[Razorback2]

Well here I am pouring over webpages searching the Internet for my first FTA satellite system and the more I look the more I wonder what I need, more particurly WANT in getting that first satellite system up and running. Now this is where I'm asking you (the more experienced satellite user/pro who knows much more than I do) for some help in determining what you would recommend as far as components. I will try my best to describe what I'm looking for in a satellite system. As you read this PLEASE keep your laughter to my inexperience down to a low chuckle.

I will provide pictures as my satellite system progresses so for those people who are interested in how all theses components interact. It probably would help in letting everyone know just exactly what I intend to hook this satellite up to and what I want the satellite to do.

I'm planning to hook this satellite up to a SHARP LC-32GP1U
HDtv Specifications
Screen Size Class: 32"
Diagonal Measurement: 32"
Panel Type: Advanced Super View/Black TFT LCD Panel
Pixel Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 450cd/m2 NOTE: (2)
Viewing Angles: 176º H x 176º V
Lamp Life: 60,000 hours NOTE: (2)
Audio System: 10 W + 10 W
Tuning System: ATSC / QAM / NTSC
Dynamic Contrast Ratio with Enhanced Picture Technology: 10,000:1
Native Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Response Time: 6ms
HDMI™: 3 (1080p compatible) – 1 side, 2 rear
HD Component Input: 2 (1080p compatible) – 1 side, 2 rear
DVI-I Input: 1 (1080p compatible)
S-Video Input:1
Composite Video Input (A/V): 3 – 1 side, 2 rear
Audio Inputs (L/R): 4 – 1 side, 3 rear
Back-Light System: 4-wavelength
Limited Warranty: 1 year parts and labor from date of purchase
Cabinet Color: Black
Table Stand: Included
Optional Wall Mount Bracket: AN-LCGWF, AN-37AG2
Power Consumption AC: 165W
Power Source: 120V
TV Dimensions: (w x h x d) TV with Stand and Speakers: 31-25/64" x 23-9/32" x 10-3/4" TV Only: 31-25/64" x 20-59/64" x 3-53/64"
Weight: TV with Stand and Speakers: 44.1 lbs. TV Only: 36.4 lbs.
UPC: 074000363939
NOTE: (2) Typical time for power output decrease of about one-half assuming continuous use in a room with normal lighting, normal brightness and temperature at 77 degrees F.

In addition I currently am using this HD tv as a pc monitor and a regular tv for viewing the Internet/gaming and regular/digital cable tv viewing. I have my pc hooked up to the tv's DVI-I port and the local television cable hooked to the Antenna/Cable in connection.
PC Specifications
PC Case: Lian Li PC-V1200B Plus
Motherboard: LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR
Motherboard BIOS: Official Bios N4D623-3
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo ADA4400CDBOX
CPU Fan: Zalman CNPS9500 LED
RAM Modules: 4x 1024 mushkin eXtreme Performance Samsung 528
K4H510838C-UCCC XP4000 BrainPower PCB
HDD Primary OS: 1x 74GB WD Raptor SATA 150
HDD Primary Storage: 1x 300GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10 SATA 150
HDD Secondary Storage: 1x 500GB Western Digital Caviar SE16 SATA 300
Video Cards: 2x eVGA e-GeForce 7800 GTX 512-P2-N545-AX in SLI )
CD/DVD Rewriter: 2x BenQ DW1640 DVD R/RW
Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi™ Fatal1ty FPS
Fan Controller: Thermaltake Hardcano 13
Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse
Power Supply: Seasonic S12-600w
Mouse: Logitech G-5
OS: WinXP Pro SP2

Lastly I currently have the following chimney mounted and properly pointed and functioning HDTV antenna. NOTE: Not currently connected. Waiting for satellite system.
HDTV Antenna Specifications
HDTV Antenna: Terrestrial Digital DB4

• Range: Up to 55 miles
• Strong performance across UHF
  spectrum (Channels 14-69)
• Versatile high gain multi - bay antenna
• Efficient design allows tremendous gain
  in a compact size
• 13.7 dB gain
• Versatile HD antenna, succeeds in
  difficult areas where other antennas fail
• All weather Balun included
• Designed to resist extreme wind loading
• Works great in attics. Fits easily & high gain can help overcome loss from
  roofing materials
• Dimensions 29" H x 19" W x 4" Deep
• Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Lifetime Warranty

