Due to the recent implementation of Nagra 3 encryption, more and more FTA hobbyists will consider pointing at true FTA satellites.Or doing IKS. At this point we'll discuss FTA.
If you really look into it you can find a lot of channels for true FTA receivers. What is really important when thinking of hitting a true FTA satellite is what the type of band the signal is.
FTA and satellites broadcast in two types of bands. One is C Band which will require a very large dish. This would typically be a 6 foot dish and an LNB that is capable of receiving a C Band signal.
The other band which is the most popular with FTA enthusiasts is the KU Band. The KU Band is more popular due to the fact that the dish is smaller and easier to install.
To receive most FTA birds like Galaxy 97 or Galaxy 18 you will need a dish that is a minimum of 30 inches. It is better to have a larger dish such as a 33 inch or a 36 inch dish. It is also possible to receive some FTA satellites using the epiliptical dish such as a SuperDish like the 500 series dish.
Now we have to look at the signal we are receiving from the KU band. Satellite networks such as DirecTV, Dish Network, and Bell use a circular LNB. What we need though for most FTA satellites is a linear LNB. Since most linear signals are weaker than the circular signals we need a larger dish than an 18 inch or 22 inch dish.
So what true FTA channels can I get? Well, this depends on your location. Since I live in the United States, here is a list of true FTA channels you can receive in the U.S..
If you live elsewhere in the world start here. Just click on your country or what area of the world you are from.
If we look at the list of channels and sats we see that no one satellite has a lot of channels. One with the most would be Galaxy 18, my favorite. In all these cases I am looking at true FTA satellites with KU band channels. Now we have a problem dont we? What do I do if I want to catch more than one satellite?
There is a solution. You can use a dish motor. There are a number of different motor brands. I only know about using a Motek SG2100 since that is what I use.
The installation of the motor is not that hard. The most important thing to remember is that the pole you install the motor and dish to has to be perfectly level and plumb. The biggest problem people have when installing is that they can hit a few satellites and think they got it, only to find out they are not receiving all of the satellites they are capable of receiving. All of the FTA satllites you can receive are along what is known as the Clarke belt. So if you are off just a fraction you will not pull in some satellites or you will not have the optimal signal possible.
For instuctions in setting up a motor you can go here.
If you read the installation guide you will see that you need to find your True South location. So, do I just get a compass and point south? No. True South is not the same as magnetic south. That is what magnetic declination is all about. This will be different depending on your location.
Now don't get all confused about installing that motor. I am here to save the day. All this longitude and latitude,motor latitude,dish elevation,motor latitude,true south azimuth sounds confusing. It might but thanks to the wonderful internet we can just enter our street address,city or town,state or province,and zip code or postal code and magically find all the setting for the motorized dish. Just go over here and enter your information. You will also have to select what motor model you are using from the drop down menu. You can also use this for individual satellites or multi-LNB setups.
So good luck and happy viewing. Nothing is more satisfying when you something yourself and it works perfectly.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nagra 3 and High Def ...Q and A ..
Q- Will my current FTA receiver be able to handle it?
A- If N3 is hacked successfully, your FTA receiver will be able to handle it. It was said back in the N1-N2 days that the Pansat 2500 wouldn't be able to handle N2 but we all know that now to not be the case at all.
Q- Is N3 hacked and will they be able to hack it?
A- At this time we don't know for sure but strangely enough, the coders don't seem to be worried about it at all so that should tell you something. Anything is hackable, remember money can make anything happen! The hardest part will be glitching into the new cards.
Q- I see alot of channels moving to Mpeg4 and the providers plan to move everything to Mpeg4 soon, will I need an HD receiver to view the channels?
A- NO, Mpeg4 is just a compression method, it does not mean it is HD. While HD programming is mostly Mpeg4 at the moment, that does not mean it has to be, in fact they also broadcast HD in Mpeg2.
Q- Will I need a new receiver when Mpeg4 is the main stream?
A- Yes, unless you have a HD FTA receiver, those already receive Mpeg4.
Q- How soon will everything turn Mpeg4?
A- Not for quite awhile, as it would require the providers to swap out a great majority of their sub receivers first that are only Mpeg2 capable.
Q- If I live in the U.S. will my receiver stop working once everything turns digital?
A- No, your FTA receiver (and any other television viewing receiver) is already digital.
Q- Will we be down for awhile once N3 hits?
