Receiving Free European Channels

rich_wookey

I am a complete newbie to satellite - the most I have done is (nearly) successfully resited and realigned my old Sky dish - but that is a different story.

I currently have a Panasonic TV with built in FreeSat, being fed from the old Sky dish/ LMB.

Which set-up (Receiver, Dish & LMBs, pointing at which satellites) would members recommend to receive the following:

1) French speaking channels (could be Swiss of Italian)
2) Italian speking channels (could be Swiss or Italian)
3) German speaking channels (could be German or Austrian or Swiss)
4) Both 2) & 3)
5) all 1), 2) & 3)
6) French, German or Italian HD channels

With the following constraints:

1) Only one dish i.e. existing dish or a replacement dish
2) Dish should still receieve FreeSat channels on separate cable as now - to plug directly into existing Panasonic TV
3) I am happy for foreign channels to be received on one aditional receiver, with as many cables/feeds as necessary
4) I would prefer not to purchase viewing cards
5) I'm looking to maximise the number of foreign channels - option 6 is maximise number of HD channels
6) I would prefer the "domestic" foreign channels, rather than their "foreign" versions (e.g. if I were looking for the BBC - I would want BBC UK, rather than BBC World Service channels)
7) Talking about the BBC, would any of the suggested set-ups provide BBC World Service channels that are not available on FreeSat?


Many Thanks

Rich

compufunk

I would have suggested a motorized setup except that constraint No2 would rule out a motor.

You will be limiting the amount of receivable satellites if you go down the mulit LNB + Switches route. The other option would be to have a second motorized dish, but you say you dont want that either.

EDIT:
Have a look here Multifeed WFT-90 some modification done

Thats a pretty fancy setup, you could have a more simple sytem with a few offset LNBs once you decide what sats you want to receive. I dont watch foriegn language channels so cant advise you on that.

You'd also need a decent size dish for this kind of setup.

HB13DISH

Phew, that's a long list. I will try to cover some of the points, not in your order.
I am afraid that you will need to do a bit of homework to see which channels will be of interest.
I am also a foreign channels addict, so we have something in common.

Two satellites spring to mind: Hot Bird 13E and Astra 19.2E. You can put two LNBs on this dish without any problem. Will need extra hardware like a DISEQ switch, if you have only one receiver.
Putting an LNB for SkySat to watch 28E is also possible, as far as I know.
For the channels list, you can visit Lyngsat links below
_http://www.lyngsat.com/hotbird.html
_http://www.lyngsat.com/astra19.html

If you look closely, you will notice the icon "P"
Click on it for the complete package channels list.

Take my word for it: FTA channels are hardly interesting. So constraint #4 has to be reconsidered (after you have seen all the FTA channels. If you are happy with them, then you can save yourself some cash)
Hope that this helps for a start. I can assure that you will get more replies.
Good Luck and welcome to the forum.

Edit: Beaten by compufunk. Have to enlist for a fast typing course.

keenite

as HB13DISH suggests, a combination of Astra 19 and Hotbird will give you literally hundreds of German and Italian channels, though few French ones. However, if you buy a TNTSAT box with card you can receive all FTA French programs via Astra as well.
In terms of cash outlay, you can buy a "monoblock" LNB for around 20 euros which is preset to receive both Astra and Hotbird from a single LNB. TNTSAT receiver start at around 100 euros.

keenite

Here is a set-up that would receive many of the channels you want, but without emphasis on HD:

1. 80cm to 1-m dish with 4 LNBs arranged on a multiple LNB holder and switch (requires only one cable)
2. LNB1 on 28°E would give you all UK FTA programs, as long as you are physically located in an area extending from S. France to central Germany (see lyngsat dot com for exact coverage areas). If you are outside this area, you still may be able to receive them, but will need up to a 2-m antenna. This is the only satellite offering FTA national programs from the UK.
3. LNB2 on Astra 19, provides literally all FTA German programs, CNN, BBC World, one Swiss news channel and several Austrian ones. French channels here include TV5 and a Belgian one. ARTE in HD is available here FTA.
4. LNB3 on Hotbird, here there are numberless Italian channels, including all the main RAI programs, a smattering of French stations, though no national ones, in addition to hundreds of channels from many countries around the world such as Al Jazeera English and so on.
5. LNB4 on Atlantic Bird 3, where France 2, France 3, France 5, Arte, LCP, TMC, TV8 and KTO are available FTO in digital, in addition to TF1 and M6 which are available in analogue. FRANSAT (18 national TNT programs from France) is also available on this satellite, which would entail buying a receiver for around 100 euros, but which includes a life-time card, i.e. not a subscription-based system.