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gluck75
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

The Future of Sunday Ticket

I am very curious as to what is going to happen in the next few years with Sunday ticket. A few points/questions:

-D* Has the Satellite rights through 2007 and the NFL has agreed to a "satellite only" agreement that ends in 2005. Do we think cable has a shot at it? I think not, simply because the NFL will then have a problem negotiating with Networks when those contracts are up because the Out-of-market game availability will be to widespread.
-In 2007 will DISH or VOOM have the resources to outbid D*?
-How does the NFL Network fit in the future plans???
-It has always been my contention(and hence my reason for getting D*) that NFL Sunday Ticket is what makes D* stand apart from DISH, VOOM and even cable. Do you guys think that if D* loses NFL ST that there core business will suffer greatly?
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hornmdt
fredfa said:
That is good speculation hornmdt.
But the problem is that once NFL ST becomes readily available (via MSOs and DirecTV) the value of the broadcast rights falls precipitously.
Now a about 1.5% of the nation's households have access to NFL ST.
Which means that many people are able NOT to watch the local stations (and their commercials.)
Since NewsCorp in the last quarter made about 65% of its entire profit from its O&Os, it isn't likely to want millions of them potentially siphoned away from its biggest ratings attraction (except for AI, of course.)
CBS is in the same boat.
They were willing to take the loss leaders for promotional value, but even with all the promotion, how many hits has Fox come up with?
The stockholders look pretty askance at writing off close to two billion dollars (as ABC, Fox and CBS have done just this contract) for the alleged promo value of the NFL.
I
Click to expand...

I disagree with your premise. ALL cable providers realize ST is a major part of the reason that D* has 13 mil subscribers and want to level the playing field and stop the bleeding of subscribers switching to D*. Even if the price stays the same for ST in the next contract, $400 mil x 1 is less than $400 mil x 5-10 no matter how you look at it.

ST is not FOX's to sell, it's the NFL's. FOX and CBS will have little say about how or who they sell it to.
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gluck75
Hornmdt...with all due respect...you are missing my point...

If the NFL allows cable to offer NFL ST...then they will not be able to charge CBS and FOX as much for their respective contracts. Hence...if the NFL allows cable to carry NFL ST they will in fact have LESS total revenue than before...

Be aware...the NFL financial structure is far different than the NBA, NHL and MLB.

Who knows...maybe I am wrong...but it seems to make sense to me...
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Greg Bimson
I don't know whether or not the Sunday Ticket contract is reduced if the NFL takes on an additional partner in the digital cable companies.

