DirecTV 10 is online, but still no new HD channels

The 19th has come and gone and there still aren't any new HD channels on DirecTV. They've even updated their HD website indicating October is the month to expect more HD -- that's not stopping us from checking for new channels vigorously. It's not all bad news, as DirecTV 10 is transmitting a few HD test channels, which are not only encouraging, but also gives us the opportunity to ensure our setup is ready whenever DirecTV 10 is. Of course you need an MPEG4 STB, Ka/Ku dish, but you also need a b-band converter. It might be worth it to check out the test channels for yourself, as some are just now realizing they have a bad b-band converter or incompatible multi-switch. To help discover your exact problem tune to channel 498, 480 and 481 -- check out the pics after the jump to know what to expect -- and if you can't see what we see, then head over to DBSTalk.com for some help.

Channel 480 B-Band test for odd transponders.

Channel 481 B-Band test for even transponders.

[Ryszard2 Posted Sep 22nd 2007 8:27PM]

Just received an email from DirectTV. The first round of new channels are promised "by end of September."

Complete text, with channel listings, below.

I'm sorry for the confusion with our upcoming HD Channels. After years of preparation, we�re excited that the first wave of new HD channels should be on the air by the end of September. Here are the channels we expect to be available first:

A&E HD
Big Ten Network HD
Cartoon Network
Cinemax HD East
Cinemax HD West
CNN HD
ESPNews HD
Food Network HD
FSN New York HD
HBO HD West
HGTV-HD
The History Channel HD
Madison Square Garden HD
MHD
NFL Network HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Showtime HD West
Smithsonian Channel HD
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Edge HD
Starz Kids & Family HD
Starz HD East
Starz HD West
TBS in HD
The Movie Channel HD
Versus HD / Golf Channel HD
The Weather Channel HD

While details are still being finalized, we�re planning to bring up the following channels in October:

Animal Planet HD
Bravo HD
Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD
Discovery Channel HD
Fox Business Channel HD
FSN Detroit HD
FSN Prime Ticket HD
FSN Southwest HD
FSN West HD
Fuel TV HD
FX HD
The Learning Channel HD
MGM HD
NBA TV HD
New England Sports Network HD
The Science Channel HD
Sci-Fi Network HD
Speed Channel HD
SportsNet New York HD
USA Network HD
Yankees Entertainment & Sports HD (YES)

And that�s not all! Even though we don�t have a definite schedule yet, we�re expecting to bring you even more HD channels in the near future. Stay tuned to directv.com/hd to keep up with the latest HD news.

Thanks again for writing and for giving us the chance to respond to your concern.

Sincerely,

....
Employee ID#...
DIRECTV Customer Service

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2007 8:26PM]

When I woke up this morning at 4 AM Central time, it was the first thing I checked!

Can't wait!

Mexigun

[JonnyO Posted Sep 22nd 2007 8:33PM]

You know what I see from my Dish HD? Moving pictures! I think the technical term is broadcasting.

That dig at DirecTV in, I gotta wonder about the bonehead(s) who handle Dish Network's advertising. All I see are banner ads about what a great value they are, but nothing about their HD capabilities. They've squandered a 16-month era of HD dominance. What's the point of spending the money on satellite upgrades and the like if you're not going to actively pursue the people that will help you realize a return on the investment?!

[wyldtek Posted Sep 22nd 2007 9:32PM]

They do need to step it up. But true HD fans like me have taken notice. I'll be doing my final comparison in November to see which satellite provider I'll switch too.

[kcmurphy88 Posted Sep 22nd 2007 10:53PM]

For DirecTV customers who are waiting for the HD roll-out, check those slides on 480, 481, & 498. WIth a dual tuner HR20, do the sequence 480, 72, 73, 480 to force it to use both tuners. Same for the other channels. If you get all of it OK, then you are completely set.

However, some users have experience problems. Some of these can be explained by setup issues, others not so easily. You must have the following equipment:

1) H20, H21 or HR20. Any suffix.

2) The DirecTV-supplied BBC dongles should be installed, inline, at the back of the receiver on each satellite input.

3) All diplexers should be removed. You can probably still diplex, but it will require a change in setup. Remove them for the test. (to do diplexing, the BBC on the affected line must be moved to the far side of the far diplexer, and the cable length should be under 50 feet).

4) If you have a multiswitch, it must be a Zinwell WB68 or WB616. Older ones won't work, and should have been replaced when the 5lnb dish was installed.

