Free to air twin tuner help please - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

imported_sparks · 29-06-07, 11:21 PM

Hi there just joined,
i have looked at loads of forums looking for help about setting up a system with help from you guys if you can.
our lass and i live in a bad area for freeview we did have it for a while but trees have grown blocking reception. What we had was a twin tuner hard drive recorder which was great. now the trees have grown blocking our signal.
now we would like a similar set up on free to air satellite, i dont want owt to do with sky, free to air sounds good. Can anyone point me in the right direction as what to buy, i would like it to be compatible with the new BBC & itv format next year whatever that may be.
Many thanks

BGonaSTICK · 30-06-07, 12:41 PM

Hi Sparks, welcome to the forum m8

Not wanting to put you off the satellite install, but I take it that having the trees cut back isn't an option?

The BBC and ITV setup which is supposed to be happening next year is only a bit of a marketing job in reality.

You can receive all these channels right now, and have been able to for a long time. The Beeb and it's associate partners in this new 'Freesat' venture and just basically forming a new brand - like they did with 'Freeview' - and packaging it all up with the sale of the required kit. This is really just a bundle of hardware that's already available too.

You just need a small dish (45cm or above - a Sky minidish will do) with appropriate wall brackets and an LNB - then just run some cable inside to any FTA satellite receiver. There are loads to choose from.

It's also possible to buy a free-to-air box which can be 'tweaked' to unscramble films and footy etc. from other satellites. The 'Sky' satellite is only one of dozens located in the heavens. This will need a slightly larger dish though, and a motor if you really want to cash in.

Glad you found your way to Satellite Help eventually

STICK

imported_sparks · 04-07-07, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGonaSTICK

Hi Sparks, welcome to the forum m8

Not wanting to put you off the satellite install, but I take it that having the trees cut back isn't an option?

The BBC and ITV setup which is supposed to be happening next year is only a bit of a marketing job in reality.

You can receive all these channels right now, and have been able to for a long time. The Beeb and it's associate partners in this new 'Freesat' venture and just basically forming a new brand - like they did with 'Freeview' - and packaging it all up with the sale of the required kit. This is really just a bundle of hardware that's already available too.

You just need a small dish (45cm or above - a Sky minidish will do) with appropriate wall brackets and an LNB - then just run some c@ble inside to any FTA satellite receiver. There are loads to choose from.

It's also possible to buy a free-to-air box which can be 'tweaked' to unscramble films and footy etc. from other satellites. The 'Sky' satellite is only one of dozens located in the heavens. This will need a slightly larger dish though, and a motor if you really want to cash in.

Glad you found your way to Satellite Help eventually

STICK

Thanks mate.
hope this reply works never used these forums before,
NO the tree cant be chopped i am afraid our house is three quarters down a hill with houses in front of us you can only see them from the roofand my Ariel needs to see over these.
Since my last visit here i have paid a visit to a satellite shop and to do what i want i would need a 75cm elliptical dish a quad lnb and a topfield tf5510 pvr as i want something like freeview but on satellite, but this seems expensive for my first set up. just want a plug in and go set up for now.
How does this set up sound.
thankyou in advance
Chris

SAT-WORLD · 04-07-07, 09:03 PM

Hi Chris
The Topfield twin tuner pvrs are highly reccomended,but the one you've mentioned is at the pricey end.
The Topfield4000pvr plus is cheaper:
http://www.turbosat.com/acatalog/Top...0PVR_Plus.html
Or if you willing to buy used from Ebay,you might be interested in this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...9782&rd=1&rd=1

BGonaSTICK · 04-07-07, 10:14 PM

A Skystar2 PCI card is effectively a PVR system and only costs £45!

A great way to find out if the satellite hobby is for you.

Loads of standard PVR set-top boxes out there. Time for a Google.

Some of the German stores are very good value.

madrat · 05-07-07, 11:26 PM

You can get a Mini dish for under £20 including postage of ebay, a quad LNB is yours for another £10

Maplins do a twin freesat PVR

_http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=97916&doy=5m7
_http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=99869&doy=5m7

satsid · 05-07-07, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAT-WORLD

Hi Chris
The Topfield twin tuner pvrs are highly reccomended,but the one you've mentioned is at the pricey end.
The Topfield4000pvr plus is cheaper:
http://www.turbosat.com/acatalog/Top...0PVR_Plus.html
Or if you willing to buy used from Ebay,you might be interested in this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...9782&rd=1&rd=1

For a HD receiver the eycos S5.12 pvrh is better,i have this receiver.Well thats what was said from DR dish,iv found mine works very well.This has twin tuner & a hard drive for recording.From dr dish that said even sd signels are improved,im very happy with the pics on this receiver.
sid

imported_sparks · 06-07-07, 10:55 PM

Good evening everyone thanks for all the help. now i have plenty of receivers to be looking at. what is the big differences between the lnb's ranging from 10 quid upwards and the db. what should i avoid when buy. i will be getting a quad lnb.
When i get all these together i will be installing it myself have seen a satellite finder compass which look similar what goes on a car dashboard, you know a globe type which points you in the right direction and the elevation are they any good
many thanks again chris

Mship · 06-07-07, 11:12 PM

People tend to have there own personal favourites when it comes to LNB's. I have a Invacom 0.3db quad which I've found to be sound. Before that I used a Smart Titanium 0.2db and I can't say I've noticed any difference.

