DISH Network -- FAQs

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Audio/Visual Questions

Dual-Tuner Receivers

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What is Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) and how do I activate it?
An alternate language may be available for particular programs. Some programs, such as movies, show at the start whether an alternate language is available. Pay-Per-View movies which offer alternate audio will have 'SAP' in the program information screen.

To activate alternate audio/SAP, follow these five easy steps:

1. Press the MENU button on your remote control.
2. Select the SYSTEM SETUP option in the Main Menu.
3. Select the ALTERNATE AUDIO option.
4. Select a language in the LANGUAGES list.
Note: If the program is broadcast in an unlisted language, select the ALTERNATE option to hear that language. If the program is broadcast only in the listed languages, select the ALTERNATE option to hear English.
5. Select the SAVE option to save your choice.

Note: An alternate language applies only to the audio part of a program and does not change the language used in the receiver menus. If your programming does not have alternate audio available, you will hear the normal English version.

Do you provide Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio?
DISH Network provides Dolby Digital audio on some Pay-Per-View channels and select movies on HBO, Starz, Cinemax and Showtime (all HDTV channels are Dolby Digital). The program has to be sent to us in Dolby Digital format for us to provide it in Dolby Digital. These channels may also show movies in their original letterbox format (LBX). To see if a program is in Dolby Digital, look for the "DD" symbol in your Electronic Program Guide (EPG).

In order to take advantage of the higher quality of audio provided by Dolby Digital, you must have both a DISH Network receiver that supports Dolby Digital Audio and a Dolby Digital decoder (generally part of the surround sound system).

Currently, the DISH Network receivers that have built in Digital Audio Outputs are the models 4900, JVC DVHS, DISHPlayer 7200, 6000, DISH Player-DVR 501/508, DISH Player-DVR 510, DISH Player-DVR 522, DISH Player-DVR 625, DISH Player-DVR 721, DISH Player-DVR 921, DISH Player-DVR 942. These receivers all have built in TOSLINK style optical outputs. The models 4000 and 5000 can be upgraded to have digital audio outputs via an adapter that plugs into the high speed data port on the back of the unit. This adapter will give the unit both a TOSLINK style connection and a coaxial style connection and is only sold through local retailers. Please click here to locate a retailer in your area.

Why do my channels take a long time to pop up while channel surfing?
As a normal function, the receiver has been set up to retrieve the program information for the channel first. Once it has done that it will retrieve the picture. As a result, sometimes you will even see the "info banner" first before the picture appears.

Sometimes when I'm watching a program, I see blocks or the picture freezes.
This is symptom of pixeling. Pixeling is most often a poor signal issue. It may also be visible during high-motion programs, such as sporting events. It happens when the background picture changes faster than the foreground.

Confirm that there are no trees or foliage blocking your satellite dish antennas view to the sky. Also, there may be temporary signal problems during heavy storms – just wait for the storm to pass.

Solar Interference/Outages
All satellite transmissions are subject to solar interference (sometimes referred to as Solar Conjunction) twice a year. This natural occurrence typically happens in March and September. When the sun passes behind the satellite, the sun's radiation can cause interference with the satellite signal.

These outages usually last for a few minutes, but may last up to 30 minutes.

You may notice sparkles, pixels, artifacting (blocks in picture) or signal error messages

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