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CaptainJerry · 04-20-2018, 11:04 AM

I did a quick review and it appears that nobody has posted this news yet. I could be wrong.

Catching up on my email, I got one from AT&T on 4/17/18 -

Starting on 4/30/19, you will no longer be able to view your DIRECTV programming with your current equipment. But don't worry, we've got you covered! All you need to do is call us to schedule your free installation for your new equipment. Your new equipment will provide you with HD service at no additional cost.

Just call 800.531.5000 and ask to upgrade your equipment.

The rumors of this happening have been around for awhile now, but this now gives a hard date!

This not only has ramifications with old standard definition receivers soon to be obsolete (D12), but also with how well smaller dome rooftop dishes will work. May require some people to get new dishes.

ARGHHHHH!

docj · 04-20-2018, 03:10 PM

I think there was a thread on this topic, but you're probably not the only person who missed it so there's no harm in mentioning it again.

Despite the fact that most of the folks on the RV forums seem to think that this change will result in the end of SD broadcasting on DirecTV, the folks who frequent the DBS (direct broadcast satellite) forums do not.

I've just read through quite a few pages on the "dbstalk.com" community forum and the consensus there is that only MPEG2 SD programming will be discontinued but MPEG4 SD will continue. The reason why people are getting letters about needing to upgrade their equipment is, according to that forum, because their MPEG2 local channels are being discontinued and the only locals they will have available will be in HD on the 99 and 103 satellites. There are already quite a few smaller cities that only have their locals on HD so this wouldn't be all that novel a change. It appears that DirecTV is prepared to give SD subscribers HD services at no extra charge for at least some period of time so they can continue to receive their local channels.

The assumption on the DBS forum is that there may well still be MPEG4 SD duplicates available on the 101 satellite but that's still speculative. Officially, nothing has been announced regarding the Ku-band transponders on the 101 satellite.

Don't forget that the original post by Solid Signal that started all this speculation simply stated that MPEG2 programming would end in 2019; nowhere did it say that all SD programming would cease.

The bottom line is don't throw away your equipment until everyone better understand the changes that are coming.

If anyone would like to read the relevant thread on the DBS forum you can find it here (this is a link to current posts in a very long thread):
https://www.dbstalk.com/community/index.php?threads/directv-announces-2019-date-for-dropping-mpeg2-sd.221602/page-14

CaptainJerry · 04-20-2018, 06:35 PM

Thanks for the info.

I have a year to wait and see what develops. I have stayed with standard definition for home and simply move the receivers to the motorhome when I travel. And standard definition has been good enough, although in football season I switch to over the air and watch the games in HD on the local channels and enjoy the difference.

trx430ex · 04-21-2018, 10:42 PM

It's over stick a fork in it, it is a bandwidth play of the spectrum. It is worth much more to celular providers. Throw the equipment in the trash, that being said, still testing where the bandwidth is going to show up.

One thing is certain, the data will be on the towers, not on a dish.

docj · 04-22-2018, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trx430ex

It's over stick a fork in it, it is a bandwidth play of the spectrum. It is worth much more to celular providers. Throw the equipment in the trash, that being said, still testing where the bandwidth is going to show up.

One thing is certain, the data will be on the towers, not on a dish.

With all due respect, the Ku and Ka band frequencies are not at all what the cellular carriers are planning on using even in the next generation 5G systems. They are allocated to direct broadcast satellites.

Rkesselus · 04-22-2018, 07:41 PM

I have been reading all this tech stuff and It all looks very interesting. But to some of us you might as well be writing in Chinese. What do you have to offer to some of us dim wits that will guide us along the way to continue watching TV in our Rigs. Thanks Richard

Dav L · 04-23-2018, 08:11 PM

Richard, sounds like DTV's plan hasn't been announced yet so folks are just speculating on what could happen based on technology.

I for one won't be buying a $1500 DTV moving dish until DTV has provided more info on what's next.

TXTiger · 04-25-2018, 07:26 PM

I just traveled from Yuma AZ to Nampa ID a suburb of Bosie. Called DirecTv to change my local channels. Only took one phone call and about 10/15 minuets. The Customer Service Rep told me that my local channels would all be SD and that HD is not available on local channels. Kinda opposite of what everyone is saying on this thread?

Mr_D · 04-25-2018, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainJerry

Thanks for the info.

I have a year to wait and see what develops. I have stayed with standard definition for home and simply move the receivers to the motorhome when I travel. And standard definition has been good enough, although in football season I switch to over the air and watch the games in HD on the local channels and enjoy the difference.

Same here although I don't watch football anymore.

Dav L · 04-25-2018, 08:11 PM

The change to HD only hasn't been put into action yet. It's a potential change in the next year or so.

docj · 04-25-2018, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXTiger

I just traveled from Yuma AZ to Nampa ID a suburb of Bosie. Called DirecTv to change my local channels. Only took one phone call and about 10/15 minuets. The Customer Service Rep told me that my local channels would all be SD and that HD is not available on local channels. Kinda opposite of what everyone is saying on this thread?

It's a matter of fact, not speculation, that quite a few smaller cities already have ONLY HD locals. I can't explain what you were told, but this is the truth.

Dav L · 04-26-2018, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

It's a matter of fact, not speculation, that quite a few smaller cities already have ONLY HD locals. I can't explain what you were told, but this is the truth.

It may be "fact" of HD only, but there are a lot of ways that DTV can launch it. Those methods are what folks are speculating about.

If it's not speculation...then please tell us when, where and how they will be moving to HD only.

I am not following this evolution nearly as close as it seems you are, so interested in your reply. Would love to have direction on what to do with my KVH in-motion dish and that I am currently a DTV customer at my home. I am not completely married to DTV, but its certainly easier to add DTV to the RV and not replace the technology in the home. Just reading posts, it seems Dish is more RV friendly than DTV.

docj · 04-26-2018, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav L

If it's not speculation...then please tell us when, where and how they will be moving to HD only.

All that appears to be "known" at this time is that the MPEG SD channels broadcast by the 101 satellite will cease to exist in early 2019. This apparently includes all the local channels currently on the 101 bird.

Customers who receive local SD channels are currently receiving letters offering to upgrade them to HD so they can continue to receive their local channels after the cut-over date.

What's going to be broadcast from the 101 bird after that date is still unknown to the public. This means that no one really knows if the "SD duplicates" will continue to be broadcast. That's the key issue for those who own dishes that can only receive the Ku-band channels coming from 101.

Some people on the DBS forum speculate that DirecTV wouldn't want to lose the RV, trucking and boating communities that receive those channels. Time will tell if that's true.

TowJoe · 04-26-2018, 06:29 PM

I just bought a 2006 HR Navigator with a King-Dome Trac-King In-Motion System with a DTV D10 receiver, and DirectTV activated the D10 card only to find that it wouldn't work so I called King Dome in MN. and the tech told me I had to buy a new system because the one I have is outdated. I don't get it. If DirectTV still uses the D10 box, why won't the King Dome find the Satellite? If any one can help guide me.