Digital Broadcast Satellites FAQ

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 ...