[PanMan]

Thanks all, I had thought about manual switches, but I read somewhere about a 6dB loss. However, checked my Freesat signal strength on the Panny, and its very high, so should be OK. I'll get some shotgun cable, and run it along the path of the single core coax down to the lounge. As it happens, the cable comes in just behind the sofa, so quite a nice place to put a switch. This means I don't have to run a new cable under the carpet, the existing single will do. All I need to do now is decide on dish size, and if I need a signal strength meter to help line it up. I'm tempted to go for another standard Sky one as it will look better next to the existing one, but if the signal is weaker, and the switch takes some if it away, maybe a Zone 2 Sky dish or larger round one would be better. Are there any websites that may give me an idea of signal strength? Must say though, looking at the cost of new dishes off that big website that shares its name with a south American river, this upgrade isn't going to cost much, and I can always add a set top receiver at a later date for more functions.

[Ghostleader]

If your talking about a A-B push button manual switch then those figures are wrong mate, the loss is very little (Less than on a average DiSEqC switch).

[logiciel]

Yes, you can easily switch the TV's source from one satellite to another, and 19 is strong so all you need for the second dish is one the same as you already have for 28. That's easy enough to align and as you say it won't cost much.

[davemurgatroyd2]

I thought that I had read somewhere that yes the Panasonic can be used on different satellites but only one at a time - i.e. you can scan 28 E but when you try to scan say 19.2 it will then wipe the channels it had found on 28 E. Has anyone yet tried this and actually achieved it?

[PanMan]

Reading this thread Panasonic TXLl37V20B Sat reception problems!!! I think it keeps the channels looking at the last post. Anyway, I'll order the new dish today, manual switch and sat finder meter, so should find out soon!

[logiciel]

I have to say that using a TV for multi-satellite reception seems an odd way to do it but the results will be interesting if you report them.

[PanMan]

Can I just check something please, before I potentially make a big mistake! My existing dish (Dish 1) is connected by two feeds to a Sky + box, a single feed to an old Pace Sky box (Free Sat From Sky) and finally a single feed to My Panasonic TV with built in freesat for BBC HD etc. I'm fitting a new dish (Dish 2) for Astra 19, which will also be connected to me Panasonic TV via a manual switch here: Aerial Switch : Aerial Splitters : Maplin. I just want to check that its safe to connect both dishs to the Panasonic by this switch. I know LNBs are powered, so I don't want to damage anything by making a simple error and overloading the TV/LNB or anything like that. I have drawn a diagram to explain (MS is the manual switch mentioned previously), can someone please confirm that its all OK before I start?

[logiciel]

Yes, that's what the switch is for. It doesn't affect the other three connections to the Sky dish at all.

[lotsatoys]

Hi, anyone know if the £40 Aldi system currently available is suitable for RTL F1 coverage and if it produces reasonable pic quality? TIA

[Ghostleader]

Originally Posted by lotsatoys

Hi, anyone know if the £40 Aldi system currently available is suitable for RTL F1 coverage and if it produces reasonable pic quality? TIA

Whats in the offer this time round, just the receiver of what?, & yes any FTA receiver portable or other wise will be fine.

[lotsatoys]

Originally Posted by Ghostleader

Whats in the offer this time round, just the receiver of what?, & yes any FTA receiver portable or other wise will be fine.

Complete kit with dish,lnb,cable and reciever Tevion branded 3yr gtee,seems quite a good deal to me.

[logiciel]

is this "F1 coverage" free?

[lotsatoys]

It is,according to the very first post on this thread. Hence the question as to its suitability for receiving rtl F1.

[lotsatoys]

Originally Posted by Ghostleader

Whats in the offer this time round, just the receiver of what?, & yes any FTA receiver portable or other wise will be fine.

Just had another thought,could an old (about 10yrs old) Sony sky box be used for this purpose? I doubt it,but thought it would be worth asking here,before nipping down to my local Aldi.

[logiciel]

That would be analogue, not digital.

[Fred Smith]

Originally Posted by logiciel

That would be analogue, not digital.

Would it? There were at least two Sky Digital Sony boxes.

[Fred Smith]

Originally Posted by lotsatoys

Just had another thought,could an old (about 10yrs old) Sony sky box be used for this purpose? I doubt it,but thought it would be worth asking here,before nipping down to my local Aldi.

If you mean receive RTL etc, then it may or may not work as Sky further crippled the firmware a few years ago.

[logiciel]

Originally Posted by Fred Smith

Would it? There were at least two Sky Digital Sony boxes.

Ten years ago? Time flies.

[BrianMc]

Originally Posted by Fred Smith

If you mean receive RTL etc, then it may or may not work as Sky further crippled the firmware a few years ago.

That I don't recall at all!

[1080 jawbreaker]

Originally Posted by BrianMc

That I don't recall at all!

there was an add channel option that allowed you to manually enter frequencies as long as the symbol rate was 22000 or 27500. It was popualr when ITVHD first started as it wasnt visible on the SKY EPG for while but could be added manually.

[lotsatoys]

I think you mean when ITV sd was first available on the Sky platform. I did indeed use the add channels option to receive ITV before it was officially available.
Sony did indeed manufacture two boxes one numbered 750 and a slightly upgraded model a year or so later numbered 760.
I have both boxed in the loft. Both were fairly unique at the time as they had optical digital outputs that provided pcm stereo.
All I need to know if one of these could be used to receive RTL,but I guess the only way to find out is to try it,by which time Aldi will have sold the last six kits they have in stock

[kevkbuk]

Originally Posted by lotsatoys

All I need to know if one of these could be used to receive RTL,but I guess the only way to find out is to try it

It should work fine, the firmware crippling is a rather recent development in the life of Sky Digital. When you do try it don't point it to 28.2E and don't let it update firmware just in case.

[kevkbuk]

Originally Posted by logiciel

Ten years ago? Time flies.

Didn't Sky Digital launch in 1998?

[northy124]

You can watch Formula One on TF1 in HD for free with TNTSat HD... no idea about English audio though as I haven't been able to watch French TV for sometime and won't be able to for a while more but they have English audio every now and again for English language shows so there maybe English for the races

[pedro2000uk]

TF1 is one we've got listed as a possible for F1

[logiciel]

Originally Posted by kevkbuk

Didn't Sky Digital launch in 1998?

Quite probably - time flies fast then.

[1080 jawbreaker]

how long is a tntcard active for? there site says for 4 years but is it on a fixed cycle so for example all cards expire in 2012 or is it 4 years from the moment the card is inserted?

[thestig230]

Can someone confirm if this kit Ross HD+ Satellite Kit, 5015056512297 would allow me to watch the F1 in HD next year for free?

EDIT - I realise I will have to lock onto Astra 1 at 19.2 East to get RTL? Which will have German commentary?

Cheers

[Ghostleader]

Originally Posted by thestig230

Can someone confirm if this kit Ross HD+ Satellite Kit, 5015056512297 would allow me to watch the F1 in HD next year for free?

EDIT - I realise I will have to lock onto Astra 1 at 19.2 East to get RTL? Which will have German commentary?

Cheers

No, you would need a receiver that reads the HD+ cards, they can be had for around £100 with the card included.

[thestig230]

Originally Posted by Ghostleader

No, you would need a receiver that reads the HD+ cards, they can be had for around £100 with the card included.

Why is that?

Any links?