January 20, 2007
Now as far as I know this service is more or less unique to our forum. No its not marital councelling, (but could be similar!) If you have a foreign partner no doubt she would like to watch tv channels from her home country. We already have provided valuable info for people who have Finnish, Czech and Polish wives. So if you are in a similar situation and want some peace ...
TV for a foreign wife
by AnaloguesatNow as far as I know this service is more or less unique to our forum. No its not marital councelling, (but could be similar!) If you have a foreign partner no doubt she would like to watch tv channels from her home country. We already have provided valuable info for people who have Finnish, Czech and Polish wives. So if you are in a similar situation and want some peace ...
January 5, 2007
We hope you all had an enjoyable festive period, and that going back to work isn’t as bad as you imagined it might be ;) Well, we had some laughs at Satellite Help over the holidays, including a New Years Eve chase around the globe. Not sure how many midnights we watched, but a few beers were consumed. The forum also had its first birthday in December, and it’s ...
Happy New Year, and Happy Birthday!
by BGonaSTICKWe hope you all had an enjoyable festive period, and that going back to work isn’t as bad as you imagined it might be ;) Well, we had some laughs at Satellite Help over the holidays, including a New Years Eve chase around the globe. Not sure how many midnights we watched, but a few beers were consumed. The forum also had its first birthday in December, and it’s ...
December 22, 2006
Sky Sports will broadcast one of the world's most spectacular sports events - the Super Bowl - in high definition for the first time next February. Super Bowl XLI will be the first US sports event and the sixth sport to be screened in HD by Sky Sports with the first Super League match in HD also on 4th February 2007. Super Bowl XLI will be the climax of the busiest ever ...
Sky Sports to show Super Bowl in HD
by BGonaSTICKSky Sports will broadcast one of the world's most spectacular sports events - the Super Bowl - in high definition for the first time next February. Super Bowl XLI will be the first US sports event and the sixth sport to be screened in HD by Sky Sports with the first Super League match in HD also on 4th February 2007. Super Bowl XLI will be the climax of the busiest ever ...
November 22, 2006
This week, I’ll be banging on about the change.
No, not that change! The change.
The digital TV changeover or ‘Digital Switchover Programme’.
As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s a worldwide effort in progress to get from the crazy mixed-up analogue and digital soup that we currently have, to an all-digital terrestrial broadcasting platform.
Each country is busy with their own plans, but these must all ...
Digital TV Changeover
by BGonaSTICKThis week, I’ll be banging on about the change.
No, not that change! The change.
The digital TV changeover or ‘Digital Switchover Programme’.
As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s a worldwide effort in progress to get from the crazy mixed-up analogue and digital soup that we currently have, to an all-digital terrestrial broadcasting platform.
Each country is busy with their own plans, but these must all ...
November 16, 2006
We have started a new section on the forum. Im going to be taking screen grabs of new channels as they launch onto the satellites in the skies above Europe, and posting the info on the forum. Now - we arent aiming to cover every channel launch on every obscure satellite - just the most of the interesting ones on the main satellite clusters. The new secton is here: http://www.satellitehelp.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,38.0.html Come and ...
New Channels
by AnaloguesatWe have started a new section on the forum. Im going to be taking screen grabs of new channels as they launch onto the satellites in the skies above Europe, and posting the info on the forum. Now - we arent aiming to cover every channel launch on every obscure satellite - just the most of the interesting ones on the main satellite clusters. The new secton is here: http://www.satellitehelp.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,38.0.html Come and ...
