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Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
I am trying to get DTV installed again after several years of not having it. I live in a very rural area with many tall trees. I know that I can get an excellent SD signal here, 90-100 in signal strength, but the installer was out yesterday and refused to install it for HD boxes. He would not even try although I told him it was a good location. I asked him to let me install it and he refused saying he was responsible for the quality. I have installed dishes before and had no problem. I recently helped a friend with his and it was still easy. Ten years ago they used to send the systems to you and then either you installed it yourself or they sent a tech out, your choice.

His objection was that the open space between the trees was not large enough for HD. So my question is how much more room do I need, as in what is the angle for HD compared to SD? The direction here is 225 degrees & elevation 39 degrees if that matters. But I do not know what the width of the opening had to be. I am thinking that by putting the dish on the back side of the house instead of the front yard and removing enough trees I might be able to get clearance for the HD service.

They are supposed to come out again next week to try to install SD boxes but I would much rather get HD ones since the recent boxes a friend of mine upgraded to at DTV's request do not have as many features as the old ones did, such as a 3 day programing guide instead of two weeks which are a big dea to me. :-) Also I plan to get an HD TV soon.

Anyway I would appreciate any help you might give. I do not have a satellite sighter but can approximate with the equipment I have.

Thx Jerry
33 Replies · 13097 views
Jimbo
raoul5788 said:
The hd satellites flank the sd one, so you do need a wider viewing angle for hd.

That said, they are only 2* each side of the 101.

Sent from my Samsung Epic using SatelliteGuys
G
I wondered about that but who am I to argue :-)
Now that I am cutting trees down, is there any way that I can approximate where the sats are so I can make the hole through the trees large enough and in the correct position for receiving HD? I know how to approximate the one, 101 I guess it is, since everyone said that is where the SD here comes from. Is there a website that shows a picture of the locations of the various satellites as seen from ground level for different zip codes or something like this so I can get an idea of what I need to be able to see?
Thx,
Jerry
G
As before I don't have a smartphone or any other, just a land line here. But in any case I think it all became a moot point. I was looking at the users guide for HD receivers and there is no coaxial output on them. Only one of my TVs has hookups that these boxes will work with anyway so I guess I have to stick with SD. That also means one box per TV which is a pain. Sure would have been nice if the DTV people had mentioned what connectors were required when I told them I was planning to get an HD TV soon so figured it was a good time to go ahead and get the receivers with this package rather than having to pay a big fee to license an HD box later. Not happy, but I am sure glad I found out now rather than when the installer showed up and could not hook up the receivers.

I may still finish clearing trees so the dish can be mounted on the house then I will not have to worry about it again in the near future but at least it will not need to be so wide.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I really appreciate you being here.
Jerry
raoul5788
You can use the outputs from the Directv box to the white/red/yellow inputs on a vcr. Then send the coax from the vcr to your television.
Jimbo
I wondered about that but who am I to argue :-)
Now that I am cutting trees down, is there any way that I can approximate where the sats are so I can make the hole through the trees large enough and in the correct position for receiving HD? I know how to approximate the one, 101 I guess it is, since everyone said that is where the SD here comes from. Is there a website that shows a picture of the locations of the various satellites as seen from ground level for different zip codes or something like this so I can get an idea of what I need to be able to see?
Thx,
Jerry

Try here:

Satellite Finder / Dish Alignment Calculator with Google Maps | DishPointer.com
harshness
That said, they are only 2* each side of the 101.
It is a little more than that because the radius of the Earth closes the gap. From Washington DC, the angle between 99.2W and 102.8W is 4.6 degrees. While each is only 1.8 degrees apart from the center of the Earth, they are 2.3 degrees apart from the surface (a slightly less than 28% difference).
Jimbo
It is a little more than that because the radius of the Earth closes the gap. From Washington DC, the angle between 99.2W and 102.8W is 4.6 degrees. While each is only 1.8 degrees apart from the center of the Earth, they are 2.3 degrees apart from the surface (a slightly less than 28% difference).

Whatever .... it's 99*, 101* and 103* as you know, which is 2* apart each.

I know your well aware of this.

Would you like to figure out home many miles apart thay are and how for from your dish as well ?
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
The following is from Reddit. -
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/s/orzHBkmqQW


gemini.webp

There appears to be a new DIRECTV Gemini OTT box, the C81KW-650.

The FCC listing is partially available, and a Geekbench entry confirms it uses an Amlogic S905X5, a solid SoC for a set-top box.

I also see 4GB of RAM, and the manufacturer is SEI Robotics.

