Complete Newbie

[QuickCat]

Hi,

I have just started looking into the FTA world because I am tired of cable and looking for alternatives. I have visited the LyngSat site and was amazed at all the free feeds, I was really excited about Eurobird 1. Since, I have found that it is not available to North America, I live in Boise, Idaho. Mainly AMC, Galaxy and EcoStar are available.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a starter kit. I have been looking at the Sadoun motorized starter kits, M I, M II and M III. But I am not sure if they have all the features I would want.

1. I have seen some receivers with HDD that you can use as PVR. Is that available?

2. I would be interested in some of these pay for service sites that you can order ala carte, such as Bigdish, NPS , SPS and possibly the old standbys Dish and Direct. Would this equipment work for paid for service satellite site if I want to use them?

[rainman]

Originally Posted by QuickCat

Hi,

I have just started looking into the FTA world because I am tired of cable and looking for alternatives. I have visited the LyngSat site and was amazed at all the free feeds, I was really excited about Eurobird 1. Since, I have found that it is not available to North America, I live in Boise, Idaho. Mainly AMC, Galaxy and EcoStar are available.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a starter kit. I have been looking at the Sadoun motorized starter kits, M I, M II and M III. But I am not sure if they have all the features I would want.

1. I have seen some receivers with HDD that you can use as PVR. Is that available?

2. I would be interested in some of these pay for service sites that you can order ala carte, such as Bigdish, NPS , SPS and possibly the old standbys Dish and Direct. Would this equipment work for paid for service satellite site if I want to use them?

you would need to decide on what channels you are the most interested in if it is the big dish subscription channels you will need a Motorola DSR 922 if it's Dish or Direct you will need their receivers if it's strictly FTA then I would recommend a 90 cm dish and a Mercury II receiver with a DG 240 motor.

[ChristianTV]

I'm a newbie/greenhorn - just learned of FTA - primarily interested in receiving Christian programming - live just west of Minneapolis - no obstructions looking S & W.

is motorized needed - should i upgrade to a different dish or go with a bundle package - what other accessories should I consider.

already have digital TV - any sharper/better tramsmission with an 8000HD or 9000 HD over Mercury II or is the extra receiver expense pure overkill for receiving just Christian channels? PLEASE help me out before I call so I know what other questions they may ask me, and what other questions I might ask them. If you know of another thread(s) that will help get me up to speed--please give link.

Is the extra $20 (Mercury II vs Classic) money well spent? I can spend the extra money on a better receiver if it will provide improved picture quality and/or improved performance & extended life than say the Classic receiver. In other words will I regret that I didn't purchase a more expensive receiver than the $120 Classic even though I'm only interested in receiving Christian digital

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by QuickCat

Hi,

I have just started looking into the FTA world because I am tired of cable and looking for alternatives. I have visited the LyngSat site and was amazed at all the free feeds, I was really excited about Eurobird 1. Since, I have found that it is not available to North America, I live in Boise, Idaho. Mainly AMC, Galaxy and EcoStar are available.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a starter kit. I have been looking at the Sadoun motorized starter kits, M I, M II and M III. But I am not sure if they have all the features I would want.

1. I have seen some receivers with HDD that you can use as PVR. Is that available?

2. I would be interested in some of these pay for service sites that you can order ala carte, such as Bigdish, NPS , SPS and possibly the old standbys Dish and Direct. Would this equipment work for paid for service satellite site if I want to use them?

I would highly recommend a motorized FTA system from Sadoun with a 36" or 39" dish. I would do search of the Net for DSR410 from Motorola. I know where to get them but it is not proper to post here. That receiver will allow you to subscribe to anything available on X4 which is Ku same as the FTA system. I would get the standard lnbf and not a universal due to usage with a DSR410. The FTA receiver with a motorized dish would get you everything you can see on Ku DVB MPEGII and the DSR410 would allow you to sub to premium channels or packages.

If you think you desire C Band as well then as Rainman states the DSR922 is the receiver to get along with a big dish setup for C & Ku reception.

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by ChristianTV

I'm a newbie/greenhorn - just learned of FTA - primarily interested in receiving Christian programming - live just west of Minneapolis - no obstructions looking S & W.

is motorized needed - should i upgrade to a different dish or go with a bundle package - what other accessories should I consider.

already have digital TV - any sharper/better tramsmission with an 8000HD or 9000 HD over Mercury II or is the extra receiver expense pure overkill for receiving just Christian channels? PLEASE help me out before I call so I know what other questions they may ask me, and what other questions I might ask them. If you know of another thread(s) that will help get me up to speed--please give link.