November 13, 2006
Satellite feedhunting for non feedhunters Feedhunting is a strange world. You just never know what you’re going to turn up on a satellite feed, and I guess that’s part of the attraction. The feedhunter is a committed individual. Whether they are tracking down feeds for their own enjoyment or for the benefit of others, they have a nose for finding the interesting, sought-after or just plain bizarre live satellite transmissions that Joe Public were just not meant to see. Feeds can take many forms and cover many things. More often that not, they are located on the deliberately shifting sea of weaker transponders on satellites that have maybe moved on from full DTH commercial service. They are hidden from public view only by their unusual placement in the crowded digital skies and often little else. Most are simply Free to Air, or maybe just encoded in 4:2:2 format. Keen feedhunters have the equipment to cope with 4:2:2 though. It could be as simple and inexpensive as a Skystar2 PCI card. Some satellite feeds are encrypted however. Some employ systems which have been ‘hacked’ – i.e. the encryption system has been compromised, whilst others are secure. This all adds to the mystery and suspense. There is also a good deal of competition between recognised feedhunters to find and publish top feeds like Premiership football and other live sporting events etc. before anyone else. But most of the top guys don’t have any fantastic secret weapons in their arsenal. Sure, they have nice satellite kit, large dishes and fast-scanning receivers, but nothing that you can’t go out and buy on a reasonable budget. And that’s the whole point. For those that want to have a go, it’s well within your reach. All you’re lacking is their experience, but don’t let that hold you back! Top tips for getting started and having some fun Limit yourself to one or two interesting satellites to begin with, and if possible, setup a dish large enough to receive signals from the weakest transponder. If you just want to use your existing dish, that’s fine too, but we reap what we sow ;) Have a look at Lyngsat/Flysat/KingOfSat etc. to find all the commonly identified ‘feed’ frequencies, and punch them into the transponder list in your receiver. Really, it’s best if you delete everything else on your chosen satellite, otherwise it can get a bit busy. Use the PC-based channel editor for your receiver if there is one. It will speed the process up considerably. Check the feed boards for details of previous feeds, and punch them in too. We have a great satellite feeds section here at Satellite Help. You will need to register to join the fun. An alternative to the above is to utilise the ‘Blind Scan’ facility of your receiver if it has one. If you just want a quick play then try this, but if you want to find the most interesting feeds, then setting up and maintaining a good set of feed transponders is the way to go. Receivers contain devices called tuners, this being one of the most critical internal components. It’s where the signal received by your dish/LNB is translated into something your TV can understand. Whilst some of them are very sensitive, others are far less so. The more sensitive the better for hunting down those often weak feed signals, but hey – you probably have your receiver already. If not, ask on our satellite TV forum to find the most suitable boxes. Feed hotspots, which satellites should I be looking at? The top-ten feed-carrying satellites over Europe are probably: 16E – Eutelsat W2 12W – Atlantic Bird 1 22W – NSS 7 7E – Eutelsat W3A 10E – Eutelsat W1 & Eurobird 10 1W – Thor 2/3 & Intelsat 10-02 5W – Atlantic Bird 3 8W – Atlantic Bird 2 & Telecom 2D 15W – Telstar 12 5E – Sirius 2/3 Why not have a go? Post your findings on our feeds forum , even if they’re of a bizarre nature. It can be quite amusing to see famous TV presenters scratching their bums and swearing at the crew just before they go live on ‘public’ air!
Feedhunting for non feedhunters
by AnaloguesatSatellite feedhunting for non feedhunters Feedhunting is a strange world. You just never know what you’re going to turn up on a satellite feed, and I guess that’s part of the attraction. The feedhunter is a committed individual. Whether they are tracking down feeds for their own enjoyment or for the benefit of others, they have a nose for finding the interesting, sought-after or just plain bizarre live satellite transmissions that Joe Public were just not meant to see. Feeds can take many forms and cover many things. More often that not, they are located on the deliberately shifting sea of weaker transponders on satellites that have maybe moved on from full DTH commercial service. They are hidden from public view only by their unusual placement in the crowded digital skies and often little else. Most are simply Free to Air, or maybe just encoded in 4:2:2 format. Keen feedhunters have the equipment to cope with 4:2:2 though. It could be as simple and inexpensive as a Skystar2 PCI card. Some satellite feeds are encrypted however. Some employ systems which have been ‘hacked’ – i.e. the encryption system has been