195 replies to this topic

[tomlc]

Hi All,

I posted a few days ago about Foxtel and how not happy etc and someone mentioned SelectTV will
be offering an English Version.
I emailed Select TV and have just had a reply and here is a cut and paste -

Hello,

You requested information in regard to when the SELECTV English Package is available - well, today is the day.

You can subscribe now via the website here: https://www.selectv.com/src/register/

The complete channel line up can be found here: https://www.selectv....package=english

We hope you enjoy the SELECTV English package - it's a great package at a great price!

Any feedback from the sign-up process would be appreciated as you are one of the first, please reply to this email or send feedback to: information@selectv.com.

We look forward to you being one of the first SELECTV English Package subscribers!

Thank you very much for your interest in the SELECTV service.

Regards,
Elizabeth Hughes

Selectv Limited
Level 7, 100 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC  3000
..  

eMail: elizabeth.hughes@selectv.com

So click on the links. Seems you dont get to choose your own 18 stations but at least the basic version includes movie channels so its a much cheaper option to Foxtel.
Nothing about other packages you can subscribe to but they will probably release them soon.

Enjoy !

[balki]

tomlc, on Apr 5 2006, 11:43 AM, said:

...
We hope you enjoy the SELECTV English package - it's a great package at a great price!
...

Am I the only one that thinks this is a bit of an exaggeration?

On Optus, for example, you can get Basic + Movie Network + World Movies for as little as $63.90/month.

Sure, this is roughly double what you pay on SelecTV, but, in my opinion, the *value for money* is much better.

Comparison:

SelecTV package offers the following channels not available with Optus basic+movies:
TCM
Euronews
Real Madrid TV
A1
WineTV
E!
VH1

Optus basic+movies offers the following channels not available with SelecTV:
Fox8
TV1
Arena
Lifestyle
UKTV
CMC
TVSN
Aurora
CNBC
Fox Classics
Discovery
Expo
Disney
Fox News
Sky Racing
ACC
Weather Channel
Sky News
Fox Sports
Air
FBO (at additional cost)

On balance, I'd much rather pay $63.90 for the better channel package, than $29.95 for Movie Network, and a few (some actually freely available channels - eg. CNN) additional channels.

If you're on Foxtel, to get Movie Network, you must subscribe to Showtime etc., which makes the direct comparison less favourable.

One other 'benefit' is with Foxtel/Optus you don't own the equipment, so if there are any issues, you get it fixed for free.

If SelecTV achieves anything, maybe (emphasis on the *maybe*) it will force a re-think of Foxtel/Optus packaging...

My 2c.

balki

[tomlc]

Well I'm going to wait for the other packages to be released before commenting anymore.
Getting those movie channels in my basic package is a bonus and if they have other packages
to buy that include those channels you mentioned it may still be cheaper.
Its their first day so give them a break. I am sure there will be some fine tuning on the packages.
A lot of people want the movie channels and this options is by far cheaper than Foxtel or Optus who make
you buy the movies as optional packages and as you say with Foxtel if you want the Movie Network you
have to pay $25 as you need to buy Showtime as well.

[balki]

Sorry - I guess my post comes across as a little harsh.

Look, more power to them (SelecTV)... as I said, at the very least, they may stir up the industry a little, and give us a little more choice.

I guess I was a little dissapointed with the line up - though for $30/month, I should not have been surprised.

While I'm at it... those of you hoping to be able to pick and choose individual channels - forget it.

If we had the choice, channels like TVSN, Expo etc. would fold.  AFAIK, these channels actually subsidise the other content, so without them, we'd actually be paying more.

[John_Barber]

tomlc, on Apr 5 2006, 10:43 AM, said:

Hi All,

I posted a few days ago about Foxtel and how not happy etc and someone mentioned SelectTV will
be offering an English Version.

Some of the Channels mentioned as part of the Select TV package are available for FREE if you have a C band satellite dish, eg BBC.

To see what is available for FREE, check out www.lyngsat.com.


Cheers

JB

[Colin 2905]

After googling some of the channels on offer, I can't say that I'm inspired to fork out $400 or so to try it. It'd be different if I already had the necessary hardware.

For their sake, I hope I'm not indicative of a potential English package customer.

[Keepleft]

Select TV will not be for everyone, sure, but will suit folk on a budget.

The BIG PLUS is that it allows, for the very first time in Australia, you to use your own decoder, cabling, dish etc and so on.  Something Foxtel, Optus, Austar simply do not allow and cannot work with.  

They do offer a UEC 990 at I recall $175 IF for some odd reason you'd like one.

I would suggest:  An 85cm dish - AND to this add a 3-way LNB holder vis;
http://www.adigitali...=2&resultpage=2

SO, you can then have Pas 8 (For Select TV and other FTA stuff carried on Pas 8), say B1 (for unencrypted ABC/SBS) and say AMC23 for 'Russia Today' - a BBC like full-time English language service!  AMC23 also carries church stuff like that on B3.  Maximising your viewing potential.   I do recomend Russia today.

