Foreign card packages - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

linsladeboy · 11-09-06, 09:45 AM

Hi once again,
I purchased What Satellite and Digital TV mag(or is it What Porn Mag!) for the first time this weekend to see what fta French and Italian channels( I have lived in both countries) are available on Hotbird and Astra 1 and also learn a bit more about systems before taking the plunge. I must admit I was very disappointed with lack of features and also its huge amount of Porn packages adverts(my mrs thought I bought Men Only - in fact I might get that for £4 next month!) I think I'll stick to this forum for advice in the future!
So, apart from Art Sport full bouqet for £120 to £150 for my footie what card packages are available for same amount of price to watch films, shows etc as most fta seem to be scrambled.
My plan is to get a Technomate 1500 CI+ if that's any help on the cam card, card slot front.
Many thanks once again.

Analoguesat · 11-09-06, 09:52 AM

ART SPorts is by far and away the best value footy package if you dont want to play with Sky UK. DigiAlb on 16E was the other big player, but they seem to have been "got at" and are going down the ultra premium price route for anyone wanting uk footy.

BGonaSTICK · 11-09-06, 10:00 AM

DigitALB used to be quite good value just for the films too. Some of the latest movies and English audio. Don't know how that works out value-wise now they've split the football off :?

If it were me, I'd just pick up the films as and when the packages are prized open, and record a few for the days when screens go black.

I have hard disk after hard disk full of hundreds of cool films that I'm never going to watch! :

Jimdefruit · 11-09-06, 10:01 AM

There is an excellent selection of films on the Digitalb. on 16E satellite

To get a rough idea of what is available have a look HERE

linsladeboy · 11-09-06, 11:41 AM

Many thanks once again for all your suggestions!
Digressing to dish and LNB equipment, my plan is to get a monoblock dual LNB for Hotbird and Astra 1 mounted on 70/80cms dish.
Do you think that would suffice? I don't really want to go down motor option at present(severe lack of liquid funds at present). I live in Bedfordshire if that helps!

Could I add later on another monoblock for say Eutelsat and Astra 2 on existing dish?

Is there any difference on quality between solid/mesh and transparent dishes? I live on top of a hill, therefore dish would very exposed to the elements on mounted wall direction.

I have read that Art sport/Aljezeera card is in short supply/no longer manufactured for time being. Is this corrrect as I probably won't be getting system quite yet and I obviously don't want to end up without one!

Am I talking gibberish !!!!!!!!
Apologies once again for basic questions

BGonaSTICK · 11-09-06, 12:06 PM

LOL. No m8, you're doing OK

Yes, I think two LNBs on an 80cm dish is a good starter option, and the clear dishes are very good (i.e. they perform pretty well and are less obtrusive).

You shouldn't have any problems using a dish of that size in the windiest of locations as long as you use a good strong mount with plenty of bolt fixing holes and use the correct fixings. THUNDERBOLT masonry anchors or sleeve anchors are best. Ordinary coach bolts are second best

Drill into the brick, and not the mortar.

If you need to raise your dish above the gutter, then you may as well use T&K brackets and a 2" steel pole. Long poles should be 3" steel.

A mesh dish is slightly better in the wind, as some of the force is dissipated through the holes, but TBH it's marginal IMO.

If you want to potentially add more LNBs later, then I wouldn't start with a monobloc. Start with two LNBs and a 4-way DiSEqC switch, and then you can easily add one or two more LNBs later. Also go for a dish that has a multi-LNB holder available as a standard option. Aftermarket brackets are never as good.

On cards, the red ART Carte Sport card (try saying THAT after a few beers!) has ceased production (AFAIK) but the standard 1-6 + AlJaz 1&2 card is still OK. They can run short at any time though. Goldwafers still have some.

Don't be paniced into buying one though. You'd be sick if you bought one and in three months time when you go to insert it they've stopped showing the football or something.

In this game, only spend your money when you need to.

STICK

Jimdefruit · 11-09-06, 12:29 PM

You wont get a monoblock to cover 16E and 28.2E. I would strongly second what Stick says. Go for the multi lnb setup, if you dont go motorised, and fit a 4 way diseqc switch. You can add lnbs for other satellites as you want to add them. The only reason to go motorised is if you want to start investigating the satellites between the main 1W, 13, 16, 19.2, 28.2 E or outside that range.

linsladeboy · 11-09-06, 12:58 PM

Thanks lads, that's fantastic !!!!!

