Is there an “HD Adapter” for a KING One Pro?

Here’s a question that comes straight from our help desk. A customer contacted us and asked,

With the SD satellite for DIRECTV going away, will there be an HD adapter available for the KING One Pro?

Honestly, this gives me the opportunity to set the record straight on a lot of stuff. The customer got their answer and I think it’s good to share that answer with the rest of the internet. There’s a lot to dig into here.

There is no “SD Satellite for DIRECTV.”

It’s true that the majority of the HD and 4K programming for DIRECTV is on satellites at the 99 and 103 location. The majority of SD programming is on the satellite at the 101 location. However, that satellite is not an “SD Satellite.” The active satellites for DIRECTV are all capable of providing programming in SD, HD, and 4K.

DIRECTV has been actively discontinuing standard-definition local channels for several years. Enough of them have been discontinued that the satellite at the 119 location is almost empty, where once it held hundreds of standard-definition local channels. However, the company has not announced any plans to discontinue all standard-definition service. There are still some markets that depend on that service. For example, airlines still pick up standard-definition feeds because of their lower bitrate and because it allows the receiving equipment to be smaller.

The satellite at the 101 location is not “going away” and it never has been “going away.”

This is a myth that’s persisted for almost a decade at this point. DIRECTV has recently replaced the primary satellite at its 101 location with one that’s capable of broadcasting hundreds of HD channels. It’s expected that satellite will be in service for fifteen years or more.

There never was a plan to discontinue satellite service at DIRECTV’s 101 satellite location. Even though the satellites there were on the older side, it’s really the best location for covering the entire US. There’s no way a company like DIRECTV would give up a license for that location unless they were completely getting out of the business.

There is no need for an “HD Adapter” for a KING One Pro.

The KING One Pro portable satellite system is capable of receiving high-definition signals and always has been. However, it’s only capable of receiving broadcasts from DIRECTV’s 101 satellite location, where there are only a handful of high-definition channels. It’s expected that more HD channels will move to that satellite as standard-definition locals are phased out.

Any high-definition capable DIRECTV receiver will work with a KING One Pro. This includes anything with an H in the product name except the H10 and H20 (which are both totally discontinued.) If you have an H21, H23, H24, H25, H44, or H26K, you can use a KING One Pro. However, if you have an H25, H44, or H26K there’s something extra you’ll need.

Could they have meant a SWM multiswitch?

DIRECTV’s H25, H44, and H26K receivers will only work using the company’s SWM technology, which is not built into the KING One Pro. Those receivers will need an external multiswitch like the SWM-30 above. You connect two lines from the KING One Pro into the multiswitch. Here’s a diagram of how that would work.

The SWM multiswitch allows receivers that need SWM capability to work with satellite dishes that don’t natively provide it.

In a nutshell…

If you have a current model DIRECTV receiver that works with your KING One Pro now, it will continue to work. There are already high-definition receivers, available now, that will work with the KING One Pro without any extra hardware. Specifically, you will need the H24 receiver for direct connection. There’s no need to fear the idea of any satellite being taken out of service or decommissioned.

Ready for your own satellite upgrade?

If you’re ready to upgrade your DIRECTV system, call the experts! Solid Signal has over 20 years’ experience in providing satellite TV solutions to homes and businesses. We have a full staff of technicians ready to help. When you’re ready to talk, just call us! We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. Just call 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, no problem! Fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you.