The 3-way LNB holder will fix to most SINGLE ARM LNB-holder dish, I find most are satisfactory.  Jonsa Ellies etc do however sell an 85cm dish specifically designed for it here:
http://www.jonsa.com...0_13_79&id=1636

You could motorise the dish but this is not suited to everyone.


NOW -
I had a play with their Subcribe page and at first couldn't avoid the Item:
"Existing Satellite Dish Re-Point(SPWIX-RE6) - $154.95".  For many folk, a scary unnecessary charge.

IF chosen, basically means they send a tech out to ensure correct dish alignment. You AVOID this by answering thus:

Q1. Do you have existing satellite equipment in your home?> YES
Q2. Is this equipment currently being used for another service?> YES
Q3. Do you intend replacing this service with Selectv?> YES
Q4. Do you currently have a satellite dish installed on your roof?> YES
Q5. Is it a fixture on your house? etc.> YES
Q6. Would you like to use it?> YES
Q7. What service were you last watching?> CHOOSE TARBS
Q8. Do you have a satellite Set Top Box?> YES
Q9. What service were you last watching with your satellite Set Top Box?>CHOOSE OTHER
Q10. Does the satellite Set Top Box have a smart card slot?>YES
Q11. Is your Set Top Box Irdeto compliant?>YES

THIS then gives you the CARD ONLY option!

[Colin 2905]

Keepleft, on Apr 5 2006, 03:50 PM, said:

They do offer a UEC 990 at I recall $175 IF for some odd reason you'd like one.

Well, if I was going to sign up I'd need a compatible STB of some sort, and a dish, LNB, cable, etc, as I don't have satellite anything. It'd cost me $400 to get it all via Selectv, which seems like a fair market price from what I can tell, but that figure is a show-stopper for me, given what I'd then be getting for my $30 per month.

As an aside, I haven't seen a compatible STB with S-video out yet. Know of any?

[Keepleft]

Colin 2905, on Apr 5 2006, 04:11 PM, said:

Well, if I was going to sign up I'd need a compatible STB of some sort, and a dish, LNB, cable, etc, as I don't have satellite anything. It'd cost me $400 to get it all via Selectv, which seems like a fair market price from what I can tell, but that figure is a show-stopper for me, given what I'd then be getting for my $30 per month.

As an aside, I haven't seen a compatible STB with S-video out yet. Know of any?

Nothing in this world free eh?  :-)

Most STB's have Component, RBG and some have S video.  I use Topfield PVR's (S video).  I would not use the Select TV optional UEC 990, except as a second decoder somewhere.  Instead, buy a decoder with full channel edit functions - SKIP, DELETE, RENAME, etc.  If your going to do this - do it right!

Colin, IF you ever decide to throw some money around, DO take on board the 3-way LNB holder idea ($32).  Add the LNB's (variable cost), you will then need a DISEQ swich, say a 4-way (Cheap cheap cheap) to maximise your viewing potential.  Russia Today on AMC23 is actually worth adding to your total channel load line-up.  Ditto ABC/SBS on B1 (Better qualty than on Aurora carried on C1).

[Colin 2905]

I've since found one STB that has S-Video and supports Irdeto, but it didn't say which version.

Dumb question time: Why would I want ABC and SBS via satellite if I already receive them via DVB-T?

[Keepleft]

Colin 2905, on Apr 5 2006, 04:40 PM, said:

I've since found one STB that has S-Video and supports Irdeto, but it didn't say which version.

Name the box, MOST new are Ir2 compliant.


Dumb question time:  Why would I want ABC and SBS via satellite if I already receive them via DVB-T?

Good question -  B1 can in your case be left purely optional, UNLESS you'd like to see the often funny, two primary ABC TV 'feed' channels on B1, and the off and on private service - Imparja/SC10 channel.  OR you can set that LNB to C1 instead for the FTA TVSN and EXPO plus radio items OR even B3, for its FTA stuff instead.  I would make the effort for AMC23's Russia Today though.

Check Lyngsat.

Just ideas.

[Colin 2905]

Keepleft, on Apr 5 2006, 04:57 PM, said:

Name the box, MOST new are Ir2 compliant.

It was just one that I came across when I explored one of the links that you mentioned earlier:

http://www.adigitali...ml&resultpage=1
(Manhattan Plaza ST 120)

It looks as though RT can be streamed, so I might check it out that way.

[fatang]

Has anybody broached the subject of using a PCI DVB-S PC card with SelectTV.  I have Austar at present and would really like a digital way of getting Pay satellite into my HTPC.

Example of DVB-S card :

http://www.digitalno.../dvbscards.html

the TwinhanDTV Sat-CI card.

Fatang

[Keepleft]

fatang, on Apr 6 2006, 02:38 PM, said:

Has anybody broached the subject of using a PCI DVB-S PC card with SelectTV.  I have Austar at present and would really like a digital way of getting Pay satellite into my HTPC.

Example of DVB-S card :

http://www.digitalno.../dvbscards.html

the TwinhanDTV Sat-CI card.

Fatang

Should be okay for Select TV's Irdeto 2, the CAM is what is important here in that top of page product.  Basically the latest firmware Irdeto CAM v1.1 in 2.09 or 2.06B.  Kristal electronics can advise on the CAM requirment, and will update older 2.06B's for Select telly according to an email I received.

[Colin 2905]

Keepleft, on Apr 5 2006, 04:57 PM, said:

Name the box, MOST new are Ir2 compliant.

So is this unlikely to work with Selectv? (2002 model).....
http://www.sat-recei...d1236373135.htm

[Keepleft]

Colin, I'd lay odds on it does, particularly with the latest available software.  Do you have one?

[Colin 2905]

Keepleft, on Apr 13 2006, 09:35 PM, said:

Do you have one?

No, I haven't bought a box yet - still looking at options. Is the only other box that Selectv endorses (the Opentel 4000) any good? Another budget box I've come across is the Wavelength DSR807, which looks to me as though it might work with Selectv also - any ideas or opinions on that one?

Looks like I've managed to score a 65cm dish and LNB for nothing at least.

[Timmy Downawell]

I think SelecTV is a great option. I have a sat box and dish which is otherwise unused. $50+ for Foxtel is unjustified IMHO, but $30 is a price point I can consider.

[renura]

The best part of the SelectTV package is the ability to use your own equipment, including TV cards for those that use a HTPC and of course with all benefits (recording, timeshifting, etc) that come with it

[Colin 2905]

Colin 2905, on Apr 13 2006, 09:59 PM, said:

No, I haven't bought a box yet - still looking at options.

I've just bitten the bullet and ordered a new XSAT 430, then signed up for a "card only" from SelecTV.

FWIW, their equipment wizard seems to think that postcode 2905 is rural, not that I was looking to get anything more than just the card from them.

[Timmy Downawell]

I'm gonna wrestle with my dish, try to find out the correct rotation for the LNB and get the stupid thing to point at PAS8 and actually lock onto the signal, before I order my card, otherwise I'm doomed to be paying for something I haven't a hope in hell of receiving.

OTOH maybe I should cough up the $100 and get some dude to come and do it for me.

Any volunteers?

[Keepleft]

Timmy Downawell, on Apr 14 2006, 04:30 PM, said:

I'm gonna wrestle with my dish, try to find out the correct rotation for the LNB and get the stupid thing to point at PAS8 and actually lock onto the signal, before I order my card, otherwise I'm doomed to be paying for something I haven't a hope in hell of receiving.

OTOH maybe I should cough up the $100 and get some dude to come and do it for me.

Any volunteers?

IF you can see "Optus C1" carrying Foxtel/Austar/Optus/Aurora, then you will see "Pas 8", dish looks 'slightly right' of C1, move it SLOWLY.  You can then adjust 'tilt'- the up and down movement for improved signal and quality.  Once locked, you can then adjust the LNB for strongest quality reading.

Create a new satellite called "Pas 8 (K)" in your decoder set up menu, then enter from Lyngsat below the first Select TV frequency, polarisation and symbol rate.  On some decoders the FEC or 'forward error correction' must be entered.  Once done, move the dish and search for a signal and QUALITY.

http://www.lyngsat.com/pas8.html

Once done and loaded, DO A NETWORK SEARCH>>> CAS & FTA.  (CAS=Encrypted services)

You then might like to look at that lyngsat list to add other free to air services, check and enter the frequency  details etc and then NETWORK SEARCH>> "FTA" for these.

IF you get really good, you could add a 3-way LNB holder to the dish and align this for reception of AMC 23 for the service RUSSIA TODAY, its actually quite good and in full time English.  You'd need to create another satellite called AMC23 (K) and enter the frequency detail.

http://www.lyngsat.com/amc23.html

WHEN any new channels are added, you need to network search again.  Those you've saved to date are not deleted, unless you specify so.

GOOD decoders allow you to RENAME, SKIP and DELETE unwanted channels.

[Keepleft]

Colin 2905, on Apr 14 2006, 03:47 PM, said:

I've just bitten the bullet and ordered a new XSAT 430, then signed up for a "card only" from SelecTV.

FWIW, their equipment wizard seems to think that postcode 2905 is rural, not that I was looking to get anything more than just the card from them.

Colin  - about your STB note this thread:
http://www.vetrun.co...read.php?t=3352

If you get it to work please advise.

[dJOS]

Does anyone know if the Euro-Sports channel carries full Live F1 coverage? It would be worth considering if they had all the practise & qualifying sessions Live!

I've got everything except an DVB-S STB and would prolly buy a single Tuner Sat-PVR (eg emtech) for it if I decided to go down that path.

[Colin 2905]

Keepleft, on Apr 14 2006, 05:09 PM, said:

If you get it to work please advise.

The person selling them said, "Ideal for SelecTV", so I hope he's right.

I considered:

UEC box from SelecTV (supported, but no S-Video)
Opentel 4000 (supported, but no S-Video)
Wavelength DSR807 (but don't know if it'll work, and still no S-Video)
XSAT 410 (used, and not sure if it'll work, but at least it has S-Video)
XSAT 430 (told that it'll work, and it has S-Video)

I came across this from a SelecTV rep:

http://www.aus-city....0192;p=1#000001

I've applied for access so that I can ask which boxes they've tried, but I can't post there yet.