Heads hurting with all this info

[spider88948]

Hi, im new to the whole DIY satellite thing, and am still trying to get a basic knowledge of some of the options available.

So, for someone who is a complete beginner, but is looking to get some descent channels for free or cheaper than SKY Tv, what is the best option?

[nanochickin]

Hi mate :welc3: to the forum

Get a Technomate TM 1000 super is the best advise i can give you for someone starting out on a budget

Theres loads open at the moment on the Technomate on 19.2e and 13e, definately the cheapest way atm to get extra channels that are actually worth watching



Nano

[spider88948]

Thanks for reply.

I have looked at the Technomate before. Am I right in thinking that all I need is the Technomate and a satellite dish pointing in the right direction?

Also, I noticed that you have a dreambox. I have heard alot about these receivers, but what are they capable of?

[BGonaSTICK]

Hi spider, welcome to the forum :clap:

I'll let Nano answer your Dreambox question, but they're probably not the best receiver to start on unless you're a computer whizz-kid.

[nanochickin]

Your right in the assumption that all you will need other than the receiver is a dish pointing in the right direction to get your extra TV channels.

As stick said the Dreambox is not really a good box to start off with unless you are good with computers as most of the setting up is done on a computer using FTP rather than doing anything at the box. It also requires a permenant network (cat5) connection to your PC and/or the internet for it to be anything other than a fancy house brick

It took me nearly two months to get it doing anything other than receiving FTA channels. It nearly went on ebay several times which is a good indication of how annoyed i got with it. I also kept my Technomate for a few months while i was getting to grips with it as it made a fantastic safety blanket. To be honest i wish i hadn't sold my Technomate now, but hindsight is a wonderfull thing

The Dreambox is not an easy box to get grips with and one i would advise you to avoid for now until you are more competant in the hobby

In all honesty at the moment there isn't really that much more open on the Dreambox than there is on the Technomate. As far as i am aware TPS, TV Cabo and Digital+ are still auto updating on the Technomate using Darkmans latest patch. If i am incorrect with that assumption daily Bin files and softcams are usually available daily on the a l s a t forum which is probably the best place to find stuff for the Technomate

Hope this helps you mate



Nano

[spider88948]

This is really useful advice

I was going to go for the dreambox initially, as I like the idea of not having to mess around with CAMs and cards, because I no next to nothing about either. However, if getting to grips with the dreambox is difficult in itself, its probably better to go for the Technomate.

What CAM do you get in the Technomate, and which one is the best, i.e. accepts any card you throw at it?

So, if wanted to start getting some descent TV,i need to buy the following kit:

• A dish
• A Technomate box
• Blank cards
• A card programmer

Last thing, which retailers would you recommend? I live in the UK, are there any good ones in the midlands area?

[Mickha]

At the moment all you would need is a Technomate 1000 series receiver and a null modem cable.
Patches, unofficial software, is available for these receivers so nothing else is required, apart from a dish and LNB, for the future, if you want to add a cam or use a legitimate card, you might consider the Technomate 1500 super model, this appears to be the favourite as it has a card slot, a Cam slot, and can be purchased for less than £100.
There are a lot of guides on how to patch these receivers, and a lot of help available.
The one thing you have to check is if your computer/laptop has a dedicated com port, to connect the null modem cable, otherwise you will need a USB to Serial adapter, quite cheap and widely available.

[spider88948]

Thanks mate

Your help has been much appreciated.

If you can recommend a good dish Ill be ready to start spending.

[Mickha]

Hi spider88948,
regarding your choice of dish we will need some more information, like your general location, e.g. South East England, do you want a motorised dish, gives a lot more satellite choices, and where you will need to site your dish, in the garden, on the wall, will it have to go above the roof, etc.
If you live in England you will need to know where South is, to discover this look for a Sky minidish, this will be pointing at 28.2E, so as you face the dish, looking at it, South will be 28.2 degrees to your left, this will help in siting your dish to get the most use from it, preferably so your dish has a clear line of site from 45E to 30W.
Most areas now allow you to have 2 dishes installed, and I believe you can have upto a 1 Metre dish installed without planning permission, but there might be local differences and problems with protected buildings.
Think about how much you want to spend and what you would like to receive, but once you start viewing other satellites you will want as much viewing choice as possible.

[nanochickin]

I found the Global Orbit dishes very good value for money. I was so impressed with the first one that i ended up buying 3 of them. 1 90cm dish an 2 80cms ones

I've only got the one now which i decided to motorise in the end rather than adding more and more dishes

I found the cheapest place to get dishes and lnbs from was on eBay. I would recommend getting your receiver from a shop though because if anything does go wrong you are more likely to get it sorted quickly

I wouldn't go for anything less than an 80cm dish as it will allow you to view most of the satellites out there



Nano