Is the extra $20 (Mercury II vs Classic) money well spent? I can spend the extra money on a better receiver if it will provide improved picture quality and/or improved performance & extended life than say the Classic receiver. In other words will I regret that I didn't purchase a more expensive receiver than the $120 Classic even though I'm only interested in receiving Christian digital

You probably waste more than $20.00 a month on needless runs to the grocery store. I have never used the classic but the MercuryII is a decent receiver. If I were you I would go with a big dish. There seems to be more christian programming on C Band than Ku although offered on both. Daystar is on Ku and in the clear, do not remember everything out there. Definitely motorized. The PAX (old name) channels are available on C Band. I think they are called I now. There is quite a bit available out there BYU for example.

Start by going through LyngSat - Lyngemark Satellite looking at available channels and deciding what it is you want. The 4 digit tp freqs are C band (big dish) and the 5 digit are Ku. You may find you only desire channels from Ku or visa versa which will help determine equipment needs.

[ChristianTV]

Thanks for your suggestions. I imagine its only a matter of time before most everyone decides to get a motorized setup, but for my interests (only watch three to five FTA channels) a KeepItSimple fixed setup should do just fine. Otherwise, I'd become a couch potato spending too much time in front of the TV when I should be working out at the local YMCA, going for walks, fixit projects, etc.

I have the perfect place for a 6' dish, but because of occasional summer wind storms, and a 6' dish being an eye sore I'll go with 36". Don't see what advantage there is paying the extra money for a 39" dish.

I just learned of a dual pickup setup using two of those 'things' aimed 4 degrees apart that picks up both IA5 and AMC4.

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by ChristianTV

Thanks for your suggestions. I imagine its only a matter of time before most everyone decides to get a motorized setup, but for my interests (only watch three to five FTA channels) a KeepItSimple fixed setup should do just fine. Otherwise, I'd become a couch potato spending too much time in front of the TV when I should be working out at the local YMCA, going for walks, fixit projects, etc.

I have the perfect place for a 6' dish, but because of occasional summer wind storms, and a 6' dish being an eye sore I'll go with 36". Don't see what advantage there is paying the extra money for a 39" dish.

I just learned of a dual pickup setup using two of those 'things' aimed 4 degrees apart that picks up both IA5 and AMC4.

The advantage to a larger dish is higher picture quality. If you are only planning on 3 to 5 channels you need to verify they are available on the same sat or you are back to motorized. While some have done it good luck getting decent signal from 2 "things" aimed 4 degrees apart. A 6' dish is an eyesore but 8.5 or larger is pure beauty!

[rainman]

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

A 6' dish is an eyesore but 8.5 or larger is pure beauty!

Agreed I got 2, 8.5' up now and have been looking at a 12 footer close by not in use.

[ChristianTV]

Originally Posted by rainman

Agreed I got 2, 8.5' up now and have been looking at a 12 footer close by not in use.

Am I allowed to mention Glorystar? Their unique setup enables reception
of both IA5 & AMC4 with a 36" dish. I've been searching their forum and
haven't come across any negative reports using a 36" dish.

You don't need a motorized setup or a 6' dish to receive both IA5 and AMC4
with a Glorystar setup, but if you don't need the best that money can buy
then Glorystar is a good enough stepping stone for now. Because mention of
their name and their unique setup may be frowned upon on this forum I'm off
to do some due diligence over at the Glorystar user forum.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by ChristianTV

Am I allowed to mention Glorystar? Their unique setup enables reception
of both IA5 & AMC4 with a 36" dish. I've been searching their forum and
haven't come across any negative reports using a 36" dish.

You don't need a motorized setup or a 6' dish to receive both IA5 and AMC4
with a Glorystar setup, but if you don't need the best that money can buy
then Glorystar is a good enough stepping stone for now. Because mention of
their name and their unique setup may be frowned upon on this forum I'm off
to do some due diligence over at the Glorystar user forum.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

I am not familiar with their equipment but am guessing the lnbf's are custom built for them much like DN or DTV multi lnbf dishes. I am not saying it can not be done. I am saying for a novice trying to combine 2 or more lnbf's it will most likely become a duanting task. Just ask how many have enough problems just getting signal from one the first time out.

The dish you speak of is probably designed for them specifically and if a 4 degree spread could be used for any 2 sats that are 4 degrees apart. Do your homework. Is this a subbed system? Are these stacked lnbf's? If so they require a special receiver and you most likely will not be able to receive anything outside their programming just like DN & DTV. If that is the case it is not FTA which is what you inquired about.

If their dish is the same in configuration as a Fortec dish as an example I would still be looking at potentially purchasing their lnbf configuration and a Fortec 39" dish. You state you see no real advantage which depending on your desires there may be none. All depends on where you are, what you are trying to receive & to what conditions outside do you wish to maintain watchable tv.

Switching gears here a minute. Ever notice the very low price on tire advertisements? Ever look at the size tire offered? I think that tire fits a go cart. The tires I require are usually 3 times that low advertised price. Just because the system is advertised you have asked us here (many of which are somewhat familiar with systems ) to offer our thoughts. I started with a 31" dish and it is still in use at a friends place. Same thought as you. What I have ended up doing is spending more by not just buying a larger dish in the first place.