However, I will not believe that DirecTV will pay the NFL $400 million a year, and then Comcast will pay $400 million, and then Time Warner will pay $400 million. The only value to Sunday Ticket is its' exclusivity.
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fredfa
Greg Bimson:
As I understand it (and I could be wrong) if the NFL sells NFL ST to another US provider, DirecTV has the right to renogotiate its contract downward based on its perceived loss of value.
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Hornmdt:
Look at it this way.
You have the only McDonald's franchise in a town of 50,000 people.
For that exclusivity you pay McDonald's 20% of your gross.
Now McDonald's comes in and wants to put in three more McDonald's in your town.
Do you think you should still pay the same 20% when instead of reaching all 50,000 town residents you now will be splitting them with three other stores?
If the NFL sells NFL ST (and it has every right to sell it to whoever it likes) to all cable companies, then it will be available in about 80% of the nation's homes (MSOs+DirecTV.)
Now it is available in only 13 million (and 1.6 million actually subscribe.)
Now let's hypothesize that the same percentage of those extra 67 million cable homes takes NFL ST as D* subs do (about 12.3%).
That is ANOTHER 8,241,000 eyeballs lost to the OTA networks.
Do you think they will continue to pay the same amount for their contracts (now worth $2.2 billion a year (with DirecTV adding another $400 million)?
NewsCorp, Viacom, and Disney make hundreds of millions of dollars a year because millions or viewers are watching NFL games on their Owned and Operated stations -- and watch their local commercials.
Subtract 8+ million and local commercial viewership - and the corporate profits go down - by at least a third.
MSOs may desperately want a share of NFL ST but just matching (or even beating) what DirecTV is paying for the NFL ST rights isn't going to be enough. Cable would have to pay to make up for how much LESS the networks would offer, not to mention making up for how much DirecTV would save when it renegotiated ITS deal with the NFL.
It would come to a helluva a lot more than the $400 million a year DirecTV is paying. I would bet it would come to about a third of the NFL's current contract (or $733 million + another $300 million or so to make up for what value DirecTV would lose).
Since the MSOs felt even $400 million was far too high a price to pay back in 2002, why would they be happy to pay to almost triple that now?
If you sell a pie to one person you can get $5. If you sell it to six, you can't get $30 (unless you find six really dumb people.)
Fox, Viacom and Disney and the DirecTV management ain't dumb.
And neither is the NFL.
On the other hand, given what has happened to the cable industry the past decade or so, I am not sure you can say the same about MSOs. They could have nipped the NFL ST problem in the bud years ago, but didn't.
I suspect their window of opportunity has been slammed shut.
And one last thing: Rupert Murdoch has NEVER been outbid for a sports property he really wanted.
Ask the British competitors to BSkyB.
Hell, in Australia, he bought a whole league to get its games.
Don't count on him losing the NFL on DirecTV.
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hornmdt
fredfa said:
Greg Bimson:
As I understand it (and I could be wrong) if the NFL sells NFL ST to another US provider, DirecTV has the right to renogotiate its contract downward based on its perceived loss of value.
-----------------------------------------------------
Hornmdt:
Look at it this way.
You have the only McDonald's franchise in a town of 50,000 people.
For that exclusivity you pay McDonald's 20% of your gross.
Now McDonald's comes in and wants to put in three more McDonald's in your town.
Do you think you should still pay the same 20% when instead of reaching all 50,000 town residents you now will be splitting them with three other stores?

Now let's hypothesize that the same percentage of those extra 67 million cable homes takes NFL ST as D* subs do (about 12.3%).
That is ANOTHER 8,241,000 eyeballs lost to the OTA networks.
Do you think they will continue to pay the same amount for their contracts (now worth $2.2 billion a year (with DirecTV adding another $400 million)?

MSOs may desperately want a share of NFL ST but just matching (or even beating) what DirecTV is paying for the NFL ST rights isn't going to be enough. Cable would have to pay to make up for how much LESS the networks would offer, not to mention making up for how much DirecTV would save when it renegotiated ITS deal with the NFL.
It would come to a helluva a lot more than the $400 million a year DirecTV is paying. I would bet it would come to about a third of the NFL's current contract (or $733 million + another $300 million or so to make up for what value DirecTV would lose).

Since the MSOs felt even $400 million was far too high a price to pay back in 2002, why would they be happy to pay to almost triple that now?
If you sell a pie to one person you can get $5. If you sell it to six, you can't get $30 (unless you find six really dumb people.)
Click to expand...

The McDonald's analogy is a very good one but it fails. Here is why: "My" McDonald's has every person in town as a customer (EVERYONE, bar none, in town has D* as their provider). If three more McDonalds' offering the same thing I am (3 cable companies WITH ST) move in, I would indeed be in a position where my customer base would be reduced and right, I would feel that the 20% fee should be reduced down to 5%. However, D* is not in every home in a town leaving NO non D* subscribers. The "new" McDonalds in this analogy, would bring their own set of customers.

Now to continue to use the analogy in order to illustrate how it would really work, Three more McDonalds are placed in each of the three closest towns to mine, we now have increased the customer base of approximately 4X (D*'s customer base plus the base of three cable companies who now carry ST). All four McDonalds would continue to have their same approximate number of customers (D*'s customer base stays approx. the same and each of the three cable companies maintain their approx. customer base). Now my 20% fee is still fair and the other three should be charged 20% also (all four providers are paying the NFL the same fee for ST). But, if I were to stop selling Big Macs at my McDonalds (D* drops ST), I would lose the cross section of my customers who only liked Big Macs because they could now drive a mile or two to the next town where it was still offered (customer would switch to a different provider who has ST).

