Changes to BBC HD channels on satellite on 6th June

Changes are happening to the BBC HD channels on Astra 2D.

Sky HD users should not have any problems, as the Sky HD boxes will automatically update.

Some Freesat users may have to reset their Freesat HD boxes, or perform a Freesat scan.

Users of other "generic" HD receivers, will have to rescan the BBC HD frequency, ensuring their receivers work with the new DVBS2 transmision standard.

One of the BBC's principles is to ensure that we use the spectrum we have available to us in the most efficient way possible. This means that from time to time, as technology develops, we make changes to the way our services are broadcast to ensure we are making best use of this scarce resource.

We will shortly be making such a change to the satellite transponder that carries BBC One HD & BBC HD. The signal on this transponder is currently broadcast using a modulation scheme called "DVB-S". On 6 June we will be upgrading to a newer "DVB-S2" scheme. This is a more efficient way of operating the transponder and it creates more capacity from the same amount of spectrum. More spectral bang for our buck, if you like.

The change will mean different things to different people:

If you watch TV using Freeview or Virgin Media or can't currently view HD channels you will not be affected.

If you have Sky, you will not notice the change and won't have to do anything on or after 6 June.

If you have Freesat you may need to put your HD box or TV into standby for 30 seconds and then restart to continue to receive the two BBC HD channels. If the channels are still unavailable then carry out a 'freesat channel retune' or a 'first time installation'. Full instructions can be found in the manual for your box or TV. Further help with retuning can be found at www.freesat.co.uk.

If you have any other kind of satellite receiver, you will need to check that it is capable of receiving a DVB-S2 signal. If it can, then you can use the following parameters to tune manually into the services carried:

Satellite: Astra 2D tp.50
Frequency: 10,847MHz (vertical polarity)
Modulation: DVB-S2, QPSK
Symbol Rate: 23.0
FEC: 8/9

Source: bbc.co.uk/blogs









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MBC launch HD channels on Nilesat 201

MBC Media Group started broadcasting a test of seven of its existing programs in high definition televisions (HDTVs). Among them there are also a popular movie channel MBC2 and MBC Action in HD.

MBC to launch HD programmes began using a new transponder on the satellite Nilesat 201 at the orbital position 7 degrees west.

Unfortunately, the signal from this satellite can not be receive on small (like 80cm or 1m) satellite dishes in Spain, unlike those channels on Nilesat 101 which can.

DVB-S2 contains multiple MBC station MBC1 HD HD MBC2, MBC4 HD, MBC Drama, HD, HD MBC Action, MBC Max HD news television Al Arabiya HD. Package operates on the frequency 12.188 GHz, pol H SR 27500, FEC 3 / 4, DVB-S2/8PSK. All stations are due to restrictions on broadcasting rights Conax encrypted system. For high-definition versions of their programs by selling the MBC network to deliver the equipment market. The viewer gets a fee for access to an attractive package of entertainment channel MBC.

The current version of the MBC in SD resolution remain FTA.

So maybe in the future, HD version of the MBC channels will be available on Badr at 26 east, which is available over most of Spain on an 80cm satellite dish.

These MBCs can be seen as an alternate to Sky TV in Spain. The SD versions of these MBC channels are free to air, show many programmes in English, and have a wide range of movies, action and drama programems from both the UK and USA.


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Performing a Sky digibox system software update in Spain

Performing a Sky digibox system software update in Spain

In most cases you will not have to do a manual Sky digibox system software update, as the Sky boxes will automaticlly update the software when ever new software becomes avaialble from Sky.

You may have to perform a manual Sky digibox system software update if your Sky digibox has not been powered on or getting a signal from the satellite for about 6 months.

Ideally the best time of the day to do this is first thing in the morning - when signals strengths are the best, and you are able to receive the 11778 main default transponder frequency, as this is the frequency where the software updates are located.

1) Put the box into Standby mode. (red light mode)
2) Disconnect the power to the receiver
3) Locate the button on the front of the Receiver, named "Back Up". ( ON THE RECEIVER NOT ON THE REMOTE!)
4) Press and hold down the "Back Up" button.
5) WHILE HOLDING IT DOWN, reconnect the power to the receiver (do not release the back-up button yet).
6) About 20 seconds after reconnecting power, all four coloured lights will illuminate on the front of the receiver. If the TV is switched to Sky a message will also appear on screen.. "Updating System Software".
7) Only after the four lights illuminate and the message appears should you release the back-up button.
8) After about 10 minutes the receiver will return to "standby" (i.e.. red LED only).
9) Leave the receiver in standby for 1 minute as it carries out a self check.
10) Switch receiver out of standby (green LED illuminates).
11) The receiver will take a few minutes "Searching For Listings".
You may have to assists the receiver in booting up by using the "Changing Default Transponder" method

12) Your digibox should now be operating on the latest available version of software.

Do not unplug your Skybox from the mains supply or satellite dish during the software upgrade or permanent damage could be done and your box rendered unusable

Do not attempt a firmware upgrade if your Sky Digibox already has the latest firmware version - it will make no difference!

Sky Digibox Software Update


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Fox Movies and Fox (or Fox Series) on Nilesat frequency changes

There have been some changes to the FOX channels on Nilesat at 7 West.