A- Possibly Yes, the coders likely will not release any fix until the providers have completely switched over so get a backup ready whether it be recorded movies or a minimum subscription. Only time will tell.
Q- How will we know when N3 is upon us?
A- You will know when some of your premium channels start dropping off and a rescan will not bring them back for viewing. Usually the providers start with International and Porn as those have the least subscribers incase anything goes wrong.
Q- Is Dave hacked?
A- Many trusted and extremely credible sources say that Dave is hacked, but due to the wrath of Dave and the consequences of messing with his patented signal, it is underground and the smart ones who are staying quiet are enjoying Dave. Not very many though. That is why Dave releases new cards, not because he wants to change the logo, but because there is a weakness. Remember, changing cards costs money!
Q- Why can't we get NFL Sunday Ticket?
A- Because NFL ST is being broadcast using N3 encryption.
Q- I was thinking about upgrading my receiver but now I'm not so sure with N3 right around the corner, what should I do?
A- We always recommend an upgrade whenever possible however, make sure you upgrade with a brand that is reliable in their support, that will ensure that once N3 is hacked, you will be one of the first on your block to have TV again! There will indeed be price gouging on FTA receivers for the first ones to come out with the N3 fix. You can bet on that! Stay ahead of the game people.
A- If N3 is hacked successfully, your FTA receiver will be able to handle it. It was said back in the N1-N2 days that the Pansat 2500 wouldn't be able to handle N2 but we all know that now to not be the case at all.
Q- Is N3 hacked and will they be able to hack it?
A- At this time we don't know for sure but strangely enough, the coders don't seem to be worried about it at all so that should tell you something. Anything is hackable, remember money can make anything happen! The hardest part will be glitching into the new cards.
Q- I see alot of channels moving to Mpeg4 and the providers plan to move everything to Mpeg4 soon, will I need an HD receiver to view the channels?
A- NO, Mpeg4 is just a compression method, it does not mean it is HD. While HD programming is mostly Mpeg4 at the moment, that does not mean it has to be, in fact they also broadcast HD in Mpeg2.
Q- Will I need a new receiver when Mpeg4 is the main stream?
A- Yes, unless you have a HD FTA receiver, those already receive Mpeg4.
Q- How soon will everything turn Mpeg4?
A- Not for quite awhile, as it would require the providers to swap out a great majority of their sub receivers first that are only Mpeg2 capable.
Q- If I live in the U.S. will my receiver stop working once everything turns digital?
A- No, your FTA receiver (and any other television viewing receiver) is already digital.
Q- Will we be down for awhile once N3 hits?
A- Possibly Yes, the coders likely will not release any fix until the providers have completely switched over so get a backup ready whether it be recorded movies or a minimum subscription. Only time will tell.
Q- How will we know when N3 is upon us?
A- You will know when some of your premium channels start dropping off and a rescan will not bring them back for viewing. Usually the providers start with International and Porn as those have the least subscribers incase anything goes wrong.
Q- Is Dave hacked?
A- Many trusted and extremely credible sources say that Dave is hacked, but due to the wrath of Dave and the consequences of messing with his patented signal, it is underground and the smart ones who are staying quiet are enjoying Dave. Not very many though. That is why Dave releases new cards, not because he wants to change the logo, but because there is a weakness. Remember, changing cards costs money!
Q- Why can't we get NFL Sunday Ticket?
A- Because NFL ST is being broadcast using N3 encryption.
Q- I was thinking about upgrading my receiver but now I'm not so sure with N3 right around the corner, what should I do?
A- We always recommend an upgrade whenever possible however, make sure you upgrade with a brand that is reliable in their support, that will ensure that once N3 is hacked, you will be one of the first on your block to have TV again! There will indeed be price gouging on FTA receivers for the first ones to come out with the N3 fix. You can bet on that! Stay ahead of the game people.
On June 14th even more channels on the Dish Network line-up have changed to Nagravision 3 encryption. Many channel favorites have gone to the darkside along with many kid and family channels. Nagravision 3 encryption is now active on many Dish Network channels, to include Premium Movie Channels, International Programming, HD Channels, Adult/Porn Channels, and more regular programming channels! So far very limited IKS based support exists for a small group of capable receivers decrypting few Nagravision 3 enabled channels. The Sonicview iHub has been introduced to support popular Sonicview receivers and so far has the most number of N3 encrypted Dish Network channels viewable. Make sure you come here for any further Nagravision 3 news and announcements.
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