BUD Owners - HDTV issues & feeds?

[rewilliams2]

BUD Owners (C/KU, MPEG2/DVB/Commericial Receivers):

What kind of HDTV (or DTV) sets do you have attached to your 4DTV+HDD200, Integra MPEG/DVB, or any 4:2:2 commerical receiver(s).

How about programming info and program discussions?

BUD users have been into HDTV for a while now, lets help infom others what the possibilities are!

rewilliams2
Prodelin 10' glass dish (dual C), plan on C/Ku upgrade this year,
Chaparral Monterey 95,
Integra IT910S,
RCA 52" NTSC RPTV (looking at 73" Mits, or Pioneer Elite 710),
Onkyo DS95 DPII A/V receiver,
JVC HR-S7300U S-VHS VCR
:cool:

[ZeroDegreeK]

I know this is a little off your topic, but can you please tell me the advantages of that big ugly dish. Is it true you can get 5000 channels. I just gotta know, I have seen them around and have always been curious.

[rewilliams2]

ZeroDegreeK,

Here's a short history (sort of):

Back in the '70's & 80's (before scrambling), BUD's could pick up any & all feeds from networks, wild feeds, Premium channels, etc. Well over 500 channels. These people were the TV & radio "hackers" of their day.

Then came scrambling. Now we pay for premium stuff, (USA, HBO, etc..), as well as get a lot of free ITC ("In The Clear") wild feeds to affliates, backhauls from TV trucks (news and sports), and international feeds. Which is all acceptible since we get at least 2 of everything (east & west coast feeds), and often 4 or more HBO, showtime, TMC, Cinemax, etc.. And you could get one or any amount of subscription channels "ala carte", compared to small dish or cable package subscriptions.

Then came digital about 4 years ago (it was all analog before). Only one company, Motorola/General Instruments makes the digital receivers now, called 4DTV. Take the number of channels we got on analog and multiply it by, say, 4. Plus the Pay-Per-View channels (I think there are around 36 now, but I could be wrong). Plus 4DTV has FTA ("Free To Air" same as ITC, but digital).
Plus 4DTV has always had the model HDD200 HDTV decoder available. If you get HDTV signals on cable, OTA, or on small dishes, you can probably get it on BUD (there are a few exceptions as NBC and CBS use an expensive commercial receiver). The trend in subsriptions, unfortuneatly, is now shifting towards packaged deals, where you have to buy the crap to get what you really want. Oh, well. Also, the anlog channels are slowly going away, year by year (all gone by 2006 I suspect)

Also since things are now transmitted digital, there are the international standard MPEG2/DVB signals (Motorola uses a modified MPEG2/DVB standard). This is all FTA, and there are HDTV signals you can get with the right receiver. The issue with these, though is that they are not consistant, and signals appear/disappear without any warning. Still some neat suff out there. though.

As I stated before, there are certain network / uplinkers that use special, expensive, studio equipment, most notably CBS & NBC (they use a 4:2:2 MPEG2/DVB receiver). If you can afford one of these ($5000 for a Tandberg w/o options), and you have a 4DTV+HDD200, and a MPEG2/DVB, you can get it all (who knows how many channels).

I know this is bit long winded, and other BUD users will point out any errors I made, but I hope it helps,

rewilliams2

[ZeroDegreeK]

rewilliams2,

Thanks for clearing that up. I remember in the 80s, having been told those dishes picked every channel up for free. Including Premium Channels and even wierd stuff like Russian broadcasting. It must be a little disappointing now with all the scrambling going on.

It's odd, but I use some of the same equipment as do you. I have the HDD200 HDTV decoder from GI. I use it to get HD from Time Warner Cable. I have been trying to rig it to my satellite (DTV) to get HDNet but have been unsuccessful.