The way it is now, there are four McDonalds but McDonalds only lets one of them offer Big Macs. I personally would much prefer to own the one who gets to sell Big Macs.

As far as the advertising rights being diminished if too many people get ST, I firmly believe if they can black out my local team on ST when the local channel has it, that they have the technology to let the local channels run their ads on ST. This would be no different than the way the major networks do today. Some of the commercials are national, but many are local. I see many totally different commercials than someone in New York does when we're both watching JAG, etc. at the same time.

Therefore I don't see the rights for Sunday afternoon games going down because there are more providers of Sunday Ticket. It will likely go up as it always has. And will go up a lot if the league goes to 18 regular season games. I would not discount that happening, nor would I discount a Thursday night game. Six teams already play one each year. It would even that up a little so all teams get a short week. I personally expected the new national game would be either on Friday or Saturday night but the rumor is they want it on Thursday if there is one. The reason I gave above is the only reason I can come up with for preferring that night because the prime-time competition is brutal on Thursday night.

I'm not sure if I get the pie analogy, but yes, if I had 6 pies (6 ST contracts to different providers) I would get $30 if I charged $5/each. Now if I split my pie and let each have 1 slice I would indeed probably just get $5 for my pie. But that would be like saying that in any given city where ST is offered by multiple providers, each provider would only get a portion of games and none of each provider's games could be offered by any of the other providers in town. That would mean they each have a 1/6 "exclusive" portion of ST, so the amount they would pay would likely total the same as would a one full compliment of games contract. That scenario will never happen.

Until the next TV contract comes up for bid, D* has always previously had exclusive rights for renewal, which they do NOT have this time. Therefore the cable companies were not allowed to bid on ST in 2002, unless D* let them. The next time, I look for every major cable company to buy ST. D* will also keep it too because they know they would lose about 1.5 million customers if they do not.
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dfergie
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

Stargate SG-1 Discussion

Stargate SG-1 cancelled, Atlantis renewed
clear.gif

Monday - August 21, 2006 | by Darren Sumner
clear.gif

The future of Stargate is in question today, as SCI FI Channel has cancelled the long-running Stargate SG-1, Multichannel News reported today and a GateWorld source has confirmed. The news regrettably follows the airing of the show's milestone two-hundredth episode on Friday.

Stargate Atlantis, meanwhile, has been renewed for a fourth season, with the network hoping to see that the spin-off series can stand alone, according to a source.
Source Gateworld
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reubenray
I have gotten back into watching SG-1 and I have recorded most of the episodes to binge watch. What episodes are about the Antarctic or was this a movie? Also where could I watch the SG-1 movies?
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osu1991
osu1991
pluto.tv

Watch Stargate SG-1 for Free Online | Pluto TV

Stargate SG-1 picks up where the blockbuster film left off as the SG-1 team sets out to explore the mysteries of the Stargate and the worlds beyond it in the pulse-pounding series which became a worldwide phenomenon and a science fiction classic. Stream Stargate SG-1 for free on Pluto TV.
pluto.tv pluto.tv
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
reubenray said:
I have gotten back into watching SG-1 and I have recorded most of the episodes to binge watch. What episodes are about the Antarctic or was this a movie? Also where could I watch the SG-1 movies?
Click to expand...
Well, there are a couple involving the Antarctic. "Solitudes", S1 E17 (one of my favorites), Then, "Lost City', S7 E21 and E22. Then, in the SGA pilot, "Rising", S1 E1 and E2, it starts out in the Antarctic for about the first 20 minutes or so.
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reubenray
long_time_Dish said:
Well, there are a couple involving the Antarctic. "Solitudes", S1 E17 (one of my favorites), Then, "Lost City', S7 E21 and E22. Then, in the SGA pilot, "Rising", S1 E1 and E2, it starts out in the Antarctic for about the first 20 minutes or so.
Click to expand...
Which one has O'Neil being Ancients? I am at the end of Season 8 now.
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
reubenray said:
Which one has O'Neil being Ancients? I am at the end of Season 8 now.
Click to expand...
If I understand your question, O'Neill had the Ancient's knowledge in the "Lost City" two-part episode. That was when Anubis attacked Earth and there was a big battle over Antarctica.
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reubenray
long_time_Dish said:
If I understand your question, O'Neill had the Ancient's knowledge in the "Lost City" two-part episode. That was when Anubis attacked Earth and there was a big battle over Antarctica.
Click to expand...
Those are the episodes I am looking for. They are referred to a lot in the episodes I just recently watched.
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TFLEV
· posted in TFLEV

