All posts by Les Nicol
Below are all of Les Nicol's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Don - Downside is you will have to accept some advertising on this channel, but fortunately not on the scale of the commercial broadcasters. Brian BBC iplayer is now included in the latest Ubuntu 12.04 Linux release. Streaming is just fime and picture quality and operastion within this release is just fine. Paul - If you site and install your dish securely, it really shouldn't move unless your situation is seeing you very exposed to extreme weather conditions.
As JB38 points out,if at all possible a ground or near to ground, installation often can be made to be less obtrusive and has the advantage of ease of maintannce. Jo, you cannot connect your Freeview TV to the Dish. You will require to have an aerial fitted to your property and this should be external rather than in the loft. Alternatively you could consider buying a Freesat receiver which can be connected to the existing dish and your TV. Probably a little more than having anearial fitted but less hassle for you. P>S> Jo you can get a reasonably priced "Freesat" receiver on the High Street from Radio and TV outlets and the likes of Tesco Curry's and Comet. See on this site "Upgrading from Sky to Freesat" Paul - I would have thought the 90cm dish is possibly to small for reception of UK TV in Valencia. When the dish was fitted did the installer give you any indication of it's suitabilty for reception at your locus?
The Amstrad receiver,may not be the best suited either for use in Spain. I would check if possible with an ex pat installer in your area.
The Humax "Freesat" HDR has one of the most sensitive tuners of the UK boxes,but again
it would be best to check out the most appropriate receiver through local knowledge in Valencia. Paul, The recommended dish size for Alicante and Torrevieja areas is 1.4 metre Prime Focus Dish and for an offset 1.5 to 1.8.
For Valenica, Murcia and Madrid the recommendation for an offset dish is 1.8 metre
Vaughan - One option would be to purchase a "Freesat" HD receiver or PVR. You could then keep the Pace SKY box for another location for non subscription use and for the other location get a standard "Freesat" receiver - these are relatively inexpensive from most high street outlets. A replacement quad LNB for the dish - around £10 00 or so and some cabling to the receivers in other locations.
Alternatively you could get yourself a stand alone RF modulator - "Freesat" receivers don't have this option onboard - and distribute the signal in this manner. The first option has the advantage of allowing the reception of different channels in all three locations. Mike There can be several issues here.
A. The cable you are using from the dish - it should be of Top Spec eg:- WF100.
B. You don't specifiy if the LNB is a Quatro or Quad and whether the Konig is quatro only compatible or whether this a quatro/quad capable device.
C. If there is a long cable run from the dish the multiswitch may need to be pre-amped with a Konig matching amp. Mike - If you can come back with a little more info posed by A B and C then I can further direct you on this one. Jackey - Yes straight connection to his dish but you need to advise/discuss with SKY. Clive - If there are identified problems with "Freeview" you can continue to use your SKY receiver on a non subscription basis (assuming it's out of the initial contract period)and feed the bedroom TV via the RF out port. Or alternatively take another feed from the dish - (there should be a spare port on the LNB to connect to) and get yourself an SD "Freesat" receiver for the bedroom TV. These are relatively in-expensive from Argos, Curry's, Comet etc. They are straight forward to connect, see on this site "Upgrading from SKY to Freesat" Scareoldlady - You can get help with this one through Digital Switchover. If you have contact with relatives or any of the elderly suppert agencies eg:- Help the Aged, Age Concern, or Social Services they should be able to assist here. You also may qualify for the provision of new equipment under the assistance provided by the Switchover Scheme. As regards your concerns over strangers coming into your home - and I fully understand this, as a pensioner myself -if you were unable to have a relative or friend, with you were someone to call on you, then I am sure one of the Elderly support agencies would ensure you had a support worker on hand to assist you in this respect. Hope this has been helpfull to you. Keith - I concur with JB38 in his posting. I think you would be better in contacting a Local installer and going with a "Freesat" receiver, rather than than the contracted in SKY installers who for the most part work to a prscribed installation policy. Gary - Check the Scart plug, as if it is not connected correctly one or more of the pins that carry audio may not be making a proper connection. David Noakes - If you could post again advising what permutation you have of the SKY receivers ie:- Are these HD recordable with SKY plus, or a mix say one SKY plus and the rest standard non recordable? This information would help in advising you further. "Freeview" is the service provided by a terrestrial aerial, rather than a dish. "Freesat" receivers would connect to your existing satellite dish. Les - This is very much a budget receiver/system from B&Q, Homebase etc. It's badly designed with inaccuracies in the dish assembly compoments, which can lead to setup and configuration issues if its a DIY install.
