I expect there is more to come later today in the form of an official announcement, but below is information on the stations launched this morning. These new channels appear along-side the existing channels in my guide.
The new channels are listed in my guide but as yet there is no picture, only the message signal not found with a code 771 shown. Next to the channels that were in HD on the 70's work fine. Maybe this is a problem with my setup. Two HR20 and One HR20 DVR.
I have the B band converter installed on the line. I am getting the 771 message on all of the new channels except those that are also on the 70"s channels
I must confess I am not a techie, but I had a new HD DVR and 5 LNB dish installed about 2 months ago. The new channels are not viewable for the most part. Emailing D today for some info but something is not right. don't bother with technical questions, cause its unlikely I know the answer beyond the basics.
If you have the converters in place, it's likely that you have to go to the set-up menu on the receiver and have it recalibrate for the new satellite feeds, as what has probably been stored is now out of date. Although it appears to be a relatively easy procedure, perhaps you could get DirecTV to walk you through it over the phone or have a technician come to your place. I hope this helps.
I have the new 5 LNB dish and I do use a diplexer to combine over the air signals with the DTV signal. Does that make a difference. I have the B band converter attached to the TV. last thing in line.
I have the new 5 LNB dish and I do use a diplexer to combine over the air signals with the DTV signal. Does that make a difference. I have the B band converter attached to the TV. last thing in line.
It makes all the difference in the world. The new satellite which carries the new channels occupies the same frequency as your OTA signals so combining them causes interference. Try removing the OTA input and see if that fixes it.
The B band converter takes this signal and converts it back to a higher (or lower - forget which exactly) signal before it reaches your receiver. Some claim if you put the B band converter closer to the dish and diplex in the OTA signal AFTER the B band converter that it will work. But I'd try it without OTA first to make sure that's the problem.
After a quick review of the new channels that I can receive, they seem to fall into two groups which I like to call "Real HD" and "Fake HD".
The real ones include The Smithsonian (which is brilliant), CNNHD and TLCHD.
The "fake" ones include A&EHD, HISTHD and TBSHD which transmit a 4:3 signal stretched into a 16:9 signal instead of showing the 4:3 picture in HD with side bars. Even when a 16:9 version of what they are showing exists, they transmit the 4:3 cut, stretched horizontally, degrading the so called HD resolution. An HD signal of a blurred and distorted picture still results in a blurred and distorted picture on my plasma screen.
akirby is absolutely right - the diplexer has to go. I ran a separate cable for the OTA antenna and it all works great. The DVR set up the guide for it right away. My signal strength is so hot here that regular splitters don't seem to make a difference. Right now I have 4 devices sharing the OTA - 2 DVR's and 2 VCRs's.
I also noticed the SD broadcasts of the of the so-called HD channels. I just updated my "favorites" in "custom 1" yesterday so I'll have to take a closer look. I am also going to compare the regular SD broadcast and see which upconversion is the best.
I've been far busier fine tuning my Logitech Harmony 1000 to get rid of all of the remotes and it's really coming together. It takes some tweaking to get all of the buttons customized just how you like them. I like the simplicity of the sequencing function. So far it does seem better than my Harmony 880. They are reasonably priced on Amazon for about $327 as I recall (MSRP is $499.99). It's always complicated setting up a universal remote but Logitech has great support and a database of 175,000 devices. Once you get used to the software it's fairly easy to tweak.
In my set up I have a multiswitch on the dish that feeds four lines to another multiswitch in a home run box in an interior closet. That switch is 5 by 8. The four feeds from the dish and the one antenna feed are connected to the five inputs. I use seven of the outputs. The first to an HD20, another to another HD20, 2 too a HR20-700 HD DVR, and 2 to a HD 10-250 DVR, and the last to an old DVR.
I unplugged the antenna input and took the diplexer out of the. I plugged the this line into the B band converter and directly to the TV. I am still having the same problems. Could this have someting to do with the second in line multiswitch?
Echoing what akirby said. the 6x8 multiswitch system is strictly for the satellite. You will need a separate distribution system for the OTA antenna.
I have a Spaun Mult-swtich with 4 Satellite inputs, one OTA input, and 8 outputs. I do have a separate OTA antenna distribution system. I am and have always been a subscriber to DIRECTV HD Package.
I had the new DIRECTV antenna installed by a DIRECTV technician, and I installed the B-Band converter on both of my HR-20 DIRECTV HD boxes, and I still am not receiving any signal on Transponder 99. This resulted in my receiving the local HD channels now being received on my DIRECTV receiver. However, the remaining new DIRECTV HD channels(CNNHD, A&EHD, etc) only display the '771- 'signal not found' notice.
When I contacted DIRECTV's technical help line, they indicated that their installer may not have correctly positioned the antenna when he installed the new 5 transponder antenna. However, I believe that not to be the case, since all the rest of the channels, including the new local HD DIRECTV channels come in as clear as a 'bell'.
I tend to believe that I may have a bad '99' transponder, or worse yet, the new satellite has 'issues' not yet worked out by DIRECTV and it' satellite communications service provider.
I have a Spaun Mult-swtich with 4 Satellite inputs, one OTA input, and 8 outputs. I do have a separate OTA antenna distribution system. I am and have always been a subscriber to DIRECTV HD Package.
Your multi-switch is not Ka compatible. The Spaun Ka compatible multi-switches are either 4x12 or 4x16 - they do not have an OTA input. You need to upgrade to a Ka compatible multi-switch.
Based on your response, you are telling me, and all of the other unsuspecting 'legacy'(meaning older than 3 year) satellite multi-switch owners, that they will have to upgrade to a new multi-switch to receive the new HD satellite, non-local HD, feeds from DIRECTV?
Is it possible that DIRECTV could have omitted this bit of information when they stated that 'all existing customers have to do;
1. Upgrade your antenna to a 5 LNB antenna
2. Install the B-Band converter in line to your existing HR-20 HD DIRECTV boxes.
Is it possible that DIRECTV could have 'forgotten' the small detail of telling their subscribers of HD services that, in addition to Satellite dish, and B-Band converters, they will have to upgrade their multi-switch' too? Hmmm, multi switches are pretty expensive.
Be interesting to understand their posiion on this.
All that being said, the DIRECTV technician is due out to the house today to see if the transponder or dish position are the 'culprits'. If he is unable to effect a repair, i will inquire about the multi-switch. If he is able to effect repair, all is well.
i will update the forum either way, and thanks again for your prompt reply.
The installers are supposed to install new Zinwell 6x8 or 6x16 multi-switches at no extra charge (I think). These are less expensive than the Spauns. I installed a 6x8 Zinwell myself before I got the 5LNB dish and paid $75. The new 6x8 switch is only $44 : http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=WB68 . But ask the installer and you should get one for free.
Hmm, never a mention of that when the installer replaced the antenna. Well, to be sure, when the installer returns today, I will inquire about this new fact and let you know the outcome.
HOORAY! The technician, when advised about the potential for a 'legacy multi-switch issue, stated that the older 4x8 Spaun Multi-switch has to be replaced and that he (DIRECTV) has the proper 6x8 multi-switch 9no OTA connector) and that he will replace my Spaun. Did i mention that this was 'gratis' as was the new 5 LNB antenna and the B-band converters. HOORAY DIRECTV!
He did, it worked and the rest is history.
akirby, thanks for helpng me avert a 'meltdown' on this issue.