I think I know what I want now. I will post details of what and when equipment is up and running.
Must go now, female charm school beckons! :

11-09-06, 09:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
linsladeboy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 182 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Foreign card packages Hi once again, I purchased What Satellite and Digital TV mag(or is it What Porn Mag!) for the first time this weekend to see what fta French and Italian channels( I have lived in both countries) are available on Hotbird and Astra 1 and also learn a bit more about systems before taking the plunge. I must admit I was very disappointed with lack of features and also its huge amount of Porn packages adverts(my mrs thought I bought Men Only - in fact I might get that for £4 next month!) I think I'll stick to this forum for advice in the future! So, apart from Art Sport full bouqet for £120 to £150 for my footie what card packages are available for same amount of price to watch films, shows etc as most fta seem to be scrambled. My plan is to get a Technomate 1500 CI+ if that's any help on the cam card, card slot front. Many thanks once again.

11-09-06, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Analoguesat manic midlander retired mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,668 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1,339 Times in 990 Posts	Re: Foreign card packages ART SPorts is by far and away the best value footy package if you dont want to play with Sky UK. DigiAlb on 16E was the other big player, but they seem to have been "got at" and are going down the ultra premium price route for anyone wanting uk footy. __________________ Basic forum rules for both satellite & cable: no keys no patches no offering or asking for card shares Anyone pm'ing me for details of card sharing or anything to do with hacking cable will be banned immediately Analogue forever!!

11-09-06, 10:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Foreign card packages DigitALB used to be quite good value just for the films too. Some of the latest movies and English audio. Don't know how that works out value-wise now they've split the football off :? If it were me, I'd just pick up the films as and when the packages are prized open, and record a few for the days when screens go black. I have hard disk after hard disk full of hundreds of cool films that I'm never going to watch! : __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

11-09-06, 10:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,858 Thanks: 20 Thanked 221 Times in 187 Posts	Re: Foreign card packages There is an excellent selection of films on the Digitalb. on 16E satellite To get a rough idea of what is available have a look HERE __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreamboxes If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

11-09-06, 11:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
linsladeboy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 182 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Foreign card packages Many thanks once again for all your suggestions! Digressing to dish and LNB equipment, my plan is to get a monoblock dual LNB for Hotbird and Astra 1 mounted on 70/80cms dish. Do you think that would suffice? I don't really want to go down motor option at present(severe lack of liquid funds at present). I live in Bedfordshire if that helps! Could I add later on another monoblock for say Eutelsat and Astra 2 on existing dish? Is there any difference on quality between solid/mesh and transparent dishes? I live on top of a hill, therefore dish would very exposed to the elements on mounted wall direction. I have read that Art sport/Aljezeera card is in short supply/no longer manufactured for time being. Is this corrrect as I probably won't be getting system quite yet and I obviously don't want to end up without one! Am I talking gibberish !!!!!!!! Apologies once again for basic questions

11-09-06, 12:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Foreign card packages LOL. No m8, you're doing OK Yes, I think two LNBs on an 80cm dish is a good starter option, and the clear dishes are very good (i.e. they perform pretty well and are less obtrusive). You shouldn't have any problems using a dish of that size in the windiest of locations as long as you use a good strong mount with plenty of bolt fixing holes and use the correct fixings. THUNDERBOLT masonry anchors or sleeve anchors are best. Ordinary coach bolts are second best Drill into the brick, and not the mortar. If you need to raise your dish above the gutter, then you may as well use T&K brackets and a 2" steel pole. Long poles should be 3" steel. A mesh dish is slightly better in the wind, as some of the force is dissipated through the holes, but TBH it's marginal IMO. If you want to potentially add more LNBs later, then I wouldn't start with a monobloc. Start with two LNBs and a 4-way DiSEqC switch, and then you can easily add one or two more LNBs later. Also go for a dish that has a multi-LNB holder available as a standard option. Aftermarket brackets are never as good. On cards, the red ART Carte Sport card (try saying THAT after a few beers!) has ceased production (AFAIK) but the standard 1-6 + AlJaz 1&2 card is still OK. They can run short at any time though. Goldwafers still have some. Don't be paniced into buying one though. You'd be sick if you bought one and in three months time when you go to insert it they've stopped showing the football or something. In this game, only spend your money when you need to. STICK __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

11-09-06, 12:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,858 Thanks: 20 Thanked 221 Times in 187 Posts	Re: Foreign card packages You wont get a monoblock to cover 16E and 28.2E. I would strongly second what Stick says. Go for the multi lnb setup, if you dont go motorised, and fit a 4 way diseqc switch. You can add lnbs for other satellites as you want to add them. The only reason to go motorised is if you want to start investigating the satellites between the main 1W, 13, 16, 19.2, 28.2 E or outside that range. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreamboxes If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

11-09-06, 12:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
linsladeboy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 182 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Foreign card packages Thanks lads, that's fantastic !!!!! I think I know what I want now. I will post details of what and when equipment is up and running. Must go now, female charm school beckons! :