[ChristianTV]

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

I would still be looking at potentially purchasing their lnbf configuration and a Fortec 39" dish. You state you see no real advantage which depending on your desires there may be none. All depends on where you are, what you are trying to receive & to what conditions outside do you wish to maintain watchable tv.

I don't need a 39" dish for the same reason you and thousands of others have a 36"/90cm dish instead of a 100cm dish.

Switching gears here a minute. Ever notice the very low price on tire advertisements? Ever look at the size tire offered? I think that tire fits a go cart. The tires I require are usually 3 times that low advertised price. Just because the system is advertised you have asked us here(many of which are somewhat familiar with systems) to offer our thoughts. I started with a 31" dish and it is still in use at a friends place. Same thought as you. What I have ended up doing is spending more by not just buying a larger dish in the first place.

The premium tires of a Mercedes-Benz SmartCar (Penske NA distributor) or a Cooper or a small Honda are less expensive than the bigger tires that a big car requires. Doesn't mean these smaller car consumers should have purchased a Lincoln Navigator or a Humvee (8.5' dish). Any attempt to snow me with 8.5' bragging rights doesn't impress me. If anything Rainman makes me more aware of--Buyer Beware. His comment does little to encourage me to become a Sadoun customer.

Of the 40 GS channels I'll only watch at most 10 channels and more like 5 and they're all available on IA5. The last thing I need is a 8.5 dish. It makes me wonder if Rainman even read my replies as they relate to my particular interests or if he is more interested in me buying something from Sadoun that I don't need.

[Powrline]

Originally Posted by ChristianTV

I don't need a 39" dish for the same reason you and thousands of others have a 36"/90cm dish instead of a 100cm dish.

The premium tires of a Mercedes-Benz SmartCar (Penske NA distributor) or a Cooper or a small Honda are less expensive than the bigger tires that a big car requires. Doesn't mean these smaller car consumers should have purchased a Lincoln Navigator or a Humvee (8.5' dish). Any attempt to snow me with 8.5' bragging rights doesn't impress me. If anything Rainman makes me more aware of--Buyer Beware. His comment does little to encourage me to become a Sadoun customer.

Of the 40 GS channels I'll only watch at most 10 channels and more like 5 and they're all available on IA5. The last thing I need is a 8.5 dish. It makes me wonder if Rainman even read my replies as they relate to my particular interests or if he is more interested in me buying something from Sadoun that I don't need.

I also enjoy watching Christian TV, as well as other Television. The Hope Channel is a nice Channel as is Smile of a child, and GCN. These are all on different satellites though, so you will have to decide what is right for what you want to watch.

I say that you should follow your heart and purchase whichever dish/receiver combination you like and install it and enjoy it.... In 6 months, tell us if you made the right decision about what you hoped that it would do. If a 36 inch dish will do what you need to do, great, that would be excellent. Enjoy!

Like one member stated above, the larger the dish, usually, the better the picture. I bought the largest dish that I could afford, 90cm. I would have purchased the 100 cm, but I didn't have the extra $100.00. Am I disappointed in my purchase? No. Would I like to have more, larger, better? You bet! But I followed my heart, listened to my wife, and listened to the fine folks on this forum, and you know what? They didn't steer me wrong.

I sincerely hope that you find the system that you are looking for to do what you want to do. There are many out there and one or two are right for you.

Thanks!
Bill

[wejones]

Originally Posted by ChristianTV

...... Any attempt to snow me with 8.5' bragging rights doesn't impress me. If anything Rainman makes me more aware of--Buyer Beware. His comment does little to encourage me to become a Sadoun customer.
.......The last thing I need is a 8.5 dish. It makes me wonder if Rainman even read my replies as they relate to my particular interests or if he is more interested in me buying something from Sadoun that I don't need.

I'm not sure where you're coming from re the bragging rights thing. You asked for help, people tried to help, and nobody tried to push you into buying something you didn't need. The advise you got was accurate and relevant to your particular interests. No need to call our dish farms eyesores.

[rainman]

Christian TV:In no way was I trying to get you to buy from Sadoun I am not associated with the store in anyway except for being a happy customer. the only thing I was trying to point out is when you settle for lesser quality you are usually not happy with it. I have a 36" dish which does very well I also have 100cm and 2 8.5 dishes am i bragging no just stating the facts.the 8.5 get stuff that I like to watch that the 90 or 100cm can't get also the 100 gets things the 90 won't so as a true hobbyist I enjoy all my dishes and don't think of them as a eye sore If you are happy with 1 or 2 channels in low quality then forget the 90 and drop on down to a 80. I was just trying to express the best bang for your buck when getting started.also difference between a 90 cm and 100cm is only $14 I spend that much a week on soda.LOL