B
bgrodie
Guest
Original poster
I just posted this on the 4DTV (big dish) forum that I am a member
of. It was in answer to a C Bander and new VOOMer's question
regarding what will happen to the equipment. I welcome any comments
or thoughts, and certainly any dissenting opinions.
Pat,
I've been wondering some of the same things. It sounds like the end
this time but who knows. There could be a last minute buyout since
the number of subscribers mentioned in the Business week article
posted here is now 46,000 and not 26,000. I suspected a rapid
increase in VOOM'ers in the last few months as HDTV's were
purchased. If the sky goes dark for VOOM and no deals or successors
emerge, it is likely to be a bit like Primestar. The equipment was
abandoned and they had far more subscribersw. It really cost alot
to come get all the used equipment compared to it's value.
The dish is really not good for conventional Ku, event the 24"
upgrade. It's just too small and mounting a normal Ku LNBF would
require some mods that cost $. The dish with a single dual LNB has
little use with current multi-satellite DTV and Dishnet systems
anyway. You could repoint it and pick up some FTA music with an
MPEG DVB receiver.
The receivers, in spite of early service issues, are really pretty
good for OTA and HD and they have the capability to add hardware and
software for newer technology as it emerges so they may have some
value at some point. The Primestar receivers became almost
completely useless after the demise of Primestar. Unless the VOOM
units have a commercial use, I doubt they will be reclaimed.
The OTA antenna is more trouble than it's worth to collect and I am
sure in the quantity they purchased them it is no more than a $15
investment.
So my opinion, especially for those who had installers come from
more than an hour away, is that the equipment will be your parting
gift, for what it is worth.
I hope they at least have an announced window where they open these
receivers up for OTA digital via a software download and permanent
OTA
"authoriztion". Given our suuport for VOOM, it's the least they can
do for all the trails and tribulations.....
Bruce
One other comment, I have a few 4DTV receivers for any of you who
might be interested in reactivating your big dish and getting HDTV
that way. I am amongst a few who are trying to keep C Band as a
viable satellite alternative to DTV and DISH. It's not the cheapest
way to get HDTV if you don't have a BUD but if you do it's not too
costly really. I'm most likely going back to C Band if I can't get
VOOM. I currently get all the Premium Movie channels on 4dTV now so
it's not any more difficult for me than NPS authorization and paying
for the subscription. I can't recommend this route for anyone who
is not capable of fixing the system themselves.
------------------------
of. It was in answer to a C Bander and new VOOMer's question
regarding what will happen to the equipment. I welcome any comments
or thoughts, and certainly any dissenting opinions.
Pat,
I've been wondering some of the same things. It sounds like the end
this time but who knows. There could be a last minute buyout since
the number of subscribers mentioned in the Business week article
posted here is now 46,000 and not 26,000. I suspected a rapid
increase in VOOM'ers in the last few months as HDTV's were
purchased. If the sky goes dark for VOOM and no deals or successors
emerge, it is likely to be a bit like Primestar. The equipment was
abandoned and they had far more subscribersw. It really cost alot
to come get all the used equipment compared to it's value.
The dish is really not good for conventional Ku, event the 24"
upgrade. It's just too small and mounting a normal Ku LNBF would
require some mods that cost $. The dish with a single dual LNB has
little use with current multi-satellite DTV and Dishnet systems
anyway. You could repoint it and pick up some FTA music with an
MPEG DVB receiver.
The receivers, in spite of early service issues, are really pretty
good for OTA and HD and they have the capability to add hardware and
software for newer technology as it emerges so they may have some
value at some point. The Primestar receivers became almost
completely useless after the demise of Primestar. Unless the VOOM
units have a commercial use, I doubt they will be reclaimed.
The OTA antenna is more trouble than it's worth to collect and I am
sure in the quantity they purchased them it is no more than a $15
investment.
So my opinion, especially for those who had installers come from
more than an hour away, is that the equipment will be your parting
gift, for what it is worth.
I hope they at least have an announced window where they open these
receivers up for OTA digital via a software download and permanent
OTA
"authoriztion". Given our suuport for VOOM, it's the least they can
do for all the trails and tribulations.....
Bruce
One other comment, I have a few 4DTV receivers for any of you who
might be interested in reactivating your big dish and getting HDTV
that way. I am amongst a few who are trying to keep C Band as a
viable satellite alternative to DTV and DISH. It's not the cheapest
way to get HDTV if you don't have a BUD but if you do it's not too
costly really. I'm most likely going back to C Band if I can't get
VOOM. I currently get all the Premium Movie channels on 4dTV now so
it's not any more difficult for me than NPS authorization and paying
for the subscription. I can't recommend this route for anyone who
is not capable of fixing the system themselves.
------------------------
