English, French and Italian FTA? - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

Fabio · 28-05-07, 01:41 PM

Dear All,
Apologies if my question sounds silly, just bear with me since I'm a total newbee...

My Freeview reception is very poor and I'm considering FTA. I'm located in Watford, UK.

Additionally, I'm looking for french (for my partner) and italian (for myself) channels.

I was thinking to setup something like the following:
- Astra 2D (28.2E, for UK)
- Atlantic Bird 3 (5W, for France)
- Hotbird 8 (13E, Italy)

I'd also like a receiver that can record programmes, so I can watch them when I want.

Is this kind of setup possible at all? If it is, what's the best configuration? And if it's not, what is the most realistic option?

Thank you all in advance for your advice!

BGonaSTICK · 30-05-07, 12:14 AM

Hi Fabio - welcome to the forum :welc1:

All very sensible questions, and - you'll be glad to hear - all very possible

There are French channels dotted around the different satellites, but 5W is probably the best location.

Choosing a PVR (receiver that has a hard disk inside, onto which you can record - like Sky plus) is a matter of personal taste, but you might like to look at some of the Topfield models. Very nice quality, if a little pricey.

There is also the Manhattan range at a more reasonable price, but these are not my favourites, mainly because I've heard several reports of them being unreliable. There are many other makes. Some of the German stores carry the largest ranges, like HM-sat.de. Our advertisers also carry quite a number.

As for achieving the three satellite locations you desire, make sure that your selected receiver has DiSEqC 1.2 included. Virtually every modern digital receiver does.

That way, you have the choice of whether to motorise a single dish, or to try and combine the three orbital locations onto one or more satellite dish.

If you go for a 90cm diameter dish or larger (and of a certain type), you might just squeeze all three on one dish, but it might be better to go for two smaller dishes.

To be honest, the motorised approach would be much neater, and give you every satellite in between too.

Have a look at the Moteck SG2100A motor or the STAB HH-90, HH-100 or HH-120 and let us have your thoughts.

Regards,

STICK

Analoguesat · 30-05-07, 09:02 AM

Be aware the free to air French stuff in digital on 5W will very likely disappear later in the year.

There will be 6 DTT multiplexes carried on 5W. The French have decided to carry the channels to the transmitter network using satellite and to combine 2 multiplexes onto 1 satellite frequency using Newtech equipment. At the moment only 5 multiplexes are on air, and the "odd" mux is the one available to hobby equipment. As soon as DTT mux 6 starts up it will be Newtech'd onto multiplex 5 and we will lose access to it.

Fabio · 30-05-07, 10:14 PM

Hi Analoguesat,
Thank you for your reply.

That's kind of a showstopper, I'm afraid... But I may still settle for UK and Italian TV...

Would you happen to know whether those channels are going to be available elsewhere? I'm mainly interested in France 2/4/5 and Arte.

And are you aware of other similar changes?

Thank you!

Fabio · 30-05-07, 10:28 PM

Hi Stick,
Thank you for your reply.

A lot depends on the availability of Atlantic Bird 3 (or rather its channels), but I'm considering a motorised dish (90cm) and a receiver with hard disk and DiSEqC 1.2. Do I need anything else? I didn't have a chance to look at the prices yet, but I'll do that and, no doubt, post again with more questions...

Now, since I'm not what you call a DIY enthusiast, I would also need an installer. Do you think this is a setup most installers would be able to do? And what is a fair price for the service, assuming I will purchase the equipment myself? Or should I let the installer provide the equipment?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm really really new to the satellite world...

Thank you for your time!

Fabio · 30-05-07, 10:39 PM

One more question: I'd like to do some reading, just to get familiar with terms ect...

Is there any book that you would advice for total beginners?

Thanks!

Analoguesat · 30-05-07, 11:16 PM

Well Arte is in the clear on 19E, and the other main Frech stations are still available in analogue off 5W. They will probably be around for another 2-3 years. There is also a "French Freesat" coming via 19E next year, although you would have to import the card and box from France. More details will be on the forum when the plans have firmed up a bit more (and someone who speaks French on one of the other forums posts them!)

BGonaSTICK · 31-05-07, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabio

Hi Stick,
Thank you for your reply.

A lot depends on the availability of Atlantic Bird 3 (or rather its channels), but I'm considering a motorised dish (90cm) and a receiver with hard disk and DiSEqC 1.2. Do I need anything else? I didn't have a chance to look at the prices yet, but I'll do that and, no doubt, post again with more questions...

Now, since I'm not what you call a DIY enthusiast, I would also need an installer. Do you think this is a setup most installers would be able to do? And what is a fair price for the service, assuming I will purchase the equipment myself? Or should I let the installer provide the equipment?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm really really new to the satellite world...

Thank you for your time!

Only a small percentage of installers are good enough (or even then, willing) to install motorised systems, so you'll have to hunt around. If you get a good job done for around £100 then you've had a result.

Doesn't matter where the equipment comes from if it's competitively priced and is what you want. Most installers will just try to sell you what they have in the shop/van. Pick what you want, and stick to your guns. If the installer can't work out how to configure it, you know you've picked a wrong 'un. Or a bad receiver...

Stick to the popular makes if you want good support.

As for reading matter, there (surprisingly) aren't that many books, and nothing that I could recommend. Flicking through our Glossary isn't too heavy going, and asking on the forum is worth your while. You don't have to worry about knowing the answer to questions before you ask them here - we expect basic questions, and we're ready to answer them.

