Upgrade Path?

[peapod1]

My existing set-up has been acquired piecemeal over the years, and is therefore only as good as the weakest link. It presently comprises Panasonic analogue tv, Sony Freeview box, Sony dvr, Echostar 808 digital receiver plus 80cm dish and twin LNB covering 13/19 deg east for FTA channels. Each are piped into a Micromega hi-fi system.

Our next planned upgrade is to a Panny HD TV incorporating Freesat. At this point I am technically out of my depth!

1) Will the Echostar still work with the new tv or does it become obsolete? Will I need a new HD sat receiver?

2) Can I add a further LNB to my existing 80cm dish to obtain Freesat 28 deg east? If so, should the dish align with 13/19/or 28 deg E? I live in NW England and have no requirement for Sky channels.

3) Do I need to upgrade my existing LNB’s?

Any help to clear my confusion would be appreciated. I have lurked here for some time but Have not been able to find my definitive answer so far.

 

[dxsat]

1) Will the Echostar still work with the new tv or does it become obsolete? Will I need a new HD sat receiver?

You won't need a separate satellite receiver for Astra 2 as Freesat HD will come built in with the Panasonic TV. You can continue using the old receiver for 13 and 19 degrees east channels in addition to Freesat. Connect it via a scart cable as now.

2) Can I add a further LNB to my existing 80cm dish to obtain Freesat 28 deg east? If so, should the dish align with 13/19/or 28 deg E? I live in NW England and have no requirement for Sky channels.

You'll need a new holder for 28, 19 and 13 degrees, and a LNB for each. You will probably have to re- align the dish if one position is weak.

3) Do I need to upgrade my existing LNB’s?

No just add another one for 28 degrees.

 

[peapod1]

Thanks Snap for prompt and clear guidance!
Relieved to know that things will still work, but one related question - would I be right in thinking that if any channels on 13 or 19 deg are transmitted in HD, my old Echostar or existing LNB's will not cope with them, ie: only good for standard definition channels?

 

[Topper]

would I be right in thinking that if any channels on 13 or 19 deg are transmitted in HD, my old Echostar or existing LNB's will not cope with them, ie: only good for standard definition channels?

Yes you will only receive SD channels not HD channels on the Echostar

 

[Channel Hopper]

Worth pointing out that Panasonic Freesat TV's do not have a DiSEqC switch unit, nor allow reception of other satellites (HD or otherwise), which is a pain.

 

[peapod1]

Worth pointing out that Panasonic Freesat TV's do not have a DiSEqC switch unit, nor allow reception of other satellites (HD or otherwise), which is a pain.

Thanks Channel Hopper and Topper.

Channel Hopper - this could be a deal breaker for me - can you amplify please?
- If I opt for a Panny with inbuilt Freesat HD, it restricts me to Freesat channels only, and won't accept the feed via the Echostar? ie: cable from LNB goes direct to TV?
- If the signal pipes through the Echostar DSB-808 which has a DiSEqC 1.4 switch, does this overcome the problem?
- is there a work-around, or am I obliged to have a separate Freesat box?

Excuse my ignorance, but as I said, the technology is beyond me.

 

[Burnham Beech]

Worth pointing out that Panasonic Freesat TVs do not allow reception of other satellites (HD or otherwise).

Although Panasonic Freesat TVs are marketed in the UK as Freesat TVs they can in fact receive any SD or HD channel on any satellite.

 

[peapod1]

Although Panasonic Freesat TVs are marketed in the UK as Freesat TVs they can in fact receive any SD or HD channel on any satellite.

Thanks, but would this limit me to tuning in to one satellite only, since as Channel Hopper advises, Panasonic Freesat TV's do not have a DiSEqC switch unit?

Sorry guys, but it seems that one answer raises another question. Grateful for the advice received though.

 

[Burnham Beech]

You would have to retain your Echostar dsb-808 to move the dish, or leave the dish pointing at one satellite.

I am not sure why you are looking at the expensive Panasonic Freesat range as there are cheaper options if you go for a separate TV and HD receiver.

