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Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
This is a completely subjective opinion on my part but I think the PQ of HD channels like ESPN and others is the best I have seen since switching from TW to Dish Network last February. I also have HD OTA channels for comparison and I think the PQ on Dish is at least as good or better. I am seeing sharper images and less pixelation.
13 Replies · 2880 views
jdmacor
Interesting. How long has the switch been on for? And what channels did it most recently affect?
cosmo_kramer
Interesting. How long has the switch been on for? And what channels did it most recently affect?
Since 12/4.

9420(138) - TNT EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9421(364) - HDTHR EchoStar11 110W TP 13 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9422(362) - HDNET EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9423(383) - HDNMV EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9424(140) - ESPN EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9456(300) - HBO EchoStar11 110W TP 13 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9460(318) - SHO-E EchoStar11 110W TP 13 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-uplink-center/156909-uplink-activity-report-12-4-2008-4-02am-67-changes.html
chikagobnd
This is a completely subjective opinion on my part but I think the PQ of HD channels like ESPN and others is the best I have seen since switching from TW to Dish Network last February. I also have HD OTA channels for comparison and I think the PQ on Dish is at least as good or better. I am seeing sharper images and less pixelation.

Well, I'm glad you're seeing good things with the picture quality...but I don't think it's as good as, and definitely not better than OTA...OTA is as good as it gets when it comes to a clear uncompressed signal. I'm not picking, just getting technical...but I suppose if it's hard to tell a difference, then who cares about the logistics, right? I have OTA HD too...I'll pay closer attention to the comparison when I get home.
Edgar_in_Indy
Well, I'm glad you're seeing good things with the picture quality...but I don't think it's as good as, and definitely not better than OTA...OTA is as good as it gets when it comes to a clear uncompressed signal. I'm not picking, just getting technical...but I suppose if it's hard to tell a difference, then who cares about the logistics, right?

Why do you say that OTA has to be as good as it gets? OTA is stuck on the older, inferior MPEG2 compression scheme. OTA also often divides bandwidth between the primary channel and multiple subchannels.

If some of the newer channels are able to go from the original source directly into MPEG4, then I think it is entirely plausible that they could have better picture quality than OTA.
jdmacor
Since 12/4.

9420(138) - TNT EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9421(364) - HDTHR EchoStar11 110W TP 13 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9422(362) - HDNET EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9423(383) - HDNMV EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9424(140) - ESPN EchoStar11 110W TP 07 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9456(300) - HBO EchoStar11 110W TP 13 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)
9460(318) - SHO-E EchoStar11 110W TP 13 ConUS beam changed from MPEG2 HD ViP to MPEG4 HD (A)

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-ne...ivity-report-12-4-2008-4-02am-67-changes.html

Good to know!
J
Why do you say that OTA has to be as good as it gets? OTA is stuck on the older, inferior MPEG2 compression scheme. OTA also often divides bandwidth between the primary channel and multiple subchannels.

If some of the newer channels are able to go from the original source directly into MPEG4, then I think it is entirely plausible that they could have better picture quality than OTA.

Don't most cable companies, and I assume local Dish uplink centers, have fiber connections to the local stations? If so it seems possible that the PQ could be better than OTA, especially in the case of NBC where the local station is now receiving their content from the network in MPEG-4.

Of course that all depends on how much Dish compresses things, but a lot of cable systems do not overly compress their local stations, at least not yet.
Carl B
IMHO, the recent switch to MPEG4 only restored ESPN, HDNET, HDTHR, and TNT to the HD PQ they had 5 years ago when I first subscribed to Dish HD. I don't think the MPEG2 compression yields any less HD PQ than MPEG4, but Dish allowed the MPEG2 HD channels to degrade over time by decreasing bit rates and overloading transponders.

In the end, OTA HD from a single channel station is still better PQ than anything Dish or DirecTV can generate.
B
Don't most cable companies, and I assume local Dish uplink centers, have fiber connections to the local stations? If so it seems possible that the PQ could be better than OTA, especially in the case of NBC where the local station is now receiving their content from the network in MPEG-4.

There are some experts over on AVSForum who could probably answer this. I recall reading about local stations receiving their network content as 45Mbps MPEG-2 streams years ago. If Dish got a hold of that signal and encoded that with H.264, it could easily exceed OTA, as the local station has to be recompressing down to 19.4Mbps, or more likely a lot less.

But even if a local station has high bit-rate MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 from the network, the local station still needs to insert their commercials. Would Dish have access to a signal that had the high-bitrate stream from the network, plus the local commercials, or is that only available as a lower bitrate MPEG-2 ready for OTA transmission? If that's the case, then the picture quality from Dish cannot exceed OTA. Like I said, someone with industry knowledge is needed to answer this.
T
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
Picked up a sweet directv dish, mount, twin lnbs and a short cable.
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
6 Replies · 288 views
B
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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O
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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T
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...
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
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 :) )
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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....
68539 Replies · 2673753 views
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long_time_Dish
Give A Little Bit - Supertramp
dishstaller
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
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long_time_Dish
With A Little Luck - Wings
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H
LITTLE Willy-Sweet
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ClarkGable
Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
116 Replies · 1844 views
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Foxbat
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
rvvaquero
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.
M
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:

Can we expect to see a new coach if we say "pretty please?"
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Foxbat
Jeeez, Week 6, no lead is safe…
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
No idea what improvements might be involved.
24 Replies · 1103 views
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N
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
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.
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.
long_time_Dish
They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
Oh, you mean "soon"? :biggrin
Almighty1
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.
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.
navychop
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner

:popcorn
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dishstaller
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner
🤣

Oh....you were serious
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teachsac
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Hondo is back with a new squad 9/25 only on Starz.


View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/b0gPzA8KHEQ
7 Replies · 119 views
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K
Never watched the previous shows, so doubtful.
teachsac
Started watching yesterday. Not too bad.
Scott Greczkowski
Wife likes it.
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teachsac
I like Zyra from La Brea (one with the prosthetic).
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
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
2033 Replies · 184164 views
R
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?
osu1991
long_time_Dish
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?
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.
R
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.
Which one has O'Neil being Ancients? I am at the end of Season 8 now.
long_time_Dish
Which one has O'Neil being Ancients? I am at the end of Season 8 now.
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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