DIRECTV C81KW OTT Box - Android TV Guide

Ok found a picture of the Box too on Reddit:


View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/comments/1twlex0/comment/opzeqi1/
25 Replies · 1371 views
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Scott Greczkowski
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
Tom Speer
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
I only noticed that as a problem on TVs that handle HDR poorly. They don't have enough peak brightness or enough dimming zones. For instance, TCL makes three lines of TV, sort of like the old Sears model of Good, Better, Best. On my 4 or 5 year end low price model, HDR looked awful (My neighbor likes the TV now). The midrange model from the next model year ithat I have at my Lake home now looks pretty good in HDR all the time. The midrange TCL QM7 model from last year at my other home looks spectacular, as I remember. I haven't seen it for 6 months.

If I had a TV that does HDR poorly, I would configure the Gemini to disable all HDR.
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b4pjoe
I only noticed that as a problem on TVs that handle HDR poorly. They don't have enough peak brightness or enough dimming zones. For instance, TCL makes three lines of TV, sort of like the old Sears model of Good, Better, Best. On my 4 or 5 year end low price mode, HDR looked awful (My neighbor likes the TV now). The midrannge model from the next model year ithat I have at my Lake home now looks pretty good in HDR all the time. The midrange TCL QM7 model from last year at my other home looks spectacular, as I remember. I haven't seen it for 6 months.

If I had a TV that does HDR poorly, I would configure the Gemini to disble all HDR.
I agree with that. The 2 LGs that we have Gemini's on looks far better with HDR enabled then it does with HDR off.
R
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
That would be a deal-breaker for me. The Rokus default to having it on all the time but it's easy enough to change that to native. If the content is HDR it goes on. Otherwise, no.
R
I don't mind HDR being on as long as its adaptive. I don't need HDR on non-HDR content

Also, God only knows how much it'll cost to get this per month. 10 bucks a month for 3 TVs in my apartment is not worth it if I can just use my android boxes and appletv to watch
b4pjoe
I don't mind HDR being on as long as its adaptive. I don't need HDR on non-HDR content

Also, God only knows how much it'll cost to get this per month. 10 bucks a month for 3 TVs in my apartment is not worth it if I can just use my android boxes and appletv to watch
It is not adaptive. HDR is either always on or off. No in between. However with my Gemini on satellite everything looks much better with HDR on.
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Gary Toma
Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
​
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
​
Additional tabs provide:​
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
​
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8​

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
2178 Replies · 952685 views
jamieh1
Now in the Hornets and Hurricanes markets we just get the TV promise screen. But Directv still charges sports fee I am assuming.
Luckily my DTV stream package doesn't have a rsn fee. Figure DTV that always says is the leader in sports would have come to an agreement by now.
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K
Now in the Hornets and Hurricanes markets we just get the TV promise screen. But Directv still charges sports fee I am assuming.
Greenville-New Bern is $11.99 for MASN (Orioles) and Nationals
Raleigh is $11.99 for MASN and Nationals
Charlotte is $12.99 for BravesVision, MASN, Nationals and Reds

The fee in NC also includes the higher in state rate they have to pay for ACCN. Down in SC the fee is $15.99 as they are also a SEC state.
I'm not sure if they're doing it with those teams, but in some markets they also use the fee to cover the additional cost they have to pay for independents and MyNet stations that picked up full season NHL and NBA rights.

If you go to the TVPromise site, you'll likely be able to get a credit for not getting the Hurricanes and additional Hornets games that air on WITN-D2

Figure DTV that always says is the leader in sports would have come to an agreement by now.
Part of the hold out might be the packaging and price for outer areas like how the Thunder needs sports pack for other states. Hopefully they are also pushing for a guarantee from the teams that they would require whoever wins their local broadcasting rights in 2028 to negotiate with MVPDs. Commercial distribution rights are probably a factor too.

I'm guessing they got a deep discount for the Clippers based on how long it took them to officially announce ClipperVision and their KTLA simulcasts after they were basically handed a multi-year draft death penalty.

The Predators and Pistons channels are using feeds supplied by Scripps Sports

The Heat likely depends on whoever they sign for the Fort Myers DMA, as there's no point in paying a high price for the Heat just for that DMA when WPLG is streaming it for free on their app and website for viewers in the Miami DMA, and they already carry the West Palm Beach station.
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K
The Heat likely depends on whoever they sign for the Fort Myers DMA, as there's no point in paying a high price for the Heat just for that DMA when WPLG is streaming it for free on their app and website for viewers in the Miami DMA, and they already carry the West Palm Beach station.
WINK-D3 (Weather) for Fort Myers

https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-...st-partnership-with-wink-in-southwest-florida
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D
DirecTV Satellite Transponder Updates for Nov 04 2026

Comparison of Transponder Data for Nov 04 2026 vs Oct 28 2026:


No changes in system tables for any transponder tuning parameters.

