NTC DIRECT TV ISSUE: International Channels

[Newport gal]

I live in the Pacific building and the only option we have for cable is Direct TV through Newport Telecom. Now, not only does the service by Newport Telecom ****, but due to the monopoly they have, they don't even care to offer the international package. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Given the number of Asians in Newport, you'd think this would be a priority for them. All that is needed is some additional equipment that needs to be installed. No new wiring. Yet they have refused to offer Indian and other Asian channels simply because they won't be making too much of an additional profit on it. i called them today and they say "sorry, you are not even on our schedule yet!!!!"

All in support of having desi channels and other international packages, please call NTC at 1-800-778-0020 and let them know if you strongly feel that we should have that option.

[smartyram]

Thats strange! Why install additional hardware for the international package? I thought one hardware fits all programming! Direct TV technology is crap!

[embee]

I was told that we need a bigger dish to get international programming. Not sure if thats true/not so true/untrue....

[Matt]

It is much more complicated than that. DirecTV is cheap to wire apartment complexes for single-satellite reception (the round dishes). However, it is expensive and more complicated to wire for multi-satellite reception (the oval dishes).

To wire for single-satellite they need a single wire running the length of the building and everyone splits off that with cheap splitters.

To wire for multi-satellite, they need a minimum of 2 wires running the length of the building, and then expensive "multi-switch" splitters for every port they provide in the apartments.

An 8 port splitter costs $5. An 8 port multi-switch costs $100. This is why large shared dish satellite systems are almost always single-satellite. :)

Personally, my apartment faces the right direction so I have my own dish and my own DirecTV account, and do not involve NTC.

[renuka]

Out of curiosity : why is it that the other complexes all have Comcast and the Pacific doesn't ? Any technical reason(s) why it can't be done? Comcast has ample international channel variety ..

[embee]

Matt,

How much space does an indoor dish occupy. I have been getting these calls from Dish network offering me an indoor dish with the capability to get international channels.

[Matt]

Matt,

How much space does an indoor dish occupy. I have been getting these calls from Dish network offering me an indoor dish with the capability to get international channels.

Well, it isn't huge but isn't small either. I've got it in the corner, so it is sort of out of the way, but it does block a noticable part of my window.

http://www.overloaded.net/pics/dish/Picture%203.jpg

[embee]

Thanks Matt.

[Lenin]

embee/matt,


A neighbor called to get an inside dish for DTV. The installer came and said they had the proper view of the sky (large Southwest view) but they could not (or would not) do an installation inside the building...a terrace was the only way they'd go. Alas my neighbor was terraceless...thus no DTV.

Any comments?

[Matt]

The answer is to just install yourself. If you're even moderately handy it isn't too hard. You'll need something to mount the dish onto, and you need to make sure it isn't going to get bumped or moved around. Personally, I just went to Home Depot, bought some screws and a few bits of lumber, and soon had myself a little stand.

http://www.overloaded.net/gallery/d/1726-4/IMG_1331_1_.jpg

No, all those wires aren't just for DirecTV. I have a lot of other stuff going on too. :) It could perhaps be wired a little neater if I bothered. The wood stand I built means is might move if I bump it, but there are no holes in the wall or anything...

This is also a larger than normal dish. The normal ones are 18", and this one is something like 27". I am able to get a usable signal with a normal 18" dish, but just figured I might as well get the best signal possible.

Aiming it is just a matter of using a compass to get a general idea of where to start, then waving it around while a number on your TV goes up/down (and a tone gets higher pitch) until you find the highest signal possible. Then just tighten the bolts to lock it down and you're done.

[new2newport]

Called NTC. Lady there said they MAY have the international channels up in the Pacific by end of June... wouldn't hold my breath though - couple of months ago they had said they would get it up by end of 2005! Apparently the technicians are behind schedule as far as getting the wiring etc done. Wonder how we can escalate this so that some action is actually taken...

[jcgirl]

I called NTC today and heard the same thing.

"Nothing likely til July," she told me, adding "Ok?", as in "Can I hang up now and will you go away and stop annoying me?"

WHAT a place we live in! GREAT customer service!