UK TV Spain / Costa Blanca Satellite TV Installations / Sky TV Spain / Freesat Spain Spain . Sat and PC Guy Blog. Freesat in Spain. Internet TV / IPTV in Spain. UK TV in Spain. Freesat TV in Spain.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Astra 2E launched and still IPTV / Internet TV providers issue rumours about reception in Spain

Just because the new UK TV satellite, Astra 2E, was successfully launched last night, there will NOT be any changes for for several weeks yet - despite some IPTV / Internet TV providers saying "changes are imminent could be as soon as two weeks from today".

This is because the satellite has to be tested first, and this is done at another location (43 east).

Once that has been completed it will take several days to move from 43 east to the UK TV slot at 28 east.

This is assuming it follows the same process as the first new Astra 2 satellite, Astra 2F, which was also launched late September 2012, and operational with UK TV channels from December 2012.

This will be known, as it is possible to track the satellite on various websites.

Again some IPTV / Internet TV providers say "You will not get any advance warning of when the actual switch over to the new satellite will take place" - but the movement of the satellite to its correct geostationary UK TV slot is surely some indication!

Only then will channels start to move from the temporary Astra 1N to Astra 2E.

And only then will we get any meaningful data as to Astra 2Es reception in Spain, with its signal overspill into mainland Europe and Spain and Portugal, again despite some IPTV / Internet TV providers saying BBC ITV C4 and Fives "will no longer be available to the majority of Europe including Spain and Portugal."

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Astra 2E Launch - September 2013 - images / pictures

Astra 2E Launch - September 2013 - images / pictures  
astra 2e satellite launch pad astra 2e satellite launch pad astra 2e satellite launch pad astra 2e satellite launch pad astra 2e satellite launch pad astra 2e satellite launch astra 2e satellite launch
astra 2e satellite launch

Astra 2E launch details - the launch of the new UK TV Satellite Astra 2E

Mission Profile:
The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a 5-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, with the ASTRA 2E satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit (Breeze M Upper Stage and the ASTRA 2E satellite) into a sub-orbital trajectory. From this point in the mission, the Breeze M will perform planned mission manoeuvres to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Separation of the ASTRA 2E satellite is scheduled to occur approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff.

Target Orbit at Separation:
Perigee: 4,202 km
Apogee: 35,736 km
Inclination: 23.0 degrees
Spacecraft Separation:
Approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff
ILS Mission Statistics:
_5th ILS Proton Launch in 2013
_82nd ILS Proton Launch Overall
_23rd SES Satellite Launched on ILS Proton
_17th Astrium Satellite Launched on Proton

You can watch the launch of Astra 2E live Astra 19 East, frequency 11.023MHz SR 22000, FEC 5/6, and will begin half an hour before the satellite launch.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Some UK TV Frequency changes over the next few weeks (Oct 2013)

Over the next few weeks, some UK TV channels will be moving frequencies (and satellites).

These changes should be unnoticed for Sky and Freesat users, but some users with "generic" free to air receivers may have to perform a rescan should they lose a channel.

These changes are nothing to do with the new UK TV satellite Astra 2E ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php ).

Basically UK TV come from satellites operated by two companies, SES Astra and Eutelsat. Recently, some frequencies currently used by Eutelsat, have been allocated to SES Astra.

This means that the channels on those frequencies will be affected. Some channels may simply move to new Eutelsat frequencies.

Other channels may move frequencies and satellites, from Eutelsat to Astra.

One such case is RT- UK SD (Russia Today) - http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/09/rt-sd-russia-today-satellite-frequency-changes-coming-soon/.

It looks like many changes will be happening, on both Astra and Eutelsat satellites, as channels on existing frequencies are shuffled around to accommodate these changes - which is probably the reason for this spate of channel frequency changes ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/forum/showthread.php?91374-Important-Sky-TV-and-Freesat-TV-Channel-Frequency-changes-and-updates&p=122133&viewfull=1#post122133 )

RT SD (Russia Today) - satellite frequency changes coming soon

Due to some satellite changes, some UK channels will be moving to a temporary transponder / frequency from September 30.

They will them move again on October 4 to the final destination transponder / frequency and satellite.

For RT-UK SD (Russia Today UK) , this means:
Sky users, and Freesat box users should see the changes handled automatically by set-top boxes, with no viewer action required. 
However, people with generic Free-to-Air satellite receivers will have to do a rescan at each transponder change.

RT-UK SD (Russia Today) : Frequency changes:

Until September 30:  Broadcasting as now on Eutelsat 28A, 11.623 Horizontal. Symbol Rate 27500; FEC 2/3. (txp D9S) 

From September 30 to October 10:  Broadcasting on Astra 1N, 12.401 Vertical. Symbol Rate 27500; FEC 2/3. (txp 36)

From October 4 onward: Broadcasting on Astra 2F, 12.610 Vertical.  Symbol Rate 22000; FEC 5/6.  (txp G8) [NB. Change to Symbol Rate and FEC]

Thursday, September 26, 2013

"Astra-2E" UK TV satellite and Proton rocket moved to launch platform

Astra 2E News Update: 26/09/13 : Astra 2E satellite, the new UK TV satellite, and its launch vehicle, the Proton M rocket, have been rolled out onto Pad 39, in preparation for its launch on Sunday night. (see video below)



"Proton-M" rocket with the upper stage "Breeze-M" and the "Astra-2E" UK TV satellite moved to launch platform "Pad 39"

This is in preparation for the launch on the evening of Sunday 29th (Eurotime) and 30th Sept (Baikonur Cosmodrome time).