Now with the system background out of the way, what am I wanting my first satellite system to do?
I'm wanting the following attributes:
GENERAL
1) Compleat Motorized FTA Ku Satellite System
Components and or Brand Specific
1) Dish Wanted: A large enuff dish that I don't have to worry about wind, rain and snow fade.
1a) Dish decided upon: 1ea Fortec Star 120cm/4' minimum size.
2) Motor Wanted: A large enuff motor to move a 120cm/4' dish for years to come.
2a) Motor decided upon: 1ea STAB HH120 DiSEqC USALS HH Motor.
3) LNBF Wanted: A dual lnbf so I can add one more receiver to one satellite dish.
3a) LNBF decided upon: 1ea Invacom circular/Linear Ku 0.3 dB Quad LNBF QPH-031.
This section from 4) to 6a) is where I'm confused about what I really need. Since I DO want to combine the circular and linear polarity outputs of one side of the dual lbnf into one cable I'm thinking I need 4) & 4a). Now I also need a switch to combine my local tv antenna with my cable, which is 5) &5a) so is it nessassary to add these switches into the mix and lastly 6) & 6a) would be a DIPLEXER to minimize the number of cables that I need to combine and split the antenna signal as nessassary from the roof to the receiver. As you can see I'm perplexed as to what I need to do what I want.
4) 22KHZ Multi-Switch Wanted: Here is where I could use some help. See bold text above. With a dual lnbf I DO want to combine the circular and linear polarity outputs into one coaxial cable. Why? I'm guessing so I don't have to skew the lbnf for best reception?
4a) 22KHZ Multi-Switch decided upon: 2ea SADOUN S-SM21H. 1ea for the inital receiver and another 1ea for a future receiver.
5) 3x4 Multi-Switch Wanted: Here is where I could use some help. See bold text above. With this switch I can combine the four 1ea circular and linear polarity combined lbnf signals with the antenna cable to run one cable to the receiver(s).
5a) 3x4 Multi-Switch decided upon: 1ea SADOUN S-SM34 Multi-switch.
6) Diplexer Wanted: Here is where I could use some help. See bold text above. With this yet another switch I believe that this is nessassary to combine the combined circular/linear cable with the local tv antenna cable then split the cable at the receiver.
6a) DIPLEXER decided upon: Perfect Vision PVDP3 to combine and split the combined lbnf signals and the antenna and then split them at the receiver.
7) Terminators Wanted: I'm sure that I'll have some unused connections that will need protected.
7a) Terminators decided upon: 2ea bag of 10ea F59T Terminators to protect and prevent signal ghosting and signal degradation.
8) In-Line Amplifier Wanted: With all the cabling going on I'm thinking that an in-line amplifier would restore some of the signal loss from all the connections and long cable needed from antenna/satellite to receiver. No more than 100' cable required.
8a) In-Line Amplifier decided upon: 1ea LA-2150D 16-20dB 950MHz-2150Mhz Satellite In-Line Amplifier.
9) Coaxial cable Wanted: Main line of coax would be 100' w/ smaller lenghts as needed for various connections.
9a) Coaxial cable decided upon: 1ea 100' Levitron RG6 Digital Coaxial Cable.
10) System Grounding Block Wanted: Of course one would need a way to properly ground the system.
10a) System Grounding Block decided upon: NONE at this time.
11) Receiver Wanted: I have some ideas of what I want in a reciever but considering that I'm connecting this satellite system to an HD tv I want a really good satellite receiver. I have chosen a few and should one of you out there have the same type of reciever I'd like your opinion as to it's ability to work with a HD tv and I try to run all of my screen resolutions to 1920x1080p. I'm wanting HDMI and USB connectability. I will need Blind Scan and the whole satellite system needs to be user friendy by just being able to input the satellite I want and viola I'm there. Too much to ask? Hopefully the satellite user/pros can help me decide which direction to go.
11a) Receivers un-decided upon: In no paticular order: Coolsat 8100 HD PVR, CaptiveWorks CW-3000HD, SonicView HD-8000, Fortec Star Passion HD.

Well all I have tried to do some research into what I'm hoping to be a satellite system that will last for a few years down the road. I hope I have make a few of you laugh at my inexperience as to what components I'm trying to peice together to streamline my desire to have a very good setup. Please don't hesitate to comment both positive and negative aspects of what components that I have chosen and please give me some ideas or direction that may help me along the way so others like me can make an informed decision about their first satellite system.


Best Regards until next time,



Razorback2