Digital Satellite Systems (160-2530) Faxback Doc. # 7491 Common Questions and Answers 1. Where can I get a DSS reciever? DSS sales have been great! Unfortunately, demand is greater than current supply. Due to Thomson/RCA production limitations for the rest of 1994, we will only have DSS product in the 25 stores that are already carrying it. Although DSS is featured in the Radio Shack 1995 catalog the following stores are the ONLY stores allowed to order these units: 01-8484 Jacksonville,AR 501-982-1186 01-1910 Mount Airy,NC 910-789-1700 01-8488 Benton,AR 501-778-8499 01-2310 Winston-Salem,NC 910-725-5552 01-8485 Conway,AR 501-327-2485 01-2314 Winston-Salem,NC 910-767-6660 22-7175 Fayetteville,AR 501-442-5264 01-8619 Albuquerque,NM 505-294-8275 22-7192 Fayetteville,AR 501-442-8988 01-8680 Albuquerque,NM 505-883-7004 22-S350 Ozark,AR 501-667-5422 01-8681 Albuquerque,NM 505-293-1718 01-8723 Montgomery,AL 205-281-1222 22-H399 Claremore,OK 918-341-0987 22-A519 Troy,AL 205-566-2223 22-7178 Muskogee,OK 918-683-2241 01-6748 Indianapolis,IN 317-888-4535 01-9404 Sand Springs,OK 918-245-2347 01-6736 Indianapolis,IN 317-243-7158 01-9420 Sapula,OK 918-224-4260 01-6740 Indianapolis,IN 317-897-2646 22-S317 Stillwell,OK 918-696-3204 01-6703 Indianapolis,IN 317-897-2646 01-9408 Tulsa,OK 918-446-3646 01-6953 Indianapolis,IN 317-872-3983 01-8411 Tulsa,OK 918-836-3718 22-P119 Martinsville,IN 317-342-7959 01-9635 Greenville,SC 803-288-9426 01-4469 Louisville,KY 502-968-4242 22-D296 Newberry,SC 803-276-1640 01-4560 Louisville,KY 502-964-5846 01-1746 Simpsonville,SC 803-967-2008 01-4506 Louisville,KY 502-937-2184 01-9613 Spartanburg,SC 803-576-7528 01-4525 Louisville,KY 502-245-8808 22-D207 Elizabethton,TN 615-543-2642 01-9116 Bossier City,LA 318-742-2928 01-4935 Kingsport,TN 615-246-3022 01-8482 Shreveport,LA 318-221-6507 22-D156 Bedford,VA 703-585-9704 01-9151 Shreveport,LA 318-425-8946 01-2182 Christianburg,VA 703-381-0719 22-A776 Brookhaven,MS 601-833-8031 22-D424 Norton,VA 703-679-3427 22-A709 Canton,MS 601-859-2769 01-1751 Roanoke,VA 703-563-4411 01-8127 Jackson,MS 601-373-4120 01-9801 Jackson,MS 601-955-5843 22-G471 Yazoo City,MS 601-746-8381 2. Can I hook up more than one TV? If all TV's are going to be watching the same channel on DSS, then yes. If different channels are required, then a DSS reciever must be purchased for each TV. In addition, the "Step-Up" Package (16-2531) is required, as the "Basic" Package is not expandable. 3. What satellite frequencies does the DSS system work on? KU band. 4. Will my present KU capable receiver allow me to tune in to DSS? No. It takes a receiver capable of decoding a fully digital broadcast signal. 5. What makes DSS different from previous satellite broadcasts. DSS is a system of fully digitalized broadcasting, emanating, initially, from two Hughes HS601 satellites. These satellites broadcast at a much higher power than the satellites that currently orbit the earth. This is the reason that it only takes an 18" dish antenna to adequately receive the signal, as opposed to the giants that sometimes weigh in at several hundred pounds for the older satellite broadcasts. Also, this is a fully digital broadcast format. It will give you clearer pictures and fuller sound than the old style of satellite broadcast would, and will sometimes be able to deliver good quality when conditions cause reception from standard satellite broadcasts to break down or deteriorate. 6. What type of extra equipment do I need to use DSS in my home? To receive the full benefits of DSS, you need to hook your DSS receiver's Audio/Video (or S-Video) hookups to good quality audio and video equipment, but you can enjoy DSS even if you just have a VCR and small television. 7. Can I pick up local broadcast channels? No. If you are replacing cable with DSS, you will need to set up an antenna appropriate for receiving local broadcast channels in your area. 8. What kind of programming is available on DSS? Currently, there are two broadcasters supplying programming on DSS. Direct TV and United States Satellite. They have broadcast packages which include the same kinds of channels you would receive from cable companies. If you like, you can request further information about available programming from RCA, USSB, or Direct TV. RCA/Thompson - 800-679-4776 Direct TV - 800-347-3288 USSB - 800-204-8772 9. Can I install the DSS system myself? Yes, although we suggest you have the installation done professionally. You can order a DSS self-installation kit from your nearest Radio Shack dealer who sells DSS. The part number is 160-2533. You may also need some additional power tools and supplies, depending on what you have and on how you intend to install your antenna. If you are unsure about how to proceed, we suggest that you contact Digitron for professional installation. They can install your system for a nominal charge. 10. What kind of warranty do I have on DSS? Radio Shack will be offering the RCA service contract on DSS, instead of TSP. You have a basic 90-day warranty on parts, 1 year on parts for DSS. This covers any defects in materials, workmanship, or basic installation, provided the installation was done by a Thompson Consumer Electronics Authorized Installer. If you experience trouble in the first 90 days, RCA will exchange the defective portion of the DSS system with a new or refurbished unit and correct any basic installation defects at no cost to you. If you experience trouble after 90 days, but within one year, RCA will exchange the defective portion of DSS with a new or refurbished unit. They will bill a flat exchange fee to replace a defective receiver/decoder. This covers the cost of repair labor. Labor costs for the removal and re-installation of any equipment are the responsibility of the customer. 11. How do I obtain service on DSS? Call RCA at 1-800-679-4776. You will need the unit's date of purchase and model/serial number. This information is on the back of the reciever /decoder. A representative will troubleshoot the system over the phone. Once it is determined what part of the system is malfunctioning, arrangements will be made for it's repair or replacement. If it is determined that the receiver/decoder is malfunctioning, you will be given a Return Authorization(RA) nunber. Be sure not to lose this, as no returns will be accepted without one. The unit must then be returned to RCA or an authorized 12. Will I be able to receive the regular networks, such as CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, and Fox, over DSS? Not in general. The networks will only allow these feeds to be made available in rural areas where a network affiliate could not otherwise normally be received. In other words, if you can receive a Fox network affiliate by antenna in your area, Fox will not allow the satellite feed to be descrambled for you, as they feel this would be taking business away from the before-mentioned affiliate. These network feeds will be handled by Direct TV. (DQ/jlc-10/10/94)