Launch time: 2138 GMT Sunday / 22.38 UK and 23.36 Central Europe

The launch will also be shown live on Astra 19 East, frequency 11.023MHz SR 22000, FEC 5/6, and will begin half an hour before the satellite launch.

More Astra 2E news and updates at : http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Sky HD Thomson box users - get a new Sky+HD box or you may lose your Sky Pay channels.

Sky HD Thomson box users - get a new Sky+HD box or you may lose your Sky Pay channels.

Sky HD Thomson box users may be seeing a warning message on their screen, saying that they can receive from Sky a free replacement SKY+HD box at no extra cost.

Obviously this only applies to Sky users in the UK, as users in Spain will simply not be eligible to receive these boxes directly from Sky.

Why are Sky doing this?

See http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/09/sky-hd-thomson-box-users-get-a-new-skyhd-box-or-you-may-lose-your-sky-pay-channels/ for more information

Saturday, September 21, 2013

More incorrect rumours and untruths about the future of satellite TV in Europe - mainly from some IPTV / Internet TV sellers.

Time again to clarify some of more of the incorrect rumours and untruths about the future of satellite TV in Europe and about the so called "Big Switch Off" of UK TV in Spain.

Again, as mentioned before in my blogs ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2013/08/loss-of-uk-tv-in-spain-more-misinformation-by-iptv-retailers/ ) , these "rumours" are coming from some (not all I hasten to add!) sellers of IPTV / Internet TV systems.

One such incorrect rumour that has been doing the rounds, and even spread on a Expat Radio Stations here in Spain, is that:

"All BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 TV channels etc. will disappear from the SKY platform at end of October beginning November. None of these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite."

No.
This is incorrect.
a) BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 TV channels etc will not disappear from Sky - or Freesat. These UKTV channels will still be on those Digital Satellite systems. Why would these channels be removed from the most popular Digital TV services ?

b) "None of these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite."

No.
This is incorrect.
They will reach Europe mainland via Satellite.
The beams may be more focused on the UK, but there will be satellite signal overspill into other areas, just like there has been signal overspill into Europe for the last 20 plus years

In fact, in some areas of Spain you can and should still be able to receive these UK TV channels (BBC1HD, ITV1HD, C4HD, Channel Five) on a 1m satellite dish from the first new satellite, Astra 2F, that has been operating since December 2012.

Also, the official SES Astra predicted signal footprint map (seen here http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_footprint_map_uk_tv_spain.php ) for the new UK TV satellites says that its beams can be received in most of France on a 60cm dish.
Last time I checked France was in mainland Europe.

So in fact these channels will physically reach Europe mainland via Satellite, contrary to what these IPTV / Internet TV sellers claim.

Some IPTV / Internet TV sellers are confusing people by misrepresenting the aforementioned official SES Astra signal footprint map.

null http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/Resources/ASTRA_2EFG_UK_ku_band_spotbeam.jpg

The map shows SES Astra's prediction of their new satellites UK beam for users with a 45cm satellite dish and 60cm satellite dish. As you can see the Astra 2E satellites UK beam should be available to more than half of France if you are using a 60cm satellite dish.

However, some IPTV / Internet TV sellers are using this as a basis for their misrepresentations, by saying anyone outside that "60cm satellite dish" contour will not be able to receive ANY signals at all.

This is incorrect.

Just because the map does not show data outside that 60cm contour, does not mean that n signals will be available in those areas.

In fact, this is the same map showing the same data for the first new satellites, Astra 2F.

And like I said before, some areas of Spain can receive this signal on a 1m satellite dish - in areas where these IPTV / Internet TV sellers say it is impossible.

Yes, some areas will be affected more than other areas. Some may find that they can still use smaller 1m and 1.25m and 1.4m satellite dishes in Spain for reception of their UK TV .

Yes, some areas, like the Costa del Sol, may have to increase the size of their satellite dishes, and use 1.8m or 2.4m satellite dishes, just like the Costa Blanca has had to use for the last 10plus years.

Until the new Astra 2E satellite has been launched, expected around the 30th September 2013 ( http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php ) , tested (which will take place at another location in the skies), positioned at 28 east along with the other UK TG satellites, and is transmitting signals from that location, no-one will know for sure what reception will be like in Spain, and Europe, or what sized satellite dishes you will need to receive these signals in Spain and Europe.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Al Jazeera Sports removes its channels from Hotbird 13 East

Al Jazeera Sports removes its channels from Hotbird 13 East

The Al Jazeera Sports satellite TV platform has removed without notice the JSC channels +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10 from the Eutelsat HotBird (13 ° East) satellite.

