January 30, 2007
The launch of the SES New Skies NSS-8 communications satellite by Sea Launch Company, LLC was brought to a rather abrupt and very fiery end this evening, when the Zenit 3SL launch vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure almost as soon as the main engine was lit.It proved to be third time unlucky as the twice-postponed launch was given the final go ahead at approximately 23:22 GMT. The rocket appeared to topple slightly and then collapse only a few seconds after ignition, and then exploded in a massive fireball, completely engulfing the Odyssey Launch Platform.The Sea Launch website reports that all personnel at the launch site are safe and accounted for.Please visit the forum for more pictures and a video of the disaster.Another sad day for the satellite industry.
NSS-8 launch ends in disaster
byThe launch of the SES New Skies NSS-8 communications satellite by Sea Launch Company, LLC was brought to a rather abrupt and very fiery end this evening, when the Zenit 3SL launch vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure almost as soon as the main engine was lit.It proved to be third time unlucky as the twice-postponed launch was given the final go ahead at approximately 23:22 GMT. The rocket appeared to topple slightly and then collapse only a few seconds after ignition, and then exploded in a massive fireball, completely engulfing the Odyssey Launch Platform.The Sea Launch website reports that all personnel at the launch site are safe and accounted for.Please visit the forum for more pictures and a video of the disaster.Another sad day for the satellite industry.
January 26, 2007
A very special hello to anyone living in the ITV Border region. A reminder to you - digital switch over starts in our region (*) in mid 2008 when the Selkirk transmitter and its dependant relays are changed over and analogue is shut down. Caldbeck in Cumbria will follow in early 2009. If you live in the Borders and are still watching 4 or 5 channels you really need to ...
Digital switch over - ITV1 Border area heralds the new dawn in digital TV
by AnaloguesatA very special hello to anyone living in the ITV Border region. A reminder to you - digital switch over starts in our region (*) in mid 2008 when the Selkirk transmitter and its dependant relays are changed over and analogue is shut down. Caldbeck in Cumbria will follow in early 2009. If you live in the Borders and are still watching 4 or 5 channels you really need to ...
January 22, 2007
Well, the struggle for satellite supremacy is still being fought out in the US, and maybe the satellite guys finally have a chance to ruffle a few feathers in the cable-provider's boardrooms. Times are tough though, and piracy is rife - with the Nagravision 2 encryption system barely holding together. The pay-TV is generally good value there though, and the two big companies offer crazy giveaway deals to try and attract new ...
Satellite news from Stateside
by BGonaSTICKWell, the struggle for satellite supremacy is still being fought out in the US, and maybe the satellite guys finally have a chance to ruffle a few feathers in the cable-provider's boardrooms. Times are tough though, and piracy is rife - with the Nagravision 2 encryption system barely holding together. The pay-TV is generally good value there though, and the two big companies offer crazy giveaway deals to try and attract new ...
January 20, 2007
Now as far as I know this service is more or less unique to our forum. No its not marital councelling, (but could be similar!) If you have a foreign partner no doubt she would like to watch tv channels from her home country. We already have provided valuable info for people who have Finnish, Czech and Polish wives. So if you are in a similar situation and want some peace ...
TV for a foreign wife
by AnaloguesatNow as far as I know this service is more or less unique to our forum. No its not marital councelling, (but could be similar!) If you have a foreign partner no doubt she would like to watch tv channels from her home country. We already have provided valuable info for people who have Finnish, Czech and Polish wives. So if you are in a similar situation and want some peace ...