5) A 5-lnb dish, model AT-9 (looks like it has a sidecar bolted to the LNB on the arm), or AU-9 (says "Slimline" on the dish face). Both dishes are about 50% larger than the older DirecTV dishes.

6) the dish needs to be pointed at the right satellites. In the satellite signal test screen (under Setup) you should be able to see at least satellite 103(a) even if 1-5 above are not met. Sat 103(b) is the new one.

Hope this helps. Most of this stuff should have been done by an installer, but if wishes were horses....

[kcmurphy88 Posted Sep 22nd 2007 10:58PM]

Oh. DirecTV will come and fix it if your setup wasn't done right. Don't try adjusting the dish yourself, it requires special equipment to line up all 5 satellites.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2007 11:45PM]

I am connected to 5 sats but not 103(b). I am "searching for signal" on 480, 481, and 498. My BBC's work fine. I live in an apartment complex that has one dish on top of the building for the entire building to share. It is 5LNB, not sure about the rest of the setup though. What might be the problem?

[kcmurphy88 Posted Sep 23rd 2007 2:16AM]

"Searching for signal" suggests the building's distribution might not pass the new signal's frequencies. They should contact DirecTV.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 4:08AM]

We're getting closer. Just watched a 3 hour test of National Geographic Channel and Discovery. Sure will be glad when the channels are up and running for real.

[aledc78 Posted Sep 23rd 2007 10:55AM]

does anyone know if the new HD channels are going to be in the same channel #?
since I have the guide set up with my favorite channels in my HR20 i don't know if the new channels are actually added...

[kcmurphy88 Posted Sep 23rd 2007 11:46AM]

The channel number plan is for the HD channels to share channel numbers with the SD channels. The HD channels will show up first in the guide on Mpeg4-equipped units (H20, H21, HR20, etc). So, SciFi HD will still be 244.

Some channels have no SD equivalent (e.g. HDNet, MGM), so they won't follow this rule.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 1:52PM]

I am also getting a "searching for signal" message on 480, 481, & 498. DirecTV swears that I'm all set to receive the new channels. They say that even their call center gets the "searching for signal message."

They are saying that if I have the 5 LNB dish & the B-Band converters, that I WILL get the new channels when they are broadcast...

Dunno if I believe them, but I am gonna wait it out.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 7:47PM]

Jon,

I had the same problem, i even called DTV and they told me the same thing...but being myself, i chose not to believe them and did further research, turns out my dish is slightly mis-aligned and when i check the signal strength for 103(b), i get a bunch of "0" and

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 7:52PM]

Sorry, don't know why that got cut off; original message below:

Jon, I had the same problem, i even called DTV and they told me the
same thing...but being myself, i chose not to believe them and did
further research, turns out my dish is slightly mis-aligned and when
i check the signal strength for 103(b), i get a bunch of "0" and numbers below "60", A second call to DTV explaining this, and sure enough, they say it shouldn't be that way, they are sending a tech to re-align the dish / replace any other bad hardware, you might want to give it a shot! HTH

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 6:51PM]

1. I talked to DirectTV they said that the HD channels will be .1 for each. For example: Sci-Fi is 244, Sci-Fi HD will be 244.1, however the adapters will automatically determine this and adjust. While this might interest some, in the end you will just tune to the channel you want. I did ask if existing channels like our local channels will be converted to the new format and DirectTV said that is unlikely. It looks like only the new channels will use mpeg4 the old ones will continue function as they are.

2. Also, I am most disappointed to learn that Sci-Fi won't go live until October. It is frustrating for me to know that both Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Gallactica are filmed in HD and that DirectTV is slow to broadcast them.


Someone said in an earlier discussion that DirectTV has really blown a great opportunity. By not giving a solid date as to what channels go live, they have really lost out on a strong marketing opportunity. You have a bunch of new NFL fans and new subscribers being played with ambiguous promises. I am sure someone will get a raise for this fiasco.

- Roger

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 10:38PM]

JoseB,

Thanks for the note! My signal strength for 103(a) and 103(b) was zero. DirecTV wasn't very cooperative, but agreed to send someone out this week to see if my system is set. I think I either have a problem with the dish alignment or the multiswitch. Every time I called DTV, they gave me a different story and weren't really very friendly about all this. What a PAIN in the ARSE!!!

In the end, I think all will be ok once their installer spends some time here...

- Jon

[Train21reb Posted Sep 24th 2007 11:55AM]

What if I have all the necessary equipment, my signal strength is good on 103a and 103b, and I do not get the information slide on channel 498? I get the information banner when I push info, but I do not see the "Congratulations" slide.