2027 BMW iX5 Walkaround & Review // They Have To Get This One Right!

Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ca9w7HnuXg


Direct YouTube Link - 2027 BMW iX5 Walkaround & Review // They Have To Get This One Right!
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TVHabit
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

Hybrid Dish setup

Picked up a sweet directv dish, mount, twin lnbs and a short cable.
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
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Brct203
would probably also work well for NHK on 101W and possibly for PBS on 99W. I used one for a while on 30W. Just keep in mind that because it's undersized for those satellites, it might work fine in clear weather but won't have much margin to account for signal degradation during rain/snow
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one_db_compression
If you can find one, the Shaw / Star Choice 75e ellipticals are great for use on 97, 99, and 101W. They are really just rebranded ChannelMaster 75 cm reflectors and use linear LNBFs by default out of the box.

Everyone else's mileage may vary.
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TVHabit
I have read that some have converted this type dish but after giving it a good look, it's the lnb conversion that is the bottleneck. Does anyone have a picture of their attempt to configure the lnb? I watched a video on youtube from the save it for parts guy and he used duct tape! Guess it worked but I'm thinking something a bit more permanent!
Thanks to all for your interest and replies...
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Titanium
Titanium
Many of us have used a universal LNBF mount (or get creative with L brackets and plumbers tape - perforated metal strapping). Use a few inches of aluminum tube (or a piece of 1x2" lumber) to extend the support arm (replacing the plastic mount used by DirecTV and Dish) to place the LNBF throat opening at the correct distance from the reflector, the correct height and at the correct angle. Nothing magical... simply place the new linear LNBF in the center at the same distance, height and angle as the current combo.
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
LNBF mount.webp
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k4otl
k4otl
To add: 101W Ku seems to be (one of if not the) strongest for me, and if I only had Ku I definitely want 101W for the music mux, it's robust FEC and strong signal help a lot. I've thought about using a used Dish/DirectTV dish at my Dads to supplement his OTA (mainly for my benefit when I visit :) )
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Give A Little Bit - Supertramp
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
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long_time_Dish
With A Little Luck - Wings
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hwkn
LITTLE Willy-Sweet
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ClarkGable
ClarkGable
Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys
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meStevo
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section

NFL 2026-2027 Season

Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
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meStevo
Foxbat
Foxbat
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
www.colts.com

Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties

Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
www.colts.com www.colts.com
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rvvaquero
rvvaquero
Foxbat said:
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
www.colts.com

Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties

Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
www.colts.com www.colts.com
Click to expand...
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.
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Mike0616
Foxbat said:
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
www.colts.com

Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties

Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
www.colts.com www.colts.com
Click to expand...

Can we expect to see a new coach if we say "pretty please?"
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Foxbat
Foxbat
Jeeez, Week 6, no lead is safe…
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Peter Parker
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

DISH Hopper 3 Software Version 713 Is Out

No idea what improvements might be involved.
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naptime
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
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jsmit86
jsmit86
naptime said:
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
Click to expand...
It's a known issue.
For a temporary fix, go into the menu, Audio, and turn Dolby Audio "OFF". You will have PCM stereo audio.

I was able to give the tech ops team some data logs so they could diagnose the problem, and they rolled me back to H708 temporarily. It fixed that issue.

They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
jsmit86 said:
They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
Click to expand...
Oh, you mean "soon"? :biggrin
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Almighty1
Almighty1
jsmit86 said:
It's a known issue.
For a temporary fix, go into the menu, Audio, and turn Dolby Audio "OFF". You will have PCM stereo audio.

I was able to give the tech ops team some data logs so they could diagnose the problem, and they rolled me back to H708 temporarily. It fixed that issue.

