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     American C/Ku-Band Satellite: 4DTV Mpeg2 FTA Big Dish C-Band BUD info page

Page 2 C-Band links || 4DTV Tips & Tweaks || VC2 Battery dilemma || R U Skewed? || Spectrum || Spectrum Info||DSR-920 Battery replacement  

I love my "Bud" (Big Useful Dish), it makes watching TV fun. I recommend 4DTV to anyone that already has a C-Band dish. Upgrade to 4DTV and enjoy several hundred additional digital first generation “master broadcast” channels. If you’re already paying for HBO or Showtime channels, you can add the digital ones without any additional programming charges.

 

C-Band quality is superior to any other viable delivery method. Almost all Cable, DirecTV, and Dish Net channels originate from the C-Band Backbone, the very same C-Band Master Broadcasts we enjoy first generation. Little dish and cable bandwidth limitations force providers to compress "the crap" out of the unadulterated C-Band master broadcast, before sending them to their “Pizza Pan” Satellites, and cable headends. Over compression causes channels to become fuzzy and colors are washed out. They save by delivering compressed “sardine TV”. Why pay more for over compressed 3rd generation washed out TV?

Programming options

With C-Band you can choose programming from many companies. You won’t have to change receivers or equipment to switch providers. The Mega Un-American Monopoly systems are not interchangeable; you’re stuck with a subsidized wheel chock. C-Band gives you freedom to choose with alacart and a competitive range of package deals. Competition keeps C-Band programming much cheaper; many packages are 50% less. Many of the Channels you pay for on Cable, or DBS, are free on C-band. See this link for some FreeTV.

 

 C band has the most HDTV channels. The little dish answer is multiple little dishes all in a row "like lollypops" to get the few HD channels, local networks, and ethnics. With C-Band you can choose programming from about 30 different Satellites. The little dish systems are already about maxed out.

4DTV Equipment

 The GI DSR-920 was the first consumer 4DTV receiver, it came out around 1997($100~$250 used). The Motorola DSR-922 is the current model, been out since 01/01(refurbished $300~$500) (new $399~$700). Both the 920 and 922 are full blown DCII Digital, VCRS capable, and NTSE IRD’s. The DSR-905 “sidecar” ($59~$200) is DCII only, and is normally “slaved” to an existing analog IRD. The HDD-200 and HDD-201($150~$600) are HDTV Decoders that hook up to the DSR-9** for DCII HDTV. VCRS or a VCII+ VideoCipher decoder is also required for VCII reception.

What’s C-Bands Future?

Have you heard the lies about C-band being obsolete, outdated, dieing, or dead? How could it be obsolete, when it is the source for +90% of all channels on cable and dinky dish? Years ago the “Small dish pimps” started the lies. Dish Net and DirecTV saw C-band’s freedom as a threat, they have been assaulting the C-band family for years. Cband subscribers were their first sales target after launching their high powered DBS Ku satellites. C-banders were preyed upon by the “Pizza Pan Pusher man.” TV Guide bought out several of the larger C-Band providers, which created the Mega C-Band programmer Superstar. They have since been sucked up by one of America’s few giant media Corporations. EchoStar, the same Corporation that controls Dish Network. “SuperEchoStar” (Your Service Provider) is determined to destroy C-band home subscription. Their latest trick was to shut off the Denver 5 Networks without proper notice, in an attempt to trick C-banders into buying their “Free Downgrade” Dish Network. They are actively attempting to destroy C-bands home subscription. Superstar replaced the Denver 5 channels with Dish Network infomercials on AMC-7. NPS responded by bring back the Denver-5, and then some. The new Mountain Time zone network package is called the "Rocky Mountain-8".

 

Digital providers have been spouting things like “Digital Quality” since the beginning. They should call it “Digital Quantity”. Satellite, Cable, and Cellular marketers all lie about digital Quality. They push digital format because they can stuff many channels in the same bandwidth as an analog channel, in an effort to be more profitable. Over compression causes degradation of the quality of these channels. Digital TV can be better than analog, but Dinky Disc networks and Cable companies squeeze as many channels as possible into each transponder. That’s why it looks like shit, especially on a big screen TV. With C-Band we view the digital and analog master broadcasts before they "squeeze them like a penny". We are Free to move our dishes from one satellite to another and are not limited to one or two fixed Satellites, which fade out in rain storms.

Is it worth buying a C-band system?

