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Note: There is a great deal of information here and it will take you some time to read and digest. Keep in mind that this information is to help you get past all the sales hype and understand satellite TV so you can make an intelligent choice. If you have any trouble with the terminology, click on the Glossary link at the top of the page.
A: This is a simplified answer to help you understand. Since the earth is round, you can't transmit a signal across the United States without hitting the planet itself. The satellites are in a geosynchronous orbit, 22,300 miles above the equator. Geosynchronous means the satellites stay in the same place and orbit with the earth. The TV signal is digitally compressed and sent to the satellites, where it is amplified by about 120 watts and then sent back toward the middle of the United States at over 12 GHz. This means you can pick up the signal from anywhere in the country, as long as you have a clear view of the satellite.
Since trees and other obstructions can block the signal, the "look angle" or exactly where you aim the dish is very important and it depends on where you are located. The azimuth, or East/West angle and the elevation vary a great deal. Basically, those on the East coast aim the dish to the southwest and those on the West coast aim the dish southeast. The further North, the lower the elevation angle. In Texas the look angle would be very close to South and possibly more than 50 degrees elevation. In Maine, the look angle would be somewhere toward the southwest and might be 27 degrees elevation. If you have any doubts, Click here for the exact coordinates
Q: I have trees that might be in the way, how can I find out for sure before I order?
A: This came from Penny, a single mom, who installed her own system. She made a very accurate siting tool to be sure she missed the trees. Here's what Penny said:
1. I used plastic protractor and drew the elevation angle on a piece of paper.
In case you have a tree problem, the little mount that comes with the dish is
the same diameter as 1 5/8" OD pipe. You may be able to attach a piece of pipe
to the end of the house to get over the trees, just be sure the pipe is plumb.
You may also be able put mount the dish on a pipe in the ground, about 100 feet away from the house, to clear trees.
Q: If I put the dish on an outside wall, will the roof overhang cause a problem?
A: The signal from the satellites come in about 20 degrees above the dish. Therefore, a large overhang could block the signal if the dish is too high and too close. If you have a large overhang, have someone hold the dish in place and take a good look at the side view, to be sure you have clearance.
Q: How does a satellite system work?
A: A satellite system consists of a dish, LNBF and a receiver with a remote control. A lot of power is lost by the time the signal gets back to earth, so first we must amplify it. The dish is parabolic reflector and serves as a passive amplifier - the first and most important stage of amplification. The signal that hits the dish is reflected to LNBF at the focal point, about 12 inches in front of the dish. The bigger the dish, the more amplification. LNBF = Low Noise amplifier Block downconvertor Feedhorn. Today, LNB is the common term.
The front part of the LNB is the feed horn. It's like a funnel that catches the signal that bounces off the dish. Then the signal is electronically amplified and the frequency is converted down from the 12 GHz range to 950 - 2,150 MHz. The downconverted signal can then be run through a good quality RG-6 coaxial cable into the satellite receiver.
The Dish 500 is a 20 inch elliptically shaped parabola, so it can pick up two satellites at the same time. This allows the 500 channel capability. Originally, all the Dish 500's came with two Dual LNB's and the appropriate switches to connect the 4 outputs from the LNB's to two receivers. With an SW-44 switch, you could connect up to 4 receivers. Later, the two Dual LNB's were combined into one part, called the Twin LNB to make the installation easier. The Quad LNB was added for up to 4 receivers
After July 2002 all the New Dish Network systems have the new DishPro or
Twin LNB.
Q: Which receivers have the DishPro technology?
A: The 301, 311, 501, 508, 510, 811 and the 921 are all DishPro technology.
Q: Can I add a new DishPro receiver to a Dish 500 that doesn't have a DP LNB?
A: Yes. All DishPro receivers are backward compatible, meaning that they will work in an installation with the original LNBFs and switches. The software in the DishPro receivers will determine which components you have and function accordingly.
Q: Can I add an older receiver, or a 6000U HDTV receiver to a new DishPro LNB?
A: Yes, but any receiver that doesn't have 301, 311, 501, 508, 510, 811 and the 921 in the part number requires a DP adapter to change the frequency. The little adapter goes behind the receiver and is connected with a piece of RG-6 cable. Another piece of RG-6 cable goes from the DP adapter to the DP LNB.
Q: What if I want more HDTV channels or International channels?