Changes to the use of defined transponders:


2 Previously unused Transponders with current APG records::
Net 15 TID 12 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D12@103ca, TPN 13
Net 15 TID 17 Beam NAT + PR is a National Transponder on D15@103ca, TPN 18

Stream (PID) counts:

LIVE Streams​
National​
Spot Beams​
Count​
Change​
Count​
Change​
4K​
4​
​
​
​
HD​
266​
2​
1449​
​
SD mpeg4​
144​
​
194​
​
SD mpeg2​
433​
-1​
​
​
RB​
​
​
​
​
Audio​
89​
​
​
​
Push​
26​
​
​
​
Slate​
19​
​
1​
​
​
TEST Streams​
National​
Spot Beams​
Count​
Change​
Count​
Change​
4K​
​
​
​
​
HD​
​
​
1​
​
SD mpeg4​
​
​
​
​
SD mpeg2​
​
​
​
​
RB​
​
​
​
​
Engr Work​
56​
18​
​
​
​


The PID count Excel workbook provides much more count detail.

Newly updated tables of Streams on each transponder are available in the DataDigesters TPN Grids

More details of changes in individual channels will follow in the Weekly Analysis
and Gary Toma's Domestic TPN Map Excel files
Reshuffle setup ?
Weekly Analysis soon
Enjoy
DataDigesters
D
Weekly Analysis for 11/04/2026:
K
Prep for More TPN swaps

NewsMix -> ElectionHQ

MLBEI -> NBALP in the 740s

No sign of the additional CW affiliates that were added to stream a few weeks ago
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K
WINK-D3 (Weather) for Fort Myers
WINK-D3 Fort Myers is testing on the stream server
R
WINK-D3 Fort Myers is testing on the stream server
Could be for the Heat since they have the rights to that.

Its always a surprise to see DTV carry subchannels...
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 8 views
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
11 Replies · 235 views
Foxbat
James Spader gets the best lines so far. I'm enjoying this series.
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osu1991
Finished the 2nd episode tonight. I'm really liking it so far.

Still hate weekly releases though, especially the way Disney and HBO do it waiting until 8pm to premiere it.
Foxbat
Apparently I'm not a big enough nerd🤓 since I did not read every Marvel Comic Book ever published. If I had, I might be comparing the comics' version of events compared to what's transpiring in "Visionquest". So, I am enjoying the series a lot, not weighed down by previous expectations, knowing only the Avengers MCU movies and the "Wandavision" / "Agatha All Along" TV series.

I found the Mr Know-it-All channel from his discussion about "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and he's been gleefully picking these episodes apart, referencing the Marvel comics from the 1939 on. Turns out A.I. has been around since before World War II, at least in the comics. (Robots before that, yes, yes.) This show is going back into the archives.
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Foxbat
I'm expecting the finale to basically bring Vision into play for the Doomsday movie next month.
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osu1991
annoying they went with single episodes for the last two after releasing two a week for the first 3 weeks
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....
68754 Replies · 2684811 views
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gms49ers
The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin
Bobby
Wait (The Whisper Song) - Ying Yang Twins
harshness
I Can't Wait - Nu Shooz
gms49ers
Shooz - Styx
dishstaller
Too Much Time on My Hands - Styx
ewindowman
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Looks like dish is Bankrupt. Filling tomorrow Tuesday June 30th
451 Replies · 15464 views
nelson61
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.
Scott Greczkowski
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.
Can't remember where or who I saw predict this. :D

It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.
Bruce
It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.
Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.
Scott Greczkowski
Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.
I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.
Bruce
I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.
Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.
Nebugeater
Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.


Just a guess on my part but there may be some value to aquring to get all the retransmision agreements that are in place even though at some point they need to be renewed
Bruce
Bruce
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.
If Musk really wants to buy Boost, he might get a great price once Dish Wireless is out of Chapter 11.

Boost just lost 182,000 subs in the 3rd quarter-

M
Is Dish like Iran in one way...they both will totally collapse by end of week :)
Foxbat
Other than the price, my experience with Boost is not that different than what I experienced with my years with Cricket. I will be curious to see what happens if SpaceX takes the reins.
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
10 Replies · 175 views
teachsac
Dang. That had to hurt. I would have not handled it that well. Surprised it wasn't brought up by Heff at the challenge.
dfergie
First rule - if you get a clue follow it immediately, 2nd - keep your stuff with you in a strange place, 3rd - pay attention to your ride... (pre first - don't go if you think you might not want to stay Rob)
teachsac
Loved the tribal🤣
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dfergie
Happy with the outcome, he was annoying...