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Thread ID: 96225	2009-01-03 07:54:00	Lyttelton Freeview	deanom (14479)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
734682	2009-01-03 07:54:00	Hey All, Have been trying to look and learn as best as I can - my technical knowledge is limited somewhat. Can anyone assist me with the following: -based in Lyttelton on the Western side of the Port with poor vhf (bunny!) -looked into Sky / even just Prime install but too much $ when thinking Freeview better option -does not appear that suitable signal for DVB-T anyways so VHF not seemingly possible -looked into satellite DIY kits as am fairly confident could set up basic package but better half says pay someone as better to do that rather than all the mucking around I would be doing -this is one of the kits I have found: www.trademe.co.nz -would be nice to also record - I take it you can record DVB-S and I take it that is done via USB from the STB. Memory stick or hard drive? -I have Toshiba HDMI LCD so what would be best connection method to the STB - scart/component? I guess DVB-S is the only option so should I install myself or get someone to do it for me? Is the package above any good for my basic needs (feed to only one STB)? Any advice or comments appreciated. Thanks heaps	deanom (14479)
734683	2009-01-03 08:13:00	oops try this link www.trademe.co.nz	deanom (14479)
734684	2009-01-03 08:26:00	I don't know of any STB's that use USB to record? If it has USB I'd guess it would be for updating the software. That link doesn't work btw. Setting up your own satellite isn't too hard, and if you can't figure it out then you can pay someone to do it. No loss in giving it a go though right? I install freeview and in all honesty it isn't that hard. The tricky bit for you will be lining up the satellite dish to the correct satellite. Also the LNB (the little gizmo that looks back at the dish) settings are correct on the STB. The only other thing you need to worry about is cable. For satellite you need RG6 coax. But basically here's how it goes. 1/ Get a compass, find NNW. This is the basic direction that your dish will be pointing, decide on a mounting location and type of bracket needed based on this (roof or wall bracket). 2/ Run the cable, remember leave plenty of length, the cable has to reach all the way to the furthest point on the dish, so leave at least 2m from where the bracket will mount. 3/ Fit off the 'f' connectors on each end and wall plate (don't have to have a wall plate, but it's tidier). 4/ Hook up both ends (one to the dish and one to the STB) with the satellite finder at the dish end. The finder should have "LNB" on one connector and "Reciever" on the other, make sure they are the right way round! 5/ Power up the box (this powers the satellite finder). 6/ Find the satellite! I'll explain this in depth if you do want to give it a go yourself. 7/ Secure the dish and watch TV!	pine-o-cleen (2955)
734685	2009-01-03 08:27:00	Ok, that 2nd link works. That seems ok, never used that brand before so I have no idea what they are like.	pine-o-cleen (2955)
734686	2009-01-03 08:30:00	If you do buy this, remember this number "L.O: 11300MHz Ku band". Thats the LNB frequency, you will need to make sure that this is the setting in the STB software when you set it up, otherwise no tv! This also is true only sometimes: "FAST BLIND SCAN means hassle free installation. If you have a working Sky dish, just plug in, scan, and enjoy crystal clear Freeview TV" If the LNB settings aren't correct, then it won't work.	pine-o-cleen (2955)
734687	2009-01-03 08:33:00	Just found this on that listing: http://www.dishpointer.com/ Very handy, shows exactly where your dish will need to point from google maps.	pine-o-cleen (2955)
734688	2009-01-03 09:31:00	We've had satellite Freeview at our bach at Port Levy (next inlet east of Lyttelton) for more than a year now. It works great. We got a Satmax S1600 STB and satellite dish. The package had excellent instructions and I had it up and working in a morning. We found the azimuth angle of the dish was critical, but the compass was not accurate enough. The best method was to have SWMBO watching the TV while I tweaked the angle slightly on the roof until we got better than 90% signal. It seemed like a mm or two made a lot of difference. Once we got it right, we haven't touched it since (more than a year).	TideMan (4279)
734689	2009-01-05 02:46:00	I've just set up DVB-S freeview without any prior knowledge of that kind of thing, with a setup almost identical to the one in your link . Works a charm . Easy to set up . when you're on your roof, look for another sky dish, align yours the same as that then get the sat finder out and tweak it until you get the best signal . You up on the roof and someone (preferably SWMBO if applicable, she will gasp at your Satellite Dish installation skillz :D) infront of the TV . Tweak it even more till you get the best signal strength possible . The absolute worst that can happen is you fall off the roof and have to get an installer and guttering repair man out . All those cheaper decoders are much of a muchness . Chinese and budget as hell but do the job fine . If it breaks fork out $40 for another one .	wratterus (105)
734690	2009-01-05 06:16:00	Thanks for your replies. What about tools required ie crimping tool for the f connectors - are they cheap? or hire them from hirequip? Re the recording question - i take it VHS is no good as signal is digital - therefore DVD recorder or PVR. Are there any other options? Also as the new channels come out, and if i don't have a freeview approved STB, can I manually tune in the channels? How does this work. Thanks again.	deanom (14479)
734691	2009-01-05 07:19:00	We didn't need any special crimping tools. Everything we needed came in the satellite pack including a spirit level and compass. One thing that is very important is to get the stalk that the dish attaches to absolutely vertical because even a little off will result in difficult tuning.	TideMan (4279)
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