Understanding Satellite's - Newbie needs help :)

EW800 · 01-01-2009, 05:50 PM

Hello,

I am hoping that someone much more knowledgable than myself about how the satellites work might help me understand how my current switch to HD is working. I've been a Dish customer for a few years, but just switched to HD a couple of weeks ago.

I have a 722 DVR with one HD and one SD TV connected to it. I have two SD TV's hooked to a 322 receiver. I have one dish on the roof, but do not know the model. I live in the Minneapolis area of MN. I do receive the local channels.

When I look at the system menu, I am showing a "good" signal from satellite's 119, 110 and 129.

My questions are as follows:

-- Does this mean that the system is grabbing whichever satellite it gets the strongest signal from or is it a combination of the three depending on what we are watching?

-- Which satellite would I be getting the HD signal from?

-- As more HD channels come on line, any idea if I will be okay given the current satellite's that I am looking at?

Thank you so much for any education that you can give me!

jim5506 · 01-02-2009, 08:33 AM

Different channels come from different satellites.

Some HD channels are on 110, but most are on 129.

119 has only a few specialty HD channels like regional sports nets and HD locals.

Any new HD channels will be on one of the three satellites you already "see".

spokybob · 01-03-2009, 07:50 AM

Is there a list of where channels are?

fredinva · 01-04-2009, 10:15 AM

Hit 'info' twice, it will show you what bird you're on under the date.

fred

jim5506 · 01-04-2009, 04:16 PM

www.dishuser.com

eagleavllc · 01-06-2009, 05:09 PM

When you tune to a channel, the satellite receiver automatically switches to the appropriate satellite (bird) and transponder. Virtually none of the channels are duplicated on any satellite.

It takes a lot of bandwidth to transmit the HD channels and that is why DISH Network now has two satellite constellations for the eastern arc (61.5, 72 and 77) and the western arc (110, 119 and 129).

DISH Network has always had more capacity for channels than any other provider and by the look of things they will continue to do so.

aed55 · 01-07-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagleavllc

When you tune to a channel, the satellite receiver automatically switches to the appropriate satellite (bird) and transponder.

What exactly is a "transponder"?

01-01-2009, 05:50 PM	#1
EW800 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7	Understanding Satellite's - Newbie needs help :) Hello, I am hoping that someone much more knowledgable than myself about how the satellites work might help me understand how my current switch to HD is working. I've been a Dish customer for a few years, but just switched to HD a couple of weeks ago. I have a 722 DVR with one HD and one SD TV connected to it. I have two SD TV's hooked to a 322 receiver. I have one dish on the roof, but do not know the model. I live in the Minneapolis area of MN. I do receive the local channels. When I look at the system menu, I am showing a "good" signal from satellite's 119, 110 and 129. My questions are as follows: -- Does this mean that the system is grabbing whichever satellite it gets the strongest signal from or is it a combination of the three depending on what we are watching? -- Which satellite would I be getting the HD signal from? -- As more HD channels come on line, any idea if I will be okay given the current satellite's that I am looking at? Thank you so much for any education that you can give me!

01-02-2009, 08:33 AM	#2
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,609	Different channels come from different satellites. Some HD channels are on 110, but most are on 129. 119 has only a few specialty HD channels like regional sports nets and HD locals. Any new HD channels will be on one of the three satellites you already "see". __________________ Programming: Dish HD Absolute with 0.01 Cinemax Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K; DishNetwork ViP211; DishNetwork 301; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

01-03-2009, 07:50 AM	#3
spokybob Gotta watch NASCAR HDTV Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NW Illinois Posts: 339	Is there a list of where channels are? __________________ Bob

01-04-2009, 10:15 AM	#4
fredinva 50"Wega HD ROCKS! Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 752	Hit 'info' twice, it will show you what bird you're on under the date. fred __________________ I'm getting really, really tired of Dish re-scheduled install threads!! Call a local Retailer. And, we'll check your receiver in the store for free. If you can reach your LNBF, we'll check it for free too!!!!

01-04-2009, 04:16 PM	#5
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,609	www.dishuser.com __________________ Programming: Dish HD Absolute with 0.01 Cinemax Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K; DishNetwork ViP211; DishNetwork 301; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

01-06-2009, 05:09 PM	#6
eagleavllc How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 20	Channel picks the bird! When you tune to a channel, the satellite receiver automatically switches to the appropriate satellite (bird) and transponder. Virtually none of the channels are duplicated on any satellite. It takes a lot of bandwidth to transmit the HD channels and that is why DISH Network now has two satellite constellations for the eastern arc (61.5, 72 and 77) and the western arc (110, 119 and 129). DISH Network has always had more capacity for channels than any other provider and by the look of things they will continue to do so.

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