| Hi Folks! Why the change? Before I do anything else, let me explain why this edition of 'The SatCure Satellite Review' is web-based rather than in email form. For some months now, I have been aware of the growing restrictions of using email to deliver newsletters. Spam (junk mail etc) is increasing at an alarming rate and one of the ways that ISP's are trying to beat spam is by filtering emails that contain certain keywords. This means that, dependent on your ISP's policies, emails that you want to read may be deleted before you even see them. The filtering policies are getting ridiculous and emails containing words such as 'free', 'click here' and 'money' are being deleted. Even using coloured lettering in an HTML email can cause it to be sent straight to the recycle bin! I was spending an hour writing the newsletter and half that time again trying to pick out the words that were going to cause it to be dumped before anyone read it! Therefore, as from this week, instead of receiving the entire newsletter in email form, you will receive a much shorter email with a link to a web page where the newsletter will be posted. This change means that I can, once again, write as I wish without fear of someone deleting my hard work before you have the chance to read it. It means that I don't have to miss out information in order to keep the message short. It also means that I can make corrections when someone points out a mistake. Previously I couldn't do that in the archives. It also means you don't have to store away previous issues because you'll find them here and you can read them whenever you wish. I hope this meets with your approval. (Let me know what you think). Feedback already! Thanks to all of you for the feedback on this week's issue. Please keep it coming (but see below). - Some people prefer the web-based version.
- Some prefer the text version.
- Some couldn't FIND this web version or didn't notice the link to it.
All in all, I think that I'll continue to send a text version, since so many like it. But I will also include a link to a more comprehensive web page version which looks nicer and has room for all the information that I want to send. I can also correct any mistakes (there's always a few no matter how many times I check!) > So please don't unsubscribe yet!
> I'm doing my best to keep everyone happy. Please keep the feedback coming. For those people who don't alreadyknow, you CAN'T reply direct to the email review. The reason for that is that, if I use a real address, I receive dozens of "out of office" replies and also people do LOVE to send me the entire message back - usually with a one-liner that proves they can't read. ;-) I don't want to buy another Hard Drive just yet so please quote ONLY the relevant paragraph when you write to me. But, equally, don't expect me to remember anything that I wrote more than an hour ago. Although I like to think I'm "retired", I still work 9am till 1am most days and I'm swamped with emails. But don't let that stop you. Thomson Freeview Update 21st Nov Software Version 1.4.0 and 2.5.0 Models affected: FDT500, DTI500, DTI550, FDT2000, GDT2000, DTI1000, GDT1500T and GDT1000T Over Air Download Date 10.00Hrs Fri 21st November 2003 to 09.00Hrs Mon 24th November 2003 Software Content The software release has content to address the following issues: - (1). MHEG driver upgrade. (2). Insertion of Discrete power on/off codes. (3). Fix for auto tune LCN sort. Comments a.. Bugs fixed in MHEG driver. Support for Discrete power on/off codes (4F & 3F). FTV card update The online ordering by 31.12.03 deadline is only for replacements for existing pale blue Solus 1 cards. NEW FTV cards will still be available post Jan 1 for new customers who call in, at the same price. Addendum: This was incorrect. A phone call to CH4 determined that the supply of ALL FTV CARDS will cease on January 30th 2004. As I mentioned in the previous review, Channel FIVE on 12110H has gone, but the versions on 12304H are still there on the 2B North beam. This has also coincided with the killing of all pale blue FTV cards, causing a little confusion! So, to watch FIVE outside the UK, you now need a Sky Digital system that can receive the 2B North beam AND a dark blue FTV card. Why is the ITV picture so bad? Normally programmes "share the multiplex" and there's a reasonable chance that, while one programme is transmitting fast live action that requires a lot of bandwidth, another is transmitting a gardening programme that requires very little. But ITV has several channels on the same transponder. The situation is exacerbated by regions showing exactly the same programmes at certain times. So when one programme is showing fast action, the others are too, and there simply isn't enough room for all the data! This information was posted by "Carrolls" on the Digital Spy forum: 10.832H 22000 FEC 5/6
CARLTON/LWT, CENTRAL WEST, HTV WALES, WEST COUNTRY SOUTH 10.891H 22000 5/6
ANGLIA, BORDER ENGLAND, BORDER SCOTLAND, GRANADA, MERIDIAN, TYNE TEES, YORKSHIRE 10.906V 22000 5/6
GRAMPIAN, SCOTTISH, ULSTER, CHANNEL So heres the deal. 7 ITVs on 10891H = Bad picture. 4 ITVs on 10.906V = Better picture. Pace BSKYB2600 upgrade The BSKB2600 has been renamed DS430N by Pace and has a slightly different CPU. However the difference is so slight that you won't notice any difference whatsoever in speed or performance. We'll continue to supply the BSKYB2600 until stocks run out, at which point we'll start to supply the DS430N version instead. Mediabullet reports From DTT News http://dttnews.mediabullet.co.uk - EPG channel on way ?