They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
Click to expand...
I guess they will be busy when lots of people start asking for rollbacks to H708 now that you mention that downgrades of software does exist because it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner and the IR Remote problems in H710-H713.
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navychop
navychop
Almighty1 said:
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner
Click to expand...

:popcorn
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Almighty1 said:
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner
Click to expand...
🤣

Oh....you were serious
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iJustine
· posted in iJustine

This is iPhone Duo!

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P4_TzYKwcNY


Direct YouTube Link - This is iPhone Duo!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Generative AI: Revolutionizing Game NPC Dialogue & Behavior? #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-O2iLThF4z8


Direct YouTube Link - Generative AI: Revolutionizing Game NPC Dialogue & Behavior? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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teachsac
teachsac
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

S.W.A.T. Exiles (Starz)

Hondo is back with a new squad 9/25 only on Starz.


View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/b0gPzA8KHEQ
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klang
Never watched the previous shows, so doubtful.
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dfergie
teachsac
teachsac
Started watching yesterday. Not too bad.
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Wife likes it.
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teachsac
I like Zyra from La Brea (one with the prosthetic).
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TvMind
Last reply · posted in C-BAND Satellite Discussion

SES 1 101° W Horizontal "Issues" a.k.a "I want my M(e)TV"

Howdy folks long time no write.

Issue(s): Horizontal transponders (esp. Weigel mux) breakup/mosaic/sputtering audio, JTV less so (but received perfectly up until a month or so ago.
Vertical is fine (Daystar). Up until recently couldn't even get any signal on Weigel Mux but JTV was perfect.

What I did to improve things: A slight westward move improved reception but only slightly (approx 72 on the micro HD, sorry no dB to post). I removed the 3-way C-Band splitter and used a 2-way to get a 1-2 db signal gain ( the power port goes to the Startrak - the micro HD doesn't have enough juice ! (1st clue) even after swapping the switching power supply it came with with a heftier linear 12 V supply (less RFI too !).
I have had issues with the uHD before signal breaking up that a reboot would clear up (clue #2 = dying tuner?) - FYI, I reinforced the IF input and removed all flux from the pcb completely with a Flux Removal Pen (MG Chemicals Cat No. 4140-P) which definitely makes a huge difference.

I went outside and pushed and pulled reflector slightly and no improvement. Pole (actually tower in yard - the neighbours love me..NOT) is plumb, checked with carpenters level. Dish was last peaked in 2017 or so, after overhauling 24" Von Weise, new Acme, fresh grease, etc. Focal length, f/d ratio etc meticulously adjusted. One panel has a tear so planning to repair that this weekend when my cousin comes over ( to help me out (old guy here) forecast calls for sunshine.

What has changed: My utility company has installed new high tension line poles (one smack dab in the middle of 101°W target! But they put it in last year and reception (of JTV (HOR) at least) was fine, BUT when they came out to transfer the wires over this year from the old (sawed in half) pole that's about when the troubles started (coincidence?), but again Daystar (VER) was fine. I always had this pole in the light of sight of 101° before with no issues. (fyi my zenith sat 74° is unobstucted, but can't test)

In the meantime Weigel mux is trying to break in MOSTLY in LATE at night (less cell usage?) (audio not video except for a frame here or there) so don't know what has changed with this mux which suddenly "woke up". I have never had to fuss with dish moves on this satellite ( the slightest move +/- motor clicks loses lock, wheres normally on C-band I can go significantly wider east or west and still have a strong signal ( have these gone "spot beam" or narrower somehow and what is the slight difference in Az listed on Lyngsat to 100.9° affect things ( isn't that the declination i.e. requiring a tweak of declination?).

Long story short (too late, ha), if I had another DVB-S2 box to try and / or a newer more stable PLL lnb ( I have been meaning to upgrade many a time but never got arround to it) I could determine if it's my antiquated receiving equipment, or my dish/feed alignment ( doubtful as it tracks everything from 55 °W to 133 ° W nicely.) or the dreaded 5G! (BUT only on HOR and not VER?).
I read another post where the OP (with his smaller 7.5 footer) played around with the illumination to peak desired transponder and reduce qrm on interfering/ stronger xpndrs (even on 103° W). So will play with that too - and cut away the RG-6 a and pull up a fresh section with new PPC and coax Seal. Open the throat cap see if any cobwebs are there and check servo operation (also changed in last maintence 10 years ago).

