OT Satellite question
 

Just returned from a holiday in Germany. Whilst there I was looking around the
TV stuff - as you do - in both dedicated electrical stores and the department
stores.

They do seem to have a tremendous amount of satellite gear on offer. Many
brands of receiver, although the dishes seem to be mostly one or two makes. One
hardly ever sees satellite stuff in the shops hear. Is there a reason other
than Sky having the market sewn up?

TIA

--

Regards

Dave Saville

NB Remove no-spam- for good email address

"Dave Saville" wrote in message
. uk...
Just returned from a holiday in Germany. Whilst there I was looking around
the
TV stuff - as you do - in both dedicated electrical stores and the
department
stores.

They do seem to have a tremendous amount of satellite gear on offer. Many
brands of receiver, although the dishes seem to be mostly one or two
makes. One
hardly ever sees satellite stuff in the shops hear. Is there a reason
other
than Sky having the market sewn up?

If you look in the satellite magazines you'll see plenty of kit to buy, but
as you say you won't see any in the high street shops, except Sky.
I asked in a satellite shop in Glasgow but was told there was no way they
could compete with the prices in the magazines and mail order.

"Dave Saville" wrote in message
. uk...
.. Is there a reason other
than Sky having the market sewn up?

Yes that is right

--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group

"Dave Saville" wrote in message
. uk...
Just returned from a holiday in Germany. Whilst there I was looking around
the
TV stuff - as you do - in both dedicated electrical stores and the
department
stores.

They do seem to have a tremendous amount of satellite gear on offer. Many
brands of receiver, although the dishes seem to be mostly one or two
makes. One
hardly ever sees satellite stuff in the shops hear. Is there a reason
other
than Sky having the market sewn up?

TIA


Just looking at the sheer number of mainstream free-to-air German channels
on the Astra and HotBird satellites, should tell you the reason why it's
worth buying a 60 quid basic digital satellite system in Germany, and why
it's not so worthwhile here in the UK.


--

Regards

Dave Saville

NB Remove no-spam- for good email address

"David" wrote in message
...

"Dave Saville" wrote in message
. uk...
. Is there a reason other
than Sky having the market sewn up?

Yes that is right

Because of the Videoguard encryption, the only legitimate way to receive ITV1,
CH4 & 5 on satellite is to use a Sky digibox.

There are no legitimate CAMs for Videoguard, thus you can not use the non Sky
receivers available from a few specialist shops..
A further complexity is the proprietary nature of the 'interactive' elements
such as BBCi.

I think it wrong that the government permits this situation, particularly as
satellite is a very effective method of distributing TV pictures. The UK digital
satellite coverage is much better than the terrestrial version.

The fact that SKY will provide and install equipment FOC if you take out a
subscription, or only charge £150 for STB, dish, LNB and installation for non
subsription are also contributory factors. (phone connection needed)

--

Michael Chare

Because of the Videoguard encryption, the only legitimate way to receive ITV1,
CH4 & 5 on satellite is to use a Sky digibox.

There are no legitimate CAMs for Videoguard, thus you can not use the non Sky
receivers available from a few specialist shops..

Are you implying that it is possible to receive these channels, and use
a SKY viewing card illegitimately without a SKY digibox?

I was under the impression that a digibox plus viewing card was the
only way, legitimately or otherwise.

TTB

"Time To Burn" wrote in message
ups.com...
Because of the Videoguard encryption, the only legitimate way to receive
ITV1,
CH4 & 5 on satellite is to use a Sky digibox.

There are no legitimate CAMs for Videoguard, thus you can not use the non
Sky
receivers available from a few specialist shops..

Are you implying that it is possible to receive these channels, and use
a SKY viewing card illegitimately without a SKY digibox?

Yes, so I have read on Newsnet! Apparently a Dragon CAM (predator) works,
though not for PPV were the STB has to make a dial connection. You can find out
a bit more by Googling. I have no personal experience and less interest, since
finding that, with a good aerial, I can receive terrestrial digital signals
despite what the ww.dtg.org.uk online checker says.

--

Michael Chare