Help with new kit

[Sweenster]

Hi

Well decided to take the plunge and setup a new motorised system. I've been reading the various threads for the last week or so (which are great) and have much more info now.

I still got a few questions though. I'm pushed (wife wouldn't like it) to go for anything bigger than an 80cm disk. My question is could I get away with anything smaller and still be able to pick up 1W etc (live near Chester). I've seen some smaller dishes for sale boasting the same performance as an 80cm... is this correct?

This leads me onto what to buy....

I'm looking to get as much HD content as possible plus anything else possible (still reading up on what channels are on what sat!). It seems that for the best choice I'd have to get a 'patched' receiver and ideally a Diablo cam + programmer. As the diablo will add £100+ more what realistically more will I be able to get? Is it worth it at this stage?

I've pulled togther the following kit list and wondered if anyone could offer their thoughts.

Moteck SG2100A DiSEqC 1.2 Motor
0.2db LNB
80cm dish
Mvision HD200
Cas Interface 3 + Diablo CAM Light v2.3
Cable, mounts and connectors

Is the Mvision any good and can you confirm it can be patched - has freq updates etc. Also will I be able to use my s k y card in it (legit subscription)?

Am I on the right track? Any better suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Mickha]

You might want to consider looking at the new Q Box HD which has a built in Diablo cam, this is due out soon and is reported to be a Linux receiver with a built in Diablo cam.
I wouldn't go anything less than an 80 cm dish and you might want to look at the Fracarro Penta 85cm which has been reported to out perform the Triax 88cm.

[southernsatellite]

The Q Box is not HD, the MVision is a great receiver for the price, but is limited to 5000 channels. 80cm is min for you and if anything a 100cm is best as the further north west the bigger the dish.

[Mickha]

The new Q Box is listed as being HD, which is due out soon, the old Q Box wasn't HD.
Q Box HD reported specs:
- 266 MHz ST40 CPU SH4 Core. STi 7101 based.
- Linux Operating System
- Linux DVB-API compatible.
- 2,2” TFT high definition Display
- WiFi - 802.11n. Stand-Alone internal Module
3 Antennas. WEP/WPA/WPA2 supported.
- 2 x Common Interface Slots
- Ethernet 10/100 MBit compatible interface
- MPEG-2 / H.264 Hardware decoding
- Tuner: DVB-S2, DVB-C, DVB-T
- 3 x Tuner Module Input - Plug&Play
- 2 x Smartcard-Reader ISO 7816-3 with programmable clock speed
- V.24/RS232 Interface
- 10/100Mbit Ethernet Interface
- 2 x Scart (RGB, FBAS or S-Video)
- HDMI Output
- 2 x USB 2.0 external USB
- 1 x USB 2.0 internal for FileSystem
- S/PDIF Interface for digital bit stream out (AC-3)
- 8 MByte NOR for Secure Bootloader, 128 MByte RAM
- Internal SATA for PVR
Use either as internal SATA HDD 2,5“
- unlimited channel lists for TV/Radio
- EPG (electronic program guide)
- multiple LNB-Switching control (supports DiSEqC)
- OSD in many languages and skin-support
- Videotext Decoder
DVB-S2 Tuner:
Frequency Range 950 .... 2150 MHz
Demodulation DVB-S (QPSK); DVB-S2 (8PSK,QPSK)
Symbol rate DVB-S: 2 ... 45 Mbaud/s, SCPC/ MCPC
DVB-S2: 10 – 31 Mbaud/s (8PSK) , 10 –30 Mbaud/s (QPSK)
Video decoder:
Video Compression MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 compatible, H.246
Video Formats 4:3 / 16:9
Letterbox for 4:3 TV-Device
Capable Resolution: (1080I, 720P, 480P/576P, 480I/576I)
Audio decoder:
Audio Compression MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 Layer I and II, MP3
Audio Mode Dual (main/sub), Stereo
Frequency: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 16 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 24 kHz
Video parameter:
Input Level FBAS 1 Vss +/- 0.3 dB on 75 Ohm
Teletext filter in conformity with ETS 300 472 Standard
TV-Scart:
Output: FBAS, RGB, S-Video
Serial Interface RS 232:
RS232 bidirectional
BitRate 115,2 kBit/s max.
Plug Connector SUB-D-9
Function: Update of Firmware
Ethernet:
10/100 MBit compatible interface
Function: Update of Firmware
SATA Interface:
For use either as internal HDD 2,5“
USB
2 x USB 2.0 Host
1 x USB 2.0 Host Internal Slot for USB stick to hold the Firmware.
Count of active satellite position diSEqC 1.0/1.2 SAT POSITION / SAT OPTION
DiSEqC - Rotor Control

Power Supply:
Input:
110-240V AC / 50-60Hz / 0,6A
Physical specification:
Ambient Temperature +15°C...+35°C
Humidity < 80%
Size (W x D x H):370 mm x 230 mm x 60 mm
Weight: 2,5 kg ca without HDD

[southernsatellite]

Well I stand corrected as all I was aware of was the the SD one!

[Mickha]

Duolabs should start shipping soon and two satellite forums, that I know of, have already got their Q Box HD sections set up, of course there's nothing in them yet, apart from speculative posts

It might be worth waiting to see what the new owners make of these receivers and how easy they are to set up.

I do expect a few teething problems, as you get with most Linux based receivers, but support from duolabs has been reasonably good so far.

[Sweenster]

Ok thanks for the quick replies. I think at this stage the QBox is probably out of my price range. Also having looked at positions I could locate the dish this morning, I think because of neighbors trees I will struggle with 1W. So what are my options... Hotbird and Astra?

I've seen some of the monoblock lnb's - would this be a better option for me as a fixed system? If so would I also be able to get away with a smaller dish?

If I go for this option will the diablo be of any use?

[Yorks]

You could possibly get away with a 60-70cm dish for a monobloc suitable for 13e/19e, as the signal in the UK is quite strong from these birds. However there is nothing really open on these atm, so monobloc would be quite limiting. The Diablo won't give you anything on these. It will open Digitalb on 16E and a package on 1W that a patched receiver won't atm. But for both of these you require a minimum 80cm dish - recommended 1m to avoid rain fade.

Have you considered a transparent dish. They do them around the 85cm mark - and by all accounts they perform quite well as part of a motorised system.

Yorks

[Robbo]

A 60cm dish works fine with a monoblock for 13E and 19E.
( It does in my location anyway). But it is only any use for FTA, a proper subscription, or with Linux machine with a permanent internet connection.

[milli260876]

will a sky zone 2 work on a monoblock for astra/hotbird?? thaicom interests for my mate!!