Finally, this will probably be the last chance I get to play with the BUD from the looks of it (providers leaving, auctioning off rest of spectrum imminent above 4.0 Ghz, and to keep the peace with neighbours so it would be nice to have that mux back for the long, cold and dark winters to comfort this old man before I call it quits and buy a VHF/UHF/FM Yagi and get MeTV, H&I from my Vermont local stations (checked at a friends today and they come in nicely - except ABC) .
Only one guy in town (Montreal) I may be able to get a receiver or PLL lnb from to try (RPS Sat) so hopefully with elimnate that as a possible culprit. Be nice to pick up a cheap or used PLL lnb to try w/o 5G BPF (money is tight )

Like others I couldn't care less about "tv" (well maybe just a liitle or a lot) it's the challenge that excites me , I can get MeTV other ways OTA (no pirate crap).

So what do you guys (and gals) think ?. p.s. I don't have a spectrum analyzer and there are def/ cell towers nearby (half a Km or so away).
Oh and time permitting will hammer out dings too and wire damaged mesh on one section for an extra dB or two. Hesitate to touch Declination, Elevation and pole mount but will play around with those a little too... Why is this mux for finicky suddenly ?(8psk, 5/6 fec, beamwidthetc.. man wish they went back to VER I think everthing would be fine! For the engineers out here does 5G QRM affect one poliarization (HOR) more than another (VER)? I understand the strong interference swamps out the input mixer/local oscilator in the hapless old C-band lnb (I think it at time affect KU too esp. LPB on 101°W KU - incidentally thos were weak or "gone' but are back almost at the time MeTV improved..hmm Terrestrial interference?

Any thoughts or suggestions ( cheap or free solutions please) greatly appreciated. Cheers.

p.p.s. Micro HD can't display Decades and Toons but records them fine so I can watch on another box/media player (Ali chip set issue). Another reason to upgrade.

Anybody interested in a nice C/KU system free ? (for next Spring/Summer 2027)

[Sami 10' mesh, Corotor II+, Eagle Aspen (very old) C-band lnb, Norsat Ku lnb, Channel Master C/Ku (H/V) switch, Startrak 400 Analog receiver w/ motor control, Geosat uHD DVD-S2, CW600S for Mpeg-2]
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cyberham
cyberham
With the microHD connected this afternoon and tuned to the Weigel mux, I can receive the mux well.

My conclusion is that the sensitivity of the receivers in descending order of sensitivity is as follows:
  • V9 Prime (best)
  • microHD
  • Edision osmio4k+
Either the V9 or the microHD could be used to watch Weigel but the Edision really could not with my given dish situation, at least during the daytime. At night, the signal is stronger here and then maybe the Edision could be used.

Weigel mux.webp
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Titanium
Titanium
What is the SNR readings for these transponders? Is the signal breaking up due to low SNR or interference?

Did you inspect the feedhorn throat and wave guide for wasp nest or other blockage? Good SNR with frequent drops in decoding ( loss of SQ readings) could indicate interference from 5G.
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T
TvMind
Appreciate you checking. I should be picking these up with the tenner so still not done tuning up the bud - fell off ladder last week and hit my head!

Started over from scratch, N/S alignment, El/Decl extreme West sat, played with feed f/d checking everything and getting nice signals but still 101 west is PIA. New lnb was defective and returned it. My old one is fine but would have liked to A/B with a better lnb.

Thought it was the servo there because I was out and set everything up by the dish and flipping to HOR made a strange noise -BUT ONLY on 101 W ! All other sats skew is fine..hmm ( I have the skew almost perfect, use "Arrow" template on Zenith Sat (well nothing on 74 W to check with but Nimiq 5 at 72.6 W is closest and luckily picking up R- Pol channel from Canada to test with. Anyway picking up a new servo to try (the obvious polarity culprit).

