What is a "patchable" Satellite Receiver?

[ramkirhs]

Been shopping around for receivers with a view to having a go at setting up my first non-sky satellite system. On eBay i keep seeing receivers advertised as "fully patchable" and similar (see example below). What does this mean? Is it to do with upgrading firmware or something?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Echolink-EL-77...QQcmdZViewItem

On a side note, would anyone recommend the above? It seems a reasonable one to start with at £50.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by ramkirhs

Been shopping around for receivers with a view to having a go at setting up my first non-sky satellite system. On eBay i keep seeing receivers advertised as "fully patchable" and similar (see example below). What does this mean? Is it to do with upgrading firmware or something?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Echolink-EL-77...QQcmdZViewItem

On a side note, would anyone recommend the above? It seems a reasonable one to start with at £50.

It means that you can load 'unofficial' software on it, to watch channels that are encrypted without an official card.

The Technomate TM1000 series are one of the best supported budget receivers at the moment. (£59)
I know nothing about the echolink

Robbo

[nanochickin]

The Technomate TM1000 series are one of the best supported budget receivers at the moment. (£59)

I'll second that

The Echolink is a good FTA box by all accounts but to be honest the patches are a bit hit and miss with it.

Patches are still available but i don't honestly think they are updated as fast as the patches for the Technomate receivers nor do i think they will be as well supported for as long as the Technomate receivers :?

With regards to the Technomate the support on it is about the best going at the moment



Nano

[BGonaSTICK]

One day Technomate will get knocked off the top of the pile, and I hope that day comes soon TBH.

There isn't enough serious competition to them right now, and I believe that it's starting to affect the market.

Having said that, it's hard to recommend some of these other boxes at the moment, but it would be nice if some people stuck their neck out a little bit and bought something different.

The Techno's are actually made by Hub-tech

http://www.hub-tech.com/product.files/hts_9300.html

who also make Coolsat, Maxplus and the Strong 46xx boxes I believe. I think they must make the Clarke-Tech as well, but I've not actually seen that confirmed anywhere.

[satsid]

Hi m8 there are a few other receivers out there that can be patched.The vantage is one,& there is also the octagon receivers.I know support for the vantage is very good.I think the octagon have been about a bit,but iv not had my octagon that long.
sid

[ramkirhs]

Cheers for the info guys. I think i've settled on a Technomate, for the price and support it looks a good bet for my first one.

[BGonaSTICK]

I agree. Enjoy it!

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by ramkirhs

Cheers for the info guys. I think i've settled on a Technomate, for the price and support it looks a good bet for my first one.

Yep, I don't think you will regret it, especially if you want an easy life.

[ramkirhs]

I'm now trying to decide between the following...

Technomate TM-1000 D Super - £59.00
Technomate TM-1000 CI Super- £79.00
Technomate TM-1500 CI Super - £89.00

Is the main difference between the 1000D and the 1000CI/1500CI just the common interface? (this is basically a card slot right?).

I'm planning on a basic (probably motorised) setup with a receiver that can be easily patched to attempt to watch some extra footy. I'm of the understanding that the patching will likely open such chanels without the need for a card. Given this, is there any benefit in getting the more expensive 1000CI or 1500CI models? Do they have better support, more reliability etc than the 1000D?

Thanks,
Rob

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by ramkirhs

I'm now trying to decide between the following...
Technomate TM-1000 D Super - £59.00
Technomate TM-1000 CI Super- £79.00
Technomate TM-1500 CI Super - £89.00
Is the main difference between the 1000D and the 1000CI/1500CI just the common interface? (this is basically a card slot right?).
I'm planning on a basic (probably motorised) setup with a receiver that can be easily patched to attempt to watch some extra footy. I'm of the understanding that the patching will likely open such chanels without the need for a card. Given this, is there any benefit in getting the more expensive 1000CI or 1500CI models? Do they have better support, more reliability etc than the 1000D?
Thanks,
Rob

Apart from the CI and card slot the receivers are the same as far as I know, the support is definitely.

The CI means that it has a slot for a CAM, which an official card can be slotted into. The 1500CI also has a card slot in addition to the 'CAM slot'
With a CAM slot, one of the available experimental CAMS, such as the Dragon or Diablo can be used. Check out the CAMs section, for the possibilities for those.

I don't watch football myself, but I gather that DigitalB with the supersports package, on 16E has a lot of English football on it. For that you would need to subscribe ( it's about £150) for a year I believe).

So if you are sure that you will not want an official card of any description, or to use a CAM, then the 1000D will do the job for NOW. Remember things change all the time. ( You can also buy a card slot for the TM1000D, it's aout £30)

Robbo