Differences between DBS Ku and FTA Ku?

[comfortably_numb]

Other than the obvious difference (DBS is pay tv), I am just curious what makes DBS work with a small dish like a 1000.2? Are DBS satellites higher powered?

 

[etlam34]

Yes they are! Plus they use higher frequencies (12.2-12.7) and they are always broadcasting at maximum capacity to make sure that all the customers get their tv delivered. Dbs is also affected by rain fade but it’s better now then it used to be in the late 90’s when it started.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Dbs is also affected by rain fade but it’s better now then it used to be in the late 90’s when it started.

Yes I would have to agree they have really improved the rain fade issues. Well, at least Dish Network has. I can’t speak for Direct.

I think it’s an incredible feat to cram hundreds of high quality HD channels onto a satellite that can be received with such a small dish!

 

[danristheman]

"Compressed" tv is more like it. They use a higher frequency then we use for fta.

 

[KE4EST]

Yep, they use MUCH higher power than what you typically get on FTA. That is how they do it!
I wouldn't call it high quality HD though.

 

[KE4EST]

Plus they use higher frequencies

They use a higher frequency then we use for fta.

Not much higher, just right above FTA. That has nothing to do with rain fade, it is that HIGH power. Remember the higher the frequency the more prone to rain fade.

 

[comfortably_numb]

What about 121? Isn’t that a Dish bird that uses regular Ku?

 

[danristheman]

Dish only uses ku side, c band is controlled by other company.

 

[Phalaenopsis]

What about 121? Isn’t that a Dish bird that uses regular Ku?

Yes! I don’t know why though.....


Sent from my iPhone using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Brct203]

What about 121? Isn’t that a Dish bird that uses regular Ku?

it is... While is it quite powerful it's definitely less powerful than the other dedicated DBS birds. That's why they had the slightly larger dishes like the "superdish" which is about 60cm. And Dish on 121W seems to be barely used these days, I think it's mostly for specialized services (where they might be able to still push for larger dishes compared to the average DN setup)

 

[comfortably_numb]

Dish on 121W seems to be barely used these days, I think it's mostly for specialized services (where they might be able to still push for larger dishes compared to the average DN setup)

Yeah, according to The List, there isn’t much at all on it

 

[harshness]

Another difference is that FTA is often linear where DBS is typically circular polarity (or maybe that is changing).

 

[harshness]

What about 121? Isn’t that a Dish bird that uses regular Ku?

It uses Ku band (11715-12171) but with linear polarity and lower power -- hence the larger Superdish.