Hello Ron,
This is going to be a bit long but I'm in the mood - It's Friday and Rolfw, I know it's all been said in bits and pieces elsewhere already but I hope this kind of pulls it together for Ron?
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Ron,
To begin with: 4, 5 and ITV are only broadcast on 28.2, as for Prime it used to be part of the BBC package on 28.2 but I can't see it anywhere now.
Regarding your general set-up and equipment: I would recommend that you first test your present dishes to see which beams you can get. This wouldn't cost anything (just a little time) and will help to determine the performance of your gear in the new location. You can complement the results of that by checking what types and sizes of dish, LNB, etc. others are using in your area to get value from Sky. You could start by searching this forum and looking at the reports for Italy on
THIS site.
A multi-lnb dish can be easily set up to get several satellites in sequence. For example: 28.2, 19.2 and 13 is a typical spread. Use your digital receiver to switch between them and see what free channels you can get. To do this with a Sky digibox requires some extra (not expensive) equipment to get the box to switch from one LNB to another. Also a Sky digibox will only allow you to programme in a max of 50 'Other Channels', i.e. the digibox is set to automatically allow only the Sky bouquet. Stuff outside this has to be put manually in 'Other Channels'.
Yes, those Lyngsat tables can be confusing, perhaps this will help to understand them better:
Firstly, there are actually several satellites in a group at 28.2E and they each have different beams or 'footprints' onto Eruope. In particular 2D has tight footprint which is intended to give good reception on standard size dishes and minidishes to the British Isles.
The BBC switched their transmissions to this particular satellite last year and hence the chaos in Europe and all the discussions on how best to get reception outside the formal 2D footprint. At the same time they stopped using Sky Encryption which added to the confusion but which essentially means that one no longer needs a Sky digibox to receive the BBC, i.e. one can get the BBC on a regular digital receiver provided one can pick up the transmission. Note that C4, C5 and ITV remain on Sky encryption and therefore one needs a Sky sub card or the new version 'solus' card to see them and of course this can only be done on a Sky digibox. And..., to add to the confusion ITV always was and still is transmitted from 2D and that's why only those with big dishes can get it in Europe.
The following may help to understand the lyngsat tables themselves better:
First, if the 'Video Encryption' column says 'PAL' then skip it because one cannot get that on a digital receiver.
Second, look at the 'Beam' column. If you click on the link in that column it will show you the official footprint and you will be able to see quickly if your dish size can pick up the signal.
Third, look for a red 'F' in the 'Video Encryption' Column which mean that the channel is Free, (keeping in mind that ITV, C4 and 5 are exceptions, see below).
When looking at the list for 28.2 keep in mind that the Sky Digital package is spread accross several transponders in the 28.2 group and that's why you will see multiple entries for it on the
main list. For example, just because there is one listed against 11895 V - 2A South Beam, it doesn't mean that you can get all the channels. You have to go into the package details to see how the individual channels are broken down accross the group. When you do this you will see that some are on the 2D satellite and thus on the small British Isles footprint, some are on the 2A North beam which can only be got in certain parts of Europe using a big dish, and so on.
Another thing to note is that the BBC broadcasts are shown seperately on the
main list because they are now outside the Sky pack.
To explore the full contents of the blue Sky Digital package click on the red 'P' to it's right which will take you
here.
About two thirds way down that list one can see Channel 4. It's on the 2A North beam which I've heard is a tricky one to get in Rome and you would need to check the dish size needed for that. I think that if you see the Sky Welcome channel which is 'F' (free) on 2A-North that means your'e getting that beam.
Finally, note that channels 4, 5 and ITV are shown in the 'Enc. System' column as using Videogard encryption. So, although they are free one needs to have either a Sky subscription card or the new Solus card in the receiver to view them.
I hope this helps. In conclusion it's difficult to say what's the best thing to do. Personally, I have decided not to bother with satellites other than 28.2 anymore and have moved to a 1m dish with a Sky+ box and a Family pack + movies 1,3,5,7,9 subscription. With this I can get everything except 2D which gives me enough value from my Sky subscription.
Good luck with your setup.