A: The Dish 500 picks up both 110 and 119 satellites (orbital position) for all the regular programming and HDTV broadcasts. International channels and some new local channels are broadcast on satellites located at 61.5 and 148. You just choose the one that gives you the best unobstructed view. However, to pick up three satellites, you will need an 18 inch dish with an LNB in addition to the Dish 500 and a way to seamlessly connect both dishes to your receiver(s).
How you connect the two dishes depends on which type of LNB you have on the Dish 500.
If you have the standard TWIN LNB (that doesn't have DP or DishPro printed on it), for one receiver you would connect one output from the Twin LNB to an SW-21 switch and one output from the LNB on the 18 inch dish to the other side of the SW-21 switch. For two receivers, you need a dual LNB on the 18 inch dish and a second SW-21 switch.
For more than two legacy receivers and a second dish, you can use the standard Quad LNB and two SW-21 switches to bring the signal from both dishes to two receivers. To have HDTV and/or international channels on up to 4 receivers, you could also use SW-64 switch. The SW-64 switch has 6 inputs and 4 outputs for up to 4 receivers.
If you have a new DP Twin LNB, or the DP Quad LNB on your Dish 500 you can use a DP Single LNB on the 18" dish and use the DP SW-21 switch to connect the two dishes. The DP SW-21 switch has two inputs and one output for the 6000U. You will need a DP adapter to connect the 6000U to the DP components.
The DP-34 switch has two inputs for the DP Twin or DP Quad and a third input for a DP single LNB. There are four outputs on the DP-34 switch to connect up to four receivers and all the receivers will be able to receive programming from all three satellites. You can actually stack the DP-34 switches to connect up to 12 receivers, with or without the second dish. The DP Twin and the DP-34 switch is less expensive than adding the DP Quad LNB, but if you already have the DP Quad LNB you can use the DP-34 switch with it. The standard LNB's will not work with the DP-34 switch.
Q: What does the satellite receiver do?
A: The receiver receives the information from the dish and LNB and decompresses the digital channels. The output to your TV is either, S-Video, the raw audio video (RCA type connectors) or to either channel 3 or channel 4, if your TV doesn't have the other connectors. Digital Dolby is also available for your home theater sound system, on the better Dish Network receivers.
Q: What are the differences in the various satellite receivers?
A: The receiver electronics process information and change channels. The interactive TV Guide and Menu system is like a computer operating system. The hardware and the Guide/Menu system work together to continually retrieve programming information from the satellite. With up to 500 channels, you will be using the TV guide and Menus all the time, so ease of use and speed are very important. The early model receivers required a download from the satellite every time you wanted information on a program listed. The new DP301 has a memory chip that stores about 4 hours of the program guide information at a time. The DP501, DP508, 510DVR and DP721 are fantastic because 7 to 9 days of program information is stored on the hard disk with every download.
NOTE: With all electronics, we've seen many board revisions in one model, with no changes in the model number or outside appearance. Changes may be made to eliminate problems reported by consumers, or to make improvements between revisions.
Retailers and the salesmen may not know the difference, but as engineering people, in business for over 36 years, we test everything we offer. We know exactly what to ask for and we will never offer any refurbished systems or anything else if we know it has a problem. The latest Dish Network systems are by far the most advanced technology on the market. Click on the Satellite Systems link at the top and read about the features of the systems very carefully. With anything you buy from us, you can be sure it's on the cutting edge, but you should get the best you can afford.
Q: Why does the receiver have to be connected to a phone line?
A: The phone line connection is primarily for Pay Per View Movie billing. About once a month, a computer calls the modem in the receiver and adds any PPV purchases to your next bill. It will never interrupt a phone call, so you can use any phone jack, close to the receiver.
The phone connection is required if you have more than one receiver - it's the only way they can tell if all your receivers are in the same residence. Dish Network does make exceptions for RV owners and people with a second home.
Q: What if I don't have a phone jack near the receiver?
A: It's normally fairly easy to install another phone jack, but if it's too difficult at your home, we do have wireless phone jacks for $69 each.
Q: We have TV's in different rooms and we want to watch satellite channels in all the rooms. Can we connect the LNB to our existing cable box outside?
A: No. The receiver sends information to the LNB that won't get past the cable splitter. Therefore, the RG-6 cable from the LNB, or the DP-34 switch at the dish must go directly to the satellite receiver(s). The only exceptions would be diplexers to combine the LNB signal with a regular TV antenna.
