PBS HD and stuff

[Larry Acklin]

So- the other shoe has dropped. PBS in moving almost everything to HD (only) in December 2008. This transition is happening along with the AMC-21 repoint. Some services will remain SD, but the main feeds are going HD. (qpsk)

Anyone have suggestions for an inexpensive FTA-HD receiver? Yes I know about the PC cards. I'm looking for a STB. I'm seeing $350 and up right now.

Perhaps Jamal S. could chime in here as I would much prefer to purchase here...

Larry

[Vitruvius]

Yeah, it seems that they are still around $400 each. I think there is a Viewsat MAX HD that goes for $300 and has the HD FTA, but no ATSC over the air tuner.

I have been doing research... but something that expensive takes me about 9 months of research... he he.
I am looking at the Nfusion which has LG tuners. I think the Viewsat has Samsung and Sharp boards. I like the idea of the Pansat 9200 being made in Germany and with some quality but don't know much about that.

Can anyone explain the difference between the QPSK and 8QPSK? Some receivers have extra $150 boards to allow for 8QPSK, but I don't know how many more channels can come with that.

I wish Sadoun would carry an HD FTA receiver because I prefer buying from someone I have had good experience with. They seem to be a group that would only carry the best.

[Larry Acklin]

It seems that QPSK is what we need for PBS. 8QPSK is the encoding scheme used by one satellite subscription provider. I am still looking also. Forst I need to hit the darn thing- tried last night- tree in the way...


Larry

[1captain]

Have a Diamond-9000 an does a fine job for the price, even does dvbs-2 stuff also has some bugs, but not bad, an it is a pvr. if you shop around can get 1 for about the 250 range, don't buy 1 from off flee-bay buy 1 from a dealer, once some one put their hack-ware in it can never be removed. also another good choice if you can find 1 is a pansat9000, has a great tunner in it an does do dvbs-2 hd or sd great, it is 1 of the best HD receivers that I have ever used, an I have used a bunch of HD receivers, but out all the Pan is #1.

Good luck Larry hope all helps.

[mhoward]

ON SAT G3 both of these are in Digicipher, not in DVB? It is my understanding that this is an old Motorola format; any idea where to find a digicipher receiver?

[Larry Acklin]

Got AMC 21, finally. I had to put a dish and mount up on the back porch roof (8 concrete blocks holding down a NPRM), but I got 87 strength, 78+ qual on my Fortec Merc II with a .9M old primestar and that 50mm single ku lnb on closeout- fit the primestar dish. Now sniffing the auction site for an HD receiver. Where is the Fortec Passion? I'd gladly plunk down for it if available.

Larry

[pmb1010]

Originally Posted by Larry Acklin

Where is the Fortec Passion? I'd gladly plunk down for it if available.

Larry

vaporware

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[jdbob]

I got a Viewsat MaxHD on Monday and PBS HD looks great on my 42" Toshiba LCD. They are $300+ now bit I would think the price will drop over time as HD becomes less exotic.