Dish's Eastern Arc to Expand
So far so good for Dish Networks new all MPEG4 service dubbed the “Eastern Arc.” After launching with 8 test markets in August Dish Network will be opening up the rollout to an additional 12 markets on October 1st.
The new markets which will be able to take advantage of the new Eastern Arc service are as follows:
Beaumont, TX; Boston, MA; Grand Rapids, MI; Greenville, NC; Lansing, MI; Madison, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Norfolk, VA; Orlando, FL; Sherman TX – Ada, OK; West Palm Beach, FL; Wilkes Barre, PA
Remember the Eastern Arc is currently only for new Dish Network customers, exisiting customers in these areas do not need to upgrade to Eastern Arc as upgrading to Eastern Arc will not give you anything more or better then you have today.
Since launching a number of installers have reported to me that the new Eastern Arc dish and orbital location has made it easier for them to install here on the East Coast.
Galaxy 25 Satellite Has Issues
Today the Galaxy 25 satellite at 97 degrees West Longitude experienced an anomaly which left several of its transponders dead. A number of services were displaced by the failures including a handful of channels from the Glorystar Christian satellite service. (For updates on the Glorystar service and channel moves because of this satellite anomaly please CLICK HERE)
It was just earlier this week that Sea Launch launched a new satellite (Galaxy 19) into space which was launched to replace the Galaxy 25 satellite. The Galaxy 19 satellite when it is its proper orbit (and after some testing) will replace the Galaxy 25 satellite which was launched as Intelsat America 5 (IA5) back in 1997.
New HD Slingbox is Released
Still one of the coolest gadgets on the market is the Slingbox from Slingmedia. A Slingbox lets you watch and control your satellite or cable television systems from anywhere via the internet. And the coolest gadget on the market is getting even cooler, as Sling is finally releasing its new Slingbox Pro HD unit.
The new Slingbox Pro HD lets you watch your television show anywhere in full 1080i high definition resolution!
I got to admit I am a Slingbox junkie I currently own 5 and just got notification from Amazon.com that my new Pro HD unit was on its way to me. Of course once I get it I will give you my thoughts on it here in the Satellite Dish.
One other Sling product I am waiting for is one I saw in May back at Dish Networks Team Summit event in Nashville, TN. And that product is the Dish Network 922 receiver. The 922 (formally called the 722s) is a Dish Network MPEG4 HD DVR which has built in Slingbox technology. We are going to be hearing a lot about this new receiver at CES and I am told that it contains an entirely new user interface that is going to knock my socks off.
I can’t wait to see it, have a great weekend!
Jerry commented:
But does the Eastern Arc carry local HD channels? DISH is telling me that I can get regular programming via this satellite, but not locals or even distant locals...can anyone help? Thanks!
Ev commented:
We need the Eastern Arc in the Knoxville Tennessee area. We subscribe to Dish Network and have two dish's. Living in a residencial area with Covenants & Restrictions is a problem when requiring two dish's. We switched from Directv thinking we were getting the latest & greatest technology. I was advised by Dish they could remove one dish but I would lose HD on local channels. Doing this would move me out of the house. Please expand Eastern Arc to Knoxville Tn.
bittersweet commented:
HI, I am also a senior person, live close to allegheny mt. have a big mt behind the house which the dish is pointing now, but can\’t get locals etc, they told me eastern arch would be here soon, this was in Nov, he explained that this would spin my dish to point clear in a different directions…where there is not a mt.then I would be able to get the locals and all the rest, so when is this going to take place in Warren County?? Thanks
DishJunkie commented:
pepkev, The long and short of your question is no. Eastern Arc (EA) as shown in the Dish application is NOTHING more than the direction in which the Dish points. The same receivers etc; are used. There is a slightly different satellite dish used but it is no better or worse and is specifically designed for the EA those dishes are called 1000.4 and 1000.5. The only difference would be direction and a 1k.4 vs a 1k.2 or 500 or 300 or superdish. There's no "old inventory" so to speak.
pepkev commented:
Dear Scott, I'm a senior citizen, and most of what I read above is totally foreign. Maybe, you can help. I'm interested in converting from cable to satellite. I deceided to go with Dish, and in the process learned the they have a new system, the Eastern Arch. I requested it,but after receiving technical data, was told its not available. I live north of Pittsburgh Pa. Is this just the company trying to get rid of old inventory
Shae commented:
As usual though DISH will totally miss the holiday season with the 922 and debut it in late January (just guessing at the date folks) given DISH's track record at debuting new product lines. As a retailer I can't wait for the 922, just wish it was ready now. So Charlie - light a fire under your manufacturing & distribution networks and get this out now. Demand will be AMAZING!! Oh, and don't charge xtra for it - that defeats the purpose! Suggestion box entry: I've been saying for years that DISH should have ONE receiver model that has HD, DVR, and now Sling technology built in that allows customers to "turn on" features as needed. Kinda the Southwest Airlines model of success (they only have one plane type and used the cheapest paint and colors they could find which explains the bizarre color scheme). Think of it - one receiver type to install and support. Customers would beat down our doors to get it. One product that anticipates customer needs. Wow - what a concept!
Fitz commented:
I'd just like to point out that Dish's Eastern Arc would potentially give some folks something better - namely those of us who'd like a one dish solution could benefit from EA. Dish added my HD locals on the 61.5 satellite this past Spring and I'm not currently pointing at 61.5 (I'm using 110, 119 and 129), and to get my HD locals I'd need to add a second dish for 61.5. Eastern Arc would allow me to receive my HD locals with just one Dish instead of two.