Fox Movies on Nilesat is still on frequency 11766 H 27500 5/6

Fox Series - now called just FOX - has move to the new frequency.
FOX is now on frequency 11296 H 27500 3/4 FOX's new frequeny is on a satellite whose signal footprint is different to Fox Movies. This means that FOX is not available in Spain on your current dishes, but you may stil receive Fox Movies. FOX's new frequency on the new satellite means you will need a MUCH BIGGER satellite dish than you curently have.

Fox Movies and FOX (Series) remain on Arabsat at 26 east.
They are both available on frequency 11843 H 27500 5/6.
This means that both Fox Movies and FOX should be availabl on an 80cm satellite dish throughout most of the Costa Blanca and southern and eastern Spain..


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New Free HD channel available - NHK World HD

NHK World HD has now launched onto the Freesat & Sky epg's.

It is the first free to air HD news channels to launch in the UK - as Sky NEws HD is part of the Sky HD subscription package

On Freesat NHK World HD is on epg 209 (this replaces the standard defintion (SD) version on HD boxes)

On Sky HD boxes NHK World HD is on Sky channel 518 and the standard defintion (SD) version moving from 516 to 507


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Starmax HD - new satellite TV service for Spain

Starmax HD is a new satellite pay-TV platform for Spain.

StarMax HD focuses mainly on providing programs in high definition televisions (HDTV)

Starmax HD has no fixed contract period so you can cancel at anytime if you chose to pay as you go.

The subscription is expected to be just 10€ per month.

For this subscription you wil get access to the following channels:
BBC Entertainment
MGM HD
Natura
Eurosport HD
Discovery World HD
Kidsco
Filmbox
Filmbox Spain
somos
xtreme
Eurosport2
ctk

More information on Starmax HD : The Starmax HD Satellite TV



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Channel 4 HD finally arrives on Freesat HD receivers.

Channel 4 HD finally arrives on Freesat HD receivers.

Channel 4 HD is available for free on Sky HD and from today Freesat HD recievers.

YOu may need to perform a rescan of the channels.

YOu will find Channel 4 HD on:
Sky channel 140
Freesat channel 126


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Fox Movies on Nilesat 7 West - Important new frequency information

Fox Movies and Fox Series / Fox Arabic will be changing frequencies soon.

Fox Movies and Fox Arabic on Nilesat 101 at 7 West will be moving satellites.

This is shown on a message currently being shown on the channels.

The new frequency for Fox Movies and Fox Series / Fox Arabic will be
Frequency 11296
Polarization H
Symbol Rate 27500
FEC 3/4

However, as this is a frequency on the new Atlantic Bird 4, this may well mean that these two Fox channels are no longer available in Spain. This is becasuse the satellite has a much more tighter signal footprint.

The only advice I can suggest is that your dish is realigned to Arabsat at 26 east, where Fox Movies and Fox Series are available acorss most of the Costa Blanca on an 80cm satellite dish. - although I am not too sure if these Arabsat versions of Fox movies and Fox Series will be staying either.


Update on Fox frequencies at http://costablancasatellite.blogspot.com/2011/05/fox-movies-and-fox-or-fox-series-on.html


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C4HD on Freesat HD receivers...

Channel 4 HD has been available for a few weeks now.

On Sky HD boxes you will have noticed no real changes.

However, even though Channel 4 HD is available free to air, with no sky viewing card required, Channel 4 HD is not yet availabl;e on the Freesat channel list.

However, it is possible on some Freesat HD receivers to add CHannel 4 HD to the "non freesat" channel list.

Frequency 12.606
Polarisation v
Symbol Rate 27500
FEC 3/4

On some Freesat HD receivers you may also have to change the Modulation to QPSK.

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Spanish TV - We can consider ourselves the world leaders in telebasura – trash TV

In Spain, reading levels are very low, educational failure very high and public contempt for culture colossal. However, not everything is lost: we can consider ourselves the world leaders in telebasura – trash TV. Broadcasters have a complete disregard for taste or decency, airing material unsuitable for children at all ours of the day, profiting from scandal and violence, exploiting sex in true macho style, practising trial by television and disseminating mumbo-jumbo and pseudoscience. The news is partisan and sensationalist, the language vulgar and advertising floods the schedules. But as long as audience figures rise, they're allowed to get away with it.

In fact audiences are glued to the screen: the average consumption of television in Spain in 2010 was 234 minutes per person per day.

It would be unjust to say that television in Spain is merely bad. Television in Spain is appalling. The stars of the schedule are sitcoms, whose pathetic acting and bargain basement scripts bely the gusts of canned laughter over every other line. There are reality shows that alienate the contestants as much as the viewers, and political discussions that are as extreme as they are biased. The only news items worthy of the name are transmitted by TVE, a public channel that, now that it has stopped showing advertising, is stimied by financial problems.

While TVE earned 63.5m euros less in 2010 than the previous year and closed its accounts with a loss of 48m euros, the private channels are earning money like never before. The income of Telecinco rose 30.3% during 2010, to 855.1m euros. At Antena 3 they "only" made a net return last year of 109.1m euros, an increase of 79.6% on 2009.

One main channel alone, Telecinco, holds 51% of advertising thanks to a merger of channels allowed last year by the National Commission of Competition. Less plurality, more profit: Telecinco is the channel of Belén Esteban, the ex-wife of a bullfighter crowned by the Spanish audience as the "queen of the people". The people of telebasura.


Javier Pérez de Albéniz blogs on Spanish television at eldescodificador.wordpress.com. English translation by Howard Rouse

sounrce: _http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/apr/01/critics-notebook-javier-perez-de-albeniz

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