Home Theater Programming Sources
Off-Air TV
Direct Broadcast Digital Satellite (DSS) - DirecTV and Dish Network
Once the fastest growing consumer electronics format in history, digital satellite brings
hundreds of channels of digital (not always synonymous with good) picture and sound to
homes with a clear view of the southern sky. The two main digital satellite providers are
DirecTV and Dish Network. There are now almost 15 million DirecTV and over 11 million
Dish Network subscribers. A promising, HDTV focused satellite service, VOOM, folded in
March 2005 after attracting just under 50,000 subscribers. Some of its assets were
subsequently purchased by Echostar, the parent company of Dish Network.
Unlike the older 'C'-Band satellite systems, the dish is much smaller, usually 18-24 inches,
and does not need to be retrained to catch different satellites. Most DSS systems look at
either 2 or 3 different satellites, in contrast to the beginning in 1994, when there was one
bird for each system. The increase in the number of satellites used has been required
principally because of the additional bandwidth needed for HDTV channels.
DirecTV and Dish Network are similar. The main differences are in programming
packages offered by each and the look and feel of the channel guide and menu system.
Because DirecTV has allowed different manufactures to produce receivers, the channel
guide can vary in appearance and functionality between different types. Some of the
DirecTV guides are excellent. With Dish Network they are basically the same for all
subscribers.
DirecTV has offered more sports programming while Dish Network enables subscribers to
get a large variety of foreign (if you live in the US) channels. Dish Network has 15
channels from the Middle East, including Al Jazeera. They have 30 channels from China
or Taiwan and 20 from SE Asia. In addition there are channels available from Russia(4),
Greece(6), Poland(4), Germany(2) and France(3). In addition, Dish Network has Sirrius
Satellite Radio for commercial free digital music. At the end of 2005, DirecTV added XM
Satellite Radio for music programming.
DirecTV has exclusive coverage of the NFL with its NFL SUnday Ticket Package for an
amazing variety of NFL action. They also have the NBA League Pass for up to 40 regular
season NBA games each week. DirecTV also makes additional college playoff games
available to its subscribers with the "Mega March Madness" package. It's important to
note, with both DirecTV and Dish Network, all league blackout rules apply for most sports.
With regard to local TV programming, some US cities are covered for local programming
by each satellite that are exclusive to each system. Both providers entertained thoughts
of a merger, but that ceased in December of 2002 when the proposed merger agreement
was jointly terminated.
DirecTV and Dish Network both added digital audio and HDTV capability to their systems
years ago. This was followed by PVR functionality in January, 2001(Dish Network) and
later, HDTV-PVR units. Both systems have used cutting edge program guides to allow
subscribers the ability to find desired programming. These have traditionally gone far
beyond what is available from cable TV in both scope and quality of the UI. Digital cable
has been gaining ground recently in this area however.
Dish Network has used proprietary, Dish Network branded components, while DirecTV
has allowed other manufacturers such as RCA, LG Hughes and Samsung to build and
market satellite receivers under their own brand names. This may be changing soon for
DirecTV.
If all goes according to plan, by Q4 of 2005 there will be a major revolution for DirecTV
customers. DirecTV will convert it's system to MPEG-4 compression technology, which is
more efficient than the currently used MPEG-2. This may allow upwards of 1500 HDTV
channels. Weather or not you will be able to actually get most of these is unknown. Most
likely most of the added channel capacity will be local market channels and be
geographically restricted. They will announce more information the first week of August.
Again, this entire change is chiefly due to the need for more HDTV channels.
Update - The DirecTV MPEG4 system is being tested in the Detroit, Michigan market
through October and November of 2005. As of mid December, 2005, 10 local markets
were being served with local HDTV. More local broadcast areas will roll out in Q1 2006.
Digital satellite's main competitor in most markets is digital cable. Digital cable's main
competitive advantage is it's ability to offer local HDTV channels. Up to this point, this has
been difficult for the satellite providers to accomplish because of the sheer numbers of
local HDTV stations. The switch to would level the playing field (in many markets) with
respect to local HDTV coverage.