The Al Jazeera Sports channels were transmitted from frequency 11.296-H MHz (DVB- S, MPEG-S, SR 27500, FEC 3/4).

The Al Jazeera Sports channels on the same frequency continue - JSC +1 +2 +3 +4.

Subscribers who want to continue receiving the channels that have been removed from Eutelsat HotBird 13e will have to realign your satellite dish to either Nilesat (7 ° West) or Badr (26 degrees East).

Al Jazeera Sports have the live broadcasting rights to may football league and competitions, including the FA Premier League, Champions League, La Liga and FA Cup

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Boxing : David Haye v Tyson Fury - on Satellite TV

Where to watch David Haye v Tyson Fury on satellite TV.

Haye v Fury

David Haye v Tyson Fury
Boxing
Saturday 28th September 2013
Manchester Arena

Sky Box Office
Sky 3D


Haye v Fury



Floyd Mayweather Jr v Saul Alvarez
Boxing - WBC & WBA Super-Welterweight Titles
Sunday 14 September 2013
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Al Jazeera Sport +10 / HD6
beIN Sport 1 / HD
Box Nation (437) - UK TV
GSP TV
Orange Sport (poland)
Russia 2 (Rossiya 2)
Showtime
Sport 1 (russia) / HD
Sport Italia 2
Sport TV2 / HD
SuperSport 6 (za) / HD
SuperSport MaXimo 1
TV10 (sweden)
TV3
Sport 2 (den) / HD
Viasat Sport (nor) / HD
Viasat Sport Baltic

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Another delay to the launch of the new UK TV / Sky TV Satellite Astra 2E...?

Astra 2E News Update: 10/09/13 : Reports from Ukraine are saying that the launch of Astra 2E on the 16th / 17th September has again been delayed. "A technical problem was found during the final inspection of the rocket Proton carrying the satellite Astra 2E on the cosmodrome Baikonur, a source in the cosmodrome said. No new launch date has been mentioned.

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2e_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

BT Sport to stage second "free" evening

BT Sport to stage second "free" evening

On Friday 13th September, BT Sport will be showcasing its rugby coverage free-to-air, with live coverage of Harlequins v Northampton in the Aviva Premiership between 7pm and 10pm.

BT Sport first went free-to-air on 1st August; its launch day.

The free Rugby coverage will also be shown on BT Sport for viewers with Sky or Virgin Media, where the existing BT Sport 1 channel will be switched to free-to-view.

http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/live_rugby_union_premiership_on_satellite_tv_costa_blanca_spain.php

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Astra 2F launch - September 28, 2012

In preparation for the launch of the new UK TV satellite Astra 2E next week, here is the launch of the last UK TV satellite, Astra 2F.

Astra 2F was launched from Kourou in French Guiana on September 28, 2012.

Commercial operations at 28.2°E began on November 21, 2012.

The first UK TV channels started to transmit from Astra 2F on the 4th December 2012.

Astra 2F News and Updates for reception in Spain : http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2f_satellite_reception_launch_specifications_spain.php
http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/astra_2f_satellite_reception_testing_news_updates.php


Sky Sports Football Weekend 14 Sept 2013

Sky Sports trailer for their live football coverage for the weekend of the 14th September 2013.

Including:
Everton Chelsea - Saturday Night Football - 5pm
Southampton v West Ham - Super Sunday 3.30pm
Swansea v Liverpool - Monday Night Football - 7pm


More information:
http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/live_football_on_satellite/season_2013_2014/live_football_on_satellite_tv_costa_blanca_spain_2013_sep.php

Sky Sports Champions League 2013/14 promo

Sky Sports Champions League 2013/14 promo

Sky Sports trailer for the start of the main stages of the Champions League on the 17th September 2013

More Information: http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/live_football_on_satellite/season_2013_2014/live_football_on_satellite_tv_costa_blanca_spain_2013_2014.php

New German channel with progammes in English

A new German satellite TV channels launched this week, ProSieben Maxx.

ProSieben Maxx will be broadcasting broadcasting a selection of US and UK programmes in their original (English) soundtrack with German subtitles.

ProSieben Maxx launched on the 3rd September 2013.

ProSieben Maxx available free-to-air across Europe on the Astra 1 satellite group at 19.2 east.

The channel is also the home to dubbed programmes from BBC Earth, including Deadly 60 and Planet Earth as well as German language programming from its parent channel.

Programmes being broadcast in English during the channel's first two weeks on air are Showtime's Homeland, BBC Two's Episodes with Matt LeBlanc and Sky 1's comedy series Spy.

Spanish digital terrestrial services also offer an original language soundtrack.

ProSieben Maxx 
Satellite - Astra 1 (19.2 degrees East)
Frequency - 12545
Polarisation - Horizontal
Symbol Rate - 22000
FEC - 5/6

Thursday, September 5, 2013

LG TV Commercial showing how realistic an ULtra HD TV image can be

LG TV Commercial, showing how realistic their 84 inch Ultra HD TV can be, by scaring the life out of people who think there is a meteor explosion outside!