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DaMo73

121 posts

Master Geek


#136266 20-Nov-2013 21:47
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I was channel surfing through Sky when I came across Channels 998 (LNB Test) and 999 (Sky D3 LNB Test).

Channel 998 pulls up the rainfade message but 999 has a test pattern with "Sky NZ 625i 50" and a scrolling bar with the message "Moving Line Evertz 5600MSC".

Just thought I'd mention it.

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cws82us
788 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #938275 21-Nov-2013 01:52
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I got screenshots for you
Channel 999

https://i.imgur.com/GqSSwOj.png

Channel 998
https://i.imgur.com/17Zne7e.png




join Quic and get free sign up when you click my link https://account.quic.nz/refer/250676




Benoire
2798 posts

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  #938283 21-Nov-2013 06:27
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I'm hoping it's a full on test of the new Optus D3 and a switch or expansion in that satellite. Would give greater bandwidth for higher quality SD and more HD channels! It's been up for about a month or so now...

DjShadow
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  #938287 21-Nov-2013 07:14
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If they start using D3 then I can see a lot of installer visits happening.
I was lucky when we got MySkyHDi that we had the Quad LNB installed and 2 coax cables run from it to the sky box (to allow multi satellite recording) but as I understand this stopped happening and they just install a Quad LNB with single coax.
Also I'm guessing there are still people out there with single LNBs still.



Benoire
2798 posts

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  #938289 21-Nov-2013 07:17
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Yup I expect that too. Although if there is a simple wholsale shift on to D3 from D2 then it simply requires a decoder configuration change as I think the LNB can pick up D3 from where it is pointing, but if they're spanning the two satellites then yes they'd need to dual cable everyone again.

ZollyMonsta
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  #938323 21-Nov-2013 08:36
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It's not for anything exciting like that. Calm down. :)




 

 

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Oblivian
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  #938325 21-Nov-2013 08:43
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The aurora smartcard test has been there for ages now.

Good to use when you are outside tuning the head while trying to get the V8Supercars FTA.. the tone up loud works wonders :)

Benoire
2798 posts

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  #938326 21-Nov-2013 08:44
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One can always still have hope to more channels with a higher quality picture.

 
 
 

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rlevis
347 posts

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  #944270 2-Dec-2013 17:50
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ZollyMonsta: It's not for anything exciting like that. Calm down. :)
Do you have some inside knowledge?  I believe Sky are under some pressure to provide more channels in HD.

DickDastardly
227 posts

Master Geek


  #944514 3-Dec-2013 08:30
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rlevis:
ZollyMonsta: It's not for anything exciting like that. Calm down. :)
Do you have some inside knowledge?  I believe Sky are under some pressure to provide more channels in HD.


I wouldnt say its "some pressure" - i think Sky's subscribers are screaming out for more HD Content!!!  Its not as if the content Sky NZ buy in and show ISNT in HD anyway??!!




I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

hsvhel
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  #944572 3-Dec-2013 10:26
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Oblivian: The aurora smartcard test has been there for ages now.

Good to use when you are outside tuning the head while trying to get the V8Supercars FTA.. the tone up loud works wonders :)


Did you manage to get them FTA?




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rlevis
347 posts

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  #944777 3-Dec-2013 14:58
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DickDastardly: I wouldnt say its "some pressure" - i think Sky's subscribers are screaming out for more HD Content!!!  Its not as if the content Sky NZ buy in and show ISNT in HD anyway??!!


Apart from TV1,2,3, Sky only offer Sky Sport 1..4, SoHo, and a couple of Sky Movies channels in HD.  Every other channel is broadcast in SD and very poor quality when watching on a 55" large screen TV.  Shows that I have watched in HD such as Modern Family on TV3, I can't stand watching on The Box.  We just wait until the series is on TV3 a few months later.

Jas777
838 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #944820 3-Dec-2013 15:45
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rlevis,

If it was on the 'Box' channel on SKY then it would have been on TV3 before it was on the 'Box'. Except for series where TV3 start showing it but stop as no one is watching it ie CSI NY but don't think that happened with Modern Family.

DickDastardly
227 posts

Master Geek


  #944838 3-Dec-2013 16:17
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rlevis:
DickDastardly: I wouldnt say its "some pressure" - i think Sky's subscribers are screaming out for more HD Content!!!  Its not as if the content Sky NZ buy in and show ISNT in HD anyway??!!


Apart from TV1,2,3, Sky only offer Sky Sport 1..4, SoHo, and a couple of Sky Movies channels in HD.  Every other channel is broadcast in SD and very poor quality when watching on a 55" large screen TV.  Shows that I have watched in HD such as Modern Family on TV3, I can't stand watching on The Box.  We just wait until the series is on TV3 a few months later.


Totally agree - the HD selction in NZ (esp. when compaired to other territories) is rubbish!  Obvious candidates for the HD upgrate treatment are Discovery, History, Prime (there was even a whinge on Stuff about Prime NOT being in HD when it launched its new season of shows - ALL will look substandard when viewed in SD) Living, UK TV, Nat Geo etc. 

The content shown on all these channels is 99.9% HD already - so it comes back to that age old arguement from Shy NZ about lack of capacity and network capabilities etc - How can NZ and OZ have such a different levels of HD content - yes we are on different satellites - but we shouldnt be - its no excuse really!  Get Sky NZ onto Optus D3 now!!




I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

mm1352000
1149 posts

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  #944910 3-Dec-2013 18:14
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Does anybody know how much capacity is actually available in the 156E position (C1/D3)? I wouldn't have thought there is much if any... and that Foxtel would have dibs on anything that is available.
Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I reckon it would be nice if there would be a bit of shuffling when Aurora is switched off and Optus 10 is [finally] launched. Sky could have Optus 10 to themselves leaving D1 for Freeview, SBS, ABC and Vast, and the movement of Vast frees up more space on C1/D3 for Foxtel. Everyone is happy.
Another question: does anybody know why SBS and ABC have their transmissions on D1? Will they go away when Aurora goes away and Vast becomes the only satellite solution for TV in remote areas of Australia?

Oblivian
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  #944955 3-Dec-2013 20:33
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hsvhel:
Oblivian: The aurora smartcard test has been there for ages now.

Good to use when you are outside tuning the head while trying to get the V8Supercars FTA.. the tone up loud works wonders :)


Did you manage to get them FTA?


Yep. Was only about 3sec difference to Sky in the end and very similar pic

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