January 12, 2007
The Kathrein UFS-910 HD satellite receiver is available to buy now, and it's a very interesting prospect.Not as well-featured as the long-awaited Dreambox 8000, it does however boast full DVB-S2 and MPEG-4 capability (as well as being backwardly compatible to DVB-S and MPEG-2) and have the required HDMI output connector. It also carries the much sought-after Ethernet interface and runs a Linux based operating system.Interestingly, it has 3 (yes, three!) USB 2.0 ports - one of which is on the front of the box.Currently selling in Germany for around €360, its release is sure to tempt a few of those hobbyists that can't wait another minute for the DM8000. Interestingly the Kathrein UFS 901 was announced at the 2006 ANGA cable show alongside the HD Dreambox.Lack of a hard disk, or the possibility of having one fitted at a later date, will deter many though. Another note of caution. Strangely, the specifications only mention DiSEqC 1.0, and not the DiSEqC 1.2 required to drive a DiSEqC motor. Either something to watch out for, or a typo - we're not sure which!Kathrein are a very well respected dish manufacturer, and have already produced a range of similar-looking DVB-S PVR's (have a look at the Kathrein UFS-821). This box could prove to be a winner across Europe at that price and with its head start in the race with the Dreambox.Available in Black and Silver, here's a summary of the specifications:· Reception of digital satellite TV and radio channels in the DVB-S and DVB-S2 transmission standards· Video decoding of MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/H.264 signals· 16-digit alphanumeric display to show the channel names and programme information· 4,000 channel memory positions· Kathrein-easy-use EPG with timer programming· Common Interface for two CA modules· HDMI output for connection to an HDTV ready TV set· HDCP copy protection· Optical audio output for Dolby Digital data stream (AC 3)· YPbPr output· Cinch sockets for AV signal (composite colour picture, stereo-audio)· One USB 2.0 port on the front panel and two USB 2.0 ports on the back panel for software updates with a USB stick· Multifunction setting device on the front panel· Composite colour picture, RGB and Y/C signal output programmable on SCART socket· Suitable for software updates (operational software and channel list separately) via satellite or USB stick (not supplied)· Language selection for programmes broadcast in several languages· Channel search· Channel position sort function· Automatic date and time setting via DVB data stream· On-screen display (OSD) in 8 languages (D, GB, F, I, E, CZ, NL, TR)· DiSEqCTM 1.0 control signal and SCR one-cable system control signals (as of first quarter 2007)· LINUX based operating system· Mains switch· Comes with: Remote control, batteries, manual, safety notes, SCART cable & power cable
Kathrein UFS910 HD Linux STB
by Alan HartenThe Kathrein UFS-910 HD satellite receiver is available to buy now, and it's a very interesting prospect.Not as well-featured as the long-awaited Dreambox 8000, it does however boast full DVB-S2 and MPEG-4 capability (as well as being backwardly compatible to DVB-S and MPEG-2) and have the required HDMI output connector. It also carries the much sought-after Ethernet interface and runs a Linux based operating system.Interestingly, it has 3 (yes, three!) USB 2.0 ports - one of which is on the front of the box.Currently selling in Germany for around €360, its release is sure to tempt a few of those hobbyists that can't wait another minute for the DM8000. Interestingly the Kathrein UFS 901 was announced at the 2006 ANGA cable show alongside the HD Dreambox.Lack of a hard disk, or the possibility of having one fitted at a later date, will deter many though. Another note of caution. Strangely, the specifications only mention DiSEqC 1.0, and not the DiSEqC 1.2 required to drive a DiSEqC motor. Either something to watch out for, or a typo - we're not sure which!Kathrein are a very well respected dish manufacturer, and have already produced a range of similar-looking DVB-S PVR's (have a look at the Kathrein UFS-821). This box could prove to be a winner across Europe at that price and with its head start in the race with the Dreambox.Available in Black and Silver, here's a summary of the specifications:· Reception of digital satellite TV and radio channels in the DVB-S and DVB-S2 transmission standards· Video decoding of MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/H.264 signals· 16-digit alphanumeric display to show the channel names and programme information· 4,000 channel memory positions· Kathrein-easy-use EPG with timer programming· Common Interface for two CA modules· HDMI output for connection to an HDTV ready TV set· HDCP copy protection· Optical audio output for Dolby Digital data stream (AC 3)· YPbPr output· Cinch sockets for AV signal (composite colour picture, stereo-audio)· One USB 2.0 port on the front panel and two USB 2.0 ports on the back panel for software updates with a USB stick· Multifunction setting device on the front panel· Composite colour picture, RGB and Y/C signal output programmable on SCART socket· Suitable for software updates (operational software and channel list separately) via satellite or USB stick (not supplied)· Language selection for programmes broadcast in several languages· Channel search· Channel position sort function· Automatic date and time setting via DVB data stream· On-screen display (OSD) in 8 languages (D, GB, F, I, E, CZ, NL, TR)· DiSEqCTM 1.0 control signal and SCR one-cable system control signals (as of first quarter 2007)· LINUX based operating system· Mains switch· Comes with: Remote control, batteries, manual, safety notes, SCART cable & power cable
January 5, 2007
We hope you all had an enjoyable festive period, and that going back to work isn’t as bad as you imagined it might be ;) Well, we had some laughs at Satellite Help over the holidays, including a New Years Eve chase around the globe. Not sure how many midnights we watched, but a few beers were consumed. The forum also had its first birthday in December, and it’s ...
Happy New Year, and Happy Birthday!
by BGonaSTICKWe hope you all had an enjoyable festive period, and that going back to work isn’t as bad as you imagined it might be ;) Well, we had some laughs at Satellite Help over the holidays, including a New Years Eve chase around the globe. Not sure how many midnights we watched, but a few beers were consumed. The forum also had its first birthday in December, and it’s ...
