Just purchased a new system: Help needed

[irishweeman]

You are very helpful. I was supossed to get the 7755 but the wholesaler got me this instead at £96 all in.

I am oly putting on one LNB towards Hotbird, linked with an ART card....is it worth using a monoblock given that I will be keeping my sky subscription

I will check out that site for patches...If I am on hotbird, what exactly will the patch allow me to watch. Sorry but I have no idea.

Will that site tell me how to patch the machie, as I do ot think it is patched.

One day I will be able to help others!!!

[Mickha]

Hi irishweeman,
it would be advisable to get both Astra 1, 19.2E and Hotbird 13E, as different packages are open at different times in our hobby. A patch will get you the TPS package on hotbird, but at present you need to update the patch every week, you should also get SRG, swiss package, and other channels.
A motorised system always gives you more flexibility, especially for feeds, but you will find a lot on Astra 1 and Hotbird to keep you happy.
There are lots of tools, and information, downloads available at both satdudez and Alsat and if you're having any problems we can post them for you on an upload site like sendspace.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your new hobby, and like the rest of us, you'll soon try getting everything available.
Best wishes
Mickha

[irishweeman]

Should I change my sigle lb to a 6 degree monoblock?? I can still do it on monday morning before the installation...are there a variety of decent programmes on astra

Also tried the satdudz site but i am now totally confused about patching, keycodes etc. Is there anywhere where i can learn the basics of patching and opening other channels on hotbird and astra 19

[Mickha]

Hi irishweeman,
it's always worth having 19.2E, just for the few times D+ is open, and there are 2 TCM channels, and Cartoon Network, that are usually available, the extra channels are worth it.
Once you have your system, and have it set up, we will be happy to help, and patching only seems difficult, once you've done it the first time you'll see how easy it is and there are always help files available from other owners.
After a few days I'm sure you'll be more confident, and soon want to motorise your set up, I think nearly all of us started with a 60cm fixed dish, now check what equiment we've purchased, in my case a 1.2M Channel Master and a semi redundant 80cm, plus a couple of 60cm dishes that I've given away !!!!!
Best wishes
Mickha

[BGonaSTICK]

So yes, get in there quick and change your order to a monoblock!

Patching looks very scary, but is quite simple. You basically download the correct patch file, the loader file, buy a null-modem cable and then:

Turn off the receiver
Connect the cable to both receiver and PC
Start the loader on your PC
Tell the loader where to find the patch file
Start the load process
Switch on the receiver
Wait for the patch to be loaded

The keys and all the fiddly nasty stuff is all included in the patch.

There's a lot more you can learn as you go along, but that's the long and the short of it.

[irishweeman]

Ok

I will run out in the morning and change the single lnb to a monoblock. What do I ask for is it a 6 degree monoblock. Is this the best option, or are there other multi lbs that will give me more programm options

I have see a dragon cam for sale...what exactly is it

I have the cable.

Where do I find the patch itself for the phoenix apollo multicrypt +2ci

Once I find the correct patch I take it i save it to my pc

Once it is on the pc I then use the cable to connect the laptop to the receiver?

What is the loader you are talking about....is this software on the receiver that comes on when I link the pc and receiver via the cable

I am looking forward to getting this all set up tomorrow and want the right set up

One final question. If I get a monoblock set up to 13 and 19 degrees east, when I turn on the receiver how do I know which satellite I am receiving signals from

[Mickha]

Hi irishweeman,
the Dragon/T-rex Cam is Conditional Access Module thet plugs into the CI slot on receivers, the only advantage the new T-Rex 4.6 will give over patches for your receiver is access to the Premiere package on Astra 1, your receiver should open everything else the Dragon/T-Rex cam can.
The loader is a piece of software for your computer to allow it to interact with your receiver, there are also other software utilities, for your computer, presumably to allow you to alter keys and data, you will learn more about this once you are set up, but I would advise you download the utilities and read through the help files now.
With a fixed dish your best option is Astra 1, 19.2E and Hotbird 13E, and a monoblock is the cheapest route, but there are a lot of other good satellites and in future you might want to upgrade to a fully motorized system.
Best wishes
Mickha

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, all monoblocs are 6 degrees for Astra1 and Hotbird unless specifically stated otherwise.

Once installed, you just tell your receiver (via the standard menus/remote control) which satellite each 'half' of the monobloc is connected to and it will then switch automatically when you change channels. Your installer will do that, so watch how he does it.

The patch and loader software for the Phoenix Apollo can be found at satdudez.org. You'll need to register.

From the main forum page just scroll down until you find the section for your receiver.

STICK

[irishweeman]

Thanks

Will get the install done and then if i need any questions answered re patchig the receiver i will ask if thats ok

[irishweeman]

Just got the system installed today. Decided to use the single lnb on hotbird to begin with until i get to grips with all this

Mainly using the system for Art sports. Watched the Chelsea match on it this afternoon and am very impressed with it

Only started flicking through the numerous amount of channels. Most seem to be scrambled apart from Art which i have an official card for.

Given that I am keeping my sky subscription, are there any decent channels which I shoud look out for on hotbird.

Also, is it worth patching the receiver, will it open ay worthwhile channels. If I patch it wrongly can I cause my system any damage

Thanks