Freeview

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euanandrews

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#15226 10-Aug-2007 12:10

Whats the best setup?

Is it worth spending more to get connections to many sat's (D1/B3/C1)
Multiple connections example

If I go for an cheaper freeview uncertified brand set-top box, can I still get the 8 day Electronic Program Guide/EPG?
Certified example

If I go for the certified setup, can I add more connections to it to get more channels?

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Snowflake

#81897 10-Aug-2007 12:22

Have you taken a look at the list of available channels to see if anything is worth the extra investment?

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/channels.html

there is a lot of religious programming available on B3 if you are into that..... i couldnt see any channels there that interested me so it was an easy decision. I can always upgrade to a two-way or three-way lnb setup later if I'm suddenly reborn :p

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cyril7

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#81902 10-Aug-2007 12:52

I am with Regs, there is not a lot worth looking for on B3 or C1.

All the FTA (non certd boxs) that I have seen support the EIT EPG stream up to 7days just like the certd ones, only thing to watch is that the non certd boxs come with there own EPG page application, and some are pretty hard to look at a read. The Strong SRT4651X that I am currently using is an excellent EPG app, and very snappy. And naturally the box is fully programmable so supports virtually any dish setup you can put together.

The Hills certd box lets you look at anything other than Freeview, the Zinwell wont. Personally I dont think the certd boxs are upto it just yet and as they come at a price premium I wouldnt bother, get a FTA box.

The Strong SRT4651X is only $229 comes with composite, Component(on RCA) and spdif also on RCA.

Cyril

euanandrews

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#81904 10-Aug-2007 13:09

Yeah cheers, have seen list of channels available but not read into what they actually are....if thats the case, and most just preaching, I'll leave it.

Cheers for a rundown on a recommended model Cyril....will look into that...

One thing I did notice though, is no HDMI connection....do any have HDMI...is it even neccasary?

sbiddle

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#81905 10-Aug-2007 13:23

TheBartender:
One thing I did notice though, is no HDMI connection....do any have HDMI...is it even neccasary?

It's not necessary. HDMI is nice because it makes hooking the box up easier (1 cable vs multiple for video+audio) however the only companies who seem to be putting HDMI in devices at present are the odd DVD player manufacturer who's got upscaling and BluRay & HDDVD players that require it for HDCP.

HDMI will no doubt be a feature on the new MySky Boxes to protect the HD content that Sky will be transmitting.

cyril7

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#81925 10-Aug-2007 16:38

Yep, leave HDMI for HD, analog component is all you need to get the most out of SD digital television. Also a lot of DVD players and displays dont support HDMI at 480i or 576i, so whats the point.

Cyril

pjamieson

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#82218 13-Aug-2007 17:47

Well I took the plunge and bought a Zinwell Freeview ST Box in the weekend at DSE for $249. I'm keen on seeing the several new channels coming up soon.

But I spent about 8 hours setting it up!!! It just wouldn't find the channels!!! It kept saying Service Not Collected. Then after ages it started finding the channels. But not both lots (Mux's?). Either 1/2/MTS & Sports Extra or 3/4. After alot of messing around and trying different things I worked out that it didn't like one of my Coax adapters I had on the cable and also another 2m piece of Coax! Removed those from the equation and it works fine. It just seems to be really picky with signal as my Sky STB was fine with any combination of cables, adapters etc I threw at it!

However when I scan the other mux's (?) all it will find is Sky Sports Highlights and Sky Movies Greats (and then says it is encrypted of course). I was under the impression from http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/channels.html?osCsid=f78bb45ac870dcbc7d360bb2a5e169e4 and other discussions that I could pick up all the FTA channels on Sky too (1, 2 etc and also the Radio Channels etc).

Are you saying that the Zinwell box won't pick these up, but other STB's will?

cyril7

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#82236 13-Aug-2007 19:11

To be quite honest the Zinwell is a dog, it is the worst box I have ever come across. The hardware itself is good in most areas, but the firmware is rubbish. Hence you most likely cannot get the 12456mux without a lot of coaxing.

There is also ancedotal evidence that the Zinwell is incline to easy overload, so it may be worth adding a bit of loss to the IF lead (cable from dish), just adding a two way splitter adds 5-6dB loss, dont worry about not terminating the 2nd input as long as you have no lead on that unused output, and ensure the STB is on the DC pass output of the splitter.

Cyril

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pjamieson

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#82239 13-Aug-2007 19:26

It's working OK now. My question is more about whether I should be able to tune in to Sky's radio Channels (eg: george, Niu etc) or is everything on Sky encoded?

cyril7

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#82240 13-Aug-2007 19:33

The Sky streams of NatRadio/ConcertFM/Nui/Tahu on 12519 are not encrypted, as is the Kiwi stream on 12581, however how much longer the 12519 FTA streams remain is anyones guess. Also the NatRadio/ConcertFM streams on FreeViews 12456 mux is at a much higher bit and sample rate than Skys.

GeorgeFM is encrypted on the 12519 mux.

Also ensure you only select the Hpol 12519 mux as the Vpol one is soon to be removed.

Cyril

allstarnz

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#82243 13-Aug-2007 19:41

you can pick up at least these ones

http://www.lyngsat.com/freeradio/New-Zealand.html

since i'm recording at the moment, I can't check if you can get George FM without Sky.

cyril7

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#82244 13-Aug-2007 19:48

since i'm recording at the moment, I can't check if you can get George FM without Sky.

No you cant its definitely encrypted.

Cyril

pjamieson

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#82253 13-Aug-2007 20:46

Nope, I can't find any of them on 12519 or 12581. I chose S/R 22500 is that right?

pjamieson

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#82255 13-Aug-2007 21:28

I've noticed on lyngsat.com that all the free to air sky broadcasts also still have V-Pol broadcasts on the same freq going, if this is up to date. I never mentioned, I'm in an apartment complex and have no control over polarisation. Will this make a difference in receiving these FTA Channels???

Just to summarise:

I am getting the following:  12456: 3, 4, National, Concert (Freeview)
                                       12483: 1, 2, Maori, Sports Extra (Freeview)
                                       12546: Sky Sports Highlights (Sky Scrambled)
                                       12608: Maori TV (Sky), Sky Movies Greats (Sky Scrambled)

I am expecting to get (but not) via the Sky broadcasts:
                                        12519: NatRadio, ConcertFM, Nui, Tahu
                                        12546: Calvary
                                        12581: Kiwi
                                        12671: TV1, TV2
                                        12394, 12421, 12644, 12707, 12734: Other Sky channels (scrambled)

Are these actually available (and is anyone out there getting them?) or do you still have to subscribe to the Sky Free to air basic service to get them - the $5 a month one or whatever it is?

cyril7

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#82256 13-Aug-2007 21:38

I can confirm that Sky only have one Vpol transmission, that being 12519, all others closed last week. I suspect 12519V will be turned off sometime soon aswell.

As for the lack of other Sky transponder carrying unecrypted channels, I will have to look, last I checked they were still there, but maybe Sky has moved everyone onto the FreeView streams.

Cyril

pjamieson

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#82262 13-Aug-2007 22:14

That would be appreciated.

PS: I've rechecked and I am getting Maori TV on Sky 12608 as well as 12483 on Freeview.

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