Rumor: Bell to swap existing STB

[hsantos]

Not sure if someone already spoke about this... but it looks like Bell will be swapping MPEG2 STB in the near future.

6100 to 6131 or 9241
9200 to 9241/9242

All this to bring everybody to MPEG4, so they can meet CRTC requirements.

[scrooloose]

This has been a rumor for a very long time but I hope they finally get to it.

-Mike

[hsantos]

I hope too... it looks like that it should start in August 2011...

[billpaidJr]

i don't think it has anything to do with CRTC requirements. MPEG 4 is just a different compression than MPEG 2. Bell is doing it so that they squeeze more channels into each transponder...ie. more HD

[hsantos]

I agree that Mpeg4 is for HD...but didn't CRTC ruled that Bell will have to add DTV sub-channels to their package? About 40 of them?

[Pinza]

Yes Bell gave a promise to the CRTC that they would carry out this swap so they could find room for over 40 local HD Stations.

The swap has actually started, somewhat, by Bell shipping out MPEG4 receivers as replacements of defective MPEG2 ones for customers with Dishcare, although one regular here recently go a 9200 for his 9200, I like to think that was a one off as most people get a 9242 for a defective 9200.

I am about to call regarding my bad 9200, so I will wait to see what appears in the mail.

[ScaryBob]

The reason is to add local HDTV channels, not subchannels. There should be several more HDTV specialty channels available soon as well. I'm not sure that MPEG4 will enable Bell to add everything available, especially not in the long term and not if they plan on keeping all their SDTV channels. Since Bell is still selling 4100s, they will need to keep simulcasting identical HDTV and SDTV channels.

[Dr.Dave]

35. As part of its 7 February 2011 tangible benefits package, BCE proposed to provide satellite carriage for an additional 43 local television services. This initiative would be made possible by replacing all of BCE’s installed high definition (HD) MPEG-2 set-top boxes with MPEG-4 capable boxes within a 12-15 month timeframe. BCE submitted that this would free sufficient capacity to allow for increased carriage of local over-the-air (OTA) stations.

Consequently, the Commission accepts BCE’s proposal to allocate $60 million of its total benefits package toward this initiative and directs BCE’s DTH service to carry at least 43 additional television services that meet the following criteria in standard definition by 31 August 2012 and to make these services available as part of the basic package in the appropriate local markets:

• local stations eligible for the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF);
  
• non-branded community-based television services;
  
• non-LPIF-eligible local stations that meet the five-hour (French language) and seven-hour (English language) minimum local programming commitment; and
  
• existing independent television stations that currently operate in markets that are required to convert to digital transmission on 31 August 2011.

[North_of_Calgary]

Originally Posted by hsantos

6100 to 6131 or 9241
9200 to 9241/9242

Better be 6100 -> 9241 for me as I don't intend on loosing my UHF remotes (that's plural so a conversion kit won't suffice)

Better be 9200 -> 9242 for me as I don't intend on loosing my two room functionality.

But I'm guessing they'll just say "screw you" to those of us who own the equipment vs lease it.

[ScaryBob]

After adding 43 locals, MPG4 will basically only allow Bell to maintain the status quo for specialty channels. A common misconception is that MPEG4 doubles broadcast capacity. That is not the case. 8PSK + MPEG4 doubles capacity over 4PSK + MPEG2 but Bell has already implemented 8PSK. That plus adaptive compression basically allowed them to go from 2 or 3 channels per transponder to 3 or 4, depending on content and originating bandwidth. Everything else being equal, MPEG4 will allow a a 30%-35% increase in capacity. That's just one or maybe two channels per transponder. Other improvements, such as increased adaptive compression optimizations and degrading picture quality further, might push that to 50%. 43 extra HD channels is an average of 1+1/3 channels per transponder so there will be little bandwidth to spare. Some of the locals will be digital SD, not full HD, at first so that will provide a short term opportunity to add extra channels. OTOH, increased HD programming content on local channels will put pressure in the other direction over time. Bell may be able to, once again, pull a rabbit out of their hat but I think they basically screwed Canadians by giving Nimiq 5 to Dish.

[spuggy68]

If the plan is to upgrade all the 9200 via Dishcare etc... then someone has not received the memo.... My 9200 HD crapped out last week... finally after talking to Dishcare a replacement was shipped out. I was hoping to be lucky like many other users and find a nice black 9242 in the box, but it was indeed another 9200. Hopefully the upgrade is what is happening, and they will replace my unit in August.

[dirtroad]

I had noticed just this morning that only transponders 1,2,15, and 16 from 82 show up on a Mpeg 2 receiver now. I wonder if all Std Def and locals will migrate back over to 91 and use 82 for just HD. (This may also be part the reason some have a hard time finding 82 with Mpeg 2 Receivers.)
Bell will probably use all the returned receivers as the "FREE LOCAL channels" receivers in Mpeg 2.

[MCIBUS]

So how many channels can BTV add with this MPEG4 & 8SPK? the 43 locals + how many on top of that?

It should be noted that Dish uses MPEG 4(not sure if the also use 8SPK) for their eastern aerc subs. All channels both SD & HD are in MPEG4 and all subs where upgradd to MPEG 4 receivers.

So its possible for BTV to go this way.

But $50Million!! I would thiink it would cost way more then that to swap out receivers?

[ScaryBob]

Bell is only upgrading HD receivers. Let's say Bell has 600,000 HD receivers in the field and that 25% need upgrading. (Don't know if that's correct but it's probably within +-50% of actual numbers.) That's $60,000,000 / 150,000 = $400 per receiver. That sounds fairly generous to me.

[Blackloz]

I have 1 6100 left so it will be nice to get rid of it for a 6131. Also im pretty sure Bell needs another sat + MPEG 4 to give us what we should have.