DTH in India

[sandy_123]

I have tried to summarise the DTH operators in India regarding technical aspects and some advantages & disadvantages which user may face depending upon their views about the service
As of 07 September 2008, Number of channels mentioned may vary due to channels added/removed by operator

DD Direct Plus
Owner: Prasarbharti (Public Broadcaster)
Satellite: Insat 4B at 93.5 deg E (Earlier on NSS 6 at 95 deg E)
Encryption: Un-encrypted
Encoding: MPEG-2
Channels: 50 TV, 21 Radio
Advantages: Completely Free (Free to Air), Good Audio/Video quality, Can be received any parts on India and neighbouring countries, Users can also enjoy local AIR audio channels in part of country, Carries many popular Hindi music channels
Disadvantages: Mostly DD channels and less popular Hindi private channels, appears monotonous as mostly carrying music & news channels, very slow in adding new channels, no EPG, no interactive services

DISH TV
Owner: Essel Group by ZEE
Satellite: NSS 6 at 95 deg E
Encryption: Conax
Encoding: MPEG-2
Channels: 140 TV, 4 Radio including 6 PPV MOD channels (50 TV & 21 Radio receivable from DD Direct Plus) + Interactive Channels
Advantages: First private operator to launch DTH service in India, user-friendly affordable packages based on regional languages, Carries DD Direct Plus channel in its EPG
Disadvantages: Slow in adding newly launched channels, NEO sports channels not available, not at par in customer service (as per various forums), delay in updating website

TATASKY
Owner: TATA (80%) and SKY (20%)
Satellite: Insat 4A at 83 deg E
Encryption: Videoguard
Encoding: MPEG-2
Channels: 147 TV including 6 PPV MOD channels, 0 Radio + Interactive Channels
Advantages: Good Audio/Video quality, fast package activation & account recharge, aggressive in adding newly launched channels, EPG in Hindi
Disadvantages: Costlier compared to other service providers, Lack of language based channel packaging, missing few ZEE channels & ZEE SPORTS, Missing popular music channels, No Audio channels

SUN DIRECT
Owner: SUN group (India) & Astro (Malaysia)
Satellite: Insat 4B at 93.5 deg E
Encryption: Irdeto
Encoding: MPEG-4
Channels: 110 TV, 3 Radio (some TV/Radio channels from DD Direct+)
Advantages: First operator to use MPEG-4 encoding so can carry more channels, South Indian market targeted hence carry more south Indian channels then other operators, can receive some DD Direct Plus channels as both use same satellite
Disadvantages: No ESPN-STAR SPORTS, NEO channels, no interactive services, less presence in other parts of India

BIG TV
Owner: Reliance ADA group
Satellite: Measat 3 at 91.5 deg E
Encryption: Mediaguard
Encoding: MPEG-4
Channels: 186 TV including 30 PPV MOD channels, 10 Radio + Interactive Channels
Advantages: Uses MPEG-4 encoding, carries more number of channels then any other operator, Carries more number on PPV channels, Carries most of popular GEC, Movies & Sports channels
Disadvantages: Confusing channel packaging for beginner users, may end up costlier if channel package not selected wisely

Joining soon to the list AIRTEL DTH & VIDEOCON DTH.

Source:
http://www.lyngsat.com/in4b.html
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish.html
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/tatasky.html
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/sundirect.html
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/big.html
http://www.scatmag.com
http://www.satcodx3.com
DTH Forums

[ArShAd]

Thanks Sandy for listing details about DTH in India..

[roh_style]

That was a good, informative post...!!

[Dish]

Thanks for making it. I will make comments on two lines.

Sun DTH

Quote:Disadvantages: No ESPN-STAR SPORTS, NEO channels, no interactive services, less presence in other parts of India

Yes but it is temp. problem and you will see channels in Sun DTH and also they are comming nation wide within 1 months.

BIG TV DTH

Quote:Disadvantages: Confusing channel packaging for beginner users, may end up costlier if channel package not selected wisely

Well packages is good for anyone if he choose it better option as they put most popular and viewed channels in Base pack so many people might not need Add On Pack.

[mj786]

Good work.... It includes few mistakes.. so just edit them if you want..