That I can remember the receiver itself has no SCART output - rather a composite video L.R. and audio outputs only, (with a SCART adapter for TV if needed). So no automatic switching of TV when the receiver is switched on.
Sorry to be so negative here, but I think you will have some difficulty in getting a satisfactory result with your system, unless you can draw on some others who have managed to overcome product design issues.
DaveMonday 18 June 2012 9:24PM
Nick - This is because there is a Satellite contractual arrangement currently in place with SKY.!!!ITV HDWednesday 20 June 2012 7:33AM
Jim - I think jb38 has picked your post up incorrectly as your receiver is a "Freesat" satellite box, rather than a "Freeview" receiver where it takes the digital transmission from a transmitter. Too much "POP" I thing after that England win!!
However he is correct in that the post code will determine whether the channel list, channel guide gives you eg:- ITV Granada HD in the Border ITV region - Dumfries and Galloway area of West Scotland or if you are from Ayrshire upwards STV.
To get ITV HD if your in an STV area you will need to put in either a Dumfries & Galloway post code or one from an English ITV region.
ITV HDWednesday 20 June 2012 7:42AM
P>S> Living in the South West of Scotland, I can get STV HD (basically the same program line up as ITV HD), but the parameters for this have to be added manually, o my Humax PVR receiver.Seems to me William,from what you describe that the better option (and the most cost effectve) irrespective of the onboard "Freeview" tuners in the bedroom sets,would have been to have purchased two "Freesat" SD satellte receivers and then connected these to the TV's in the bedrooms concerned. As for the for the "Freeview" transmitter issue in your area I cannot comment, but perhaps another poster to here may be able to give a definitive. P.S - Should have ended as "definitive answer". Also, if the transmitter is remaining active after switchover,then there may be enough channels available even with "Freeview Lite" to meet your viewing needs with the bedroom sets;given what you currently have for reception vis a via the dish and aerial installed.. David Jones - Just to add to JB38's info on the Humax Foxsat HDR - this receiver is Linux based and there is now excellent third party software available which can set the Humax HDR up as a fully functioning media and file server.
There are also utilities available for Linux Windows and Mac computers that can convert non-native video sources which can then be imported yo the HDR's Hard Drive i.e. Home Movies, DVD Rips etc. David Jones P>S> I have the earlier 320gb HDD which I converted to a 1TB HDD. Straightforward process if your familiar and competent with PC's.
Earlier - not sure about the current box,- also with "Diseqc" software and can as mine is motorised. Some quirks over dedicated FTA (Free to air receivers) but compensated for in being fitted with highly sensitive - I think they are "SHARP" tuners - means excellent reception properties particularly if the receiver is being used outside the UK in other parts of Europe.
Andrew- It's more than likely if the rain was heavy and with accompanying winds. You should get the signal back reasonably quickly though, unless your dish has been moved off signal by the weather. It wouldn't take much for this to happen. In which case you will need to have the dish re-configured. Hope you won't have that problem. Nick - Line of sight in simple terms means that you have no immediate obstruction i.e. Trees, Buildings, Ground terrain obstuctive issues that may impede the digital signal coming to your TV via your TV aerial from the transmitter. Unlike the analgue transmissions the digital transmission is precise similar to that received by satellite to a satellite dish. If you have an unobstructive clear line of sight to the tramsmitter and everything locally in terms of your aerial, connectivity etc should see you free of any recxeption issues. Satellite reception can be a little bit more problamatic in certain weather conditions extreme heavy rain or snow build up on the LNB - the item that's seen on the end of the dish boom arm. In this scenario it's a case of usually a brief or interrupted signal signal. Nick - The sea shouldn't make any difference it's the transmitter coverage - whether it's a main or relay transmitter and their respective outputs. In most cases an existing aerial should suffice, but if your on the fringes of a transmitter(s) you may well need to consider if a particular aerial, cabling etc is up to the job. Alternaitvely as in my area Low Powered Relay transmitters and ground terrain and obstruction issues often dictate the installation of "Freesat" service over "Freeview".
