Contributor
When will all SD channels go away?
We have had Directv since 1999. We still have our old receivers and dish. Sadly, we cannot switch to HD because we are surrounded by tall trees. The technician was out last week and verified this. We need to explore other options. Does anyone know when Directv will stop ALL SD channels? It is difficult to get a straight answer from customer service.
Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
4 years ago
DirecTV is shutting down the MPEG-2/SD-only feeds. They are not shutting down the SD channels (yet), but the feed that carriers them and only them. The MPEG-4 feed carries both HD and SD channels. Yes it would be expected that even on that feed that SD channels would one day go away, but that has not yet been announced.
The MPEG-2 feeds have been shutting down since April 2019. Should have already completed but some internal challenges, as well as delays from the pandemic, slowed it down. Though there is no hard date, I would plan for very soon to go with another provider since you've already had a tech out recently confirming the trees block the MPEG-4 (SD and HD) signal.
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TexasBrit
ACE - Expert
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14.1K Messages
4 years ago
You won't get a straight answer because they don't know. Your dish is pointed at the 101 satellite. Amid a lot of confusion, directv has said they will still provide service from 101 but it will use MPEG-4 encoding not the current MPEG-2. Also there will only be "a popular selection of channels" not all the current SD channels. But they haven't said what those channels will be. Some people have already replaced their SD receiver with an HD one which will receive the MPEG-4 encoded channels. Maybe you should just wait and see what Directv offers you.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
4 years ago
Problem is that they already had a tech out and verified they cannot get that signal because of the trees. Either those trees get trimmed or they prepare for a new TV provider. That is unless a alternate spot can be used, such as on a pole mount, sled, etc.
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maguay
Contributor
4 years ago
Just to clarify, our current signal from the dish is just fine, despite the trees. The technician stated that to get HD the dish would need to get information from 3 satellites instead of just one. This was not possible.
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TexasBrit
ACE - Expert
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14.1K Messages
4 years ago
Much confusion about this.. My understanding is that there will be many people continuing to use just a 101 dish receiving the "popular selection of channels" in MPEG-4. This is not the "MPEG-2 to MPEG-4" swapout, it's a different program entirely. If that's the case, reception from just 101 will be fine for people who are happy with the "popular selection of channels".
Read the posts on satguys about this. Directv is already telling people certain channels will move to MPEG-4 while still being on 101. A receiver change is all that's required (no new dish).
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
4 years ago
The HD feed is MPEG-4, which also carries SD. Problem is the SD-only service you have is on MPEG-2 which is what is going away. Going forward all customers need MPEG-4 to get HD or SD.
This means that if you cannot get HD because the trees, then you cannot continue to get SD either as it will be on the same feed.
The "popular selection" of channels from the old satellite is unknown at this time. Waiting or more info on exactly what that will mean. If nothing else expect a reduction in available channels as best case scenario.
(edited)
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TexasBrit
ACE - Expert
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14.1K Messages
4 years ago
Just a comment. Anybody who has SD service from 101 can continue to get service from 101 but in MPEG-4. And with a reduced selection of channels. Same dish, new MPEG-4 receiver.
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