C-Band is not for everyone, it has evolved into a niche market. You either need to be rich and hire a competent C-band installer, or learn how to “do it yourself”. In 1994 I put up my first dish without any instructions, or prior satellite knowledge. Several links on page two provide step by step dish installation instructions. A good entry into C-band is to pick up a free 10 foot minimum Dish and old receiver. Put in a pole, and get analog C-Band going. If you like it, pull out your wallet and upgrade to 4DTV. If you have any tech or Ham friends, hit them up for help. First thing to check is your Southern view. C-Band satellites circle the Earth 22,000 miles above the Equator in the Clark Belt. Your East and West Horizon, and local obstructions, are all that limits the number of viewable satellites. All installations will have compromises, since there are C/Ku satellites circling all the way around the Earth. Most of the popular CONUS (continental US) “Cable” channel Master broadcasts are in the Western section of the USA arc. If you don’t have a broad South view, you might be stuck with blurryVision. If you are content with: Washed out colors, Paying more for less, Monopolies, Less options, Less channels, Rain fade, or if you already have Cable broadband, have environmental or ascetic issues with having a large dish, or still have a VCR flashing “12:00AM”. You might not fit into the C-Band groove.

But the equipment cost too much

The initial price for a C-Band system can be costly if you buy new, especially if you can’t do it yourself. There aren’t many subsidized C-Band products available. Little dish Companies “give” you their “Free system” after you sign a contract, then they "bend you over" on the programming cost. It can take several years of C-bands cheap programming to make up for the initial investment if you buy new equipment. Your initial cost will average out to a big savings after a few years. C-Band has No contracts, and no BS marketing ploys. If you get upset with your C-Band provider, quit them, and negotiate with one of the many other programmers. Now that’s American!

Get 4DTV cheap

If you’re the handy scrounger type, like me ;-) you can easily find a 10’ or 12’ dish that is dormant in your neighborhood. I have found all of my dishes and several more for friends, by banging on someone’s door, and asking if they want to get rid of their dish. There are so many around you can be choosy. Be sure to check a potential dish out carefully before promising to remove it. If you perform a “do it your self” installation, be prepared to spend several weekends getting everything dialed in. The mounting pole installation will require concrete to secure it perfectly plumb, and several days to cure.

 

I recommend the DSR-922 over the 905 “sidecar”, or older DSR-920. The sidecar is nice but has less features, no RF remote, more complicated fumbling with two remotes. If you’re on a budget, look for used or refurbished units. Check EBay, and the Dealers listed in links on page 2. Be aware that all 4DTV receivers have an internal backup battery (non-user replaceable) with a ten year nominal life. If the battery fails, the main board will fail permanently. Many 920s have recently failed from battery failure; extreme heat causes early battery failure. I also recommend the extended warrantee when buying a new DSR-922.

 

 If you already have home theater with an HD ready TV, buying into 4DTV C-Band is a no brainer. Parts needed: DSR-922 with a VCRS module, HD-220 HD Decoder, and 8 foot (minimum) solid dish, or 10 to 12 foot mesh Dish. Smaller dishes often have reception problems on several close spaced satellites. With C-Band bigger is better. Enjoy the Master Broadcast quality, most quantity, and best value. The act of Feeding Dinky Dish to a big screen TV is almost criminal, the over compressed picture is horrendous on large screen TV’s. Many so called Videophiles spend thousands on Home theater equipment only to feed their systems junky washed out crap, with only a few “HD-lite” channels. Don‘t settle for “Super Long Play” VCR Quality TV.

HDTV

HDTV on C-Band is the latest boom, and has become the shining star of C-Band. We have lots of elbow room; C-band could support hundreds of HD channels. Right now we enjoy free HD PBS channels, HBO HD E&W, Showtime HD E&W, Stars HD E/W, Encore E/W, Discovery HD Theater, Free Wealth HD, and NET HD. All are DigiCipherII C-Band master broadcast quality; Studio quality High Definition is awesome! More to come, C-Band is the home of HD uplink.

You want more?

Add an Mpeg FTA (Free to Air) receiver and get several hundred more free channels including HD, networks, ethnic, feeds, ETC… Mpeg FTA can turn into a hobby of its own, finding feeds can be as enjoyable as pulling in a big fish. Once you are an owner of a 4DTV, or Mpeg FTA receiver, you will be able to apply for access to the owners sections of 4DTV, and Mpeg forums. This is where we discuss sensitive channels that are not always intended for home viewing, but broadcast in the clear, and 100% legal to watch in the privacy of your own home. We don’t discuss specific feed info in open areas of the forums or web. Several feeds have switched from FTA to encrypted formats after being openly discussed in the past. Please don’t discuss FTA feeds in public areas.

 

See my Free Dishes. Why pay when folks are willing to give it away.