ShowTime-HD on Directv

[Gregg Lengling]

Found this on the net today...looks like it's a done deal....just a few days away.


DirecTV to Carry East Coast SHO HDTV Channel

DirecTV and Showtime Networks said that DirecTV will carry the East Coast SHO HDTV channel beginning April 30.

SHO HDTV is the third high-definition channel to be carried on the DirecTV service and will be available 24 hours a day on DirecTV channel 543. Showtime Networks has two dedicated HDTV channels and broadcasts in 1080i.

"The addition of SHO HD gives consumers another opportunity to receive quality programming in high-definition format directly in their homes," said Stephanie Campbell, senior vice president of programming for DirecTV. "Adding Showtime to this list enables us to expand our high-definition lineup with programming that the entire family can enjoy."

DirecTV will broadcast the SHO HDTV channel from its satellite at the 110 degree West Longitude (WL) orbital slot location. To receive this new channel, consumers may purchase an HDTV set with a built-in DirecTV system receiver or a DirecTV-enabled HD set-top receiver and an multi-satellite dish with three LNBs. In addition, customers will also need to subscribe to one of DirecTV's programming packages plus the "Showtime Unlimited" package.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
gregg@camelcomm.com

[Steve Mann]

Yup, it's a good thing alright. However, it will require a 'sat C kit' in the third LNB slot on the oval dish to receive. DirecTV will be offering them and a supposed deal based on your DirecTV package and commitment. They can be purchased elsewhere and usually run from $49-$59.

[Kevin Arnold]

I had Showtime HD off of 4dtv for about a half a year. Very disappointing. Not much true HD and a lot of upconverts. Dropped it in favor of HBO. Maybe they're doing better now, but if its at the same level, not a bargain.

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Kevin Arnold
38" RCA widescreen w/a Winegard on a rotor.

[Steve Mann]

I've heard that too, Kevin. Currently I'm getting Showtime free as part of a 'special' package. I'll be getting it for the next 6 months or so. That means I'll be getting Showtime HD at no addtional charge. I'll have to check it out and see if indeed it's worth keeping after my special runs out.

[Gregg Lengling]

Steve,  I'm not too up on Satellite setup's (not into that type of RF communications).  I have the Terks 3 position dish with 2 dual lnb's.  I running the HDTV and one running the extra box in the house.  Why would I need a third LNB.....it would seem with the curvature of the dish I could see all the Directv satellites.  Or am I missing something, for instance is there some sort of switch up in the dish that has me choose different LNB's for different satellites?


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
gregg@camelcomm.com

[Steve Mann]

The new Showtime channel will be on the 110 degree satellite. It can be 'viewed' with the oval dish, but you'll need the special third LNB to actually pick up the signal and transfer it to the reciever(s) in the house. The two you already have on the dish, are not designed to pick up the 110 sat. Additionally, this third LNB comes with a diplexer that allows the new signal to pass on the existing cable runs, so that is not an issue. You'll then just need to rerun that Sat setup on your reciever(s) and choose the three satellite option.

Here's a link with a picture and quick 'blurb' about the Sat C Kit. http://www.marketware-tech.com/satlnbupkit.html

It's not difficult to install as long as your dish is easily accessible.

[Steve Mann]

Gregg,

There are better places to buy the Sat C Kit than the link above. That was just the first one that came up on a quick search. Here's a link to the same thing only cheaper.
 http://www.globalmart.com/page/sat_ckit.htm

You will probably want to look around yourself for the best pricing should you decided to buy.

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Steve M. Mann
Mits 65908
Panasonic TU-HDS20
Sony SAT-T60
My Home Theater
My Young DVD Collection

[Steve Mann]

More info on the 'C kit':

The Sat C kit is a special single LNB and combiner with high pass filter. There are several differences from a standard LNB. The feedhorn is different because the focus in the 110 position is different than the 101 and 119 positions. The local oscillator (LO) frequency is higher - 11.542 GHz vs 11.250 GHz for a standard LNB. The higher LO moves the transponders to a lower intermediate frequency (IF). DIRECTV uses transponders 28,30 and 32 at 110. With the Sat C LNB these transponders will have the same intermediate frequency as 8,10 and 12 on a standard LNB. This is part of what allows the signal from 110 and 119 to be combined. DIRECTV uses transponders 22 to 32 on 119, so intermediate frequencies of 21 and below are 'available'. The lower frequencies from 119 must be filtered out before being combined with the output of the 110 LNB. The special combiner in the Sat C kit does this filtering. Even if the lower numbered transponders on 119 where not in use, a simple combiner would not work because the S/N ratio would be substantially degraded due to background noise.

