Tune in Ch14, look for any interference, you should see a blank transponder, no hint of any analog signals. If you see something, it could mean that your system s dish will need to be optimized, or you have some terrestrial microwave interference. If you see anything, contact a professional satellite dish installer and have this person check it. There s no point in obtaining an IRD as long as this persists. If you have a clear strong signal at present, it s likely you will have no problems with signal strength.
Digital signals are much weaker than the analog ones.
If you have a few sparkles, expect some lockup on the picture. If you have a poor NTV signal then it s going to be impossible to use your existing system for NTV digital. A good rule of thumb here is the further South you are located, the weaker the signal gets. Again, if in doubt, consult your dish installer. Consider your location and dish size.