There is heaps on information on the forum - using the search function for any given term will probably throw up something worth reading. Do this from the main index page if you want the search to cover every section.

STICK

Fabio · 31-05-07, 10:13 AM

Hi Analoguesat,
Do I need a special receiver to get analogue channels from 19E?

Thanks!

Analoguesat · 31-05-07, 10:21 AM

An analogue box for the half dozen channels on 5W Cheap as chips on Ebay, or can be picked up new and dirt cheap in the big French hypermarkets.

Details of the "French Freeview" (which will be in digital) as soon as I get some definite info

28-05-07, 01:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fabio Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	English, French and Italian FTA? Dear All, Apologies if my question sounds silly, just bear with me since I'm a total newbee... My Freeview reception is very poor and I'm considering FTA. I'm located in Watford, UK. Additionally, I'm looking for french (for my partner) and italian (for myself) channels. I was thinking to setup something like the following: - Astra 2D (28.2E, for UK) - Atlantic Bird 3 (5W, for France) - Hotbird 8 (13E, Italy) I'd also like a receiver that can record programmes, so I can watch them when I want. Is this kind of setup possible at all? If it is, what's the best configuration? And if it's not, what is the most realistic option? Thank you all in advance for your advice!

30-05-07, 12:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 163 Times in 57 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? Hi Fabio - welcome to the forum :welc1: All very sensible questions, and - you'll be glad to hear - all very possible There are French channels dotted around the different satellites, but 5W is probably the best location. Choosing a PVR (receiver that has a hard disk inside, onto which you can record - like Sky plus) is a matter of personal taste, but you might like to look at some of the Topfield models. Very nice quality, if a little pricey. There is also the Manhattan range at a more reasonable price, but these are not my favourites, mainly because I've heard several reports of them being unreliable. There are many other makes. Some of the German stores carry the largest ranges, like HM-sat.de. Our advertisers also carry quite a number. As for achieving the three satellite locations you desire, make sure that your selected receiver has DiSEqC 1.2 included. Virtually every modern digital receiver does. That way, you have the choice of whether to motorise a single dish, or to try and combine the three orbital locations onto one or more satellite dish. If you go for a 90cm diameter dish or larger (and of a certain type), you might just squeeze all three on one dish, but it might be better to go for two smaller dishes. To be honest, the motorised approach would be much neater, and give you every satellite in between too. Have a look at the Moteck SG2100A motor or the STAB HH-90, HH-100 or HH-120 and let us have your thoughts. Regards, 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

30-05-07, 09:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Analoguesat manic midlander retired mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,668 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1,334 Times in 985 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? Be aware the free to air French stuff in digital on 5W will very likely disappear later in the year. There will be 6 DTT multiplexes carried on 5W. The French have decided to carry the channels to the transmitter network using satellite and to combine 2 multiplexes onto 1 satellite frequency using Newtech equipment. At the moment only 5 multiplexes are on air, and the "odd" mux is the one available to hobby equipment. As soon as DTT mux 6 starts up it will be Newtech'd onto multiplex 5 and we will lose access to it. __________________ 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!!

30-05-07, 10:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fabio Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? Hi Analoguesat, Thank you for your reply. That's kind of a showstopper, I'm afraid... But I may still settle for UK and Italian TV... Would you happen to know whether those channels are going to be available elsewhere? I'm mainly interested in France 2/4/5 and Arte. And are you aware of other similar changes? Thank you!

30-05-07, 10:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fabio Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? Hi Stick, Thank you for your reply. A lot depends on the availability of Atlantic Bird 3 (or rather its channels), but I'm considering a motorised dish (90cm) and a receiver with hard disk and DiSEqC 1.2. Do I need anything else? I didn't have a chance to look at the prices yet, but I'll do that and, no doubt, post again with more questions... Now, since I'm not what you call a DIY enthusiast, I would also need an installer. Do you think this is a setup most installers would be able to do? And what is a fair price for the service, assuming I will purchase the equipment myself? Or should I let the installer provide the equipment? Sorry for all the questions, I'm really really new to the satellite world... Thank you for your time!

30-05-07, 10:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Fabio Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? One more question: I'd like to do some reading, just to get familiar with terms ect... Is there any book that you would advice for total beginners? Thanks!

30-05-07, 11:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Analoguesat manic midlander retired mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,668 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1,334 Times in 985 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? Well Arte is in the clear on 19E, and the other main Frech stations are still available in analogue off 5W. They will probably be around for another 2-3 years. There is also a "French Freesat" coming via 19E next year, although you would have to import the card and box from France. More details will be on the forum when the plans have firmed up a bit more (and someone who speaks French on one of the other forums posts them!) __________________ 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!!

31-05-07, 10:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Fabio Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? Hi Analoguesat, Do I need a special receiver to get analogue channels from 19E? Thanks!

31-05-07, 10:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
Analoguesat manic midlander retired mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,668 Thanks: 21 Thanked 1,334 Times in 985 Posts	Re: English, French and Italian FTA? An analogue box for the half dozen channels on 5W Cheap as chips on Ebay, or can be picked up new and dirt cheap in the big French hypermarkets. Details of the "French Freeview" (which will be in digital) as soon as I get some definite info __________________ 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!!