The switch to MPEG--4 for DIrecTV is will require new equipment for current HDTV
subscribers, and further in the future, for all subscribers. This change will be phased in,
with the 12 largest markets changing first and secondary markets following later. It is
believed that DirecTV will offer some sort of aggressive commitment for equipment deal
that will relieve subscribers from having to buy all new equipment. This will help protect
the digital satellite providers from losing hard earned market share to cable TV systems.
In January, 2005, Charlie Ergen, CEO of Echostar, CEO of Dish Network, announced that
Dish Network's planned switch to MPEG-4 for HDTV channels will be delayed until
sometime in 2006.
Keep in mind that when the satellite providers change to the new system, current
equipment will have to be replaced to get the new programming. If you have a control
system or smart remote, there is a very good possibility it will have to be reprogrammed to
control the new equipment. This is even more likely if you have DirecTV because of the
large number of different receiver manufacturers. Dish Network may possibly use their
existing control code set.
The new DirecTV dish will have 5 LNBs vs the existing dish's 3. It has been designated
the AT9 Plus dish. It has 5 outputs. If more than 5 coax outputs are necessary for a
particular installation, a Ka/Ku 6 x 8 multiswitch will be available. The new dish is larger
and heaver than the present dish, necessitating a larger, 2" diameter pole / mount
combination to accommodate the increased wind loading that is created.
hundreds of channels of digital (not always synonymous with good) picture and sound to
homes with a clear view of the southern sky. The two main digital satellite providers are
DirecTV and Dish Network. There are now almost 15 million DirecTV and over 11 million
Dish Network subscribers. A promising, HDTV focused satellite service, VOOM, folded in
March 2005 after attracting just under 50,000 subscribers. Some of its assets were
subsequently purchased by Echostar, the parent company of Dish Network.
Unlike the older 'C'-Band satellite systems, the dish is much smaller, usually 18-24 inches,
and does not need to be retrained to catch different satellites. Most DSS systems look at
either 2 or 3 different satellites, in contrast to the beginning in 1994, when there was one
bird for each system. The increase in the number of satellites used has been required
principally because of the additional bandwidth needed for HDTV channels.
DirecTV and Dish Network are similar. The main differences are in programming
packages offered by each and the look and feel of the channel guide and menu system.
Because DirecTV has allowed different manufactures to produce receivers, the channel
guide can vary in appearance and functionality between different types. Some of the
DirecTV guides are excellent. With Dish Network they are basically the same for all
subscribers.
DirecTV has offered more sports programming while Dish Network enables subscribers to
get a large variety of foreign (if you live in the US) channels. Dish Network has 15
channels from the Middle East, including Al Jazeera. They have 30 channels from China
or Taiwan and 20 from SE Asia. In addition there are channels available from Russia(4),
Greece(6), Poland(4), Germany(2) and France(3). In addition, Dish Network has Sirrius
Satellite Radio for commercial free digital music. At the end of 2005, DirecTV added XM
Satellite Radio for music programming.
DirecTV has exclusive coverage of the NFL with its NFL SUnday Ticket Package for an
amazing variety of NFL action. They also have the NBA League Pass for up to 40 regular
season NBA games each week. DirecTV also makes additional college playoff games
available to its subscribers with the "Mega March Madness" package. It's important to
note, with both DirecTV and Dish Network, all league blackout rules apply for most sports.
With regard to local TV programming, some US cities are covered for local programming
by each satellite that are exclusive to each system. Both providers entertained thoughts
of a merger, but that ceased in December of 2002 when the proposed merger agreement
was jointly terminated.
DirecTV and Dish Network both added digital audio and HDTV capability to their systems
years ago. This was followed by PVR functionality in January, 2001(Dish Network) and
later, HDTV-PVR units. Both systems have used cutting edge program guides to allow
subscribers the ability to find desired programming. These have traditionally gone far
beyond what is available from cable TV in both scope and quality of the UI. Digital cable
has been gaining ground recently in this area however.
