[Dr.Dave]

If they get rid of SD, they can probably fit the HD channels on Nimiq 6.

 

[ExDilbert]

I didn't think the savings from getting rid of SD were that great but I would guess they are still usingfMPEG2, which is a real space waster compared to newer compression schemes. Getting rid of a few Bell owned zombie channels would help as well. It's about time that Canadian broadcasters started shutting down some of their channels. Some of them could easily be replaced by FAST channels.

 

[redbowl]

Receieved the message via email so I'm assuming its a free 6241

Not sure exactly what that means. Does it mean the sourced SD signal will be only available from a HD transponder so we need new receivers?

Dear most loyal customer,
This is to inform you that most of the Bell Satellite TV standard definition (SD) programming will soon only be available in high definition (HD). To ensure you do not lose access to SD TV programming, you will need to replace your active SD receivers with HD receivers, at no additional cost.1

To upgrade your eligible SD receivers in MyBell today, please click the button below

I received the same letter as well. I do hope it's free and no additional monthly rental fee.

 

[bigoranget]

I didn't think the savings from getting rid of SD were that great but I would guess they are still usingfMPEG2, which is a real space waster compared to newer compression schemes. Getting rid of a few Bell owned zombie channels would help as well. It's about time that Canadian broadcasters started shutting down some of their channels. Some of them could easily be replaced by FAST channels.

I believe the standard definition channels are MPEG-2 but HD is MPEG-4. Almost all the transponders at 91 are literally just SD channels. I think there is one (maybe two) transponders that have HD channels. Bell could probably fit the majority of their line-up on one satellite if they had to. My guess is they will use just over half the transponders on each satellite.

 

[Danielml]

Have a 3100 and they replaced it with a 6500. Was told will shut down SD at years end but take that with a grain of salt. If you do not deactivate your SD receiver can use it along side your HD receiver till they shut down SD programming. One problem - before had 3100 and old crt tv and 4:3 aspect ratio worked fine. Received HD receiver and unhooked satellite cable from 3100 and attached it to 6500. Powered up 6500 and it went through initial setup and downloaded software updates etc. 6500works fine with 20inch dish with one legacy LNB in slot 91. However no amount of adjustments on either the 6500 nor the 3100 will affect the aspect ratio of appearing as 16:9 on the crt tv. Black bars on the top and bottom using either receiver. Even the 3100 will no longer display 4:3 even though it is adjusted in the menu and stats in the system info it is 4:3. No change in picture size whatsoever with either receiver. Any thoughts? Any questions? Will need a DPP quad LNB to update the dish to receive all the HD channels. Will insist Bell do it for free.

As a number of bell satellite subscribers knowingly once had a 3100 SD receiver and or a 6131 HD receiver when if they got a parcel from bell with 6500 HD receivers and a notice stating the swap had to be done within a specific timeframe to avoid service disruption as if they try the new receivers and isn't working and had to book a service call as if the upgrade also has them swapping out the dish to get everything working as if many hung onto the boxes from amazon shipments to send the old receivers back to bell to be properly disposed of. As questions remain of what to do with the old satellite dish when many believe the dish itself can be recycled as scrap steel when the LNB's classified as electronic waste.