selectv, how do I get f.t.a stations on new selectv satellite set top box Options

[satellite steve]

Hi everyone, I have just had selectv connected and its great value for money.But I have two questions regarding this service.How do I tune into the free to air stations available on the pas 8 satellite thru this set top box. Apparently it can be done,I am a real dummy re this technology and need something explained in baby terms. The model of the box selectv use is company ubc, model no dsd 990. The instruction manual does not cover this info at all.Second question is that the pitfall of this box is that it only outputs a composite video picture and I would prefer an s-video picture how canI achieve this aim. I have been on the monster cable website in the states and they carry a product called csva-1 composite to s- video adaptor that apparently upconverts a composite picture to s-video quality. or is there a cheaper way of achieving this without monsters price of US $100. I would greatly appreciate anyones feedback on the above. Thanks heaps <_ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) <

[kenneth]

There is hardly any Ku-band (the band that Selectv is transmitting on among others) FTA material.

I have no experience with the UEC box (I have only used my PC Satellite card for FTA and I use my Dreamax DT470 for Selectv) but there should be an option in the menu to scan for channels.

The box needs to be set to PAS-8/PAS8 (Depending on how the box lists the satellite). It should already be set on this satellite seeing as Selectv uses it. The FTA channels you get on Ku-band in Australia are (if you don't get the meaning of the numbers, an automatic scan should pick up these channels):
Ishtar TV (frequency: 12575 polarisation: H symbol rate:13845)
NourSat (12646 H 28066)
Radio 2 Moro (same details as NourSat)
Syria Satellite Channel (12726 H 28066)
Kanal Melodia (same as Syria Satellite Channel)
Radio Sout Al-Sha'ab (Voice of the People) (as above)
Radio Sout Al-Shbab (Voice of the Youth) (as above)

There is a lot more on C-band but you need a C-band dish and LNB. Pay a visit to the forums at austech.info or vetrun.com and the people on these forums should help you out.

EDIT: Best way to get S-Video is to buy a box that has it. Have a look at adigitalife.com.au, eBay or your local satellite installer for one that has S-Video.

[satellite steve]

Thanks Kenneth for the info,but I have just paid $200 for this box and cannot return it to selectvI know a product exists to fix my problem but not at that price,Ijust need to find ,either here or overseas that converter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[kenneth]

Specialist HiFi shops might have it. I personally haven't seen it though.

[Colin 2905]

No, No, No! Don't try to convert composite video to S-Video, hoping to get a better picture. Once it's in composite form, the damage has already been done, so to speak. I wanted S-Video, which is why I sourced my own box, via eBay. The SelecTV rep who frequents another forum has acknowledged the shortcoming in not having a box on offer that has S-Video (or better), and maybe they'll look into it further down the track. Until then, the only real option is to find your own box that supports Irdeto2 and has S-Video out. I don't think that there's many. I have an XSAT 430, but if I was going to go through the exercise again I'd probably look closely at spending more, and buying whichever Manhattan Plaza STB has IR2 and S-Video. Or you can spend more again, and get one that a hard drive can be added to, giving you a PVR.

I wouldn't be bothered with what's FTA on PAS-8 Ku at the moment. You're not missing anything.

[satellite steve]

There is hardly any Ku-band (the band that Selectv is transmitting on among others) FTA material.

I have no experience with the UEC box (I have only used my PC Satellite card for FTA and I use my Dreamax DT470 for Selectv) but there should be an option in the menu to scan for channels.

The box needs to be set to PAS-8/PAS8 (Depending on how the box lists the satellite). It should already be set on this satellite seeing as Selectv uses it. The FTA channels you get on Ku-band in Australia are (if you don't get the meaning of the numbers, an automatic scan should pick up these channels):
Ishtar TV (frequency: 12575 polarisation: H symbol rate:13845)
NourSat (12646 H 28066)
Radio 2 Moro (same details as NourSat)
Syria Satellite Channel (12726 H 28066)
Kanal Melodia (same as Syria Satellite Channel)
Radio Sout Al-Sha'ab (Voice of the People) (as above)
Radio Sout Al-Shbab (Voice of the Youth) (as above)

There is a lot more on C-band but you need a C-band dish and LNB. Pay a visit to the forums at austech.info or vetrun.com and the people on these forums should help you out.

EDIT: Best way to get S-Video is to buy a box that has it. Have a look at adigitalife.com.au, eBay or your local satellite installer for one that has S-Video.

[yabbal]

I have been on the monster cable website in the states and they carry a product called csva-1 composite to s- video adaptor that apparently upconverts a composite picture to s-video quality. or is there a cheaper way of achieving this without monsters price of US $100. I would greatly appreciate anyones feedback on the above. Thanks heaps <_ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) <

This kind of device will only make an improvement if it has a better quality comb filter then the one in your TV. Even then it will not be true S-Video quality. As Colin 2905 said, the damage has already been done.