Dishtv has 6 PPV movie channels.. and also it might have one or two more channels than 137..maybe it is 140.. i am not sure as i am not watching it since last few days.. Dishtv Website is updated properly nowadays.. there is no delay since last few months..for example few days ago there was new offer of Hattrick etc.. and it was posted on the site the very day itself.. even the Ten sports Alacarte and Cnbc pack etc are available for selection........ Previously there were issues with Dishtv site.. but not much now adays........... I know few people might say that i am praising Dishtv.. but no.. i am posting FACTS.

Few days ago our forum had the news about the TS new offer but the website of TS was not updated with it.. so you can also go and say TS website is not updated at all.. but that is not correct as few of us here give inside info before it is officially announced..


Sun DTH does not provide all the 50 DD DTH channels.......... so you can edit that with exact number from the list which Satish has provided in Sun DTH Section..

Also Dishtv I think used to use Conax, Viaccess and Mediaguard encryption previously.. not sure the present situation.......


Anyway you did well.. and I praise your effort.. so you can edit few things in your post to look much better..

[Dish]

(09-07-2008 06:15 PM)mj786 Wrote:  Good work.... It includes few mistakes.. so just edit them if you want..

Dishtv has 6 PPV movie channels.. and also it might have one or two more channels than 137..maybe it is 140.. i am not sure as i am not watching it since last few days.. Dishtv Website is updated properly nowadays.. there is no delay since last few months..for example few days ago there was new offer of Hattrick etc.. and it was posted on the site the very day itself.. even the Ten sports Alacarte and Cnbc pack etc are available for selection........ Previously there were issues with Dishtv site.. but not much now adays........... I know few people might say that i am praising Dishtv.. but no.. i am posting FACTS.

Few days ago our forum had the news about the TS new offer but the website of TS was not updated with it.. so you can also go and say TS website is not updated at all.. but that is not correct as few of us here give inside info before it is officially announced..


Sun DTH does not provide all the 50 DD DTH channels.......... so you can edit that with exact number from the list which Satish has provided in Sun DTH Section..

Also Dishtv I think used to use Conax, Viaccess and Mediaguard encryption previously.. not sure the present situation.......


Anyway you did well.. and I praise your effort.. so you can edit few things in your post to look much better..

Well just check Dish Website for new channels. You still not find 9X and NDTV Imagine channel on that page which is newest channels on Dish TV.

[ArShAd]

(09-07-2008 06:20 PM)Dish Wrote:  

(09-07-2008 06:15 PM)mj786 Wrote:  Good work.... It includes few mistakes.. so just edit them if you want..

Dishtv has 6 PPV movie channels.. and also it might have one or two more channels than 137..maybe it is 140.. i am not sure as i am not watching it since last few days.. Dishtv Website is updated properly nowadays.. there is no delay since last few months..for example few days ago there was new offer of Hattrick etc.. and it was posted on the site the very day itself.. even the Ten sports Alacarte and Cnbc pack etc are available for selection........ Previously there were issues with Dishtv site.. but not much now adays........... I know few people might say that i am praising Dishtv.. but no.. i am posting FACTS.

Few days ago our forum had the news about the TS new offer but the website of TS was not updated with it.. so you can also go and say TS website is not updated at all.. but that is not correct as few of us here give inside info before it is officially announced..


Sun DTH does not provide all the 50 DD DTH channels.......... so you can edit that with exact number from the list which Satish has provided in Sun DTH Section..

Also Dishtv I think used to use Conax, Viaccess and Mediaguard encryption previously.. not sure the present situation.......


Anyway you did well.. and I praise your effort.. so you can edit few things in your post to look much better..

Well just check Dish Website for new channels. You still not find 9X and NDTV Imagine channel on that page which is newest channels on Dish TV.

These two channels mentioned by u is available in their website.

[mj786]

I think Dish is saying about the "New Channels " ........ but Dish that is not important.. but the important thing is they have updated it in Maxi package.. so we need the package info first.. rather than the new channels info...

[roh_style]

(09-07-2008 06:20 PM)Dish Wrote:  Well just check Dish Website for new channels. You still not find 9X and NDTV Imagine channel on that page which is newest channels on Dish TV.

Yes and they still show Zee Next and TBN as the latest added chs...!!

[Dish]

(09-07-2008 06:30 PM)mj786 Wrote:  I think Dish is saying about the "New Channels " ........ but Dish that is not important.. but the important thing is they have updated it in Maxi package.. so we need the package info first.. rather than the new channels info...

Yes I know it is not important but if we talk on Website then we should consider everythings.

Look Tatasky they updates it same day same as Sun DTH and BIG TV also updates for those two channels for South Indians.

Just two cents.

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