 

[aileen]

Although Panasonic Freesat TVs are marketed in the UK as Freesat TVs they can in fact receive any SD or HD channel on any satellite.

That's added to my confusion. I have a Panasonic Freesat enabled TV but I still have to have a another dish and receiver for Satellite channels
The post quoted seems to say, to me, that the set will receive channels as is which it wont.

 

[aileen]

You would have to retain your Echostar dsb-808 to move the dish, or leave the dish pointing at one satellite.

I am not sure why you are looking at the expensive Panasonic Freesat range as there are cheaper options if you go for a separate TV and HD receiver.

I couldn't find a cheaper option TV with the same specification. Avoiding another box and the required cables was an attraction for me plus I got a five year makers guarantee. Superb set the Panasonic. Worth the extra

 

[peapod1]

That's added to my confusion. I have a Panasonic Freesat enabled TV but I still have to have a another dish and receiver for Satellite channels
The post quoted seems to say, to me, that the set will receive channels as is which it wont.
I couldn't find a cheaper option TV with the same specification. Avoiding another box and the required cables was an attraction for me plus I got a five year makers guarantee. Superb set the Panasonic. Worth the extra

I appreciate the Panasonic's quality and don't mind paying a premium for it, and as you point out, there is merit to avoiding another box and cabling.

At present though, I have one fixed dish with twin LNB, and one cable to the sat receiver. I was hoping that adding a third LNB would suffice but it would seem that if I get the Panny with built-in freesat I would need another dish installation (which would at least give me HD freesat), and then presumably pipe the other satellites in via one of the scarts for SD astra1/hotbird. Correct?

Seems therefore the better way for me to go might be for a new HD sat receiver (which also gets me the freesat channels?), new LNB's and a 100hz HDTV without freesat built-in?

Anyone else in this dilemma?

 

[dxsat]

If you have your heart set on the Pansonic Freesat TV, then go for it and keep your old satellite receiver, which you can still use for the non- 28 degrees channels.

You will need to fit a twin LNB for the 28 degrees position and have one feed to the old receiver, the other to the Panasonic TV.

The old receiver will not get any HD channels. Any LNB will receive any HD channels on the satellite it is pointed at.

Personally, I would choose the best HD TV I could get, chosen for picture and sound quality, and use it with a Humax Freesat HD receiver. These boxes support other channels outside of Freesat and also Diseqc. ( I have not personally tested diseqc support)

If you did this you would have only one box, and one satellite cable from your diseqc switch.

 

[Burnham Beech]

I still don't see the point in buying the Panasonic Freesat TV.

Why not get the equivalent non-Freesat Panasonic TV. You get the same quality of TV and save yourself at least £200. Put the £200 towards an HD satellite receiver and get a proper multi-satellite setup without any compromises.

 

[peapod1]

I still don't see the point in buying the Panasonic Freesat TV.

Why not get the equivalent non-Freesat Panasonic TV. You get the same quality of TV and save yourself at least £200. Put the £200 towards an HD satellite receiver and get a proper multi-satellite setup without any compromises.

Thanks again Snap and Burnham Beech - this is exactly what I needed to hear. Best 100hz HD TV for the money (panny LZD800?), HD receiver, and no need for a separate freesat box. Looks like the Echostar gets retired then. Just hope the 80cm fixed dish can handle 13 to 28 deg coverage.

 

[peapod1]

I still don't see the point in buying the Panasonic Freesat TV.

Why not get the equivalent non-Freesat Panasonic TV. You get the same quality of TV and save yourself at least £200. Put the £200 towards an HD satellite receiver and get a proper multi-satellite setup without any compromises.

Thanks Snap and Burnham Beech - exactly what I needed too be told - looks like the Echostar gets retired, and an upgrade to the Panny LZD800 with a decent (Vantage?) HD receiver. Jush need to figure how to add the extra LNB, DiSEqC switch and hope the 80cm fixed dish can cope with 13 - 28 degree coverage.