Dipping my toe in - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

icecube · 02-12-09, 07:55 PM

Due to some difficulties on the (ahem) cable front I am looking into getting a motorised satellite system. I realise I wont get all the premium channels but are there any free movie channels and kids channels available on sats as I dont want to leave the kids with nothing to watch over christmas.

I've been scouring the site for info and my head is hurting trying to take it all in so if someone could just answer a direct question I would be gratefull. What is a decent reciever to start with that will also serve me well once i get more experienced using all the kit and how much should I be paying for a motorised system with said reciever.

Thanks for any help.

Robbo · 02-12-09, 08:51 PM

Freesat is an option of course or a fta setup for 28E, this is what is on there:-

Eurobird 1 & Astra 2A/2B/2D at 28.2°E - LyngSat

(the channels with a red F in column 5)

Theres not a terrible lot FTA in english from other satellites, there's plenty usually on pay packages.
I had DigitAlb for a while from 16E, it wasn't too bad.

My kids mostly watch stuff on cable

Plenty of channels on the Xlarge TV package.

A basic motorised kit would cost approx a couple of hundred depending on the receiver.

icecube · 03-12-09, 02:28 AM

If I subscribed to sky would I be able to use the sky card in a reciever with a motorised dish? Then I could use the box I get with sky in one room and the box I buy in a different room. Is this possible?

Rick · 03-12-09, 06:36 AM

At the moment your only option would be a Linux based reciever, as they are the only ones that will read a sky card.

kerrywez · 03-12-09, 03:44 PM

Hi the Linux boxes are usually quite expensive and need a lot of time to master, but they can do things that no other receiver could ever do. You could, but it will only be for a limited time, get a patchable receiver which will clear the digiTV package on 1 degree west, it has loads of stuff that is viewable with the right patch and you can loop that boxes feed through to a cheap Sly box from Ebay if you wanted. You could give Southern Satellites a ring, Ian is very easy to chat to and will sort you out with all you might need, his number is 01892 833007.

Regards Wez

icecube · 03-12-09, 09:33 PM

thanks for all the input guys. I have decided to stick with virgin for the kids but I am going for a motorised non sky system for the bedroom that I can mess about with. I think maybe a Technomate 5600 with a motorised 90cm dish to learn on. Then maybe 6 months down the line go for a linux based reciever.

Is this a good reciever to mess with does it give you the options to search for new channels and upload codes and such onto it? Will i need any other kit with it like a Diablo ( lol even though im not quite sure what it is yet) ? I will enjoy teaching myself just like I taught myself how to program the cards for cable it was fun still I think I may need to ask for help a few times yet

Looking forward to getting stuck in!

radtv · 03-12-09, 09:51 PM

Go for the TM5400 1 x Card Reader and 1 x CAM slot

Rick · 03-12-09, 10:00 PM

The Technomates are good recievers to start on, good features but quite simple to use.

02-12-09, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
icecube Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dipping my toe in Due to some difficulties on the (ahem) cable front I am looking into getting a motorised satellite system. I realise I wont get all the premium channels but are there any free movie channels and kids channels available on sats as I dont want to leave the kids with nothing to watch over christmas. I've been scouring the site for info and my head is hurting trying to take it all in so if someone could just answer a direct question I would be gratefull. What is a decent reciever to start with that will also serve me well once i get more experienced using all the kit and how much should I be paying for a motorised system with said reciever. Thanks for any help.

02-12-09, 08:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Robbo Satellite mad Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 9,374 Thanks: 97 Thanked 1,981 Times in 1,603 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in Freesat is an option of course or a fta setup for 28E, this is what is on there:- Eurobird 1 & Astra 2A/2B/2D at 28.2°E - LyngSat (the channels with a red F in column 5) Theres not a terrible lot FTA in english from other satellites, there's plenty usually on pay packages. I had DigitAlb for a while from 16E, it wasn't too bad. My kids mostly watch stuff on cable Plenty of channels on the Xlarge TV package. A basic motorised kit would cost approx a couple of hundred depending on the receiver. __________________ القمر الصناعي هو أفضل TM600 linux,TM6800HD,TM5200,TM1000,TM2200 motor, Triax TD110 dish. Electronics Engineer and satellite installer.MBC Satellites

03-12-09, 02:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
icecube Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in If I subscribed to sky would I be able to use the sky card in a reciever with a motorised dish? Then I could use the box I get with sky in one room and the box I buy in a different room. Is this possible?

03-12-09, 06:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rick Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Blackburn, UK Posts: 2,600 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,029 Times in 669 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in At the moment your only option would be a Linux based reciever, as they are the only ones that will read a sky card. __________________ Fibo 1.2m HH, Wavefield T90. AzBox HD Premium, Vu+ Duo Plumber and Satellite Installer North West Satellite Systems

03-12-09, 03:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
kerrywez Grumpy Old Sat Man Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Co. Kerry, Ireland Posts: 2,471 Thanks: 2,973 Thanked 639 Times in 505 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in Hi the Linux boxes are usually quite expensive and need a lot of time to master, but they can do things that no other receiver could ever do. You could, but it will only be for a limited time, get a patchable receiver which will clear the digiTV package on 1 degree west, it has loads of stuff that is viewable with the right patch and you can loop that boxes feed through to a cheap Sly box from Ebay if you wanted. You could give Southern Satellites a ring, Ian is very easy to chat to and will sort you out with all you might need, his number is 01892 833007. Regards Wez __________________ Dreambox 7025, 250HDD, Dreambox 500s, 110 X 90Cm Hirschmann on Clarketech rotor, 1.2 Mtr. Channel Master. AZBox HD Running on E2. TM6900 super combo.

03-12-09, 09:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
icecube Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in thanks for all the input guys. I have decided to stick with virgin for the kids but I am going for a motorised non sky system for the bedroom that I can mess about with. I think maybe a Technomate 5600 with a motorised 90cm dish to learn on. Then maybe 6 months down the line go for a linux based reciever. Is this a good reciever to mess with does it give you the options to search for new channels and upload codes and such onto it? Will i need any other kit with it like a Diablo ( lol even though im not quite sure what it is yet) ? I will enjoy teaching myself just like I taught myself how to program the cards for cable it was fun still I think I may need to ask for help a few times yet Looking forward to getting stuck in!

03-12-09, 09:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
radtv Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,739 Thanks: 90 Thanked 362 Times in 305 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in Go for the TM5400 1 x Card Reader and 1 x CAM slot __________________ Before you buy contact or visit www.redappledigital.co.uk on 0800 612 5117. We try hard not to be beaten on price!

03-12-09, 10:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rick Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Blackburn, UK Posts: 2,600 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,029 Times in 669 Posts	Re: Dipping my toe in The Technomates are good recievers to start on, good features but quite simple to use. __________________ Fibo 1.2m HH, Wavefield T90. AzBox HD Premium, Vu+ Duo Plumber and Satellite Installer North West Satellite Systems