HD Satellite question

[daveout]

Hello all. Just recently stumbled across this site, a lot of good information here. I am in the process of uprading my 15 year old TV to a new HD model. I just recently switched from cable to DirecTV and would like to upgrade to HD service once I buy a new set and STB. I wanted to make sure I can recieve HD signals though before I purchase the equipment. I had the triple LNB satellite dish installed on my roof but i am not sure it was set up for HD. I have checked the signal strength on my reciever and most of the transponders have a good signal but a few do not. Does anyone know which transponders are required to recieve an HD signal?

[Ratman]

The dish is fine... all you need is an HD capable STB and an HD capable TV.

Call your satellite provide for HD upgrade options and incentives.

[kevinw]

Hello all. Just recently stumbled across this site, a lot of good information here. I am in the process of uprading my 15 year old TV to a new HD model. I just recently switched from cable to DirecTV and would like to upgrade to HD service once I buy a new set and STB. I wanted to make sure I can recieve HD signals though before I purchase the equipment. I had the triple LNB satellite dish installed on my roof but i am not sure it was set up for HD. I have checked the signal strength on my reciever and most of the transponders have a good signal but a few do not. Does anyone know which transponders are required to recieve an HD signal?
Is it the Oval Dish? If so that is waht Direct requires to receive HD. You will still need an antenna for your locals.

[daveout]

Thanks for the quick replies Ratman and KevinW. Yes I do have the oval dish with the triple LNB, I'm just not sure it is adjusted right to recieve HD signals. I think i read somewhere that it takes a more precise adjustment to pick up the three satellites required to recieve HD broadcasts. I checked the signal strength meter on my reciever and all the transponders on the one satellite are strong but a few on the second and third are not. I have read a couple of posts where people have been able to get the basic DirecTV service but have been unable to recieve the HD signal because of tall trees or buildings. I was hoping to be able to check if i can recieve the HD signal before I go out and purchase a HD reciever and TV. Thanks again.

[wifeB8]

............... Does anyone know which transponders are required to recieve an HD signal?

Your observations are right. A more precise alignment is needed to pick up the ones lower to the horizon. The trick is to pick off two satellites and the last one falls in place.
The following link might help you out http://www.dbsforums.com/dbs/DTV101.htm
You can see what your transponder strength is and compare it to the channels list. However, not all transponders offer the same signal strength.

I have read a couple of posts where people have been able to get the basic DirecTV service but have been unable to recieve the HD signal because of tall trees or buildings

I’ve heard that mention before. Usually if it gets to that point it’s only a matter of time before your line of sight to the other birds is impaired.

One more thing to check is that you have your receiver setup properly to allow reception of all 3 birds. One thing that people over look if they do a self-install is that they can’t figure out why they are only receiving one satellite signal even tough there dish is properly aligned.