- price-drop rises
- Two channel additions
-
From Sky Digi Online http://skydigital.mediabullet.co.uk - FX channel announces launch details
- BSkyB announce first quarter results
- VH2 launch date confirmed
- Extensive Soham Trial coverage on Sky News
- ITVi & Five Interactive full launch "weeks away" *Exclusive*
- UKG2 & UK Gold +1 changes emerge
- Mobile Crazy TV launches on Sky EPG
British Expat.com http://www.britishexpat.com It's an online lifestyle magazine for Brits around the world, with masses of content, including articles on leisure activities as well as practical advice for those moving or living abroad. The website includes a friendly online discussion forum, offers free webmail, and has a weekly(ish) opt-in newsletter. Expat Forum http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/index.php I can't recommend this forum for Expats too highly. It's run and moderated by Kay who puts in a lot of hours to make sure everything runs smoothly. She also provides an e-mail newsletter for Expats to keep you up to date on the latest happenings. Thinking of moving outside of the UK? This is the place to get advice from people who have already done it! HELP: Kay needs volunteers to moderate new forums covering the Canaries, Greece and Cyprus. Please visit the forum and contact Kay if you'd like to do that. There MUST be some retired people in those places who can spare a few minutes each week to post local news and answer questions. Thomson LNB fault warning Thomson have advised this week of an issue regarding their single LNBs and have confirmed that some of their LNBs are likely to be problematic due to a tool cavity problem with the LNB feed horn. Thomsons are confident that LNBs with a serial number less than 33425472 will not demonstrate any performance issues. However, serial numbers greater than this are likely to be defective and will cause loss of low band channels: i.e. BBC1 and ITV. This latest batch of product arrived in the UK during the first week of October, therefore there is a possibility that product supplied to distributors may be affected. The serial number can be found on the side of the LNB beneath the Thomson logo and barcode. The eight digit serial number is prefixed by the part number 13553. In the event of faulty product being identified, please contact Thomsons Direct (Dave Iredale Tel No 07703 188015) who will arrange for the faulty product to be collected and swapped with good product. (Note: I have no further information on this. SatCure does not supply Thomson LNBs.) New Sky Channels Foreign broadcasters are queuing up to join the Sky Digital line-up from as far away as Brazil. Record TV, a general entertainment channel based in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and broadcasting in Portuguese, has joined the Sky Guide at 830. As well as news from around Brazil, Record TV has soaps and telenovellas, variety shows, sports round-ups, children's programmes and magazine shows about Brazilian culture and lifestyle. Record TV is a free-to-air channel, and you can pick it up without a Digibox on 11.390GHz/K SR 27500, FEC 3/4. TVE International joined the line-up on November 3, as part of the basic subscription package. TVEI is an international version of Spain's main state TV channel, carrying news, entertainment, drama, music and comedy, but without domestic sports. German international news channel Deutsche Welle TV is already testing, ready to join before the end of 2003. DWTV is a multilingual news channel already available on Astra 1, Hot Bird, and many other satellites worldwide. WEI and DWTV are both encrypted, and are only joining Sky as part of a pilot programme for schools, which is currently scheduled to end in July 2004. E Dozens of new channels are waiting for Sky to assign a position in the EPG. Lined-up for early next year include The Horror Channel and Amore, a romance channel, Jazz FM TV, and the long-awaited Soundtrack Channel. We can also expect Move TV, based on buying property and moving house, a horoscopes channel, and the South African channel NSAT TV. (Source: What Satellite TV) Disney for Freeview A daytime entertainment channel will be launched on Freeview by Disney before the end of 2003. The new channel will broadcast from 6am to 6pm, with a mixture of soaps, drama, comedy and sport not previously shown on British TV. It's likely to be similar to the daytime output of America's ABC network, which is owned by Disney, including shows