Which receiver to go for?

[bigG]

Hi again

I am looking to buy a system for DigitAlb (probably with a monoblock pointing at 13E as well as 16E). I don't want to spend too much to start with so I will do without a motorised dish for now (maybe next year! .

My question is which receiver should I buy; Technomate 1500ci, Vantage (although I don't really need the freeview tuner and I can't find anyone selling a non-freeview version), Phoenix Apollo CI+MC ? For DigitAlb I will need Conax so I guess the Vantage is best with Conax built in, but what about the Apollo with Multicrypt (how does Multicrypt work)?

Probably some dumb questions there, but I thought I would ask as I got a lot of help from my first posting on your forum.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Mickha]

A monobloc is generally for 13E and 19E, 6 degrees separation, to get 13E and 16E you will probably need separate LNB's and the thin type, as there is only 3 degrees difference.
The Technomate receivers have a built in multi cam, if you get one with a card reader, as well, you can use this for DigitAlb cards.
The Vantage has it's advantages if you're looking to spend a little more, but each receiver has different qualities for the price, so it's a matter of budget and choice.
Read through the various receiver sections and then post back if you have any specific questions.

[bigG]

Thanks Mickha

Apparently there are new monoblocks that can pick up both 13 and 16E now.

I'll check out details of the different receivers but one of the things that is puzzling me is how the different card slots work, i.e. how to make a multicrypt read a conax card (for example).

[bigtee]

Yep, there are now monoblocks for 13e and 16e; multicrypt card slots should not require anything extra to work with most cards including Conax cards - just inserting the card into the slot should do it.

[bigG]

Thanks for that bigtee. That means that I can just pick a receiver based on reviews.

[BGonaSTICK]

'Multicrypt' is just comprehensive and flexible software (firmware) in the receiver that can handle numerous encryption types as opposed to just one. Some of them are officially licensed, and some are not.

There are versions of the Vantage that are just satellite, and are around £80 IIRC. Our advertisers stock them.

Monoblocs utilising 3 degree separation are becoming a lot more common now, mainly due to Eutelsat's decision to expand the 10E orbital slot alongside Hotbird.

If you want to use illegal software decryption alongside your DigitAlb card, you'll need to ask us for advice on top of reading magazine reviews, or do plenty of reading yourself.

[bigG]

Thanks STICK

I may get into the illegal stuff later, but for now really I am only interested in getting everything up and running on DigitAlb.

I can't find any Vantage satellite only receivers in stock anywhere (in the UK at least), any ideas where I should be looking?

Thanks again. I'll get the hang of this one day!

[wod]

you could buy one from these _http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/en_index.es

[BGonaSTICK]

Beg pudd'n', I thought they did the FTA one at Cardmania, but they only list the CI version, AND it's out of stock.

It was probably HM-SAT where I saw it then.

It's here:

http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/receiver-d...blindscan.html

[bigG]

Cheers guys.