Astra 2D reception Italy

AndrewM

Hello everyone,

I have been reading posts about Astra 2d footprint and reception on the fringes and have got only ONE clear understanging - it's not so simple to get BBC channels in Europe with just any "that-ll-do" kit .

My wife and I are moving to San Giovanni Valdarno in Italy, 43km S of Florence in the couple of weeks.
We hoped to purchase all the neccessary equipment here in England (i.e. sat dish & receiver), but I undestand, that in order for all this to work I need the RIGHT equipment. I have already bought the receiver Thomson DSI4214C, but have doubts now about its performance in Italy. No dish so far - really unsure what to go for,really pazzled after reading other posts?

Would anyone be able to advise and summarise, categorically, what exactly (makes, sizes, prices and whatever can be relevant) I need to be able to watch BBC channels here in Italy? I really don't want to buy a wrong kit and spend 1000s of £££.

Is anyone on the Forum, that lives relatively near us and have gone through this experience already?

I really hope to hear from somebody soon, time is ticking and whatever I need I guess I will have to order it sooner rather than later.

Many thanks,

Andrew & Zuzana

SmilingBoy

The main thing you need is a big dish, I would say at least 1.50m diameter. I would not buy it before moving since it is really quite big!

Otherwise go for a high-gain LNB, e.g. the MTI High Line or a Hirschmann LNB. Use good cables - the thicker the better and make sure all the F-plugs are connected correctly to the cables.

smiffie

Here is the 2A footprint courtesy of Lyngsat. It doesn't actually show Italy as it isn't intended to be picked up there. I would rely on advice from a local installer, the kit is probably cheaper over there anyway!

_http://www.lyngsat-maps.com/maps/astra2d.html

Also there is an entire section dedicated to this subject:-

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellit...eception-tech/

Admin internal links are acceptable smiffie

Topper

Fringe reception is not an exact science, reading reports from astra2d.com website for the region near Florence there are reports of intermitttant reception of BBC1 with 1.4 and that was setup professionally, but just how reliable that report is I have no idea certainly in many parts of Italy you require a 3mtr dish to receive Astra 2D channels. I would tend to go for local knowledge when you get out there unless you are going to install it yourself,
I suggest the following thread for an insight as to what is possible in central Italy

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellit...ller-dish.html

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SmilingBoy

There are good 2D footprints on this page:

_http://www.satcure.co.uk/2d/fprint.htm

AndrewM

Hey guys, thank you for all the replies, really appreciate it. I know you are probably hearing the same questions over and over again - sorry about that ;-)

SmilingBoy you mentioned "F-plugs", I am only guessing what they are?! Would you please clarify for me? (in the interim I 'll try to work in out from the net).
And your tips on the right LNBs are most helpful - thanks for that!

Most of the links you kindly signposted me to, I had been to previously and have come to the same conclusion as, I will need at least 1.8m dish.

I have also been through all the relevant threads on the Forum as have got a rough (very rough) idea, but I guess what am I looking for are more concrete answers on what is the best gear to have (without buying a rediculously big dish and spending a fortune)

Has anyone got any (hopefully positive) reviews of the receiver I bought? Thomson DSI4214C?

And if anyone knows, good, reliable sources in Italy (reference sat dishes, installers blablabla), I'm here, keen to know more on this subject!

Thanks Zuzana

deepbluesky

I'm sure you'll find some useful info concerning reception conditions in this italian board as well: _http://www.digital-forum.it/forumdisplay.php?f=33

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ugania2

I am Italian and I live in Bologna and I watch the 2d channels every day..the most important thing is the dish size,the LNB is not very important,...in Bologna I use a 1,50 cm dish and I can watch BBC,ITV,Channel 4 and all the other 2d channels all the time (I have problems only during strong Thunderstorms or when there are clouds full of hail stones) .Before ,I had a 120 cm dish size,but usually about 11 o' cock at night the signal had problems and sometimes disappeared completely for a few time...In your area,near Florence, the signal could be a little worse,if you can afford it, 1,80 cm should be better,but it depends if you 'll live in an apartment or in a villa, where you could put the dish in the garden...The problem started only with the 2d satellite,BeforeI could watch all the other Sky channels with a 90 cm dish...Bye ..Luciano..