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These channels are transmitted from the satellite Astra 2d, the
signals are
tightly focused on the British Isles and the footprint (the area
where the signals are transmitted too) falls far short of Spain
(please see
this web page) . In the Valencia region the
full range of BBC and ITV channel
can only be viewed with a minimum dish size of 1.8 m or by using
an illegal re-broadcast system.
ITV 1, Channel 4 and the
Fivers are now available using a 1.1 m dish. Surprisingly in the far South Of
Spain the signals are stronger. In the evenings the signal
strength of the BBC and ITV channels diminish and in most cases its
not possible to watch BBC 2 and ITV after 10 pm.
(Click here if you want to
know why)
Unless the customers are paying for movies on Sky TV they are left
with no films. We recommend these customers have a 85 cm dish
installed to view the movie channels on Badr. Click
here to view these channels
1.8 m Dishes
This is the minimum size required for the BBC and ITV channels.
Please note that all the 1.9 m dishes that our competitors supply
and we have measured are indeed 1.8 m. Due to the daily movement of
the satellite the BBC channels are lost at some point before in the
evening. Due to the smaller dish size the BBC channels are lost
earlier in the evening than with the larger 2.4 m dish. Particularly
with BBC 2 which is being transmitted with a horizontal polarization . In some areas you will not receive
BBC 2 in the evenings
2.4 m Dishes
This is the optimum size for home use required for the BBC and
ITV channels. The BBC channels are lost later in the evening
than with the smaller 1.8 m dish and BBC 2. If the BBC 2
channel is very important to the viewer it is essential they install
a 2.4 m dish.
Lnbs for Big Dishes
The LNB is the device on the dish that captures the signal .
It is important that a high quality LNB is used on dishes that are
in the fringe areas of the signal footprint. We use Invacom Lnbs
that are widely recommended. However These Lnbs do not have a long
life and have to replaced at least every three years or sooner.
Digital SET TOP Boxes
To receive any satellite signal you require a set top box. There are
three types of satellite TV as follows
-
Subscription TV requires a card and a monthly subscription as
per sky TV pay channels
-
Free to view TV (FTV) requires a card with only a one time
payment as per the sky free card.
-
Free to Air TV (FTA) does not
require a card. The BBC and ITV are FTA channels.
-
Some FTA channels Channel 4 and Five are
FTA on Astra 2d and require a 2.4 m dish to receive these
channels
-
ITV 1 (regional) Channel 4 and Five are
also FTV that require a sky box with FTV card and can be
recieved using a small dish (1.1m)
FTA Digi Boxes
These will pick up the BBC and ITV channels. However most of
these boxes are designed to work with normal satellite signals and
therefore not recommended for viewing the weak signals associated
with BBC channels in the Valencia province
Sky digi Boxes
These are the best suited to view the BC and ITV channels plus
Channel Four and Five are available. it is important to have a
sky digi box with a strong front end tuner. I recommend you visit
this web page
for more
information.
BBC Freesat Digi Boxes.
These are designed for the UK where the signals are normal and
logically they don't require a sensitive front end tuner. Therefore
I assume that they wont perform as well as the pace 2600 sky digi
box. Plus channel 4 and Five are not available. At this point we
don't recommend these boxes for viewing the BBC and ITV in the
Valencia region
WHERE TO SITE YOUR BIG DISH
Obviously they need to be sited "out of the way" as possible. There
are some important factors in sighting of the dish. The
satellite is located in Space, 28 º East of due South some 36000
kilometers above the equator. In simple terms if you are in the
Valencia Province this is where the sun is at 11.00 am. The
incoming signal is approximately on 56 º inclination. There must be
a clear view of the sky from the dish in the direction of the
satellite. Tall trees in the path are a big problem as they degrade
the signal (significantly more in the rain). The dish has to
be fixed to a
very solid Base. If the concrete base is placed on soft soil there will
be a very slight movement in the soil in the wet weather and
the signal will be lost
Badr together with your big Dish
Unless you paying for sky movies you will
receive very little TV later in
the evenings and on those cold wet rainy days. The solution is to
put an 85 cm aimed at Badr. This satellite is located 26 degrees
East of South. The majority of the channels being
transmitted are in Arabic. However there are 13 channels in English
including four 24 hour movie channels FTA English television
. Click here
to view the channels. You can also view these channels on
this
web page..
The sky digi boxes don't have the facility to view multiple
satellites therefore you have to an additional FTA digibox. The cost
of installing this system is normally € 250 and
includes the dish, set top box (digibox) and tuning in the set top
box to all available channels. For customers that order a big dish
where we install the big dish plus Badr at the same time we
reduce the cost to € 195 for Nilesat.
RE TUNING YOUR DISH
These big dishes require re tuning at least every three years or
sooner. The fact that here in the Valencia region we are in a very
poor area for signals from Astra 2d and therefore there is very
little room for error and I suspect that when the satellite does its
"24 hr figure of 8" of the year its possible the route differs (see
this web page) There are a number of other reasons for
this including
-
movement of the concrete base due to poor installation
-
The movement of the dish on the stand
-
The degradation of the LNB. We have noticed that the Invacom
lnbs don't have a very long life
If your dish requires tuning call us and we will assist. Visit this
page
for details
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