Q: How do I connect the TV's to the receiver?
A: You should put the receiver(s) on or near the most important TV's. With a newer TV, you should connect the S-Video, or the Video and Left and Right Audio RCA output jacks on the back of the satellite receiver to the matching inputs on the TV. For older TV's an "Out to TV" cable type connector on the satellite receiver(s) which you can switch to either channel 3 or channel 4.
Q: How do I get the satellite channels on my other TV's?
A: Assuming you have all the rooms connected together with your existing cable wiring, you can connect the satellite receiver "Out to TV" output to any cable jack in the wall. Then when you switch any TV in your house to the appropriate channel, that TV will receive the satellite channel. If you don't have the S-Video, or the Video and Left and Right Audio RCA jacks on the back of the main TV, you can use a two way splitter from the "Out to TV" to connect the main TV and the cable jack in the wall. In this example, all connected TV's will get the same satellite channel.
A Dish 500 system comes with one receiver and a remote control. To watch two different satellite channels on different TV's at the same time, you will need a Dish 500 system and a second receiver. For three different satellite channels, you need the Dish 500 system and two extra receivers. For four different satellite channels, you need the Dish 500 system and 3 extra receivers.
Q: I have several TV's and plan on getting two satellite receivers. How can all the extra TV's, without receivers, get the signal from either of my receivers?
A: With two or more satellite receivers in different rooms, to get the signal to other TV's, make the same connections as described above, to the TV's where the receivers are located. Then, set one receiver output to channel 3 or channel 4 and connect it to the cable jack going to other rooms. Since the frequencies of the channel 3 and 4 output is so close, to avoid interference between the receivers, you can use signal combiner. This allows you to send the output of one receiver to other TV's on channel 3 and the output of your other receiver (or TV antenna) on channel 4. Then, if all the rooms are connected together, the other TV's will have the choice of any receiver by switching to the appropriate channel.
Q: How do I connect my existing local TV antenna without a signal combiner?
A: With an older TV, you may only have one cable type connection on the back of the set. In this case, you connect the cable from the local TV antenna to the TV Antenna input, on the back of the satellite receiver, as shown in the instructions. Then, you can switch back and forth from satellite to local channels with the satellite receiver remote control. Of course this means that all connected TV's will be limited to whatever you select on the main TV.
With a newer TV, you should connect the satellite receiver to the S-Video, or the Video and Left and Right Audio RCA jacks on the back of the set. Then, connect the local antenna to the cable input on the TV set. When you switch the Video inputs on the TV, i.e. Video 1 to Video 2 etc., you will switch from satellite to local channels. This gives you the best audio/video.
Q: I want all my TV's to be independent, so any TV can be tuned to satellite and any other TV can be tuned to local channels, or vice versa. But, my house is pre-wired for cable and only has one cable in the wall to all my TV's, can I do this without running more cables to the other rooms?
A: Yes, you can have the satellite receiver output and local channels in the same cable, as long as the frequencies are far enough apart. Remember, the satellite receiver's standard output is to either channel 3 or channel 4. If all the local channels were above VHF channel 6 or UHF channels, there shouldn't be a problem. However, most areas have a local channel 3 or 4 or another channel that is so close to the receiver's channel 3 or 4, you would have interference.
IF, you are never going to have more than one satellite receiver, you can use a Signal Combiner ($15) and dedicate either channel 3 or channel 4 to satellite channels. If you don't have a local channel 3, you need an SC-3 combiner and or if you don't have channel 4, get an SC-4 combiner.
You will connect the local TV cable to the TV ANT on the signal combiner and connect the TV out on the satellite receiver to the other side of the signal combiner. Then, connect the output to the wall jack and all connected TV's can switch to channel 3 or 4 for satellite and the rest of the channels will be your local channels.
Q: I can receive both local channels 3 and channel 4 - now what?
A: You'll need to use digital modulator instead of a signal combiner. We have a 3 input digital modulator that will allow you to input two satellite receivers and a TV antenna, VCR, or even cable channels and send all the outputs to other rooms on one cable. The digital output delivers better quality and allows you to change the output to a wide variety channels, instead of just 3 or 4. Then, all connected TV's will receive the signal from the satellite receiver(s), TV antenna, VCR etc., on one cable.
Q: Can I use one cable to bring in the signal from my local antenna and the LNB at the dish.
A: Yes. For each receiver, you will need two high quality, diplexers, $6.50 each, to combine the local TV antenna with the signal from the LNB.
A diplexer combines the cable from a TV antenna with the satellite signal. It looks like a two way splitter, with one output cable connector on one side and two input cables on the other side. Connect the output(s) of the Twin LNB or the outputs from the SW-21, SW-44 or SW-64 switches and the local antenna to a diplexer outside, near the dish. The cable from the LNB or switch goes to the 950 - 2150 MHz side of the diplexer outside and the antenna cable to the other side. Bring the one cable into the house, near the main receiver. Add the second diplexer there and connect the 950 - 2150 MHz side of the second diplexer to satellite receiver (Satellite IN) and the other side to a two way splitter. For multiple satellite receivers, you can use a splitter from the TV antenna to supply the signal to more diplexers. Diplexers can not be used to split the signal from the LNB to add more receivers.
1. Always use RG-6 cable and good crimp on connectors. Clip the center conductor off about flush with the end of the connector and inspect the connectors very carefully, to be sure a hair fine ground wire isn't touching the center conductor. Unless you are using water proof connectors, you should seal the outdoor connectors with coax seal or something similar to keep the moisture out.
2. The receiver sends voltage to the LNB, so DO NOT plug the receiver into the wall until all the connections are made. If you already made this mistake and can't get a signal, unplug the receiver from the wall for a few minutes and it will probably reset.
3. Don't try to connect your VCR and other components all at once. Just connect the satellite receiver, get the dish aligned and get one TV working first. Then connect one component at a time.
A: Remember, the satellites are 22,300 miles away. You have to set the azimuth or the East/West angle and the elevation angle. There is also a skew angle on the back of the Dish 500, but it's much easier if you align the dish for the primary satellite first, then, set the skew angel.
Tighten the dish on the mount, then loosen it just enough so it will turn. However,
when you do this the front of the dish drops a little, so reach underneath the front and
lift it up enough to hold the elevation. Be careful not to block the signal with your hand.
You can slip something like a business card behind the sleeve, next
to the mount at the top, to help hold the dish up and still allow you to turn it.
Turn the volume way up on your TV and slowly turn the dish, a little at a time and stop for about 3 seconds. Continue until you hear the beeping noise speed up. Remember, turn the dish a tiny bit and wait - it takes time for the signal to get back from the satellite. When the beeping turns into a solid tone, you have found the satellite. NOTE: The signal strength shown on the screen is simply a guide to help you - not a real number. However, try to get the highest number possible.
Q: How do I know if I have the best possible picture?
A: It's what we call Tweaking. Once you've found the satellites and are getting pictures, bring up the dish aming information on the screen. Carefully mark the current position of the azimuth and elevation angles on the dish, so you can get back to where you were. An easy way is to use a piece of masking tape across the movable surfaces and cut it with a razor blade or very sharp knife. Then, loosen the bolts that hold the elevation angle and move the dish slightly up and down until you get the highest signal strength. Do the same thing, side to side to peak the East - West position.
Q: What's Rain Fade?
A: Water reflects or blocks the microwave signal. Normally, rain doesn't have any effect on the reception, but the torrential rain, as seen at times in the South and a few other parts of the United States, may keep some of the signal from hitting the dish. This is called rain fade and it wipes out the picture while the rain is coming down in sheets. The 20" Dish 500 prevents this problem most of the time. With the DishPVR or DVR receivers you can play back up to 100 hours of programs recorded on the hard disk, without even having the dish connected. This is great for heavy rain areas and RV owners.
Q: What about snow and ice?
A: Snow and Ice will reflect the signal away from the feed horn and the signal will be lost. If it doesn't snow very often and the dish is easy to reach, you can simply brush off the snow when the storm is over. We don't have snow in our area, but a lady customer who installed her own system, said that spraying the dish with Pam keeps the snow from sticking. One man in very heavy snow country, said he put an appliance light bulb against the back of the dish at the bottom. He turns it on during a snow storm and claims the bulb keeps the dish just warm enough to melt the snow.
Most of the questions you may have are covered in the reference manual provided with your system. This page will be updated from time to time, so if you are planning to buy a satellite system from us, let me know if you have any questions that aren't covered.
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