Sat TV for Van - yes yes, done to death - but I must be dumb

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 20:57

ThreadID: 60553 Views:7254 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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TV Antenna

As all antenna designs are a compromise at some frequency, the trick is to work out what will give you the least compromise. To help get a broader understanding and hopefully clear up this confusion,

Member - Norm C (QLD)

I'm happy (very happy) to travel without TV. But having just returned from 5 months away, the 'boss' says ' wouldn't it be nice to have access to TV on our next trip'

Guess that means we will have TV for the next trip.

Now with a bit of web and Explore Oz searching, I find full packages (minus TV) from vansat.com.au for about $800, sattv.com.au for about the same and sciteq.com.au for $499.
Also I've met plenty of people who have purchased a full set up from the little guy in Katherine for as little as $365.

Now, I've heard that the cheap systems are cr@p and that they don't have 'legal' cards and decoders. But as recently as a 10 days ago, I was in the NT and had people camped next to me with the $365 set up and they couldn't be happier. They believed they had a legal and proper set up. I've heard from others that they will lose reception if Optus changes codes, but I'm yet to meet someone who has suffered this fate. So is it true or just a scare tactic from competitors or those who paid more.

So the question is; who has the REAL info on this. Why wouldn't I drop into Katherine on my way through early next year (or pay the $40 or so freight) and get a $365 set up. What good reason do I have for going to the 'bigger names' and shelling out $800 or so?

I'm normally prepared to pay the extra bit to get good reliable equipment and service. But I expect something tangible for the extra $. I'm yet to meet a buyer from the Katherine business with his cheap sat TV system who is not happy. So who should I pay the extra $.

Please, someone with the right info on this, set me straight.

Norm C

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Reply By: zacc - Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 21:14

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 21:14

i would go the cheaper set all you realy need is a decent sized dish about 64cm will do . you can also get the hole setup of ebay cheaper . you will need an optus aura card which you will pay about $100.00 for . then you will have to ring up and active the channels . sbs and abc no worrys . it all depends on where you are for the other channels to be activated . central can not be activated in w.a as for the telecomunication laws . also you can get win and gwn but can not have gwn , win and central at the same time they will not allow it , or you can get a goldie which is a pirated card ( which is illegal ) and they will have all the channels on gwn, win ,central , all the sbs and abc channels. some people will try to sell you a satelite decoder with all the channels pre programed so you do not need the card . i personaly would not buy one of these as the keep changing the frequencies so one day you will have a channel the next day it will be gone . hope this helps.

AnswerID: 319456

Reply By: DIO - Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 21:42

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 21:42

You can be assured that there have been several recent changes (over 12 - 18 months) of the codes necessary to access the Optus transmissions which have compromised the effectiveness of the 'pirated cards'. The only way to go is with the legitimate card which will require you to contact them to arrange activation for the respective 'zone' that you wish to view. It can be a slight inconvenience but most people seem to be able to get by with the arrangement. You really don't need to pay a lot of money. Good reliable systems can be purchased from as lo as $299.00 Link + p&h.The most difficult aspect for most people is getting the dish aligned with the. Using simple means this is something that can be learned very quickly enabling complete set up within a matter of minutes (5 - 10). Providing the dish has a clear 'view' of the sky (no trees etc) and it is not raining heavily (it can affect reception) you will get crystal clear digital signals all the time. You will also have the means to access heaps of radio broadcasts ABC, VOA etc etc. If you are still unsure about buying a cheaper package have a look at this supplier (I have no link with them) whith whom I have dealt and can recommend their service and support. Their prices are very reasonable and competitive Link

AnswerID: 319464

Reply By: Member - kevin Y (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 21:54

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 21:54

first the optus card will only be activated when your out of a commercial tv zone.

2nd if you have foxtel or select tv at home you can only recieve and use those on the set top box you already have to operate them , the set top box for satelliite box you get with dish set up wont work these.

i recomend you google -- free to air satellite forums also austech satellite forum ------there you can get all the info you need, along with info for optus C1 and pass 8 satellites and what is needed to hook up.

first time it took me a week to sort it out, now i can do it in 10minutes---have fun

AnswerID: 319467

Follow Up By: Member - kevin Y (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 22:00

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 22:00

i bought what i use seperately dish and stand-- set top box ---sat finder and cables all up $295 plus optus card i never use much $100 as there are plenty of free to air programs inc sbs and abc

FollowupID: 586053

Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 23:01

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008 at 23:01

Norm,

do you have Foxtel?

If so you can get a set top box called a Dreambox. This can be programmed on your PC to pick up all free to air stations and, as well, you can put your Foxtel card into it and receive all your normal Foxtel.

When we travel we don't actually use it very much because we would rather yak around the campfire but when it's in use we can watch all our Foxtel as transmitted in WA, ie on WA timezone and the local ABC news which is handy, as well as Imparja, interstate Ch9 etc and even Al Jazeera, which is actually a very good current affairs/news show.

However, and it's a BIG however, you really need to have a good friend who knows how to program it on their PC because the companies DO change their codes (not Foxtel tho).

cheers

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AnswerID: 319485

Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 08:05

Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 08:05

Thanks GB. Yes, we have Foxtel at home. But I'm not planning on taking it bush. In fact I'll cancel it when we head off on our next trip as next year will be on the road more than at home.

The free to air channels will be plenty for us. I'll only be watching the news and footy / cricket anyway. Too many stars / camp fires to watch to spend too much time in front of the TV.

Norm C

FollowupID: 586108