For those of you who own or are considering purchasing a RCA 490RE ultimate TV receiver I have some answers for you regarding the problem that I brought up on this forum last week.

It seems when direct TV begain phasing in their new satellite last week with their new flat beam technology they ran into some problems with a few of their transponders. It seems there is now no signal on transponders 4, 12, 16 and 20. Unfortunately, the ultimate TV receivers need signals on these transponders to boot up. Hence no signal since 12/27. This only affects ultimate TV receivers and not any other direct TV receivers.

Direct TV *NOW* confesses that the problem is with their satellite (although they swore it was a problem with my receiver before and told me to take it back and get a new one...which I did....same problem).

They are unsure when they will get the problem fixed. Hence, If anyone is considering the purchase...I'd wait a while. As for those with a ultimate TV receiver...patience is a virtue. I'm thinking about taking my receiver back and getting the Phillips direct TV TIVO unit.