pinkhelmets

What about dish, what stage are you at?

=Stage 1= Sky type, small fixed dish.

=Stage 2= Larger fixed dish, possibly with added lnb's to receive more than 1 satellite cluster. Monoblocks can receive 'Hotbird & Astra1', but arms can hold several lnbs for reception of Astra2-Astra1-Eurobird-Hotbird for instance.

=Stage 3= Larger dish with added motor, for ability to move to face each satellite cluster.

=Stage 4= Multiple dish setup. More than 1 dish, more than 1 size, more than 1 of the options above.

=Stage 5= Even larger dish(es) to gain more than standard common sizes with the above options included.

The bottom line is that the bigger the dish then the more reception & channel choice will become available, but adding more lnb's or motor importantly gains the extra satellite positions you need.

__________________
Pinkhelmet™___

pinkhelmets

What option of receiver suits you?

=Option 1= Sky Digibox & freesat receiver.
Obviously the most limited receivers, but made to be user-friendly & simple.

=Option 2= Free-to-air satellite receivers.
Limited in function, due to maybe not having card slot or no Conditional Interface (CI or CAM) slot, no firmware patch or ability to add 'keys'.

=Option 3= Patchable free-to-air box. Just a cheap option that has support to provide a 'patch' to open additional channels.

=Option 4= Receiver with card slot and/or CI slot, with or without patch abilities.
The Technomate range is the most popular that fits into this level, with great support and a large range to suit everyones needs.

=Option 5= Specialised budget receiver. Usually offering extra channels that other rivals do not offer.
Many of these special receivers will provide access to a cardshare type server to give access to more choice, or they perhaps give the latest hack which may not be long lasting. Support may not be as long lasting but immediate function is above that of other receivers on offer.

=Option 6= Linux type, or networkable receiver.
Most popular examples would be the dreambox dm500, the Eagle, and technomate tm9100. These types have the ability to be networked to other receivers and cards to gain more. This category is expanding with some patchable receivers (such as Technomate) gaining support for networking ~maybe with the use of a pc & software.

=Option 7= Networkable, with cardslot, CI, special extra support, dual tuners, pvr 'plus' capabilities, basically any or all of the above.
Dreambox lead the way, but the more the receiver can offer tends to result in the less user-friendly the machine becomes. You have to find a balance that suits you, so instantly going for the top level just doesnt suit everybody and its the reason why limited function Technomates are equally as popular as full function Dreambox type satellite receivers.

__________________
Pinkhelmet™___