ShawDirect 500 series retired due to MPEG4 upgrade

MPEG-2 converting to MPEG-4 ShawDirect is no longer activating units below the 600 series, as the 500 series units are not capable of MPEG4 signals that are now in the process of being activated on the satellites through 2017 - 2019. Currently activated 500 series will continue to work, but eventually channels available may only be SD or no longer available. HD will change first. Eventually the SD will change too, or become obsolete. If you have an older satellite dish, it will need to be upgraded as well. Since approximately 2012, all LNBs deployed have been the latest “xKu” style, which receives a signal from all three satellites. All customers will require this type of LNB by 2019 Learn more about the HD network upgrade http://www.shawdirect.ca/english/support/article/8433/ HD network upgrade: Outdoor equipment http://www.shawdirect.ca/english/support/article/8434/ HD network upgrade: Channel conversion schedule (times subject to change). http://www.shawdirect.ca/english/support/article/8436/ BDU notice http://www.shawbroadcast.com/Content/English/mpeg4.htm Transition to MPEG-4 In April 2017 Shaw Broadcast will begin transitioning all MPEG-2 satellite signals to MPEG-4 (this does not impact signals on ANIK G1 as these signals are already MPEG-4). Conversions will occur in three phases over three years from approximately April to October of 2017, 2018 and 2019. Our objective is to be 100% MPEG-4 by the Fall of 2019. We are transitioning to MPEG-4 because the legacy MPEG-2 encoding equipment is reaching End of Support status. This means that within the next few years the MPEG-2 encoding equipment used by Shaw Broadcast will no longer be able to be supported or repaired. Upgrading to current generation MPEG-4 equipment allows our customers to continue to broadcast television signals for distribution. To continue to receive signals from ANIK F1R and F2, BDUs will require equipment capable of receiving MPEG-4 satellite signals in their head ends. If this equipment transcodes the signal back to MPEG-2 before distributing it over the local cable network, no customer premise upgrades would be required. If this equipment sends out a MPEG-4 signal, then all Cable customer premise equipment must be capable of handling an MPEG-4 signal. Transcoding signals is not an option for BDUs utilizing the QT Plus product, all customer premise equipment must be MPEG-4 capable.