And here's a link to some install instructions from Channel Master: http://members.shaw.ca/Mikel.Magnusson/Home%20Theatre/Sat%20C%20LNB%20(101W).htm

[Matt Heebner]

I dont have a whole lot of interest in the SHO-HD, as most of the movies seem to be upconverts.....but I sure hope that DirecTv carries the Discovery Theater in HD!!!!
That would be worth a subscription to a premium Discovery channel if so required!!
Also, isn't DirecTv going to be giving away the Sat. C kits? If they give me a discount or Showtime for free, I would check it out though!

Matt

[Gregg Lengling]

Thanks for all the info guys...I started looking around the net (at first I thought I could just take an old LNB and a splitter) for more information and there seems to be a wealth of it out there.  But the information I got here on this site is easier and it seems like some of you guys must not have day jobs and spend all your time figuring this stuff out.  Anyway I ordered the kit (not gonna wait and see if Directv gives a good break or free one), and it should be here in a couple of days.  I'll just climb up the tower and install it this weekend so I'm ready.  What I'm really hoping for is next Friday to see StarGate SG1 in High Def.   One of my favorite programs.  Let you all know how this works out.  I've got the Directv package with all Discoveries ect, plus HBO and Showtime Plus packages...(gee maybe I should just pop a couple more bucks and get the whole shebang.)  Oh well enough of that thanks guys.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
gregg@camelcomm.com

[Matt Heebner]

I ordered the kit from the above link. I may not get Showtime, but if they start moving HD to the 110 sat., I will be ready.

Matt

[Steve Mann]

 

Originally posted by Matt Heebner:
I ordered the kit from the above link. I may not get Showtime, but if they start moving HD to the 110 sat., I will be ready.
Matt

I ordered from GlobalMart yesterday too. That's a good point about being ready if DirecTV starts moving the HD around. There are those folks that think all the HD channels will eventually be on the 110 sat.



[This message has been edited by Steve Mann (edited 04-24-2002).]

[Scott Sippel]

I got my Sat C kit today and installed it this evening.  I switched my HBO/Cinemax subscription over to HBO/Show.  I rarely watched Cinemax anyway.  

I hope they have more than just upconverts to watch.

[Gregg Lengling]

Well I got my upgrade kit Monday and finally put it in today.  The receiver is receiving 543 but tells me I don't have a subscription.  So I called Directv twice, they had me check channel 90 (triple lnb test channel) and it was there.  So they zapped my unit over the air again and it still doesn't receive ShowHD...maybe it isn't working on their end yet.  Anyway they blamed it on RCA and said I had to reprogram my receiver.  So I asked how do you do that.  DUH..I don't know you have to read your owners manual.  So I called Thompson (RCA) and talked with a tech.  He told me it's Directv's problem because me receiver is receiving the satellite (no searching for signal crap just call ext.  such and such) and my receiver is fine.  

Oh well I guess I'll just give it another day and see if it shows up.  Anybody out there receiving channel 543 on Directv, Showtime HD???


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
gregg@camelcomm.com

[Steve Mann]

Gregg,

There are plenty of people over on the AVS forums complaining that they too are having problems. The reasons very but usually have one thing in common; inept CSRs.    The following is a cut and past from a post over at AVS from 'Fred M', maybe it will help:

"I just talked again to a DirecTV rep and I told her that I was getting the 721 message when I tried to access Showtime-HD. This gal (Jana, very pleasant) said she was in Idaho! (First one was in Utah.) She checked my account and saw that I had Showtime premium service and asked me to turn on my HDTV. She then (while I was on the phone) sent a signal to my set and Showtime-HD immediately came on. I told her about AVSforum and she said that I should tell you guys to call: 1-800-347-3288 and tell the CSR that you are not getting Showtime-HD and that you need a "721 boost". She also said to be sure you have the Sat-C kit access to the 110 bird and Showtime Premium Service before calling. Jana said she had Internet access and I gave her the URL of this forum. (So she may be watching!)"

The thread in its entirety can be viewed here:  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136842

I think that DirecTV is still getting their 'stuff' together on this one and having a few problems. I think it will smooth out in a day or two.

Good luck... let us know how it goes.