Thanks for all the info
Zero Degree K

[raywwatch]

I've been a BUD user for several years and recently switched to a Uniden SQ590 receiver and purchased a 4DTV DSR905 Sidecar My next purchase I'm looking at is a Panasonic 34" widescreen and the HD200. Will I also have to buy the Panasonic HD converter?
I was also looking to bring in OTA transmissions as I live close to Hartford/New Haven CT.

[sts3001]

Currently using the 4DTV satellite tv system.
The picture and sound quality is the big plus with the "BUD" (Big Useful Dish)..... The true 480i standard definition is wonderful(and upconverted to 960 in my SONY XBR RPTV)....definitely adds to the enjoyment of watching movies and 5.1 sound....

The mini-dish systems as we all know is 2nd generation feeds, audio and video compressed . Produces that "fuzzy or out of focus" look....

Nothing beats the C/KU-Band satellite tv system in picture quality and the abundance of programming choices.....
Also have a MPEG2/DVB receiver to add to the selections....

Currently 5 HD channels available too.....

[kevinw]

Any Idea about pricing for the works connected to my HD tv? Dish,tuners etc.

[sts3001]

If the HD tuner is built-in , such as the SONY XBR2 series, no other box is required.
Otherwise an OTA digital tuner is needed to receive local HD networks....along with an outside antenna......
The Digital channels work well here in the cleveland area.....

[kevinw]

I am currently receiving OTA hd with my tuner. I would not need anything else other than the Big Dish and a rotor to move it? What about a tuner for the feeds? Whats this sidecar thing?

[sts3001]

A C-Band 4Dtv Satellite tv system priced approx. $1500 (DIY)
Add KU-Band (only if you have an interest in more special feeds) $100
The HDD200/201 $400 (can be added anytime)
Dish size requires 7.5 to 10 foot.

More info can be at:
http://www.4dtv.com/C_Band/whatcband.html

Assembling a system is not difficult.....I'm sure any C-Bander will assist with any questions.....

Definitely can't beat the quality......Lots more programming at lower costs..... the dish is bigger, system costs more than those pizza-pan video compressed systems, but alot easlier on the eyes when watching it.....I had a pizza-pan .

[jmmesch]

I have a 4DTV 922 + Bud (I prefer Beautiful Useful Dish, thank you) + HDD-200 hooked up through my Onkyo 898 receiver, which connects through component inputs on my Hitachi 53SWX12B HDTV. It is wonderful!

I receive HBO E&W HD and SHO E&W HD. Is their a fifth HD channel I do not know about?

I have had C-band since before it was scrambled (Uniden, then), upgrading as needed and it has been well worth the cost between lower subscription costs, better video, and better sound (the Onkyo can turn its DD5.1 signal into 7.1 if I want it to). I had the 4DTV 920 and upgraded it into the 922 (worth it over the way it hooks into the HDD-200).

Loved watching Six Feet Under on HBO W HD tonight! And the theme song in 7.1 is chilling...

[PTS]

Umm just wanted to let any one know that I have a complete C/KU band system for sale, very good price. Cant put it up in my subdivision, only reason I am not using it. Anyone interested, email me at DSomm50799@aol.com. Willing to negotiate.
Paul

[sts3001]

Oh NO !
That's not good.....you definitely will miss it!
Do you have the 4Dtv receiver?....If not, you are really missing out on all that "extra" digital programming ....
There are ways to getting around the sub division problems(it's your yard!).....the dish can be "hidden" by surrounding it with shrubs, bushes or that ClearSat Umbrella Style Dish Cover will comply with most issues.....you will not be as happy with a small dish...Like they say...Once you go "BUD" , nothing else compares....
Good Luck!

[jmmesch]

4Dtv C-Band Satellite TV System....The BEST programming Source!

to sts3001 - I agree completely that 4DTV is the best but it is even better with an HDD-200 decoder and an HDTV.

BTW, how do make that line appear below the message.

[sts3001]

Yes the 4Dtv is the BEST....I also love the Dolby Digital 5.1 on many of the movie channels....the sound is fantastic...some of those channels appear more enhanced than DVD's...One day we had some friends over....all of us were in the kitchen getting ready to watch some TV.... then we heard this explosion....the house actually shook!.....but it was the movie on SHOWTIME....unbelievable!

