receiving freesat on a communal satellite dish

[Angiec333]

Hi all,
I live in a block of flats,and when they upgraded free view Ariel , a communial Satallite dish was installed , what I would love to know is if I can buy a free sat box and plug it in to the SAT1 & SAT2 (threaded connections) on my wall plate ?
Would be very grateful for any info on this
Regards A.Cusack

 

[satelliteman]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, the communal dish is most likely setup for Astra 2 / freesat. Connect up the freesat box to both sat1/2 ports. It should be noted though, that some quad outlets are fitted but both ports may not be live.

 

[DishDick]

I think that should read twin outlet.

 

[A nonymous]

Do you know if there is more than one dish on the system?

If there is more than one dish the system will probably also have 13e on it to. By rights it should work on 28.2e on both outputs so you can plug your receiver into either sat 1 or 2. If the system has more than one sat position 28.2e is usually always on the default diseqc A/A position on both sat 1 & 2 outputs with the second dish being on diseqc position AB

I think that should read twin outlet.

I think he was referring to an outlet with Sats 1 & 2, UHF/DVB & FM/DAB on it, the ones that are typically used on a communal IRS system, so technically satman is correct

 

[satelliteman]

I think that should read twin outlet.

Yes as Nano has explained, quad outlets are normally used for twin feed IRS.

 

[Angiec333]

Thanx satelliteman, & others...

Being a new-b, I guess I am good for let's says a "HUMAX/SAMSUNG" in the sales.
Also my wall place is the exactly the same as the picture in original thread
(SAT1-SAT2 RF & UHF/FM outlets)
Would it be safe to say its a case of plug and play, I.e. alignment (would the installerers do this correctly during fitting) ?

Regards A Cusack
Best wishes to all. xx

P.S. how many channels should I expect to receive?

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, the communal dish is most likely setup for Astra 2 / freesat. Connect up the freesat box to both sat1/2 ports. It should be noted though, that some quad outlets are fitted but both ports may not be live.

 

[Analoguesat]

With Freesat kit you should get all the ones on their epg.

Please note the Freesat channel line up is different to the Freeview lineup, so if there are any must have channels say now and we will advise accordingly.

 

[Angiec333]

Thanx Analougesat !

Forgive my ignorance but I thought you could get up to 500ch (some advetise up to1000 ch)
I understand I need a CI Module for say Sky Sports ESPN etc...
Can't think of any specifics except more than I get with DVB ?

Regards xx

 

[Analoguesat]

If you wnat Sky Sports & ESPN via satellite then get a Sky subscription. The ESPN CI module is for Freeview via the aerial, not via Freesat.

This is the Freesat channel list (list from the joinfreesat.com site)

Entertainment
101 BBC 1
102 BBC 2
103 ITV1
104 Channel 4
105 Channel 5
106 BBC Three
107 BBC Four
108 BBC One HD
109 BBC HD
110 BBC Alba
112 ITV1+1
113 ITV2
114 ITV2+1
115 ITV3
116 ITV3+1
117 ITV4
118 ITV4+1
119 ITV1 HD
120 S4C Digidol
121 Channel 4 + 1
122 E4
123 E4 + 1
124 More4
125 More4 + 1
126 Channel 4 HD
127 4seven
128 Channel 5 +1
129 5USA
130 5USA +1
131 5*
132 5* +1
134 CBS Drama
135 CBS Reality
136 CBS Reality+1
137 CBS Action
138 Horror Channel
139 Horror Channel+1
140 BET
141 BET+1
142 True Entertainment
143 Men & Movies
144 Pick TV
145 Challenge TV

News & Sport
200 BBC News
201 BBC Parliament
202 Sky News
203 Al Jazeera Eng
204 Euronews
205 France 24
206 Russia Today
207 CNN
208 Bloomberg Television
209 NHK World HD
210 CNBC
211 CCTV News

Movies
300 Film4
301 Film4 + 1
302 True Movies 1
303 True Movies 2
304 Movies4Men
305 Movies4Men +1
308 UMP Movies

Lifestyle
400 Showcase
401 Information TV
403 Food Network
404 Food Network+1
407 Fashion One

Music
500 Chart Show TV
501 The Vault
502 Flava
503 Scuzz
504 B4U Music
505 BuzMuzik
506 Bliss
509 Zing
510 Clubland TV
511 Massive R&B
512 Channel AKA
515 Vintage TV
516 Heart TV
517 Capital TV

Children
600 CBBC Channel
601 CBeebies
602 CITV
603 POP
604 POPGirl
605 Tiny Pop
606 Kix

Special Interest
652 Psychic TV
660 SAB TV
690 Inspiration TV
691 Daystar TV
692 Revelation
693 Islam Channel
694 God Channel
695 Sonlife
696 TBN Europe

