maplin digital satellite kit ??

[p5yco]

hi, i am a complete novice to this and was hoping if somebody could shed some light on to the subject for me. i recently saw a digital satellite kit on maplins website which contains a 80cm dish, receiver and a universal lnb. it says it can receive over 4000 free to air channels, will any of these channels be the same as what i get on freeview as the receiver says dvb ie. e4 and itv2? once connected how many channels will there be and how many of them are english language? it seems a lot of people have satellite dishes, but if the channels arent english language then whats the point? am i missing out on something, i have heard you can get cards for the boxes, what do they do? any info on receivable channels would be good. please explain.

 

[Nick_UK]

As far as I'm aware, the Maplins kit does not include a card reader, so your viewing would be limited to non-encrypted channels. The 4000 channels quoted would be distributed over many different satellites, so you would either have to either move the dish manually, or get a motorisor kit.

ITV2 and E4 are not available unencrypted, and E4 on satellite is only available via a Sky pay-package.

For lists and more information about satellite reception, see www.lyngsat.com

 

[p5yco]

if i got a receiver with a card slot, what sort of channels will this give me access to? are the cards legal and where do you get them from?

 

[p5yco]

also does anybody know of any well established reliable on-line retailers of satellite systems and accessories?

 

[Jules1975]

also does anybody know of any well established reliable on-line retailers of satellite systems and accessories?

How about these people?

 

[p5yco]

i was thinking more along the lines of retailers who sell dishes, receivers, lnbs and cards etc - not sky.

 

[Jules1975]

Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[p5yco]

with this kit will i be able to receive the astra and hotbird satellites together?

 

[Nick_UK]

with this kit will i be able to receive the astra and hotbird satellites together?

Only if you buy a motorised dish mount, and only want to watch un-encrypted channels.

 

[Chris Muriel]

Or use a "magic arm" afair + 2 LNBs ; this saves the need for a motorised system but is somewhat of a compromise.

Chris Muriel, Manchester (with a 1.8 metre Channelmaster offset steerable dish here).

 

[Nick_UK]

Will an offset mount be effective with a smaller dish, Chris ?