Multi-Satellite viewing + Dreambox?

avidviewer

Member
My Satellite Setup
Dreambox D500S
My Location
London, UK
Hi guys,

I'm a complete novice with digital satellite TV and I have several questions to ask about setting up a complete viewing package.

My problem is, I want to get channels from across the world, mainly Europe, at home here in London.
A friend of mine recently purchased a Dreambox and told me that I could get all the channels from across the world through my broadband connection, just as he had. On his box were all the satellite providers from across the world (i.e. Canal+, BSkyB etc.) with complete channel lists. I was astounded and wanted it for myself. Nonetheless, when I tried to load the foreign channels on his box, they wouldn't come up. I assumed this was just a glitch with the box and went home in wonder.

I was both curious and excited and hurridly had the same thing installed at my place. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I expected. The installer guy said it would only receive UK channels and that it needed a sky feed to the back of the 500S box which brings the UK bskyb signal and then a broadband connection via ethernet to the router in order to decrypt the channels. So my box only has bskyb channels.

I then spoke with a satellite dish installer about receiving TV from across Europe. He suggested I buy a multi-lnb, connect it to my old 90cm analogue dish which is still hanging on the back of my house and that it would then receive all the signals from BSkyB, Canal+, Sky Germany etc. which would then need to be connected to a dreambox. I plan on doing this by myself.

Now this point raised a few issues:
1. What kind of multi lnbs do I need? I've had a look on maplin and there is a 'quad satellite' lnb which only has one head but 4 connections. Am I right in thinking this is just for multiple receivers and not multiple satellite reception?
2. If I did connect to a new dreambox 500s would I only get the free-to-view channels (which I wouldn't mind) or would it automatically decrypt them if I were to connect it to a broadband connection (which would be preferable)?
3. Finally, what would you (the experts) recommend in my situation?

Many thanks
 
Well you have found the right site to find all the info you need, there is even a specific section on Dreamboxes, and numerous threads on the subjects you are asking questions about, have a read.

1/ Yes you are right, its for multiple receivers.

2/ Yes, FTA Channels, though there are subscriptions you can purchase to expand the number of channels to view, and other things to deploy

3/ Have a good read around the site, go for one satellite with one receiver for a start, if you choose your equipment you will be able to expand into multi LNBs and / or Motorised

4/ Plenty of help and expertise on this site, everyone likes a tryer
 
You need either a motorised dish or a dish with a multi lnb set up (or multiple dishes pointing at different satellites - less common due to space considerations but some of us do this)

It sounds like your friend has a connection to a pay (commercial) card share server to provide access to multiple providers. Discussion of this aspect of the hobby is strictly and absolutely forbidden on this forum, so please dont ask for any help with this aspect.

However we will quite happily help you get the dish and receiver set up, and answer any technical questions allied to that. :)
 
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