Viewing Church broadcasts using Satellite
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Requirements
In most circumstances, the sound and video systems are permanently installed and tied into the satellite system, and will contain few if any user serviceable parts. If you do not already have a system in your building, it is recommended that you contact your local FM group for service, who will decide if it qualifies for installation with their project budget.
Satellite dish
The LDS Church has over the years used many different variation of satellite dishes. Unless the existing dish has been damaged, there is no need to have the dish replaced. Today, there are 3 types of dishes installed:
Depending on your location in the world, your dish will vary.
Satellite signals around the world
The LDS Church maintains world-wide satellite carriers. While multiple carriers may be available in any given place, specific carriers have been designated for use in specific locations around the world. Your location will determine what satellite you should use. While most broadcasts are available universally at the same time, some, such as rebroadcasts, temple dedications and regional broadcasts, are time- and region-specific. Hence, your location will determine what broadcasts are available to you and when. Additionally, when a large number of broadcasts occur at any given time, extra carriers may be brought online on an ad hoc basis.
Troubleshooting
Satellite broadcast methods are extremely robust, and have few transmission interruptions. In most cases, problems with satellite reception are a local issue. Local issues are normally the result of the failure of electronics, and infrastructure items such as the satellite dish. Regional issues may be caused by power outages, solar interference, and weather related rain fade. Global outages are rare, and by nature not easily categorized. If you need help troubleshooting your installation during the week contact your FM group. If you need help during a broadcast, contact Satellite Support at 801-240-3454 Opt 2. As calls are high during broadcasts, wait times can be long, so to avoid last minute issues, test your system early.
ASL Broadcasts
American Sign Language (ASL) is available for Church broadcasts by streaming on the Internet or/and the Church's Satellite Network. Only meetinghouses in North American with an ASL receiver installed receive the ASL channel for broadcasts. The large C Band system receives a continous ASL signal. The smaller Ku Band system receives the ASL channel only just before and during a broadcast. The total cost to enable a site to receive ASL broadcasts is about $1,000. Priesthood leaders should coordinate requests for ASL equipment with their FM group manager. A list of ASL enabled buildings in North America is available. Other information about using the Church Satellite Network for the hearing impaired can soon be found in the December 2011 LDSTech Newsletter.
Resources
- Satellite Operator Instructions: sent to the stake president by the Church. Post the instructions on the cabinet containing the satellite receiver.
- Satellite Broadcast Schedule: sent to the stake president each year and contains details for all the broadcasts planned for the upcoming year. The schedule is posted in the letters and policies archive.
- Broadcast Instructions: sent to the stake president by the Church for each upcoming broadcast. The instructions include all the broadcast dates and times.
- The Church's Satellite Broadcasts Website contains information about upcoming major satellite broadcasts and archives of previous satellite broadcasts.
- The lds.org calendar will often contain a link to the Broadcast Instructions for upcoming events.
- The satellite receivers used for broadcasts are DVR396, Unity 500, Unity 550, and Unity 552 manuals can be found at http://www.wegener.com/SUPPORT/support_manuals.php
- The FM group provides each building that has a satellite dish with a digital projector.
- The maintenance and installation of the satellite, audio, and video systems are primarily the responsibility of the local FM group.
- Satellite Basics and Troubleshooting, April 2011 Meetinghouse Technology Newsletter, Feature Article