Digital TV change and rumors re: satellite dishes

[jasonm]

Ok, so I've been hearing some NASTY rumors that when the changeover to all digital cable takes place that our automatic roof-mounted satellite dishes will not work well. Anyone have info on this? Is my $1500 KVH REALLY going to be worthless?

[jasonm]

Ok, so I've been hearing some NASTY rumors that when the changeover to all digital cable takes place that our automatic roof-mounted satellite dishes will not work well. Anyone have info on this? Is my $1500 KVH REALLY going to be worthless?

[Harry B]

The only change taking place is in February next year and the change consists of the over the air (OTA) channels being digitally transmitted. It does not affect the sateliite service.

What may affect the satellite service is if you have service provided by DirecTV and you decide you want to receive High Definition (HD)channels. Directv transmits HD channels via two bands KU and KA. Currently, the dome mounted satellite receivers are only capable of receiving via the KU band and as such will be missing some HD channels. This is currently not the case for Dish Network yet.

Bottom line is if you have no intentions or need to receive HD channels nothing changes regarding satellite service.

[SCVJeff]

You're talking about 2 different things here. There is no conversion to digital cable (actually there is but it'll take another 10+ years).

The digital "conversion" is shutting down all full power analog transmitters. This does not include LP or translators that can opt to go digital or stay analog for the time being.

As for satellite, Harry is correct. My opinion on satellite is that there is no substitution for gain, and you aren't going to get open reflector gain on a cute little reflector under a dome. So far I haven't seen a 5 LNB Direct dome either. Either way, go for the open reflector.

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Harry B:
What may affect the satellite service is if you have service provided by DirecTV and you decide you want to receive High Definition (HD)channels. Directv transmits HD channels via two bands KU and KA. Currently, the dome mounted satellite receivers are only capable of receiving via the KU band and as such will be missing some HD channels. This is currently not the case for Dish Network yet. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not a dome but Winegard has a roof auto dish that receives all DirecTV HD programming.

TRAV'LER DIRECTV SLIMLINE KU/KA
MODEL: SK-3005

DIRECTV's ultimate reflector dish used for home systems. 5 LNB antenna provides complete coverage of all DIRECTV standard and HD programming. Receives both KU-band (101?, 110?, 119?) and KA-band (99? & 103?) satellite signals simultaneously. No other mobile antenna is currently capable of receiving KA-band signals!

Dimensions: 44"L x 34"W; 53 lbs.

-Tom

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">No other mobile antenna is currently capable of receiving KA-band signals! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Expect, of course, the MotoSAT HD-SL5! MotoSAT has been making multi-head, skewable dishes for several years.

[Harry B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That looks just like my coach and antenna.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Looks like things have warmed up for you a bit