Radio
700 BBC Radio 1
701 BBC 1Xtra
702 BBC Radio 2
703 BBC Radio 3
704 BBC Radio 4 FM
705 BBC Radio Five Live
706 BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra
707 BBC 6 Music
708 BBC Radio 4 Extra
709 BBC Asian Network
710 BBC Radio 4 LW
711 BBC World Service
712 BBC Radio Scotland
713 BBC Radio nan Gaidheal
714 BBC Radio Wales
715 BBC Radio Cymru
716 BBC Radio Ulster
718 BBC London 94.9 (available on London postcode only)
719 Capital FM
720 Choice FM
721 Classic fm
722 Gold
723 XFM
724 Absolute Radio
726 Absolute 80s
728 WRN Radio
729 Jazz FM
730 Planet Rock
731 talkSPORT
732 Smooth Radio
733 Heart
750 RTÉ Radio 1
751 RTÉ Radio 2 FM
752 RTÉ Lyric FM
753 Raidió na Gaeltachta
777 Insight Radio
786 BFBS Radio
790 TWR Radio

Shopping
800 QVC
801 price-drop tv
802 Bid TV
803 Pitch TV
804 Pitch World
805 Gems TV1
806 TV Shop
807 JewelleryMaker
808 JML Direct
809 JML Living
810 Ideal Xtra
811 Ideal & More
812 Ideal World
813 Create And Craft
815 The Jewellery Channel
816 QVC Beauty
817 Rocks & Co1
818 TGGC Outlet (previously Gems TV Extra)
819 Argos TV
820 Thane Direct
821 High Street TV

Gaming & Dating
None

Adult
870 Babestation
875 Playboy TV Chat

On Demand (* some channels on certain boxes only)
900 On Demand
901 BBC iPlayer
903 ITV Player
907 BoxOffice365
908 The Space

Regional TV
950 BBC 1 London
951 BBC 1 Channel Islands
952 BBC 1 East Midlands
953 BBC 1 East (E)
954 BBC 1 East (W)
955 BBC 1 North West
956 BBC 1 North East & Cumbria
957 BBC 1 Northern Ireland
958 BBC 1 Oxford
959 BBC 1 South East
960 BBC 1 Scotland
961 BBC 1 South
962 BBC 1 South West
963 BBC 1 West Midlands
964 BBC 1 Wales
965 BBC 1 West
966 BBC 1 Yorks
967 BBC 1 East Yorks & Lincs
968 BBC 2 England
969 BBC 2 Northern Ireland
970 BBC 2 Scotland
971 BBC 2 Wales
974 Channel 4
975 Channel 4 + 1
977 ITV London

Interactive
986 Teletext

Information
999 Freesat Info

 

[Angiec333]

Thanx dude,
Could not say thank you last nite,due to 3 post rule....

Its way more than DVB

Regards

 

[Analoguesat]

No prob - and remember new channels are added all the time

Russia Today HD is expected in January sometime

Most of the better boxes allow channels non on the epg to be added in a "none freesat" mode.

 

[Angiec333]

Merry Christmas to all, as a new-b would anyone recommend this:
Humax Freesat Digital Set Top Box with DTV Recorder - 500GB.
Record up to 300 hours of television with this Humax 500GB digital set top box and TV recorder. The built-in Freesat allows you to make the most of the vast array of digital channels, including subscription-free ones. Complete with twin tuner, it enables you to record 2 channels at once, or watch one while another is recording.
Digital TV features:
* Digitally interactive
* Digital text.
* Digital video broadcasting (DV subtitles available.
* Auto setup.
* Now and next programme guide.
* 8 day electronic programme guide (EPG).
Recording features:
* Twin tuner.
* 500GB hard drive.
* 300 hours recording time.
* Record 2 channels at the same time.
* Series record.
* Pause live TV.
Connectivity:
* HDMI output.
* 2 SCART sockets (cable included).
Additional information:
* Upscales to 1080p.
* Remote control.
* Size H5.5, W36, D25.5cm.
* Weight 2500g.
* Also most of the reviews on the Argos (i know, still a new-b-mind) website give it 5/5 in all categories.
* Would love to hear any suggestions members would recommend.

 

[Lazarus]

Certainly - I've had one for a couple of years and it's excellent. Easy tu use.

For maximum benefit, you need two separate feeds from your dish, but it will work in a more limited fashion with only one feed.

 

[Angiec333]

Cheers Tivu by two separate feeds from dish do you mean the SAT1 & SAT2 i have, pic of wall plate further up in the thread.
Regards Angie x

 

[Lazarus]

Yes - provided they are live and independent, which isn't always the case with Communal Dishes, despite appearances (See Post #2).

 

[Analoguesat]

To get full functi0nality on a pvr you need two seperate cable connections to the receiver - one for each tuner. This allows you to watch one prog whilst recording another.

Assuming both sat 1 & sat 2 ports are live you would connect both up.

If for any reason sat 2 isnt live, well the receiver will still record to a limited degree.

 

[Lazarus]

That's rare - I beat the Boss!

Too much Sherry?

 

[Analoguesat]

Not enough sherry

 

[Angiec333]

Hey guys, as i don't have any satellite testing equipment. Would a universal multi meter that measures ohms,amps,voltage etc... with options to move decimal point. Be able to tell me if both 1&2 are live?
Regards

 

[Lazarus]

The best way would be to borrow a Sky Box from a neighbour ....................