That line appears below the message from the edit profile section when adding a "signature".....

[jmmesch]

Thanks sts3001

Would you mind if I run with this signature?

[sts3001]

I like that!....has a nice ring to it!....

We do need to get the word out why it is the best!
I'm still amazed how much better the picture quality is.....compared to the "fuzzy" pics on the pizza pan systems.....of course it all comes down to 1st generation verses 2nd generation compressed signals....

[tonov12]

Do you also receive local networks in HD format with the BUD systems? i.e. CBS, ABC etc. I would do anything to enjoy weekly shows like CSI, Alias, and Crossing Jordan in the HD format! (As well as Superbowls, NBA Finals etc.) I live in rural America and have no chance of receiving OTA signals anytime soon( maybe never). I've even considered going with a Canadian sat provider to get those few broadcasts. Personally, I think it's a waste to have an HDTV and not get to enjoy Mega Sporting events in the format. You can't imagine how upset I was watching the Masters in 480i! Any info will be greatly appreciated!

[mattj949]

Following feeds are available in HD on "Big Useful Dish"


HBO East and West (requires 4DTV+HDD200) (telstar 7c)
Showtime East and West (requires 4DTV+HDD200) (telstar7c)
Discovery HD (requires 4DTV+HDD200) (satcom c4/c)
ASCN (requires 4DTV+HDD200) (amc2/ku)

NBC (requires Integra 910 or UM QPSK ATSC box) (amc1/ku)
ABC (requires Integra 910 or UM QPSK ATSC box) (telstar4/c)
PBS (requires Integra 910 or UM QPSK ATSC box) (amc3/ku)
WB (requires Integra 910 or UM QPSK ATSC box) (galaxy4/c) (new for 2002-3 season)
HDnet sports backhauls (requires Integra 910 or UM QPSK ATSC box) (amc3/ku)

CBS (requires commercial Motorola DSR4810+HDD-1000 4:2:2 DCII) (telstar6/c)

UPN (requires commercial Motorola DSR4810+HDD-1000 4:2:2 DCII) (telstar6/c) (new for 2002-3 season)

(I'll add this even though its only 16:9 480i "HD" (sucks!))

FOX (requires commercial 8PSK capable 4:2:2 receiver) (telstar 5 and 6/c)

Did I say that FOX sucks?

[rlhmnd]

Hi all, I'm just a guy who likes to play with toys. I use to have 4DTV but got talked into the pizza pan dish. I just bought a Mits. 55859. I would like to go back to 4DTV. My question is what format is hdtv in? Can you watch hd in 16:9 format with the big dish?

[Glenn]

Welcome back to high end TV! Since you have 4DTV all you need is the HD decoder. The US one is usually more expensive than the Canadian model although they are the same unit but I guess Motorola gets snitty about warrantee on the Canadian one. I got mine for $260. The good news is, the best HD available with a bit rate about 35% higher than off air(yes, it is 16X9), all the digital channels in progressive scan and HBO and Showtime are no extra cost (Discovery has a gouge). Also, as far as anyone knows, they cannot drop the resolution on the signal just to jack in a few more channels like the little dish. Have fun!
The signal out of the receiver is MMAP and you have a choice of the two component outputs on the decoder, 3 wire or 5 wire.

[TIMMY D'S]

Pansat 2500A and a motor and 60CM dish is spectactular. :bow: :bow: :bow:

[raywwatch]

How does the Pansat 2500a react to an HD Signal? The 2100a that I used to use didn't scan so I didn't ever know what would happen on an HD signal. My Satwork 3618 locks up on C Band HD, and I have to unplug the unit to clear it. At least then I can put the frequencies into my Integra 910s.

[Skyboss]

The mini-dish systems as we all know is 2nd generation feeds

Not for long... Spaceway will simply pass the ASI feed from the local network.