Q. Back in the day PAS9 (74 W) was used but now I have to use closest zenith sat (Nimiq 5). I can't perfectly peak on that one which is 1 degree off (N/S alignment error). I used my trusty Brunton compass and even true noon shadow off pole to hit south.

I did have to peak extreme west by rotating mount ever so slighty so tracking extreme pretty good, but top and middle can use an elevation tweak (esp. Ku) to bring them back to where they were. No fun as the weather has been miserable and still dizzy from fall.

Oh and the Freesat V8 is crap (the tuner pixelates when the uHD is solid!) but love that SCART connector for S-Video out ! (I record to my Pio DVR and burn to DVD classic tv shows).

Stay tuned

cyberham said:
With the microHD connected this afternoon and tuned to the Weigel mux, I can receive the mux well.
Click to expand...
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T
TvMind
Titanium said:
Did you inspect the feedhorn throat and wave guide for wasp nest or other blockage? Good SNR with frequent drops in decoding ( loss of SQ readings) could indicate interference from 5G.
Click to expand...

Thanks for chiming in here. No wasps (or hornets nests) but good suggestion.

I am getting 70 and over Quality on uHD which is good but as you say the signal drops out (70 to 0 ) occasionally and much worse by day (even JTV which I used to get solid is a mess in the day. Again Daystar (VER) is fine but still not what it used to be.

I will will either have to get a BPF or go VHF/UHF for these channels but not giving up just yet!

p.s. Isn't there something between your feedhorn/lnbf BPF model and Norsat's 1500$ BPF and 5G filtering lnb's? Heck almost ready for a diy (reverse engineer) job here (microwave BPF hack) Ah where is Radio Electronics when you need it! If it wasn't for losing Ku I'd buy your lnbf in a heartbeat! Are these hard to add Ku to?
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Titanium
Titanium
Our LNBFs are integrated with the feedhorn and no KU option. Maybe install an inline waveguide BPF such as:

www.ebay.com/itm/158077455896
www.ebay.com/itm/960059145385
www.ebay.com/itm/158007483799
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B
brownsfan1
TvMind said:
Howdy folks long time no write.

Issue(s): Horizontal transponders (esp. Weigel mux) breakup/mosaic/sputtering audio, JTV less so (but received perfectly up until a month or so ago.
Vertical is fine (Daystar). Up until recently couldn't even get any signal on Weigel Mux but JTV was perfect.

What I did to improve things: A slight westward move improved reception but only slightly (approx 72 on the micro HD, sorry no dB to post). I removed the 3-way C-Band splitter and used a 2-way to get a 1-2 db signal gain ( the power port goes to the Startrak - the micro HD doesn't have enough juice ! (1st clue) even after swapping the switching power supply it came with with a heftier linear 12 V supply (less RFI too !).
I have had issues with the uHD before signal breaking up that a reboot would clear up (clue #2 = dying tuner?) - FYI, I reinforced the IF input and removed all flux from the pcb completely with a Flux Removal Pen (MG Chemicals Cat No. 4140-P) which definitely makes a huge difference.

I went outside and pushed and pulled reflector slightly and no improvement. Pole (actually tower in yard - the neighbours love me..NOT) is plumb, checked with carpenters level. Dish was last peaked in 2017 or so, after overhauling 24" Von Weise, new Acme, fresh grease, etc. Focal length, f/d ratio etc meticulously adjusted. One panel has a tear so planning to repair that this weekend when my cousin comes over ( to help me out (old guy here) forecast calls for sunshine.

What has changed: My utility company has installed new high tension line poles (one smack dab in the middle of 101°W target! But they put it in last year and reception (of JTV (HOR) at least) was fine, BUT when they came out to transfer the wires over this year from the old (sawed in half) pole that's about when the troubles started (coincidence?), but again Daystar (VER) was fine. I always had this pole in the light of sight of 101° before with no issues. (fyi my zenith sat 74° is unobstucted, but can't test)

In the meantime Weigel mux is trying to break in MOSTLY in LATE at night (less cell usage?) (audio not video except for a frame here or there) so don't know what has changed with this mux which suddenly "woke up". I have never had to fuss with dish moves on this satellite ( the slightest move +/- motor clicks loses lock, wheres normally on C-band I can go significantly wider east or west and still have a strong signal ( have these gone "spot beam" or narrower somehow and what is the slight difference in Az listed on Lyngsat to 100.9° affect things ( isn't that the declination i.e. requiring a tweak of declination?).

