retransmit to an uplink center? Why does fiber get ran? Seems like there must be a more "modern" approach.

**mike123abc** · 03-19-2008 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by flyingsquirrel

From a technical standpoint, why would you need a Fiber link with HDTV? I understand how the quality of the connection is important with an analog signal but with a digital signal you should be able to use almost anything that allows for a "Lock". That could be UTP or even microwave OTA or ATSC OTA.

What am I missing here?

Also, I am assuming that most of these locals already have Analog SD links to Dish, don't they? Why couldn't Dish switch run the digital signal over the existing link and then have dish "downres" the HD signal for SD?

I don't doubt that there could be other technical issues, like encoding and compression issues and such. But I don't think there should be connection issues. If anything, connection issues should be much less critical with anything digital. That's why IP-phones require have better quality with less resources.

The fiber bandwidth for all the SD stations is probably about 1 HD channel's worth. This requires a significant upgrade in capacity. The uplink can be hundreds of miles away and involve different local fiber end point companies. So they could be involved with 2 local companies and 1 long haul company in getting the fiber connection done.

**Scott Greczkowski** · 03-19-2008 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by flyingsquirrel

From a technical standpoint, why would you need a Fiber link with HDTV? I understand how the quality of the connection is important with an analog signal but with a digital signal you should be able to use almost anything that allows for a "Lock". That could be UTP or even microwave OTA or ATSC OTA.

That would be nice if the uplink centers had line of sight to see the microwaves. But that is not the case.

They need to get the signals to the uplink (and backup uplink) somehow.

This takes time. Try calling up your phone company and order a bonded T-1 (which is only 3MB/s) and see how long it takes to get it installed. That line is not even fast enough to send one HD channel to the uplink.

**256HDfan** · 03-19-2008 03:42 PM

Does anyone know which satellite the Huntsville, AL locals will be on? thanks.

**jahlight** · 03-19-2008 03:54 PM

WGN HD?!?!? Cubs games in HD?!?!? Oh my I maybe back!!

**Jim S.** · 03-19-2008 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jerryinvirginia

It never ceases to make me wonder, what is the big deal about receiving locals in HD? Except for the occasional sporting event, the major networks prime time line up leaves much to be desired.

I think most of the network programs suck too, but there's one problem: the SD locals are so compressed that many programs look like crap on a big screen. (This is not limited to locals -- Travel comes to mind -- but they're definitely the majority of the worst level.)

**Maineiac** · 03-19-2008 07:11 PM

Has anyone noticed that the Big 10 is no longer in our guide? I posted a thread a few months back that I had the sci-Fi and USA mapped after TBSHD but was told that was impossible. Could this be the slots foe 4 new HD channels ?

**NightRyder** · 03-19-2008 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Maineiac

Has anyone noticed that the Big 10 is no longer in our guide? I posted a thread a few months back that I had the sci-Fi and USA mapped after TBSHD but was told that was impossible. Could this be the slots foe 4 new HD channels ?

Sorry no, the national preview just ended; Big 10 is still there (using the slots) it's just finally being treated as an RSN, which is what it is.

NightRyder

**bobl** · 03-19-2008 08:08 PM

Not all local HD channels are sent via fiber. Here in San Francisco our big four network HD locals are picked up via regular antenna. Three of them are on what's known as Sutro Tower. This tower handles both analog and digital signals. There is work being done on the tower from time to time and when this happens we lose the Dish Network feed of these channels just as we lose the regular OTA feed. I'm sure fiber is the preferred choice and possibly the usual method of delivery but it's certainly not the only method of delivery used by Dish Network.

**rad** · 03-19-2008 08:17 PM

With digital TV reception how important is it to have fiber vs. just using an OTA pickup? I could see with analog where OTA reception being a PITA for anything from ghosting/multipath to static during electrical storms. But with ATSC is most cases that's not a problem anymore, I know in Austin they just use OTA pickup, if you go by their local receiving facility and there's a bunch of antenna's on the roof.