Basically, the lower the db the better the LNB (well, that's how the theory goes anyway

).

Have you decided what type of dish you're going to use? A minidish LNB won't be any use on an ordinary dish and vice versa

The compass should be OK, after all you only use it to get a general idea of where you are pointing anyway.

Kev

imported_sparks · 06-07-07, 11:28 PM

Good eve Kev,
Thanks for that, about the dish i have been recommended a 75cm elliptical sky type, because at some point i will be moving to the Scottish highlands hope i have been advised correct. Mind you it was the same bloke that recommended the topfield which is a good one but at the top end for my first receiver.

29-06-07, 11:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
imported_sparks Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Free to air twin tuner help please Hi there just joined, i have looked at loads of forums looking for help about setting up a system with help from you guys if you can. our lass and i live in a bad area for freeview we did have it for a while but trees have grown blocking reception. What we had was a twin tuner hard drive recorder which was great. now the trees have grown blocking our signal. now we would like a similar set up on free to air satellite, i dont want owt to do with sky, free to air sounds good. Can anyone point me in the right direction as what to buy, i would like it to be compatible with the new BBC & itv format next year whatever that may be. Many thanks

30-06-07, 12:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please Hi Sparks, welcome to the forum m8 Not wanting to put you off the satellite install, but I take it that having the trees cut back isn't an option? The BBC and ITV setup which is supposed to be happening next year is only a bit of a marketing job in reality. You can receive all these channels right now, and have been able to for a long time. The Beeb and it's associate partners in this new 'Freesat' venture and just basically forming a new brand - like they did with 'Freeview' - and packaging it all up with the sale of the required kit. This is really just a bundle of hardware that's already available too. You just need a small dish (45cm or above - a Sky minidish will do) with appropriate wall brackets and an LNB - then just run some cable inside to any FTA satellite receiver. There are loads to choose from. It's also possible to buy a free-to-air box which can be 'tweaked' to unscramble films and footy etc. from other satellites. The 'Sky' satellite is only one of dozens located in the heavens. This will need a slightly larger dish though, and a motor if you really want to cash in. Glad you found your way to Satellite Help eventually 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

04-07-07, 09:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
SAT-WORLD Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,664 Thanks: 19 Thanked 246 Times in 215 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please Hi Chris The Topfield twin tuner pvrs are highly reccomended,but the one you've mentioned is at the pricey end. The Topfield4000pvr plus is cheaper: http://www.turbosat.com/acatalog/Top...0PVR_Plus.html Or if you willing to buy used from Ebay,you might be interested in this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...9782&rd=1&rd=1

04-07-07, 10:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please A Skystar2 PCI card is effectively a PVR system and only costs £45! A great way to find out if the satellite hobby is for you. Loads of standard PVR set-top boxes out there. Time for a Google. Some of the German stores are very good value. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

05-07-07, 11:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2,232 Thanks: 11 Thanked 83 Times in 72 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please You can get a Mini dish for under £20 including postage of ebay, a quad LNB is yours for another £10 Maplins do a twin freesat PVR _http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=97916&doy=5m7 _http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=99869&doy=5m7 __________________ *VIRGIN, STOP SENDING ME JUNK MAIL.*

06-07-07, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
imported_sparks Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please Good evening everyone thanks for all the help. now i have plenty of receivers to be looking at. what is the big differences between the lnb's ranging from 10 quid upwards and the db. what should i avoid when buy. i will be getting a quad lnb. When i get all these together i will be installing it myself have seen a satellite finder compass which look similar what goes on a car dashboard, you know a globe type which points you in the right direction and the elevation are they any good many thanks again chris

06-07-07, 11:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mship Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Workington, Cumbria Posts: 909 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please People tend to have there own personal favourites when it comes to LNB's. I have a Invacom 0.3db quad which I've found to be sound. Before that I used a Smart Titanium 0.2db and I can't say I've noticed any difference. Basically, the lower the db the better the LNB (well, that's how the theory goes anyway ). Have you decided what type of dish you're going to use? A minidish LNB won't be any use on an ordinary dish and vice versa The compass should be OK, after all you only use it to get a general idea of where you are pointing anyway. Kev __________________ 1m CM, feedhorn + Invacom C120 Quad, 36v Jaeger 128 motor, TM 6900 HD + 160gb HDD, TM 1500 CI+ Super, Skystar 2, DigitAlb Gold, Samsung 40F86BDX LCD

06-07-07, 11:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
imported_sparks Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Free to air twin tuner help please Good eve Kev, Thanks for that, about the dish i have been recommended a 75cm elliptical sky type, because at some point i will be moving to the Scottish highlands hope i have been advised correct. Mind you it was the same bloke that recommended the topfield which is a good one but at the top end for my first receiver.