I have a new HR20 and BBC hooked up properly.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2007 12:14PM]

Jon,
Have the same 103b issues. DTV won't send anyone out without a $70 min charge (or membership in their sevice program) because I had all my new equipment installed more than 90 days ago. Had a home theatre installed in Jan. and thought I was doing the right thing by being all ready...guess not! With 6 boxes, 3 of them HD/DVR, every bit of programming offered, plus being a customer for over 10 yrs I expected more. Am I wrong? Everytime we have to deal with them it is a pain in the @#$...Any suggestions? Are the NFL & MLB really worth all this hassle? Thanks for letting me vent! Jill

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 24th 2007 8:55AM]

Maybe I'm a little late but I think some HD channels have been released.

All my local channels now come in two sets,and you can clearly see the difference in picture quality.

Been trying to slowly go through and add all of the HD channels to my fav. channel setup,but I get impatient with then 3-5sec. delay on the HR-20.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 24th 2007 9:15AM]

Man, what kind of consumers are you guys ? Imagine sitting around waiting for a car this long. "Um, sir your car will be here shortly. Oh, wait. Um, we might have it here for ya by next Saturday". Are you guys actually going to get a bill for this month ? Bottom line, you're waiting for something Dish customers have had for the past 16 months. Even if Directv has a few more channels then Dish when it finally does arrive (or should I say if it arrives at this point) Dish will add those channels within the next 5 months. Broadcasters wouldn't shoot themselves in the foot by only being on one provider.

[zoltek Posted Sep 24th 2007 10:53AM]

what do you mean what kind of customers are we ? we were told by the end of sept. some websites / blogs put out a date of sept 19th, directv didnt... some CSRs told people the 19th, but directv themselves told people nothing.

theres still a week of the month left sweetheart :)

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 24th 2007 12:53PM]

I'm getting the exact same results as jeff atc. Everything checks out good except 498. All i get is black nothingness... No errors or anything, singal strength is good on 103b, etc.

Is anyone else seeing anything on 498?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 24th 2007 12:04PM]

Per today's Washington Post, the Smithsonian HD will debut on Wednesday exclusively on DirecTV.

[Train21reb Posted Sep 25th 2007 9:09AM]

to Other Steve Jobs:

My channel 498 starting showing that congratulations slide last night. Steve, did yours come on? It looks like everything is getting finalized right now. Maybe just a few more days.

Does anyone have any new information?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 24th 2007 12:57PM]

Don't be a sucker. Per Washington Post article that you site. " Network executives said they are working to finalize deals with other carriers soon.
As for zoltek calling me sweetheart, if I was a women I would be offended but since I'm a dude I'll just take it that he's looking forward to Logo HD. Not that there's anything wrong with that :)

[zoltek Posted Sep 24th 2007 1:45PM]

haha i just get annoyed when i check the directv forums at work to see if the new channels are up, and people are screaming cancel, sue fight for free months of DTV... all for nothing.

Sure id love to get the new channels, but im not gonna go and switch providers because i dont have the channels the day the "satellite guys" said we'd have them.

PS. im not a woman nor do i "watch logo"... just so ya know

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 25th 2007 11:14AM]

I'm sure you're not a Logo viewer. All in jest my Directv friend. The bottom line is, I hope you get all the HD channels in the world and I hope you get them soon. That will drive Dish to add more. Anybody who commits long term to any of these providers is out of their mind. Things will continue to change and I'm glad there are two Sat. providers and I can't wait for Verizon to offer up competition to my cable provider. Enjoy all your new HD channels, some will blow your mind.

[Train21reb Posted Sep 25th 2007 11:52AM]

I read on DBStalk that there are some other "test channels." 9300 and 9301. Has anyone here checked these channels? What's on them? Is there a link to a screenshot? If anyone's home now and could check and report back, that would be great.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 25th 2007 2:19PM]

JoshB,

DTV just came out and found 2 things: 1) My dish wasn't "dithered" or aligned properly to receive 103B and 2) My multiswitch wasn't wide band.

Dish aligned, multiswitch replaced - all working now - 480, 481, and 498.

I WISH I had the contact info for the DTV "tech support" people that were nasty and passive/aggressive towards me when I was reporting this issue. I so want to scream a big "I TOLD YOU SO!"

Thanks for your help JoshB! I think I'm ready for D10 goodness now.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2007 7:36AM]

They are finally HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace,
Mexigun