Long story short (too late, ha), if I had another DVB-S2 box to try and / or a newer more stable PLL lnb ( I have been meaning to upgrade many a time but never got arround to it) I could determine if it's my antiquated receiving equipment, or my dish/feed alignment ( doubtful as it tracks everything from 55 °W to 133 ° W nicely.) or the dreaded 5G! (BUT only on HOR and not VER?).
I read another post where the OP (with his smaller 7.5 footer) played around with the illumination to peak desired transponder and reduce qrm on interfering/ stronger xpndrs (even on 103° W). So will play with that too - and cut away the RG-6 a and pull up a fresh section with new PPC and coax Seal. Open the throat cap see if any cobwebs are there and check servo operation (also changed in last maintence 10 years ago).

Finally, this will probably be the last chance I get to play with the BUD from the looks of it (providers leaving, auctioning off rest of spectrum imminent above 4.0 Ghz, and to keep the peace with neighbours so it would be nice to have that mux back for the long, cold and dark winters to comfort this old man before I call it quits and buy a VHF/UHF/FM Yagi and get MeTV, H&I from my Vermont local stations (checked at a friends today and they come in nicely - except ABC) .
Only one guy in town (Montreal) I may be able to get a receiver or PLL lnb from to try (RPS Sat) so hopefully with elimnate that as a possible culprit. Be nice to pick up a cheap or used PLL lnb to try w/o 5G BPF (money is tight )

Like others I couldn't care less about "tv" (well maybe just a liitle or a lot) it's the challenge that excites me , I can get MeTV other ways OTA (no pirate crap).

So what do you guys (and gals) think ?. p.s. I don't have a spectrum analyzer and there are def/ cell towers nearby (half a Km or so away).
Oh and time permitting will hammer out dings too and wire damaged mesh on one section for an extra dB or two. Hesitate to touch Declination, Elevation and pole mount but will play around with those a little too... Why is this mux for finicky suddenly ?(8psk, 5/6 fec, beamwidthetc.. man wish they went back to VER I think everthing would be fine! For the engineers out here does 5G QRM affect one poliarization (HOR) more than another (VER)? I understand the strong interference swamps out the input mixer/local oscilator in the hapless old C-band lnb (I think it at time affect KU too esp. LPB on 101°W KU - incidentally thos were weak or "gone' but are back almost at the time MeTV improved..hmm Terrestrial interference?

Any thoughts or suggestions ( cheap or free solutions please) greatly appreciated. Cheers.

p.p.s. Micro HD can't display Decades and Toons but records them fine so I can watch on another box/media player (Ali chip set issue). Another reason to upgrade.

Anybody interested in a nice C/KU system free ? (for next Spring/Summer 2027)

[Sami 10' mesh, Corotor II+, Eagle Aspen (very old) C-band lnb, Norsat Ku lnb, Channel Master C/Ku (H/V) switch, Startrak 400 Analog receiver w/ motor control, Geosat uHD DVD-S2, CW600S for Mpeg-2]
Click to expand...
I had the EXACT same problem happen to me with 101w, MeTV mux (Weigel). Working great when about 3 weeks ago I started to get the pixelating, especially at night. Sometimes Jewelry TV would also do it, sometimes not. Tweaked my dish. I have a Titanium 240 feed with the 5G filter 4.0-4.2 band pass. Every other satellite is working fine. Something on their end for sure. Power reduction? My signal seems fine like always. Running a Winegard 8.5 ft dish using a GT Media UHD V8. I'm sure my receiver isn't maybe sensitive enough for lower signal levels. Frustrating here too. I'm in the Canton, Ohio area. Thanks!
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