Re: [sumo] oshi-dashi'd message

["Stewart Nelson" <sn@scgroup.com>]

> Before the basho starts up, could any and everyone
> with TV Japan experience in the US give me some
> advice?

My experience with Dish Network is from a few years
ago, so you should verify with their support before
buying anything.

> I'm a somewhat satellite newbie but my
> understanding is that I can buy my own DISH Network
> dish and receiver and only order TV Japan, right?

That was true when I was a customer.

> I've found that there are plenty of dishes and
> receivers sold on ebay at a decent price and TV Japan
> only costs $30 but I have no idea which model of dish
> or receiver I'd need.  I've been to the tvjapan.net
> site but still am unsure what's needed.

It's technically possible to receive TV Japan with
even the oldest equipment (round dish with a single
LNB, single-satellite receiver), but you should check
with Dish that they will still accept a customer with
such gear.

Presently, Dish offers more channels than can be carried
on one satellite.  They use oval dishes with dual LNBs,
and receivers that automatically select the right bird.

Moving up from there, you can buy receivers with HD
capability (TV Japan is not high def and IMO won't be
for several years) and/or with DVR built in.

>  And does Tivo
> work with TV Japan?  Any help/advice will be
> appreciated!  Not only do I want to watch each day's
> action, but I miss those samurai dramas, etc.

There are two kinds of TiVo.  You can use either with
TV Japan.  A standalone unit can also record from an
antenna, cable box, camcorder, VCR, etc.  However, the
recorded picture quality is somewhat degraded from the
original, just like with tape.  A satellite receiver
with built-in DVR records the digital signal directly
from the satellite, so the playback is just as good
as viewing live.  However, those units do not record
from other video sources.

> THANKS IN ADVANCE!
> 
> GK

--Stewart

[EndPost by "Stewart Nelson" <sn@scgroup.com>]