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 ...