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jsmit86
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Does the Dish YouTube app support 4K, and HDR?
I have done a lot of testing, and as an example, when using the Prime app or the Netflix App, my Hopper automatically switches to 4K output. When using the YouTube app, even videos that are 4K HDR will only play in 1080 60i output from the Hopper. There is no way to support 2160P.

Not a huge deal since the native app on my Samsung TV will work.
FYI, when using the Joey 4s, 4K works. This may be due to the Joey always outputting 4K when using "Input Signal Plus" (HDR enhanced) on the TVs.

Just wondering if there is a solve for this.
20 Replies · 965 views
Jim5506
I don't know about today's applications but when Dish first installed apps on the Hopper, the apps were supplied by the originating company and were often inferior. I suppose because they did not optimize their app to match the Hopper. YouTube once even stopped upgrading their Dish app, so generally apps on Dish hardware aren't the best the provider has.
HipKat
I don't know about today's applications but when Dish first installed apps on the Hopper, the apps were supplied by the originating company and were often inferior. I suppose because they did not optimize their app to match the Hopper. YouTube once even stopped upgrading their Dish app, so generally apps on Dish hardware aren't the best the provider has.
True. I always advise people use another device for streaming
B
True. I always advise people use another device for streaming
so the H3 does not display you tube in 4K .....
that was one of the few reasons that I was considering the switch from my HWS
there is no 4K programming on Dish and streaming is the only means of 4K, yet the H3 doesn't display 4K via its apps
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jsmit86
so the H3 does not display you tube in 4K .....
that was one of the few reasons that I was considering the switch from my HWS
there is no 4K programming on Dish and streaming is the only means of 4K, yet the H3 doesn't display 4K via its apps
Actually, there is limited 4K on Dish. Some sporting events, college football, MLB etc. In addition, the Hopper will do 4K on Netflix and Amazon Prime, and the Joey 4 will do 4K HDR YouTube as well.

What I was hoping to find out from this thread was whether the limition was actually in the Hopper 3 YouTube app, or perhaps related to the fact that the Hopper 3 does not let you force a 4k 2160p output. The selection is for 1080p/i or 4K as one setting. It's possible that the app does not support 4k, but it's also possible that the YouTube app only supports 4k when it sees the device as 4K.

Unfortunately, most of the replies are trying to tell me to use a fire stick, or some other device. Not necessary in my case, since I can use the Samsung TV app and it works perfectly. I am just trying to understand the limitation. The benefit of using the Dish apps is not having to grab another remote.


Some responses stated that the external device will always have better pic and audio quality, which is also not necessarily true. I have tested Prime as an example, and for the vast majority of content, there is absolutely no difference in the quality assuming that the Dish app supports the format of the content.

Using the Dish youtube app for content up to 1080p SDR looks no different than using my Samsung app, or any other external device for that matter.

Thanks!
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navychop
The benefit of using the Dish apps is not having to grab another remote.

Get a Harmony.
jsmit86
Get a Harmony.
I have had Harmony remotes in the past.
I have 6 TVs in this house. No need to go down that road for me, either for use, or expense. Same comment for external streamers. I have used them in the past. Apple TV. Fire, etc..

Every set in my home can stream fine with the built in apps. No issues with pic quality, or audio quality. 3 Samsung QLED TVs, and 3 4K HDR Hisense units with Google TV, which supports regular app updates.

Thanks for the suggestions, but while I appreciate your wealth of knowledge, you don't seem to know if the YouTube app in the Hopper 3 is the limiting factor, or if it's caused by the fact that the output on the Hopper 3 does not have a dedicated 4K setting.

I can tell you that when using the Joey 4s, the YouTube app will not show HDR content if the TV does not have enhanced HDMI enabled. But... it will always allow 4K SDR because the Joey4 always outputs 2160p when connected to a
4K TV. (Set by HDMI EDID) The Hopper 3 does not do that.
navychop
you don't seem to know if the YouTube app in the Hopper 3 is the limiting factor, or if it's caused by the fact that the output on the Hopper 3 does not have a dedicated 4K setting.

It's that I don't care. I have a better solution.

I have found the built in apps get slower over time, with no fix other than hardware. I hope YMMV.

Yes, the Hoppers are, very sadly, not much longer for this world. As in the Twilight Zone episode, OBSOLETE! I bought two (650?) as a just in case, but realize my current Harmonies will outlast their utility. Any takers, if I can even find them?
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dweber
Scott posted this when YouTube was first added to the Hopper 3.