compromised, whilst others are secure. This all adds to the mystery and suspense. There is also a good deal of competition between recognised feedhunters to find and publish top feeds like Premiership football and other live sporting events etc. before anyone else. But most of the top guys don’t have any fantastic secret weapons in their arsenal. Sure, they have nice satellite kit, large dishes and fast-scanning receivers, but nothing that you can’t go out and buy on a reasonable budget. And that’s the whole point. For those that want to have a go, it’s well within your reach. All you’re lacking is their experience, but don’t let that hold you back! Top tips for getting started and having some fun Limit yourself to one or two interesting satellites to begin with, and if possible, setup a dish large enough to receive signals from the weakest transponder. If you just want to use your existing dish, that’s fine too, but we reap what we sow ;) Have a look at Lyngsat/Flysat/KingOfSat etc. to find all the commonly identified ‘feed’ frequencies, and punch them into the transponder list in your receiver. Really, it’s best if you delete everything else on your chosen satellite, otherwise it can get a bit busy. Use the PC-based channel editor for your receiver if there is one. It will speed the process up considerably. Check the feed boards for details of previous feeds, and punch them in too. We have a great satellite feeds section here at Satellite Help. You will need to register to join the fun. An alternative to the above is to utilise the ‘Blind Scan’ facility of your receiver if it has one. If you just want a quick play then try this, but if you want to find the most interesting feeds, then setting up and maintaining a good set of feed transponders is the way to go. Receivers contain devices called tuners, this being one of the most critical internal components. It’s where the signal received by your dish/LNB is translated into something your TV can understand. Whilst some of them are very sensitive, others are far less so. The more sensitive the better for hunting down those often weak feed signals, but hey – you probably have your receiver already. If not, ask on our satellite TV forum to find the most suitable boxes. Feed hotspots, which satellites should I be looking at? The top-ten feed-carrying satellites over Europe are probably: 16E – Eutelsat W2 12W – Atlantic Bird 1 22W – NSS 7 7E – Eutelsat W3A 10E – Eutelsat W1 & Eurobird 10 1W – Thor 2/3 & Intelsat 10-02 5W – Atlantic Bird 3 8W – Atlantic Bird 2 & Telecom 2D 15W – Telstar 12 5E – Sirius 2/3 Why not have a go? Post your findings on our feeds forum , even if they’re of a bizarre nature. It can be quite amusing to see famous TV presenters scratching their bums and swearing at the crew just before they go live on ‘public’ air!
October 30, 2006
Rumour has it that the Sirius 2 satellite will ultimately be shunted across the arc to join forces with Astra 1D and Astra 3A at the orbital location 23.5° East to provide additional capacity for DTH services.
Sirius 2 is owned by the Scandinavian enterprise Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) of which Astra SES is the 75% majority stakeholder.
NSAB is currently preparing for the launch of ...
Rumour mill has Sirius 2 moving from 5° E to 23.5° E
by BGonaSTICKRumour has it that the Sirius 2 satellite will ultimately be shunted across the arc to join forces with Astra 1D and Astra 3A at the orbital location 23.5° East to provide additional capacity for DTH services.
Sirius 2 is owned by the Scandinavian enterprise Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) of which Astra SES is the 75% majority stakeholder.
NSAB is currently preparing for the launch of ...
October 12, 2006
For something so logically straightforward, I've spent nearly twelve hours switching hosts today. Serves us right for having a portal, blog and forum I suppose, as each has a different set of complexities. Actually, I haven't minded doing it at all. Twelve hours of fun as opposed to hard graft, but I've had enough now... need a rest! :D The easiest to do was the blog. OK it's pretty simple internally with only ...
Moving web hosts is so long-winded!
by BGonaSTICKFor something so logically straightforward, I've spent nearly twelve hours switching hosts today. Serves us right for having a portal, blog and forum I suppose, as each has a different set of complexities. Actually, I haven't minded doing it at all. Twelve hours of fun as opposed to hard graft, but I've had enough now... need a rest! :D The easiest to do was the blog. OK it's pretty simple internally with only ...
October 7, 2006
Microsoft Corp's upcoming Windows Vista computer operating system will include technology that is designed to prevent pirated copies from fully functioning, the software giant said. Reduced functionality is already a part of the Windows XP activation process, but Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode that is enhanced, Microsoft said on its Web site on Wednesday. Microsoft said the upcoming releases of Windows Vista and also Windows Server "Longhorn" will be ...