[Keepleft]

In addition, Topfield, Mediastar etc and so on are examples of brands that have full video and audio outputs.

I like the Mediastar 820PVR, this box does both DVB-T and DVB-S (satellite and terrestrial digital), often called a 'combo' box. Suited to Select TV and even an Austar sub if using a freecam or late model Irdeto. Has PVR capability.

http://www.mediastar.com.au/DW820PVR/buy.html

See also site sponsor "A Digital Life" for other box choices-

Generally I'd be installing a dish diameter 85cm or greater - you can add a 3-way LNB holder to this for reception of say Russia Today on Optus B3, Pas 8 for Select and so on.

A 'fixed' position dish to look out for with the ability to 'see' a greater span of satellites would be the T90 (Torroidal T90) enough span here to see B3 through NSS5, has a 60mm mast requirement. This gives you a greater choice of Ku band free to air reception, and for Select TV subscribers, then gives you radio channels, such as those FTA ones on C1 Aurora platform.

Another option for some would be to yard mount a 'fixed in place' C-band see-through black mesh dish dish, say 2.3 - 3.0 metre diameter and then use a 'combo' C and Ku LNB; will give Pas 8 C band radio channels from the TAS mux and other FTA C Band services.

You could add a dish motor to the smaller K band dishes - to 'drive' the thing to the various sats. I prefer a fixed system myself, saves 'seconds' as you switch channels on different sats.

[mjkoolio]

Just wanted to ask, with the Eurosport channel, is it exactly the same or the same broadcasts as air in europe? As in WRC (World Rally for example) Thanks.

/// a t t

www.mattjelonek.com

[steveo]

Just wanted to ask, with the Eurosport channel, is it exactly the same or the same broadcasts as air in europe? As in WRC (World Rally for example) Thanks.

/// a t t

www.mattjelonek.com

No. Its the Asian version and what is shown depends on what other organisations have the broadcast rights for in Asia. If you go to http://www.eurosport.com/tvschedule_clng0.shtml you can scroll down to the Asia Pacific program lineup.

SteveO

[Biggs]

but if I was going to go through the exercise again I'd probably look closely at spending more, and buying whichever Manhattan Plaza STB has IR2 and S-Video. Or you can spend more again, and get one that a hard drive can be added to, giving you a PVR.

I wouldn't be bothered with what's FTA on PAS-8 Ku at the moment. You're not missing anything.

Agree with Colin, the Manhattan Plaza offer's good Svideo and HDD options. Your UEC is a dead horse in terms of whats available on the open market. Advise any friends or family to go the extra mile and be happy with something decent.... After all, YOU are paying for it.

[Keepleft]

In addition to the suggested Manhattan sat box, or my suggested Mediastar PVR820 box (link earlier above) that does both digital terrestrial and satellite bands, Mediastar are expected to have on the market an HD version of their 820PVR, this to be released PVR box will have HDMI and Component and optical-toslink outputs, it'll be ideal for large screens.

Due early 2007 they say, might be suited if you want quality.

I'll await similar Topfield release, maybe one day . . .

[TWW]

Hi everyone, I have just had selectv connected and its great value for money.But I have two questions regarding this service.How do I tune into the free to air stations available on the pas 8 satellite thru this set top box. Apparently it can be done,I am a real dummy re this technology and need something explained in baby terms. The model of the box selectv use is company ubc, model no dsd 990. The instruction manual does not cover this info at all.Second question is that the pitfall of this box is that it only outputs a composite video picture and I would prefer an s-video picture how canI achieve this aim. I have been on the monster cable website in the states and they carry a product called csva-1 composite to s- video adaptor that apparently upconverts a composite picture to s-video quality. or is there a cheaper way of achieving this without monsters price of US $100. I would greatly appreciate anyones feedback on the above. Thanks heaps <_ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) <

As stated previously once the signal has been composite you are not going to improve matters by going to s-video you are only going to make it worse. The reason for s_video is to eliminate the intermod artifacts between chroma and lunminance by keeping the two seperate. Unless you can get an s-video out or you only have a s-video input to your monitor then stay composite.

This post has been edited by TWW: Dec 1 2006, 10:59 AM

[Justin23]

The thing with these PAY TV channels is they can only play what they have Australian rights for. ESPN had this problem and now they don't show Ice Hockey, but Fox sports does.

Its the same reason say StarSports Asia with live Formula 1 can't be broadcast into Australia, because right now there is no rule stating FTA have to show it live, but they do show it delayed and thus no PayTv channel can have it. Not sure if the use it or loose it rule will apply.

Just wanted to ask, with the Eurosport channel, is it exactly the same or the same broadcasts as air in europe? As in WRC (World Rally for example) Thanks.

/// a t t

www.mattjelonek.com

[Timmy Downawell]

Same thing applies to Australia Network (formerly ABC Asia Pacific). Although it is FTA across Asia/Pacific I believe viewers still need a smart card for it, so that certain sports events will become scrambled depending on where you are, so as not to clash with nations where networks or other providers have paid a hefty fee for the broadcast rights.