I wouldn't expect it until mid or late Summer. Also remember it will NOT do Youtube 4K as the Hopper does not support VP9.https://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/index.php?threads/YOUTUBE-APP-COMING-TO-HOPPER-3.358161/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jsmit86
Scott posted this when YouTube was first added to the Hopper 3.

I wouldn't expect it until mid or late Summer. Also remember it will NOT do Youtube 4K as the Hopper does not support VP9.https://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/index.php?threads/YOUTUBE-APP-COMING-TO-HOPPER-3.358161/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's very helpful. Not sure if that support could ever be added via the updates, but if not that would explain the limitation. Many of the newer vids use the AV1 codec. Again, Hopper 3 may not support that either. Not sure if the Hopper has the ability to add support for any of these via updates. Perhaps Scott or Brittany could weigh in on that.
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N
I can tell you that when using the Joey 4s, the YouTube app will not show HDR content if the TV does not have enhanced HDMI enabled. But... it will always allow 4K SDR because the Joey4 always outputs 2160p when connected to a
4K TV. (Set by HDMI EDID) The Hopper 3 does not do that.
I would think that the Hopper Plus would do 4k since you say the Joey 4 does. (I don't watch anything youtube so I can't say for sure)
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jsmit86
I would think that the Hopper Plus would do 4k since you say the Joey 4 does. (I don't watch anything youtube so I can't say for sure)
Likely yes, since it has the same Google TV app support as the Joey4.
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Foxbat
I bought two (650?) as a just in case, but realize my current Harmonies will outlast their utility. Any takers, if I can even find them?
An unopened Harmony 650? You may have your proverbial Nest Egg there, my friend. Unfortunately, Logitech is slowly dropping the limited support they have for the standalone Harmony series of IR remotes.

I may PM you as my tech-challenged friend would have conniptions if her Harmony died.
navychop
Good. Will look for next week.
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dweber
That's very helpful. Not sure if that support could ever be added via the updates, but if not that would explain the limitation. Many of the newer vids use the AV1 codec. Again, Hopper 3 may not support that either. Not sure if the Hopper has the ability to add support for any of these via updates. Perhaps Scott or Brittany could weigh in on that.

The Dish Hopper 3 supports a variety of video and audio codecs:
Video codecs
MPEG2
H.264
H.265 (HEVC)
Audio codecs
AAC
ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec)
AAC_PLUS
AC3 (Dolby Digital)
MPEG
FLAC
WAV
LPCM
MP3
It's important to note that the Hopper 3 also supports containers like MKV, MP4, MPEG-TS, and MPEG-PS for video files, which can house these various codecs. It can also handle some streaming protocols like HTTP Live Streaming and MPEG-DASH.
In terms of video output, the Hopper 3 can decode and output 4K video at 60 frames per second with 10-bit color.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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/
16 Replies · 779 views
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GRB1959
A new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming possibly becoming available in January of 2027? That would be welcome news.

I have been exploring leaving Dish DBS ever since a software update around Aug. 10, version H711 and now H712, is causing problems with IR signals and the Dish Hopper 3. As a result my Sofabaton X2 universal remote no longer works perfectly as it did prior to the H711 and H712 Dish Hopper 3 firmware updates.

I have been a little leary of the current hardware available for DirecTV streaming as the Gemini Ospry box fits my needs, however they are getting a little long in the tooth and finding the 4GB RAM (SKU: 60233) Osprey box complete with remote and power cable is somewhat challenging. I see that the 2GB RAM Osprey boxes (SKU: 60164) can be found on Ebay and at Walmart online used, however a 4GB Osprey box is preferred.

Now I wonder if I should just wait it out until the new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming becomes available. I want a box with an Ethernet port and the Gemini Air is WiFi only. If the new Gemini box does become available in January of 2027 will it be lease only via DirecTV or will we be allowed to purchase them?
S
A new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming possibly becoming available in January of 2027? That would be welcome news.

I have been exploring leaving Dish DBS ever since a software update around Aug. 10, version H711 and now H712, is causing problems with IR signals and the Dish Hopper 3. As a result my Sofabaton X2 universal remote no longer works perfectly as it did prior to the H711 and H712 Dish Hopper 3 firmware updates.

I have been a little leary of the current hardware available for DirecTV streaming as the Gemini Ospry box fits my needs, however they are getting a little long in the tooth and finding the 4GB RAM (SKU: 60233) Osprey box complete with remote and power cable is somewhat challenging. I see that the 2GB RAM Osprey boxes (SKU: 60164) can be found on Ebay and at Walmart online used, however a 4GB Osprey box is preferred.

