Echostar 14 update

[Tyralak]

There is no set date, but it is certainly years off. Once all transmissions are MPEG-4, millions of older receivers will be obsolete and no longer work. Replacing them will not be a minor expense. Best to spread that expense over some years. Of course, the bandwidth recovered will be of great value, too - delaying or eliminating the need to launch another sat.

That's already happening. It's rare to see a 322 on a work order anymore. They're almost always 222s. Doesn't matter if the customer is getting HD or not. And single tuner non DVRs are always 211s now. We haven't carried 301s or 311s in quite some time.

 

[HDRoberts]

That's already happening. It's rare to see a 322 on a work order anymore. They're almost always 222s. Doesn't matter if the customer is getting HD or not. And single tuner non DVRs are always 211s now. We haven't carried 301s or 311s in quite some time.

How about SD DVRs? Still installing a lot of 522s/625s or are SD customers getting 622s/722s?

 

[digiblur]

That's already happening. It's rare to see a 322 on a work order anymore. They're almost always 222s. Doesn't matter if the customer is getting HD or not. And single tuner non DVRs are always 211s now. We haven't carried 301s or 311s in quite some time.

Yeah, I noticed a buddy of mine got 2 222k's for a 4 room SD install. He also got Dish1000.2. Pretty cool that it is ready to go whenever he gets his HDTV, just call and add the HD package and thats it.

 

[Tyralak]

How about SD DVRs? Still installing a lot of 522s/625s or are SD customers getting 622s/722s?

Yes, but not as many. We've been getting an increasing number of SD installs with 722s on the work order.

 

[whatchel1]

I tend to think that E* may no longer be producing MPEG2 SD receivers and so as soon as they run out of the stock they have that will be all she wrote. Then before long they can start the change out.

 

[navychop]

I think they stopped making non-MPEG-4 receivers years ago. I also think they have huge numbers of these still in use.

 

[aeroguy80]

So if I read this thread right, they're just activating spotbeams 1-5 at first? How long for the rest? I'm been waiting a long time for Wichita/Hutchinson, Kansas locals in HD (incidentally the largest DMA without HD locals)

Spotbeam B9 - Oklahoma/Kansas - Transponders 4,6,8,10

 

[digiblur]

No, they are activating transponders 1-5 as spotbeams first. Don't confuse Spotbeam with Transponders. Looks like you're in luck, that beam contains 1 TP that they will probably activate.

 

[rocatman]

So if I read this thread right, they're just activating spotbeams 1-5 at first? How long for the rest? I'm been waiting a long time for Wichita/Hutchinson, Kansas locals in HD (incidentally the largest DMA without HD locals)

Spotbeam B9 - Oklahoma/Kansas - Transponders 4,6,8,10

Recognize its is not just 5 spotbeams, it is the use of 5 TPs for spotbeams so many spotbeams can be activated using those 5 TPs repeatedly over those spotbeams. It might be awhile before Dish devotes more 119 W TPs to spotbeams. Some of it may depend on what happens at the FCC with Sprectrum 5's protests there. It also may depend on Dish implementing the conversion to 8PSK and MPEG-4 on the Western Arc.

 

[aeroguy80]

No, they are activating transponders 1-5 as spotbeams first. Don't confuse Spotbeam with Transponders. Looks like you're in luck, that beam contains 1 TP that they will probably activate.

Thanks. I read the entire thread but it's a bit confusing to a n00b.

 

[kstuart]

I tend to think that E* may no longer be producing MPEG2 SD receivers and so as soon as they run out of the stock they have that will be all she wrote. Then before long they can start the change out.

They just introduced a new MPEG2-only SD-only receiver in February, the "512".

 

[HDRoberts]

They just introduced a new MPEG2-only SD-only receiver in February, the "512".

And if you look closely, it is a 522 with the TV2 output disabled. They probably have a warehouse full of old 522s, and they figure they can put them to use for another year or 2.

 

[nelson61]

Preparation of Launching Site for “Proton-M” with “Echostar-14” has Begun on Baikonur

:: 03.03.2010


Preparation for next launch of “Proton-M” with “Briz-M” upper-stage continues on Baikonur. This launch must put into orbit an American telecom satellite “Echostar-14”.

In current moment satellite and launch vehicle are passing autonomous tests in processing facility. “Briz-M” upper stage is being prepared for transportation to fueling station, where it will be fueled with propellant and its high-pressure tanks will be filled with gas.

Today the specialists of “Yuzhniy” Space center which is the branch of FGUP “TsENKI” have begun the preparation of launching site for “Proton-M” installation and launch organization.

Launch of “Proton-M” with “Briz-M” upper-stage and American telecom satellite “Echostar-14” is planned for 9:27 PM (Moscow time) March 20th, 2010.

Space center “Yuzhniy” press-service

 

[cj9788]

Is there a list of which DMA's are going to be on E* 14? I want to know if Miami/Ft.Lauderdale will be moved to the new satellite.

 

[HDRoberts]

Is there a list of which DMA's are going to be on E* 14? I want to know if Miami/Ft.Lauderdale will be moved to the new satellite.

No word on specific DMAs, but you can get an idea from the beams. There are 2 for south Florida. Keep in mind that only TPs 1-5 appear to be used for spots at this time.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-ne...lite-utilization-information.html#post1842789

 

[cj9788]

No word on specific DMAs, but you can get an idea from the beams. There are 2 for south Florida. Keep in mind that only TPs 1-5 appear to be used for spots at this time.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-ne...lite-utilization-information.html#post1842789

Thanks! :up

 

[Jim S.]

They just introduced a new MPEG2-only SD-only receiver in February, the "512".

Yeah, and those of us who thought it was holding back progress commented on it then, too.

 

[navychop]

And if you look closely, it is a 522 with the TV2 output disabled. They probably have a warehouse full of old 522s, and they figure they can put them to use for another year or 2.

Trying to save a buck here and there. Do they still sell MPEG-2 boxes to Canadian satcos? That could really help move things along to MPEG-4 for us.

 

[HDRoberts]

Trying to save a buck here and there. Do they still sell MPEG-2 boxes to Canadian satcos? That could really help move things along to MPEG-4 for us.

I think they do, but Bell only has 2 million subs. There is probably a million 522/625 boxes out there alone. So the market isn't that big, and their DVR penetration is already 30%. Plus, the 522/625 is not an MPEG2 HD box. Their HD penetration is pretty impressive at 41%.

Bell TV adds 41k subscribers in 4Q09; plans IPTV in 2010

Looks like they are installing the 722 up there anyway

 

[digiblur]

Is there a list of which DMA's are going to be on E* 14? I want to know if Miami/Ft.Lauderdale will be moved to the new satellite.

If the markets are on 119 now, then they will be on E-14.