satdaveuk: I've come across "Kit" properties where the local planning authority has insisteed on false stacks/chimneys in order that the properties blend in with traditional cottages or bungalows. The stacks shouldn't see any aerial or dish assembly on them at all.They are of wooden construction with a wire mesh wrapping that's been cement coated with generally a pebble dash or similar finishing. You can just imagine what happens in this scenaria as the elements impact where aerial and dish assemblies have been attached to same !!! Nick A: I realise you are seeking further response from Dave, but if you are still "stymied" and aren't a fanatical fan with regard to the "Dave" channel on "Freeview" there is a comparable channel line up on the "Freesat" platform. Perhaps a "no goer" for you if you have invested in "Freeview" equipment beyond a TV set with an onboard "Freeview" tuner.
Just a thought?
Peter Henderson: The recommended dish size for Alicante and Torrevieja areas is 1.4 metre Prime Focus Dish and for an offset 1.5 to 1.8.
For Valenica, Murcia and Madrid the recommendation for an offset dish is 1.8 metre
P>S> Whilst these are recommended dish sizes you might just gate away with a 1 Metre in a particular area. However this should be checked in using an ex-pat unstaller who knows your area in Spain. Nasima A: This is a job that should be for a qualified installer, particularly as you describe your dish as being located on the outside of the balcony on a "High Rise" flat. Antonio: Your existing Sky dish will have a quad LNB on the end of the dish arm. Two of the output ports will be connected by satellite cable, which will be routed to connect with your SKY receiver,leaving the other two ports unused. This means that either two single tuner or one additional twin tuner receivers can be supported. It should not cost a great deal to have an installer (other than SKY) to connect up a cable feed to your Manahattan. This would still leave you a port free should you wish to connect another receiver. I'm afraid your not going to be a winner with SKY on your final query.
Bruce - Just to add to Satandpcguy's response. You can put in any UK post code to a "Freesat" receiver. A Spanish or other Euro postal code is of no use. Choose the UK regional code that suits your preferred viewing. The Humax has one of the mosts sensitive tuners and is ideal for Spain with the correct dish setup but if you have some break up try a Channel Islands post code. MikeT: Mike, I am very familiar with the Lasswade area, having been born and lived in the Edinburgh and Midlothian area for most of my life.I am aware that the geography in and around Lasswade has quite radically differing contrasts from the lowest point at the Bridge, which sees I think the river Eak at this lowest point to the higher unobstructed level at Lasswade High School and the former Midfield House. There a fair number of wooded areas locally also. I suspect that depending on your specific location there may be signal issues that would perhaps relate to "Freeview" reception as well. It's difficult for me to give a more specific answer to this one without your exact locus, but I bet it's generally problamatic for installers to achieve a locked on figital signal at the bottom end of Lasswade. Mike T; You are aware that the Satellite signals are transmitted from a cluster of satellite's around 28 degrees South East e.g. Astra and Eutelsat? High and Low Band's need to be correctly peaked with a Pro meter across that cluster to achieve the best possible signal reception - (your receiver and LNB - the item on the end of the dish arm- switch high and low bands automatically). Mukh: You will be able to connect the Technomate to the SKY dish from the communal dish outlet OK, but will only receive channels from the cluster of satellite's and the transmissions from 28 degrees South East. There may be the odd Arabic channel from these Satellites, but most come from eg:- Eutelsat (Hotbird) at 13degrees South East and Nilesatlocated at its position a few degrees West of True South. Some communal flat dish installations have more than the one dish trained on different satellites and you would really need to check if such am imstallation caters in this respect at your block of flats. mark: No upgrade to the dish is required. You don't say what type of satellite receiver you have though? If it is a an HD capable receiver,then you will receive transmissions, but this assumes you have an HD capable TV. Alternatives to SKY are the BBC ITV supported "Freesat"HD boxes and FTA Free to air generic HD satellite recievers e.g. "Tdechnomate" HD or similar.
