DIGITAL RECEPTION SINCE THE ASTRA 2D SWITCH ON THE 10th

[Mike,Chislehurst]

The BBC switched all it's digital output to Astra 2d on the 10th. This has a much smaller footprint than the one it's transferred from. Has anyone locally noticed any difference in reception assuming your still getting one.

[Guest]

none at all...everything is wonderbar

only danger is that channel 5 and 4 anf itv will stop being seen a s they are linked to the bbc cards which are now no longer issued....their is talk of the three services disappearing unless you take a sky sub

[Mike,Chislehurst]

Thanks guest, out of interest, what size dish do you have, ours is a 120cm (Maddie you don't need to reply to this question) Hadn't heard about the other channels though, will look into that. Good site for this is www.digitalspy.co.uk

[Guest]

yes our is 1.20---the digital spy site is where i read all about losing itv and 4 and 5....should happen in august if everything is as they say it is

they hope itv will bail out of the sky monopoly but 4 say they are content to be a payper view channel.

reception can be patchy though ..at the moment we can only get 4 in the mid afternoon..but our neighbour 1.2 km away with same dish and receiver gets it all the time

[Kidson]

If one has a Sky card - do you get all the BBc and ITV channels? Is reception good with a Sky card? I have been told you need a 1.3m dish for Sky - I note most of you seem to have a 1.20m dish. - Not much difference I appreciate.

Does it matter what Receiver you have? What is currently considered the best receiver to have. It has been suggested I purchase a New Pace 2600 to get the best possible reception.

Comments and suggestions from those in the know would be welcomed and appreciated.

[Mike,Chislehurst]

We had our system installed last year and were advised by the installer (Arron) that a 120cm would do the trick and a Panasonic digi box as they have higher tolerance levels than other boxes. The pace box you mentioned I know nothing about but worth following through on that. As we did not want any of sky's output we applied to the BBC free to air card which supplies BBC and ITV stations plus 4 and 5 (at the moment, see above). It also provides sky news. I would agree now with a smaller footprint that a 130cm dish is necessary. Best of luck.

[biffa]

We have been receiving a "flash" message on SKY saying that the service will end.

It seems that those of us who cancelled SKY but retained the card to continue to get BBC etc now have to alter our arrangements?

[kteee]

Is that because Sky are in the process of sending out new cards?

kt

[Guest]

no new what i might term bbc cards are to be issued...you will now get (hopefully) bbc free of any card but as it stands and look possible you will lose itv 5 and 4 unless as stated above they too jump ship and broadcast free to air like the bbc

with regard to equipment amen to all mike chislehust say..panasonic is best as well as aaron phillips in carvoeiro to do the fixing up

[Guest 3]

This is interesting - do we know what date in August BBC free to air users will loose ITV3 C4 and C5?

What is the latest on ITV3 bailing out of the monopoly?

Thx

[Guest]

well this afternoon i am now getting a constant message saying service is about to stop and even on sky news.

so anytime now and assuming that there are no changes the only thing will be bbc and cnn and the other rubbish channels like friendly tv doing nude chat rooms.

[Gary, Bexley]

Are you all still receiving 3 4 and 5?