Microsoft warns software pirates
by BGonaSTICKMicrosoft Corp's upcoming Windows Vista computer operating system will include technology that is designed to prevent pirated copies from fully functioning, the software giant said. Reduced functionality is already a part of the Windows XP activation process, but Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode that is enhanced, Microsoft said on its Web site on Wednesday. Microsoft said the upcoming releases of Windows Vista and also Windows Server "Longhorn" will be ...
July 31, 2006
Hang on, what are these guys up to? Is this first fella actually cutting up a perfectly good satellite dish?
What? Is there some new kind of dish-hatred fetish that I've missed out on?
OK, so it wouldn't be the first fashion that just blew right past me without even registering on the old satellite-help-o-meter, but come on...
And ...
I know the satellite world’s a little slow right now, but really…
by BGonaSTICKHang on, what are these guys up to? Is this first fella actually cutting up a perfectly good satellite dish?
What? Is there some new kind of dish-hatred fetish that I've missed out on?
OK, so it wouldn't be the first fashion that just blew right past me without even registering on the old satellite-help-o-meter, but come on...
And ...
July 7, 2006
It's not very often that I like something that Sky comes up with.
More often than not, I have to refrain from even talking about Sky until after the kids have gone to bed because of the colourful language that's scattered liberally throughout my rant.
This time though, I have to hold my ...
How cool is that?
by BGonaSTICKIt's not very often that I like something that Sky comes up with.
More often than not, I have to refrain from even talking about Sky until after the kids have gone to bed because of the colourful language that's scattered liberally throughout my rant.
This time though, I have to hold my ...
June 30, 2006
Almost as many football fans are tuning in to the World Cup in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as in England. Ahead of today's first quarter-final between host country Germany and Argentina, figures for the opening 56 games of the tournament show that more than three-quarters of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have tuned in to at least one match. In England the figure is 81%. Altogether nearly 45 million ...
BBC edges into World Cup lead as Celts tune in
by BGonaSTICKAlmost as many football fans are tuning in to the World Cup in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as in England. Ahead of today's first quarter-final between host country Germany and Argentina, figures for the opening 56 games of the tournament show that more than three-quarters of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have tuned in to at least one match. In England the figure is 81%. Altogether nearly 45 million ...
June 17, 2006
Technical tests completed / Further strengthening of ASTRA fleet SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announces today that its new satellite ASTRA 1KR has been deployed at the company’s prime orbital 19.2° East and is now operational. The satellite was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on 20 April onboard an Atlas V rocket and has now completed extensive testings of its hardware and broadcasting ...
Astar 1KR declared operational at 19E, Astra 1B to be deorbited.
by AnaloguesatTechnical tests completed / Further strengthening of ASTRA fleet SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announces today that its new satellite ASTRA 1KR has been deployed at the company’s prime orbital 19.2° East and is now operational. The satellite was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on 20 April onboard an Atlas V rocket and has now completed extensive testings of its hardware and broadcasting ...
June 10, 2006
This month at satellitehelp.co.uk Can't find the World Cup game you're after? Then you need our brand new feeds section! Satsid has joined us from one of the biggest satellite forums to run our feeds section, so come and check it over and see if you can track down that elusive match. Loads of other interesting and funny feeds posted too, including plenty of international sport. Satellite TV Feeds HDTV ...
BBC HD transmission info? FTA World Cup Feeds?
by BGonaSTICKThis month at satellitehelp.co.uk Can't find the World Cup game you're after? Then you need our brand new feeds section! Satsid has joined us from one of the biggest satellite forums to run our feeds section, so come and check it over and see if you can track down that elusive match. Loads of other interesting and funny feeds posted too, including plenty of international sport. Satellite TV Feeds HDTV ...
May 22, 2006
Sky has delayed the installation of high-definition TV (HDTV) in 17,000 homes because its supplier has failed to deliver enough set-top boxes.The satellite operator's HD service is launching with channels showing films, sport and entertainment. But many subscribers have been told they must wait several weeks for installation. Sky said "more than enough" boxes were ordered but not all had arrived, and it was "very sorry" to let people down. ...
