Help needed re setting up for French/German language channels

[clockmanuk]

I have no idea what I want ops: but I would be grateful for some suggestions from you readers. My son is hoping to take a degree in French and German :clap: . I have an existing sky digibox and small perforated fixed dish. I am not averse to a second dish if this is required. I think I would prefer a multi LNB system rather tham motorised but cost is a feature and my views are not set in stone - indeed I don't know why I said this! Whatever is best at reasonable cost would suit!!!. I would like to receive a good range of French AND German channels showing films and news/information type programmes. I woiuld rather not have to subscribe at the moment but would like to keep this as an option for the future.

[nanochickin]

You will find plenty of french & German stuff on Astra 1 @ 19.2e and Hotbird @13e. Sky is broadcast from Astra 2 @28.2e

Theoretically the Sky Digibox can pick up most of the stuff of Astra 1 although i have read somewhere that the digibox can become problematic if it does not receive a signal periodically from Astra 2.

You are probably best off getting a something like a Technomate TM1000D receiver which is technically a free to air receiver although it can be patched to open up the likes of TPS from France, Premiere from Germany and on occasions Digital+ from Spain plus others as and when they become available.

I would use a separate dish for Astra 1 and Hotbird unless you want to keep moving your existing Minidish. A 60cm with a monoblock lnb should suffice for Hottie and Astra 1.

The other alternative for french TV is Atlantic bird 3 @ 5W. It has quite a bit of French TV that is free to air in both digital and analogue format. In digital France 1,2,3,4,5 and ARTE are on 11591 V & 11607 V.

Hope this helps



Nano

[clockmanuk]

Thanks Nano. This is very helpful although it does raise other questions. I wouldn't really want to b****r ops: up my sky receiver so I agree about a second dish. Did I read somewhere that I would need planning permission to put up a second dish? (I hope not as I hope to set this up reasonably quickly ). From what you have said it sounds like I need to access 3 different satellites. Would a 60cm dish be big enough or will I need to go bigger? Also, (although I was initially against it for reasons which I no longer know!!!) would a steerable/motorised dish be a better bet? You suggested a receiver and it is always nice to get a recommendation in a mi9nefield such as this, but will the one you suggest take a viewing card? If not, are you able to recommend one that will. Thanks again for your help so far.

[nanochickin]

To be honest you will only need to access 19.2e and 13e. I just threw 5w in as just a suggestion.

Using your Digibox on 19.2 won't bugger it up either. I'm sure i read somewhere that it just causes the box to freeze until it gets a lock onto the primary transponder from Astra 2 :?

As for dish size a 60cm one will do for 13 and 19.2e. I am currently getting the signal off Astra 1 on my old disused 43cm Sky Minidish

Planning permission shouldn't really come into either for a 60cm dish. I use an 80cm dish for Hotbird although it is possible now to get a good signal using a Minidish due to most stuff coming from Hottie 7 & 8 which are relatively new and more high powered birds than their predecessors :

If your going motorized i would go for a bigger dish, maybe a 1m one. This will open up loads of viewing to you as you will be able to see a lot more of the older more weaker birds . There is unfortunately a lot more setting up to do which is why i have gone for 4 static dishes rather than 1 motorized one.

With regards to the receiver i would recommend a Technomate TM1500 CI+ or CI+ Super. Theres still loads of support for it and loads of patches avaliable to open up stuff like TPS :clap: It will also accept most viewing cards. Unfortunately it does not support the NDS encryption used by Sky and Sky Italia

[jontydog]

I have an 80cm dish with a Technomate 1000d reciever with a monoblock LNB. This is great for Hotbird/Astra 1 which as nano has said has plenty of French and German channels and can "open" channels with the correct patches but doesn't have a cam or card slot. I believe one can be added though which I will be looking into in the new year. The Premiere package on Astra 1 usually has German and English language soundtracks so you would be able to have both.

Just my twopenneth