Now I wonder if I should just wait it out until the new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming becomes available. I want a box with an Ethernet port and the Gemini Air is WiFi only. If the new Gemini box does become available in January of 2027 will it be lease only via DirecTV or will we be allowed to purchase them?
there leased at 10.00 per box. unless you can find em at ebay or wally world where people have gotten em before. or you could get a roku apple tv firestick if you don't need the channel numbers
GRB1959
there leased at 10.00 per box. unless you can find em at ebay or wally world where people have gotten em before. or you could get a roku apple tv firestick if you don't need the channel numbers

I appreciate the reply. My wife will be using this as well so a numeric keypad to change channels that actually works is a must and I want it to have a hardwired Ethernet port so that leaves the Gemini box as my only real choice.
K
The DTV app doesn't respond to channel number inputs on 3rd party devices.
S
The DTV app doesn't respond to channel number inputs on 3rd party devices.
This is good to know!!!
Tom Speer
PUBLIC INFORMATION SUMMARY: DIRECTV's New Streaming‑Only Device (Model C81KW‑650)

I asked ChatGPT to summarize what is publicly known about DirecTV's new Streaming box. Here is what it said:

DIRECTV has a new streaming‑only device undergoing testing, publicly identified as model C81KW‑650.FCC filings and Reddit posts show it uses an Amlogic S905X5 chipset with 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, Wi‑Fi 6, Ethernet, and support for modern codecs including AV1 and H.266.It runs Android TV 14 and is manufactured by SEI Robotics.

Performance is significantly improved over the Osprey‑based Gemini and Gemini Air, with a faster CPU, stronger GPU, double the RAM, modern codec support, and better connectivity.

The FCC lists it as an OTT device, and all public information indicates it is intended for streaming service only.No official release date has been announced.

Making it also function as a Genie client would only be a matter of software, but that would not be able to use all the advanced codecs built into this device. That is clearly not a near term priority for DirecTV, if they ever do it at all.
b4pjoe
Here is what Google Gemini says about it:

The DIRECTV New Streaming‑Only Device (Model C81KW-650) is the successor set-top box to DIRECTV's original Gemini hardware (C71KW). Manufactured by SEI Robotics, details about the device emerged through FCC filings and hardware benchmarks.




It represents a significant performance upgrade over previous DIRECTV hardware.




Hardware & Performance Upgrades

  • Processor (SoC): Powered by the Amlogic S905X5 chipset featuring a quad-core ARM Cortex-A510 CPU (2.0 GHz). This offers roughly a 35–40% performance increase over the older Broadcom chipsets, resulting in much faster app load times and UI responsiveness.



  • Graphics: Upgraded to an ARM Mali-G310 GPU.
  • Memory & Storage: Equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage—a substantial jump from previous models that allows smoother multitasking and plenty of space for third-party streaming apps.

Software & Connectivity

  • Operating System: Runs Android TV 14 out of the box.



  • Wi-Fi Upgrade: Includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support, replacing the older Wi-Fi 5 standard for more stable wireless 4K video streaming.



  • Expanded Codec Support: Supports 4K Ultra HD with AV1, VP9, H.264, HEVC/H.265, and support for future-proof VVC/H.266 video playback.



  • HDR & Audio: Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Core Ecosystem Features

  • DIRECTV Experience: Retains full integration with DIRECTV's unified interface—combining live satellite or internet channel guides with third-party streaming apps downloaded via the Google Play Store.
  • Voice & Smart Controls: Built-in Google Assistant voice navigation and Google Cast support.
dishstaller
I want it to have a hardwired Ethernet port so that leaves the Gemini box as my only real choice.
The Roku Ultra series (the larger square box models that attach via hdmi) have ethernet ports
roku back.webp
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Tom Speer
Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
· posted in DIRECTV Cutting Edge Information
In order to participate in any Cutting Edge testing, you must sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Attached are a .docx (Microsoft Word) and PDF version of the latest DirecTV NDA. I found it easiest to complete the .docx version then paste a photo or scan image of my signature, cropped closely to just the signature into it as a picture. Then set Word to wrap text around the picture so that the picture follows the text "Signature".

People who have better PDF tools than I do may prefer that version.