Sky HDTV launch runs into trouble
by AnaloguesatSky has delayed the installation of high-definition TV (HDTV) in 17,000 homes because its supplier has failed to deliver enough set-top boxes.The satellite operator's HD service is launching with channels showing films, sport and entertainment. But many subscribers have been told they must wait several weeks for installation. Sky said "more than enough" boxes were ordered but not all had arrived, and it was "very sorry" to let people down. ...
May 16, 2006
I stumbled upon a little gem whilst, unbeknownst to my good lady wife, I was sniffing out some powerful yet cheap hardware to power my next project.
Amongst other things, I like to build my own PC's. Have done for many years. It's great fun, but it sort of has a 'dark' side.
Well come on then, what 'dark side'?
It's actually the technology itself.
Unless you're ...
If you ever wanted to build a fast, cheap PC…
by BGonaSTICKI stumbled upon a little gem whilst, unbeknownst to my good lady wife, I was sniffing out some powerful yet cheap hardware to power my next project.
Amongst other things, I like to build my own PC's. Have done for many years. It's great fun, but it sort of has a 'dark' side.
Well come on then, what 'dark side'?
It's actually the technology itself.
Unless you're ...
May 2, 2006
Scientists are preparing to enter a new era of mega-accurate timekeeping, in a significant move away from the traditional atomic clock. Very accurate clocks are vital in telecommunications, GPS, and other modern technological applications. The new technology will actually redefine time.
Strontium resonates 429,228,004,229,952 times each second, that being one of the reasons it enables more accurate time measurement.
Traditional Caesium-based atomic clocks have been ...
Anyone got the right time?
by BGonaSTICKScientists are preparing to enter a new era of mega-accurate timekeeping, in a significant move away from the traditional atomic clock. Very accurate clocks are vital in telecommunications, GPS, and other modern technological applications. The new technology will actually redefine time.
Strontium resonates 429,228,004,229,952 times each second, that being one of the reasons it enables more accurate time measurement.
Traditional Caesium-based atomic clocks have been ...
April 24, 2006
TechWeb has produced a great top-ten list here. Most of it is common sense, but knowing just how to go about optimising your registry is not just something you stumble across yourself :D Have a read here, and implement a few of them today. I think they're all cracking tips, and run most of them myself. They should help you keep your clunky old Windows XP OS running a few ...
Windows XP - the 10 killer tuning tips of all time
by BGonaSTICKTechWeb has produced a great top-ten list here. Most of it is common sense, but knowing just how to go about optimising your registry is not just something you stumble across yourself :D Have a read here, and implement a few of them today. I think they're all cracking tips, and run most of them myself. They should help you keep your clunky old Windows XP OS running a few ...
April 18, 2006
The BBC world analogue service on 11113V on Hotbird 6 13E was switched off around midday today (18th April) The final images transmitted are reported to have been Business report, the orange swirl, then a few seconds of a Shell advert (! - I assume someone didnt hit the switch quite quickly enough.... ) At the moment there is an info screen radiating. Â http://www.selkirkshire.demon.co.uk/analoguesat/bbcworldclosedown.html
by Analoguesat
The BBC world analogue service on 11113V on Hotbird 6 13E was switched off around midday today (18th April) The final images transmitted are reported to have been Business report, the orange swirl, then a few seconds of a Shell advert (! - I assume someone didnt hit the switch quite quickly enough.... ) At the moment there is an info screen radiating. Â http://www.selkirkshire.demon.co.uk/analoguesat/bbcworldclosedown.html
April 16, 2006
My favourite subject at the moment.
There's so much to know and so little time. Too little time. So little time in fact, that there's actually no rush at all.
You know, some things are just pivotal. Some things you'll look back on and think 'ah yeah, that was cool, and I lived through that moment'. Some things you'll feel ...
Sad about the World Cup in High Definition
by BGonaSTICK
My favourite subject at the moment.
There's so much to know and so little time. Too little time. So little time in fact, that there's actually no rush at all.
You know, some things are just pivotal. Some things you'll look back on and think 'ah yeah, that was cool, and I lived through that moment'. Some things you'll feel ...