Dish Network has used proprietary, Dish Network branded components, while DirecTV
has allowed other manufacturers such as RCA, LG Hughes and Samsung to build and
market satellite receivers under their own brand names. This may be changing soon for
DirecTV.
If all goes according to plan, by Q4 of 2005 there will be a major revolution for DirecTV
customers. DirecTV will convert it's system to MPEG-4 compression technology, which is
more efficient than the currently used MPEG-2. This may allow upwards of 1500 HDTV
channels. Weather or not you will be able to actually get most of these is unknown. Most
likely most of the added channel capacity will be local market channels and be
geographically restricted. They will announce more information the first week of August.
Again, this entire change is chiefly due to the need for more HDTV channels.
Update - The DirecTV MPEG4 system is being tested in the Detroit, Michigan market
through October and November of 2005. As of mid December, 2005, 10 local markets
were being served with local HDTV. More local broadcast areas will roll out in Q1 2006.
Digital satellite's main competitor in most markets is digital cable. Digital cable's main
competitive advantage is it's ability to offer local HDTV channels. Up to this point, this has
been difficult for the satellite providers to accomplish because of the sheer numbers of
local HDTV stations. The switch to would level the playing field (in many markets) with
respect to local HDTV coverage.
The switch to MPEG--4 for DIrecTV is will require new equipment for current HDTV
subscribers, and further in the future, for all subscribers. This change will be phased in,
with the 12 largest markets changing first and secondary markets following later. It is
believed that DirecTV will offer some sort of aggressive commitment for equipment deal
that will relieve subscribers from having to buy all new equipment. This will help protect
the digital satellite providers from losing hard earned market share to cable TV systems.
In January, 2005, Charlie Ergen, CEO of Echostar, CEO of Dish Network, announced that
Dish Network's planned switch to MPEG-4 for HDTV channels will be delayed until
sometime in 2006.
Keep in mind that when the satellite providers change to the new system, current
equipment will have to be replaced to get the new programming. If you have a control
system or smart remote, there is a very good possibility it will have to be reprogrammed to
control the new equipment. This is even more likely if you have DirecTV because of the
large number of different receiver manufacturers. Dish Network may possibly use their
existing control code set.
The new DirecTV dish will have 5 LNBs vs the existing dish's 3. It has been designated
the AT9 Plus dish. It has 5 outputs. If more than 5 coax outputs are necessary for a
particular installation, a Ka/Ku 6 x 8 multiswitch will be available. The new dish is larger
and heaver than the present dish, necessitating a larger, 2" diameter pole / mount
combination to accommodate the increased wind loading that is created.
The New High Definition Formats - Digital Satellite
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There's another option available to people as well. You can watch TV streamed over the
Internet to your computer. It's updated, and for 2009 you get over 3,000 channels from
all over the world. This is fantastic if you travel alot and want to keep up on sports and
news from your home market. It's also a boon for those who are out of the country, or are
living in the U.S., but are from overseas and want a taste of home.
One nice aspect of the system is that it's a one time pay model, so you pay one low fee
(less than a single month's cable TV in many places!) and aren't subject to yet another
monthly subscription charge. It's pretty easy to use too, and the computer requirements
are well within the limits of everyone reading this. You can take a look here: Streaming
PC TV
Internet to your computer. It's updated, and for 2009 you get over 3,000 channels from
all over the world. This is fantastic if you travel alot and want to keep up on sports and
news from your home market. It's also a boon for those who are out of the country, or are
living in the U.S., but are from overseas and want a taste of home.
One nice aspect of the system is that it's a one time pay model, so you pay one low fee
(less than a single month's cable TV in many places!) and aren't subject to yet another
monthly subscription charge. It's pretty easy to use too, and the computer requirements
are well within the limits of everyone reading this. You can take a look here: Streaming
PC TV
Worldwide Streaming TV to Your Computer
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Home theater and Automation Guide
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Home theater and Automation Guide
All rights reserved.