When you apply for any Cutting Edge testing, you will be told how to send the signed copy.
0 Replies · 16 views
T
Last reply · posted in C-BAND Satellite Discussion
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]
14 Replies · 528 views
arlo
To me it looks like all of the intelligent things to diagnose the problem 'on the cheap' are being done.
I have my own thoughts of lnbf's using an external filter between the feed and coax. It would be cool to see what Brian could add.
Do his units have the filter before the actual LNA chip in the circuit? In other words, signal is focused at the lnbf throat. The probes for h & v polarity send the signal to.......filtering......then to the lna IC......
Or probes, lna, then filtering. Makes sense to trap the bad stuff before amplification to me.

On the cheap sometimes leaves questions. Enosat and El Bandido both use dvb-s pci cards and TBS USB receivers.
With those, and software. Signal analysis becomes sort of easy. Or tapping into your coax with a dc pass splitter, decoupling capacitor, and using a spectrum analyzer. Tuning across the LO band. Finding signal spikes. Digging deep.

Still making my decision on a (most probably) TBS PCIe tuner card. But I have tapped into my coax with my ancient but quite impressive HP spectrum analyzer and tinysa.
I don't have 5G interference so far that I know of. But have my suspects because I'm only able to snag signal from 131W in the winter when the leaves drop. But out of curiosity do scan it in the fall. And seem to be getting a signal that 'shouldn't' be there and a scan shows no channels. Far as I got.

An idea pops up to rig up an LNBF on a stick. Along with the tinysa and power supply and do some rogue signal searches. War Driving, of sorts. But. I wouldn't think that a chinabox, firmware based receiver would be of much help.
From what I see scanning across the frequency band. 5G cell transmission is always on and is very wide spectrum.
Whether anyone is actually using talking, texting, watching stupid human tricks on YouTube Makes no difference. The RF is there. So why would a C Band setup come and go? And what if you dumped the corotor and went modern voltage controlled polarity?

Another thought. Since you've learned the optimal position to place the scalar to illuminate out to the dish rim. And peaked the feed. There's most of a roll of aluminum flashing out in my garage that would most definitely wrap around my dish perimeter. That and a bag of large binder clips from the office supply. wally world. Ideas?
B
To me it looks like all of the intelligent things to diagnose the problem 'on the cheap' are being done.
I have my own thoughts of lnbf's using an external filter between the feed and coax. It would be cool to see what Brian could add.
Do his units have the filter before the actual LNA chip in the circuit? In other words, signal is focused at the lnbf throat. The probes for h & v polarity send the signal to.......filtering......then to the lna IC......
Or probes, lna, then filtering. Makes sense to trap the bad stuff before amplification to me.

On the cheap sometimes leaves questions. Enosat and El Bandido both use dvb-s pci cards and TBS USB receivers.
With those, and software. Signal analysis becomes sort of easy. Or tapping into your coax with a dc pass splitter, decoupling capacitor, and using a spectrum analyzer. Tuning across the LO band. Finding signal spikes. Digging deep.

Still making my decision on a (most probably) TBS PCIe tuner card. But I have tapped into my coax with my ancient but quite impressive HP spectrum analyzer and tinysa.
I don't have 5G interference so far that I know of. But have my suspects because I'm only able to snag signal from 131W in the winter when the leaves drop. But out of curiosity do scan it in the fall. And seem to be getting a signal that 'shouldn't' be there and a scan shows no channels. Far as I got.

An idea pops up to rig up an LNBF on a stick. Along with the tinysa and power supply and do some rogue signal searches. War Driving, of sorts. But. I wouldn't think that a chinabox, firmware based receiver would be of much help.
From what I see scanning across the frequency band. 5G cell transmission is always on and is very wide spectrum.
Whether anyone is actually using talking, texting, watching stupid human tricks on YouTube Makes no difference. The RF is there. So why would a C Band setup come and go? And what if you dumped the corotor and went modern voltage controlled polarity?