(on a related note) I wonder if their change in name was to appease the other Australian networks and recognise that they all provide programmes to this channel and not just ABC? Don't mean to hijack this thread tho, just curious.

[eyestrain]

Thinking about getting Selectv but if I thought getting a pvr was complex ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I have an old Austar dish that will need replacing, probably the 'bits' attached to it as well but the cabling should be good. Any thoughts on about going a bigger diameter than the existing dish?

It appears that in regards to receivers, I'm thinking about Arion (model ?), Dreamax DT470, Strong ??, and if I had the money, Dreambox ???

The ability to upgrade the receiver to a pvr would be a major consideration, even if it meant delaying the purchase for a while.

Have joined a few Satellite forums but as always for a newbee, they appear overwhelming to the techno challenged like myself! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Timmy Downawell]

The dish and LNB are probably fine, you shouldn't need a bigger dish. you just need to get a satellite box or PVR with an Irdeto cam (or Irdeto onboard).

Then you need to repoint the dish towards Pas-8. You can arrange someone to do this for $99, or if you have a compass and spent $25 on a satellite finder you may be able to do this (with patience) yourself. You might need to adjust the skew of the LNB - ask at the austech forums for your location - I think it varies but the coax should come off at about 5 o'clock as you look into the dish. (sorry to be vague - not too sure on that point)

Then just order a card and you're away.

www.austech.info is probably the best place for support. If you apply by 31 Dec via an offer on the austech site they are offering 2 months free.
http://www.austech.info/showthread.php?t=137834

[matturn]

Its the same reason say StarSports Asia with live Formula 1 can't be broadcast into Australia, because right now there is no rule stating FTA have to show it live, but they do show it delayed and thus no PayTv channel can have it. Not sure if the use it or loose it rule will apply.

The reason we don't get Star Sports here is because they're News Corp's Asian sports channels. Like Fox Sports is here. Or Sky Sports is in the UK.

As for the FTA rule thing you're alluding to... it doesn't exist. There is a rule that says that a FTA network has to get first go at the rights. Nothing about a pay TV channel not getting in second, perhaps screening it live when the FTA one doesn't. But it takes negotiation when that FTA isn't Nine, which Fox Sports doesn't like doing. Note what's happening with the AFL rights at the moment. Fox Sports still hasn't worked something out.

And anyway, that rules recently be changed, so that from next year, if something's not shown FTA live, it goes off the protected list so that Fox Sports can buy all the Australian TV rights so it make make sport events not appear anywhere on FTA if it doesn't want to.

[TWW]

Hi everyone, I have just had selectv connected and its great value for money.But I have two questions regarding this service.How do I tune into the free to air stations available on the pas 8 satellite thru this set top box. Apparently it can be done,I am a real dummy re this technology and need something explained in baby terms. The model of the box selectv use is company ubc, model no dsd 990. The instruction manual does not cover this info at all.Second question is that the pitfall of this box is that it only outputs a composite video picture and I would prefer an s-video picture how canI achieve this aim. I have been on the monster cable website in the states and they carry a product called csva-1 composite to s- video adaptor that apparently upconverts a composite picture to s-video quality. or is there a cheaper way of achieving this without monsters price of US $100. I would greatly appreciate anyones feedback on the above. Thanks heaps <_ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) <

Unless you are struggling for inputs on your monitor you are better off sticking with composite rather than converting to svideo as the damage is already done. You can get a strong RX that has component output for around $100, it would work out not that much more than the convertor anyway.

[lgservicetech77]

Hi everyone, I have just had selectv connected and its great value for money.But I have two questions regarding this service.How do I tune into the free to air stations available on the pas 8 satellite thru this set top box. Apparently it can be done,I am a real dummy re this technology and need something explained in baby terms. The model of the box selectv use is company ubc, model no dsd 990. The instruction manual does not cover this info at all.Second question is that the pitfall of this box is that it only outputs a composite video picture and I would prefer an s-video picture how canI achieve this aim. I have been on the monster cable website in the states and they carry a product called csva-1 composite to s- video adaptor that apparently upconverts a composite picture to s-video quality. or is there a cheaper way of achieving this without monsters price of US $100. I would greatly appreciate anyones feedback on the above. Thanks heaps <_ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) <

To answer the inital question of FTA reception off the SelecTv box - do the following:
1. Hit the menu button & go to "Advanced options". Hit "ok"
2. Go to "Change Dsih Installation" & hit "ok". Enter pin "9949"
3. Go to "Signal Setup" & hit "ok". You should now see a series of "Signal setup" bars. Go into 2 thru to 6 & enable each one. using the left & right key as the bar "Signal source is highlighted. You shouldn't need to change any other setting.
4. Now back out to Change Dish installation menu & move cursor down to "Tune & Rescan" & hit "ok"
5. The box will now attempt to scan the satelitte & provide you with any FTA services on it.

Hope it helps