replacing sky

[toolzkit]

hi all,

I know next to nothing about satellite systems so please be gental with me

I have sky+ which I want to replace with my own system, in the next few weeks so I would like to use the dish with a monoblock lnb (if thats right, just to keep the cost down while i'm learning) so no need for a motorised dish atm as I don't want to dive in over my head with dish settings.

1, what satellites can I get using a monoblock lnb (astra/hotbird)?

2, what receiver would I need to record tv with? am looking at humax hdr but have read that they can be a pain to switch between freesat and non-freesat channels but it does look the easiest to start with and future proof to boot, but if the pro's on here can recomend easier/cheaper receiver to do the same thing that would be great.

sorry if I'm not using the right satellite terms but as I said I'm learning from scratch.

[Robbo]

It depends which monoblock you get and the dish size.

Monoblocks are designed for 80cm dishes.

You get 6 degree, 4.5 degree and 3 degree.

The 6 degree ones are nominally for astra 19E and Hotbird 13E.

but generally they can all be used for satellites that are spaced the appropriate angle apart.

For other satellites, getting a Freesat receiver is pointless and would cause you more grief.

The TM7100 is more suited, but more expensive.

There are other technomates like the TM6800HD, but it is only single sat tuner.

There are plenty of other cheaper makes of HD receiver also, but I can only advise on the Technomates as that is the only make I have a lot of experience with. Very easy to use, and much easier than the Humax HDR for 'other satellites'


Also, note! astra/hotbird with monoblock is NOT Astra which carries the BBC/ITV and Sky channels, it is 19E which has mainy German.

[toolzkit]

thanks for the quick reply Robbo,

80cm dish with a 6 degree monoblock lnb would pick up both satellites (astra 19E and Hotbird 13E) which sounds like something I could put together lol right.

TM6800HD & TM6800HD-Super is there much difference between the two versions is the Super worth an extra £50?

[Analoguesat]

Robbo cant type

Astra 1 is 19E

Hotbird is 13E

[southernsatellite]

The Super has blind scan, Ethernet port and USB on rear, normal 6800 just has USB on front

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by Analoguesat

Robbo cant type

Astra 1 is 19E

Hotbird is 13E

oops, fixed now.


The blind scan is useful on the odd occasion, when the likes of lyngsat hasn't been updated, or you want to look for feeds. I must admit, I don't really miss not having it, though I have a TM1000 super on the odd occasion that I need to blind scan.

The front USB port on the non-super is very annoying though, it means having the flap open on the box with HDD connected and is unsightly.

The network port on the super, I imagine could come in handy.

So really, your choice, for 50 extra personally I probably go with the super.

[G77]

gerra motor. you'll wish you had when you've put your dish up.

i've got quite a bit of the sky, my signature needs updating but i can get 30w,

regardless of what i can actually get my dish is in either of two locations, 13e or 28.2e when im actually watching telly.

obv having the rest of them is nice.

[toolzkit]

think I will have a motor will I need a DiSEqC Switch

[kerrywez]

No need for a switch with a motor mate, just set your motor and dish up on your due south satellite and away you go, simple as that, though it will not be the first time, though it is nt that hard to do. I would suggest that you mount your dish as low as possible because there will be times when you wil need to work at it and if you can stand on the ground whilst doing it so much the better.

Regards Wez

[toolzkit]

This is the kit I'm looking at:

Technomate TM-6900 Super Satellite & Terrestrial HD
Technomate TM2300 Super DiSEqC Satellite Motor
Orbital 1m Satellite Dish
J Stand wall mount
20m F-F satellite cable
ICECRYPT 0.1db Universal Twin LNB

will I need any thing else?