like General Hospital and the Wayne Brady Show. The as-yet-unnamed channel won't carry the Disney brand, and won't be a children's channel, Disney UK told What Satellite & Digital TV. It's likely to launch later on Sky Digital and cable, although Disney would not reveal whether the channel will ultimately run a full 24-hour schedule. E CBM has revived its plans for a Freesport channel on Freeview after signing deals with 12 national sports bodies. Freesport hopes to show minority sports like rowing, swimming, badminton, canoeing, cycling and netball. CBM first attempt to launch a channel was scrapped this summer when Crown Castle cancelled its contract because plans were moving too slowly. (Source: What Satellite TV) Digital TV broadcasting developments BT and Freeview have signed a joint marketing agreement that provides BT customers with the thirty Freeview digital TV and radio channels and the BT Openworld internet service via a digital adaptor for viewing on their TV sets. The move is part of BT plans to broaden the appeal of its broadband operations by adding premium services. The full range of such services has yet to be decided, but is likely to include timeshifted TV to enable viewers to select their own viewing times and a catalogue of additional content that would be available for downloading, from films to past TV programmes. It's understood that some upgrading of the BT broadband network, may be required for full implementation of the service. The interactive adaptor required will cost about £130 and will be available direct from BT, whose customers will get the Freeview services for a one-off payment of about £90. BT already has a marketing agreement with BSkyB. Sky Scape BSkyB has launched Sky Scape, an internet website that enables PC users with a broadband connection to receive Sky video clips, short films and football action. Sky Pricing There's a new pricing deal for Sky+: a free subscription for customers who subscribe to more than one of Sky's premium sports or movie channels. The basic Sky+ subscription remains at £10 per month, with the Sky+ box costing £ 199 plus £50 for a standard installation. Sky's Extra Subscription, which gives customers independent viewing of Sky channels in another room, now costs £10 a month when taken with Sky+. BSkyB is to impose a price increase of five per cent or more for its programme packages from next month. Humax PVR Humax is to launch a DTT personal video recorder early next year, with a twin tuner and a 20GB hard disk that can be upgraded by the user to 8OGB. Humax is in discussions to include the GuidePlus EPG. USA TVs to go Digital A US appeals court has upheld a ruling that requires American TV set manufacturers to include a digital tuner in all new large-screen sets from next year. The FCC had issued an order to this effect in 2002, as part of a programme to convert US TV from analogue to digital. The US Consumers Electronics Association had argued that the FCC had no authority to make such an order. Europe to go Digital EU commissioner Erkki Likkaen has written to all EU member states requesting that they publish the dates by which they plan to switch from analogue to digital TV broadcasting. He has also issued guidelines for the reuse of the analogue TV spectrum. More BBC DAB transmitters During August and September the BBC added ten new transmitters to its DAB network, bringing an extra 2.4m people within the coverage and improving die signal for nearly two million more. The new Um smitters are at Heathfield (East Sussex), Idle (Bradford), Piccadilly Plaza (Manchester), Naish Hill (Chippenham), Manningtree (Ipswich), Rowridge (Isle of Wight/Southampton), Dover, Bromsgrove (Worcester), Salisbury and Bath. The latest information is available at www.bbc.co.uk/digitalradio The world's largest LG Electronics 76-inch PDP LG unveiled the world's largest plasma-panel TV set, with a 76in. screen, at the recent Korea Electronics Show in Seoul. The display panel is just 83mm thick. A 70 inch version was introduced in July. The new 76 inch (193cm) display has 2.07 million pixels, providing a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. A one-unit type filter is attached to the PDP module itself. SatCure fixes Panasonic problem On page 43 of "What Satellite & Digital TV" magazine (December), you'll find a review of our "Panafix 2d" unit. We've already sold hundreds of these and I have a horrible suspicion we are about to run out of them! | 
