Question about the Dishes

[Eqxav]

Dish Network Installer is coming on Friday to re-point my dish, I am in NJ and was wondering what satellites I am going to be hooked up to (currently on 61.5, 110, 119 and missing 18 HD channels)? Should I expect them to replace the dish to one of the eastern Arc ones? Is there a benefit to being hooked up to say 5 birds instead of 3? I would prefer an installers opinion, since they have first hand experience. I've found that some things look good on paper but in the reality they suck...lol

I just want to know what to expect. Thanks.

 

[whatchel1]

Dish Network Installer is coming on Friday to re-point my dish, I am in NJ and was wondering what satellites I am going to be hooked up to (currently on 61.5, 110, 119 and missing 18 HD channels)? Should I expect them to replace the dish to one of the eastern Arc ones? Is there a benefit to being hooked up to say 5 birds instead of 3? I would prefer an installers opinion, since they have first hand experience. I've found that some things look good on paper but in the reality they suck...lol

I just want to know what to expect. Thanks.

Depends mostly on where your local DMA (designated market area) is. NJ may not be a super large state but the have more than one set of local stations. Take a look at "The List!" and find your stations. There is a link for it near the top of the page. NYC is on 61.5 so if you are in that DMA it will be for sure EA. There is little to no advantage to have 5 sats plus the receivers aren't set up to run that many.

 

[garys]

You will get an EA dish, won't have need for 5 sats as you wouldn't get anything more than you would once the new dish is set.

 

[Tampa8]

You don't need five Sat's, as mentioned receivers are not set-up to accepts 5 sats. Your install will depend on where your HD locals are, and/or if you can see 129. By process of ellimination, I'm guessing either you can not see 129, or your locals in HD are on 61.5. Either way then, I'm betting you will end up with an Eastern Arc. You can tell where your locals in HD are, go to one, hit info, hit info again, it will show which satellite the channel is coming from.

 

[TheKrell]

But receivers are set up to handle 5 sats! It's the antenna/switch arrangement that's a PITA.

Agree with others; there is little to gain from 5 sats unless (1) locals in SD are important to you or (2) you are still getting distants from AAD or (3) you have SD receivers on your account. Did I miss any possibilities?

 

[Tampa8]

AAD distants should not need five? Distants on 119, then either 110/61.5/72.7 OR - Distants on 119, then 61.5/72.7/77

Maybe I'm remembering wrong (can't check right now) I thought my 612's only had 4 places for satellites in the check switch...

Also, not sure how 118 would fit in if you had internationals, and AAD.

 

[Ray C]

Tampa8,

On the Installation Summary screen from the Check Switch test, there is room for 4 satellite locations. This holds true for the VIP receivers where you would get your cord , HD, and International programming.

 

[TheKrell]

I think tampa8 is right on all counts except the slots available on receivers for 5 satellites. See Matt's post and wiring diagram here. It is fairly rare that people would need 4 sats (typically international channels or distants or SD locals if on EA), and very rare to need 5.