Another thought. Since you've learned the optimal position to place the scalar to illuminate out to the dish rim. And peaked the feed. There's most of a roll of aluminum flashing out in my garage that would most definitely wrap around my dish perimeter. That and a bag of large binder clips from the office supply. wally world. Ideas?
I did some more investigating and found I got the MeTV mux in the early hours, until about 6am then the pixelating starts. Gets worse until around 8am its totally gone. I suspect my local cell tower is ramping up traffic as the morning goes on. My Titanium feed does a super job and most everything is clear that wasn't before but this mux is aggravating! I seem to just be over the signal threshold to work until the 5G total overwhelms my system. I'm using an old 9 foot spun aluminum dish and was wondering if I went to a 12 ft dish this would solve the problem? I know bigger is better in most satellite dish related signal problems. If this is true I will be searching for a bigger dish. I like your idea of flashing put around the dish perimeter. I have some I need to dig out and try before I start ripping out my dish. Anybody have any ideas if the bigger dish would do better? Any help would be appreciated!
S
I did some more investigating and found I got the MeTV mux in the early hours, until about 6am then the pixelating starts. Gets worse until around 8am its totally gone. I suspect my local cell tower is ramping up traffic as the morning goes on. My Titanium feed does a super job and most everything is clear that wasn't before but this mux is aggravating! I seem to just be over the signal threshold to work until the 5G total overwhelms my system. I'm using an old 9 foot spun aluminum dish and was wondering if I went to a 12 ft dish this would solve the problem? I know bigger is better in most satellite dish related signal problems. If this is true I will be searching for a bigger dish. I like your idea of flashing put around the dish perimeter. I have some I need to dig out and try before I start ripping out my dish. Anybody have any ideas if the bigger dish would do better? Any help would be appreciated!
8 1/2 Foot mesh here with the c140 lnbf and a verizon 5g tower nearby. Got no issue with the Metv transponder. Are you sure you have the lnbf setup correct? When I set my c140 up I noticed it was about 1/4 to 1/2 inch pushed in closer to the dish, sticking out of the scaler ring than my old lnbf was. Thought I may have trouble with that but my signal readings are higher than they had ever been.
B
8 1/2 Foot mesh here with the c140 lnbf and a verizon 5g tower nearby. Got no issue with the Metv transponder. Are you sure you have the lnbf setup correct? When I set my c140 up I noticed it was about 1/4 to 1/2 inch pushed in closer to the dish, sticking out of the scaler ring than my old lnbf was. Thought I may have trouble with that but my signal readings are higher than they had ever been.
Thanks for the info. I'll do a detailed feed alignment this weekend. I have to be on a ladder to tweak this 101w satellite with the MeTV mux. Luckily I've got a V8 Finder so I'll put that to use. Funny, I got the MeTV mux fine this Friday morning. Jewelry TV was completely garbled though. I'm wondering if I'm having 2 degree spacing problems more than the cell tower affecting me. Seems strange some days I'm fine and others MeTV is completely destroyed. In the old days I could just move the dish to 99w and see what's there adjacent to MeTV. Maybe if I optimize my feed I can eliminate my problem either way. I have a 9 foot spun aluminum dish that may not have the best two degree isolation. Some of these were crudely made with a poor parabolic shape. I'll keep you posted and thanks to all for the advice!
arlo
Just some rambling here. Be safe on that ladder.
Took me about 20 seconds looking at a YouTube video showing the V8 Finder in use. A spectrum analyzer display.
Well, Cool! And it can power an lnbf stand alone. More cooler.
Well there's your 5g interference wonderment solution. IF you had a spare C band lnbf. Put it on a stick and go "wardriving". If 5g towers are blowing out signals strong enough to cause interference in your dish. Well.....
And off-axis, not in the same direction as the dish is pointed? Don't exactly know.

Take a drive around and look at towers with microwave dishes bolted to them. You'll see that a large share of them do have a perimeter shield. Further diving into the likes of Andrews show shields as an optional add-on to do just what you think they should do. Block adjacent interference. Probably a good idea when multiple units are on the same, or adjacent towers. Ya' think?

Some not-so-many years ago when I dove into this whole dish antenna thing. I replaced the c/ku band corotor feed with a Titanium C2-W. Being a good boy. Assuming that the original scalar was in the proper position from day one back in the 80's. I followed instructions and stuck the unit in the hole and bolted it down at the stamped marking as per instructions. I got my first signal finally with the Zgemma H7. I was thinking "that's it?". Signal sucked.
Then I looked at how the corotor feed was located looking at the bolt marks on the tube.
It was like focusing a telescope or camera. In the end. I was getting pretty good signals. That was in the dead of winter. And I hate the cold.

A buttonhook feed support. Give a margin of adjustability versus perimeter arm scalar supports.
And a lot of reading and experimenting showed that although the scalar was probably where it should be. Isn't anymore. The focal length / fd ratio calculations probably are right. If you have a perfect parabolic dish.
Mine ain't. And its old. Most probably not a perfect parabola since it was. As well as the polar mount. Fabricated locally.
I spoke to the old guy who installed all of them here back in the heyday. Started installing Prodelin dishes.
Everyone was watching HBO and Playboy. At 3-5 grand a pop.
He told me that him and his sons made a concrete form. Finished with a plaster top coat. And started spraying resin and chopped fiberglass. Then a metal flame sprayer like is used to build up crankshafts and stuff. Finished with several more layers of 'glass. The rest. Polar mount, cast iron pole mount. Contracted locally.
That's the story. I took that old beast and if you've seen Pootie Tang. I juvenated it and then rejuvenated it.