Ray Bone: Please read the previous response by JB38 to Alan Jordan this matches what you are asking in yours. The"Freeview" digital terrestrial service is not connected to Satellite transmissions and so doesn't matter if you have a Freeview tuner in your TV or not. peter: Yes, one side could fail, but check your connections. Make sure the the c-oax satellite cable is ok.If necessary re-assemble the termnation connector to the receiver in the living room making sure that none of the screening braid is in contact with the centre copper wire. jb38: No problem - Post's sometimes seem to overlap. - The main thing is Posters seeking advice get a response that helps with a problem(s). James D : Yes you can, but only the Humax or Technisat receivers ("Freesat" boxes other than those mentioned do not have diseqc switching) a necessary requirement.- in non Freesat mode and your dish would need re-aligned. Alternaively you would require a Triax 54cm or 64cm dish dependent on where you live in the UK with an adjustable LNB attachment that allows for two LNB's to be set up to teceive - (A) The satellite cluster at 28 degrees South East and (B) the Astra satellite positioned at 19 degrees South East.
Whilst a SKY/Freesat dish and LNB would work at a fixed alignment on 19 degrees East these oval shaped dish antennas and LNB's are specifically designed for that purpose hence my recommendation as aformentioned.
James D - Alternaively you could go for a an FTA free to air multi sat receiver. - this option pluse that already set out in my previous post are going in involve a moderate financial outlay if you want the option of UK and German channel reception. michael: It's not possible to do this in the manner you describe. You can resolve this though by changing your quad LNB to an Octo. A relatively in-expensive upgrade. Paul It sounds like it could be the LNB from what you describe, although ultimately could be a problem with the dish alignment or your receiver. I would replace the LNB with a Quad model rather the twin you appear to have,- as a first step to resolvement. These are in-expensive and can be had for around £10 to £15 - You need to make sure the replacement matches the dish arm fixing at the end of the boom. Next step would be to check your dish alignment. It still giving you problems then it could a problem with failing capacitors in the receiver. P>S> make sure that you have used Satellite grade cable and that your terminations don't see the braiding screening fouling on the copper centre wire as this will short! jade: There are a number of issues that may be causing your loss of reception eg:-the receiver,the antenna,(Dish),LNB,an issue with your card or the Satellite coverage.
Lanzarote, that I remember has numerous pubs that receive SKY sports and if that's still the case you should be able to get some local help with this. You may even have ax pat installers on the Island I think this has to be the way to go as you could go round in circles with this one. Brian. - Many thanks for yuor production of aSuperb" web site. - Well managed and highly informative. - Keep up the good work. Jack: The most likely cause is that your dish has moved out of alignment and needs re-configuring. An installer with a professioonal meter will be able to correct this and would additionally be able to determine whether the LNB was functioning correctly. Alan Cuthbertson: You are watching A Satellite transmission on your SKY box not a "Freeview" transmission which comes from a terrestrial transmitter via a "Freeview" receiver. I am correcting you,as if changing as you set out here, you will require a "Freesat" HD receiver to replace your SKY box. If you are receiving a good signal from your present SKY box - subscription free - then you should consider either of the two Humax Foxsat boxes, one is a DTR recorder the other not. I am assuming that you are connected directly to a satellite dish and not on some sort of third party re- transmitted signal. If in doubt best to check with a local installer before making your receiver purchase.
Roger: You cannot connect a SKY or any other satellite receiver, with the exception of a Technomate, Dreambox or similar that are equiped with both Satellite and Terrestrial tuners.
P.S. not all models of the above and those not listed have that facility. Leslie Mcintosh - Just to add to jb38's input. A dish suitable for you would be either a 54/64cm Triax TD series (metal) or the alternative fibre glass models from the same manufacture coupled to an Irderto black single LNB. Such a combination will give you the best possible signal strength and PQ (picture) quality on a correctly figured set up. 
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