All right everyone.....I'm just going to put this out there and let you all have your way with me right from the get go. I'm new to this forum as well as the FTA world....but not new to the 'Forums'. That being said, I am aware of how fun it is to bash the NOOB for his/her inexperience and lack of knowledge as well as the NOOB's ability to be 'tracker beam' like in attracting ridicule and b/s. ::pant::pant::.... Ok, here goes.
I've been reading on here for a couple of days now paying attention to as much as I could pertaining to the technology, terminology, concept and standards but figure I can only gather so much info without asking questions. ( know my first question is going to open a can of worms.)
I'm currently looking to purchase my first FTA box and am interested in one of HD format. Money isn't a huge issue but like everyone else I would like to spend as little as possible. I've been looking into the Viewsat MAXHD but am not set on this unit as of yet. Is there a unit out there that most can agree on that is on top as quality and performance is concerned??? I have read all the post pertaining to the tech aspects, pros, cons and so forth of the V/S MAXHD and have figured that because of some industry standards/technology changing right now......it's probably best if I should wait a month or two. Could someone explain to me if possible what is in store for the near future of where FTA is going and would it be best to just hold out on any purchase for a bit????? Thanks for your patience and taking the time to read my banter.
MaxHD is one of the best box with great support, much better than Sonicview. MaxHD is Turbo HD(1080p) ready with SK-200 add board, and encryption board can be interchange.
The only problem is, does it work again with N3, you should wait or if you buy it, this box is a exellent receiver for Free to Air with a motorized dish and a Invacom Linear/Circular LNB QPH-031.
Here is the satellite list i get: 15W,22W,30W,43W,61.5W,72W,82W,83W,85W, 87W,89W,91W,93W,95W,97W,99W,101W,103W, 105W,110W,111.1W,119W121W,123W,129W
Tiger Woods the Comedian Of all the True FTA Satellites with Linear Polarilty there are only four 4 Birds that have 20 channels or more. The rest of them are dead meat. Don't wast your time with them unless you like to play with your Remote Scanning the Arch.
Hispasat 1D at 30.oW (20) channels Hispasat 1C at 30.oW (25) channels
Galaxy 19 at 97.oW Total channels (207) True FTA are (161) the rest channels (46) are Paid Channels. System Encryption, Nagravision, Irdeto and Viaccess.
The above three 3 Birds carry mostly International Broadcasting.
Galaxy 18 at 123.oW (45) channels most of these channels are USA Locals. Above info. is base only on my experience. There is not much to view on English channels, I guess that is way they are free. If you are close to the TV Stations you can do better with a good Antenna on a Rotor on your roof will give you a better picture in HD and some movie channels.
A very good New Year to all and to my good friend King Tapeman.
I suggest NOT buying a FTA HD receiver at this point, until the future status of FTA and a hack for the new Nagra 3 encryption, is resolved and more clear..however I would buy a non HD FTA receiver now ( much less expensive) such as a Conaxsat Mini , or a Sonicview 360 Premier for about $135...later if or when Nagra 3 encyrption is hacked , then you will want a 2nd receiver anyways most likely for a 2nd TV, and at that point I would consider a HD receiver...My opinion is that the well known, reliable, user friendly, best supported, long time established, and most popular HD receiver, the Sonicview 8000 V2 (with fan) for $329, is by far the best HD receiver for the average person concerned with TV viewing..I then would use the Conaxsat or Sonicview 360 for my 2nd receiver and use on non HD TV's ..
A temporary ivestment of $100-150 at his point in time buying a regular receiver is a better idea. By the time the N3 problem is resolved and the industry has the confidence in being able to support with new BINs, the prices of HD would also come down and what you might buy today for $500, would be available later for $400. So my recommendation is to buy a CW700s or a Sonicview 360 and get going with a viewing TV and wait for the free availability of N3 BINs before you invest in a HD receiver.
A temporary ivestment of $100-150 at his point in time buying a regular receiver is a better idea. By the time the N3 problem is resolved and the industry has the confidence in being able to support with new BINs, the prices of HD would also come down and what you might buy today for $500, would be available later for $400. So my recommendation is to buy a CW700s or a Sonicview 360 and get going with a viewing TV and wait for the free availability of N3 BINs before you invest in a HD receiver.
Thanks to everyone that posted useable and relevant information.....I can see that everyone has very different ideas as to what is not only the top box but how and when I should buy it. I'm thinking (like some of you have said) that holding off for a bit might be the smartest thing (and just kick back and watch all of you trash each other). It's kinda amusing and disturbing at the same time. Looks as though we've got a bunch of intelligent people on here that resort to bashing each other because of their differences of opinion. Anyhow......Thanks again.