I think that one thing to remember is that in an lnbf. All of the satellite signal amping is done in the low noise amplifier section. What signal is blown out to the coax is done in the intermediate frequency amplifier section.
So what comes in the waveguide is what it is.
I've used several receivers. Different Enigma2 images on the same receiver show different signal levels. It's a software thing. Signal calibration and display. Don't forget that. One image might not give a signal lock on a weak transponder. Fire up another? Look at the TNAP images. An option to display signal below lock.
The only real way to tell the absolute signal level you get in the house is to use a certified spectrum analyzer/service monitor.

BTW. I'm on MeTV right now. Book 'em Danno. Purposefully aimed off-axis just above the threshold of pixelation.
Only thing I see is that the sun came and the sun went. That's where I saw break up for a half hour or so.
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....
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dishstaller
Heart of Glass - Blondie
long_time_Dish
Magazine - Heart
H
Harden My HEART-Quarterflash
ClarkGable
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Bobby
This Should Go On Forever - Rod Bernard
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
I was reading this article


That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.

And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.


Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.

There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.

In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.

Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.

Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.

So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households

So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.

That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.

But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.

Imagine what 2024 will be like.
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Bruce
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

IMG_2172.webp
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Jimbo
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

View attachment 194983
Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?
b4pjoe
Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?
I think Hulu Live, YTTV, Fubo, and DIRECTV stream among others like my Internet provider has a TV service like Broadcast/Cable but it streams like the four services I mentioned and would be listed under Broadcast/Cable. Imagine how bad the numbers would be if they were listed under streaming and not Broadcast/Cable. I'm sure someone will correct me if that is wrong though.
Jimbo
I think Hulu Live, YTTV, Fubo, and DIRECTV stream among others like my Internet provider has a TV service like Broadcast/Cable but it streams like the four services I mentioned and would be listed under Broadcast/Cable. Imagine how bad the numbers would be if they were listed under streaming and not Broadcast/Cable. I'm sure someone will correct me if that is wrong though.
Well, your showing the same as I am, its impossible to get those that use both, as well as those that ARE both.
b4pjoe
Well, your showing the same as I am, its impossible to get those that use both, as well as those that ARE both.
Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.
Jimbo
Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.
But, Originally they were Streaming ...
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
· posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
Was happy to see another video was posted of scanning the c band skies. :)

I am starting a new thread on this instead of putting it the first one as many people would miss the addition of this new video

Enjoy the memories.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUfFadIQgbE
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dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
I've always been super interested in things space related so this is a pretty cool event coming up. Nov 18, 2026 early in the morning, Voyager 1 will reach the distance of one full light day from Earth. Took almost 50 yrs. I was 13 when it launched.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gjHK3clOwIw?feature=share
0 Replies · 22 views
S
· posted in General Home Theater Equipment
Hey everyone,
I got the all important spousal buy-in to get all my equipment back out for Sat, Terrestrial reception. The catch is that I can't add any more equipment to our main house and everything will stay in the out building ~250 feet from our house. My idea is to use the server I already have to encode the feeds from multiple sources into streams that I can then watch via plex in the main house. Has anyone done this or know of any decent turn key solutions?
0 Replies · 20 views
TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.


Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-43-53.webp
Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-23-34.webp
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comfortably_numb
I run them through several different providers to see who has the lowest cost

Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

Also...


You can also price them through the CareCard and WellRx apps.

Sometimes Amazon Pharmacy is cheapest.
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dishstaller
Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx
I'm fortunate and don't take any medications. A couple years ago I had to take some antibiotics and used the GoodRx app. Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher. She said they aren't supposed to tell customers when they see they are being screwed.
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navychop
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
:D
:devilish
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Bobby
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
:D
:devilish
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.
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K
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.
Those are two of the three I take.
comfortably_numb
Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher

Walmart and Sam's pharmacies have "zero rated" prescriptions lists where generics are $4 (or less). If yours are on that list, then of course GoodRx isn't going to help. Also, GoodRx isn't always the cheapest discount program. For me, the cheapest is usually Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs.