Digital Broadcast Satellites FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Digital Broadcast Satellites and the newsgroup rec.video.satellite.dbs
This FAQ about Digital Broadcast Satellites was compiled and
written by Brian Trosko btrosko@primenet.com with numerous
contributions by others.
Copyright: (c) 1997 Brian Trosko
- A.1: Introduction and disclaimer
- Every Usenet newsgroup finds that certain questions are asked again ...
- A.2: Scope of the FAQ
- This document attempts to go beyond simply answering common questions. ...
- A.3: Common Usenet Abbreviations
- :-) = ...
- B.1: Charter
- The charter for rec.video.satellite.dbs, as proposed and ...
- B.2: History
- The group rec.video.satellite.dbs was voted into existence ...
- B.3: Crossposting.
- Crossposting can be a valuable tool for getting your ...
- B.4: Binaries.
- The rec.video.satellite.dbs charter does not specifically allow binaries,...
- B.5: Quoted text; one-line replies
- Few things are as annoying as paging through 100 lines of quoted text, ...
- B.6: Advertising
- Keeping in mind the context in which the carter was written, and ...
- B.7: Dealing with flamewars and obnoxious posters.
- From time to time a particularly annoying or obnoxious thread, discussion,...
- B.8: Anonymous addresses
- Anonymous services should be used sparingly. Many people are ...
- B.9: Controversial issues
- Certain issues frequently discussed in rec.video.satellite.dbs tend ...
- B.10: Other Resources
- There is a wealth of other information regarding these systems on-line....
- B.11: Writing good questions
- To get a good answer one must ask a good question. It seems simple, ...
- C.1: What does the access card actually do?
- DBS services broadcast across the entire nation. Obviously, ...
- C.2: How do I erase my PPV information without paying for it?
- You can't. Stop trying....
- C.3: How to I clear my PPV information once I've been billed?
- There are no commands to do so, but the information ...
- C.4: What about these pirate cards I've heard about?
- There are pirate cards which act just like a normal access card,...
- C.5: Is it possible to watch two channels simultaneously?
- The only way to watch two satellite channels at the same ...
- C.6: How about watching one channel and recording another?
- The only way to watch one satellite channel and ...
- C.7: Is it possible to hook multiple receivers to a single-output dish?
- DSS and Echostar work with circular polarity. With a ...
- C.8: How many receivers can I hook up to a dual-output dish?
- Without additional parts, two. With the ...
- C.9: What about PIP?
- Concerns about PIP are similar in nature to ...
- C.10: Is it easy to install?
- Opinions vary. The installation is not actually all ...
- C.11: Where do I point it?
- To find out, the surest way is to stop by a dealer who has ...
- C.12: Do I have to ground it?
- Grounding the system is *strongly* recommended. Of course,...
- C.13: What is rain fade?
- The signal sent from the satellites to your dish is of ...
- C.14: Can I point my dish at a tree/wall/airport/window?
- Maybe. The dish needs to have a clear line-of-sight ...
- C.15: How do I hide my dish?
- Most anything that will hide a dish from view will ...
- C.16: Can I use my in-wall wiring, or do I have to run new cable?
- Ideally, the coaxial cable between the dish and the ...
- C.17: Is it true that the receiver needs its own phone line?
- No. DSS and Dish Network receivers are intended to be ...
- C.18: What are the differences between the different DSS systems?
- Generally speaking, not much. Fundamentally, all DSS ...
- C.19: What are the differences between DSS/P /E/A/BUD systems?
- This is a complicated issue, and while this FAQ will ...
- C.20: Are E and DSS compatible?
- Yes and no. The dishes are. The receivers are not....
- C.21: Can I get my local networks over DBS?
- No. The various DBS satellites serve the entire country,...
- C.22: Can I get Star Trek or Babylon 5 over DSS?
- Strangely, no. The Sci-Fi Network is available, ...
- C.23: When will the song titles be added to Music Choice/Dish CD?
- As far as Music Choice goes, DirecTV claims they can pass ...
- C.24: When will the other superstations be added to DSS?
- DirecTV has no plans to add other superstations, like WGN,...
- C.25: Can I record off of my DBS system?
- Certainly. Occasionally, individuals report ...
- C.26: What is Macrovision?
- Macrovision is a copy-protection signal. It can ...
- C.27: Can I record while away from the house if I have a 1st generation DSS or E?
- To an extent. Because the receiver has no time, you will ...
- C.28: Is it normal for the receiver to be warm?
- Yes. If you put it in a cabinet of some sort, be ...
- C.29: If I buy the NBA/NHL/NFL/MLB package, do local blackouts still apply?
- Yes. Everyone who buys a package is considered to ...
- C.30: When is AC-3 going to be broadcast?
- The short answer is that nobody knows. It would require ...