What are the different types of dish?
reception will be the same wherever you are. It is not possible (in
There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing theory) for a particular place to have “bad reception”. which dish to get. Most importantly: do you want automatic, through-the-roof or free-standing? Each has its advantages and Can I use my SKY receiver from home? disadvantages.
taking it away on holiday.
For maximum convenience, a fully automatic unit is unbeatable. obliged to keep it connected to a phone line; usually for one year. However, remember that you will always have to park your vehicle or moor your boat so that the dish can align with the satellite.
If you were given a receiver as part of a SKY package, you are After that time, you’re free to do whatever you want with it including
Sometimes - at a crowded campsite or on a canal for example - this may simply not be possible and many people who have an Will SKY will cut me off if they find out that I’m using my SKY automatic system take a free-standing set-up with them as well, receiver in a motorhome? just in case. After all, moving a dish and a tripod a few feet to avoid No, although they may try to discourage you. However, if you tell a tree is a lot easier than moving a motorhome or a narrowboat them that you’re using or planning to use a SKY viewing card backwards and forwards until the dish can “see” the satellite.
For a low-cost set-up with maximum flexibility, a manual, free- easy to forget to remove your viewing card should you take the standing dish will do the job.
For the convenience of a permanently mounted dish with a cost there’s no way for SKY to know about it. We recommend that you nearer to a manual than an automatic system, a through-the-roof always refer to the terms of your contract. type could be just what you need. Bear in mind the advice for the automatic system: the same applies. There are also units, such as Can I use my SKY card from home in another digibox? Camos in-motion sat-domes, which track the satellite as the In theory, no. Every SKY viewing card is electronically matched to vehicle moves. As well as enabling passengers to watch TV on the a particular receiver (digibox). The digibox to which it is matched move, this also makes it possible to listen to most national British can be changed and SKY can do this via the satellite. radio stations as you drive, just about anywhere in Europe.
Do I need a special TV for satellite TV? What size dish do I need? It depends where you are and what programmes you want to
No. Any TV or monitor with an A/V input can be connected to any satellite receiver.
receive but don't be fooled into thinking you need a bigger dish than you actually do. A 30cm dish will work just as well as a 2M Can I watch satellite TV on my laptop? dish within the central area of a satellite’s footprint. Bigger dishes Yes, but you’ll need a PCMCIA or USB TV card which has A/V only need to be used if you’re planning to travel to places outside input. You then use the A/V input to connect a satellite receiver. that area but, even then, you may not need as big a dish as you As at the time of writing, there doesn’t seem to be a simple plug-in might think. Have a look at our footprint maps to get an idea of device with a built-in satellite receiver. what size dish is needed where. Be aware that weather and atmospheric conditions can affect reception and also that the Can I access the Internet via satellite in my caravan or satellite operators can change both footprints and transmission motorhome? power and parameters at will.
Yes. We’ve tried various systems and by far the best - and most
When choosing a dish, bear in mind that the smaller it is, the easier reliable - are those produced by Crystop and IPcopter (page 52). it will be to locate the satellite. This sounds unlikely but it really is They give Internet access at broadband speed just about true! A smaller dish is also much less susceptible to movement: a anywhere in mainland Europe and there’s a choice of service Multimo or Kerstan can even be successfully used on a moored providers so that we can tailor the service to your needs. boat. On the other hand, the larger the dish the better your Even though the broadband coverage offered by mobile ‘phone chances of picking up programmes in less than perfect conditions; operators is getting better and better, there will always be areas on the fringes of the footprint or during heavy rain for example.
Are some areas bad for reception?
(often exactly the same places where people with motorhomes and caravans go) where the service is poor or non-existent. This is true all over Europe and is why Internet via satellite is the only
As long as the dish has a clear line of sight to the satellite, is set up option for some people. correctly and is suitable for the satellite’s broadcast footprint, These systems can also usually be used to access TV satellites.
16:9 & 4:3: These refer to the size of a TV or monitor screen. 16:9 gives a wide-screen view, 4:3 is the traditional “old-style” TV format.
Commonly used words & phrases
Common interface slot: This is an almost universal means of using a viewing card. Also known as a common access slot. Digibox: Just a common name for any digital receiver, also known as a set-top box. DVB-S: Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite DVB-T: Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial
F.T.A. - Free to air: A term used when referring to TV or radio channels which are transmitted without encryption, so that they can be viewed by anyone with a suitable receiver. BBC and ITV channels are transmitted free to air. Freesat from SKY: A free to view DVB-S service from British SKY Broadcasting.
freesat: A free to air DVB-S service designed especially for U.K. viewers and which, for some reason, has no capital letter in its name. Freeview: A terrestrial TV service: nothing to do with satellite TV H.D: High definition. To watch programmes which are transmitted in H.D. requires a special receiver and a compatible TV. L.N.B. Low noise block: Takes the signal from a satellite and changes it into a form which a receiver can work with. Viewing card: A card which enables a viewer to watch programmes which are transmitted in an encrypted form.
&*?@$+%!!: A phrase usually heard when people try to set up a manual satellite system without reading the instructions first and then following them precisely.
For a list of useful websites concerning satellite TV, see the Tech Tips section of our website
Prices and models can change. For up to date prices, to find a dealer near you or for further information on any of our products, please phone us on 01327 312233 or visit our website:
www.roadpro.co.uk 60
outside the U.K. and Ireland, they WILL. Unfortunately, it’s very receiver away with you and, if you were to accidentally do that,
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