Thread: New FTA service with 20 english channels

These guys are faced with a tough decision as to what technology to go with.
I can see the appeal of going with DVB MPEG2 compatible equipment when the are millions of ex hacker boxes floating around that could be used and the attempt to make the small ex hacker dishes work, but as others have pointed out the small dish is going to be a challenge
Maybe these guys should have a chat with the guys at
FreeHD Canada

, the use of DVB-s2 equipment and/or more advanced codecs like MPEG4 could cut their bandwidth and transponder costs substantially (maybe in half) a big consideration with a free service.
I would think long and hard before going with old technology even if the standard is well adopted, maybe put a few teaser channels in DVB and the rest in something more advanced, the dealers would love this.

IMO if one were serious, DVB-S2 with MPEG 4 codecs is the only way to go. RTV uses one C-band TP on AMC 3, with modest FEC, and gets good results. The quality is not GREAT, but its passable for SD. Oh yeah if you haven't seen it, I think at last count there are upwards of 30 channels on ONE transponder. BIG cost savings fo a potential uplinker, IMO.

Plus there are a LOT of receivers that can do S2 out of the box, Coolast 8000,8100,Diamond, Pansat 9200,9000,Azbox, Vantage, etc.

I HOPE the card reader thing is JUST an option, so those boxes with no reader can be utilized.

I am excited about this, and I think I speak for all serious FTA users when I say we would be willing to kick in a few bucks a month for decent channels with decent quality, even if they ARE ITC.

Good luck to all concerned!

From their website:

There are estimated over 20 million free to air satellite receivers located in homes throughout the U.S. and Canada. Our intention is to take advantage of this massive viewer network lying dormant

Using dvb-s2 or 4:2:2 would eliminate most of the potential viewers (including me). How many of the "dormant" stbs can tune dvb-s2? I understand your financial point but you have just destroyed their mission statement's purpose.

Originally Posted by avg1joe

From their website:


Using dvb-s2 or 4:2:2 would eliminate most of the potential viewers (including me). How many of the "dormant" stbs can tune dvb-s2? I understand your financial point but you have just destroyed their mission statement's purpose.

Agree 100%, and I will add that the PPV aspect of the new service is a great idea. But also this begs the question ... how many (here on these forums) are ready for PPV capability?

I am not trying to sound negative, just realistic. I perfectly understand the need for buying another receiver for the PPV aspect of the new service, but as long we are spending the extra money ...lets spend it on a receiver that does it all (PPV, 4:2:2 HD and AC3)....does such a receiver exist?

Originally Posted by primestar31

I'll bet Dish is willing to sell Nagra 3 CAS real cheap! Coincidentally, most "FTA" receivers in the market right now, WILL work with it, guaranteed!

Dish don't own Nagravision 3

Originally Posted by pedrogarcia

Dish don't own Nagravision 3

Dish has a big part of Nagra

Originally Posted by melgarga

I agree wilth Bill that you would be hard pressed to find someone that would be against this project succeeding, save the "big boys".....lol

Satsurfer, some things to keep in mind is that a number of the folks here are older and have learned to listen to that lil' voice that says "If something looks to be to good to be true, it probably is". The negativity you picked up on, was more about that than anything else. Add to that some of the tech related points I made in my post and you have a bit more foundation for doubt.
The thing is we are all techno geeks here and a site with general statements and no techie "meat" is perceived as a sales pitch. I know there was no solicitation, but it's all hearsay/wishful thinking/15 minutes of fame until the specs are rolled out.

Collectively there are a couple of centuries of satellite related experience floating around this board at any given time , so if your going to talk turkey you'd better be prepared to get quized.

I hope with all my heart this gets off the ground, and tip my hat to those that put forth the effort to make it happen. It will be a daunting task.

Are you "in the know"? You seem to speak from a position of inside info. If you have some knowledge of the technical specifics of the project, by all means please share. As I pointed out, some of the general info released is already in conflict with common FTA practices and parameters. An overview of the proposed technical aspects would go a long way to elicit credibility.

For example 22" dish? Not gonna happen for Free to Air transponders in the lower Ku band. Even if they could see enough signal, rain fade would certainly be an issue.

Tell me about the ideas on the table regarding smartcard/CAS access and management.
How will STBs that do not have a card reader be accounted for?
What CAS is being considerd?
Is there more than one model being considered?
Have the models that do have readers FW compatability been checked with the desired CAS?
Is the grand scheme to solicit existing content providers, or rely on upstart ones, or both?
Have network/independent afiliates been considered as potential additions?

See what I mean................ MEAT.

I dont think anyone is knocking the project, or it's developers. I dont think any of the guys here would intentionally be unjustly judgmental. In fact I am sure that if such behavior was to surface Scott or Tony would be on top of it.

Give me your thoughts Spock...........

I'm not at liberty to discuss the technical aspects of the project. Credibility will speak for itself when the project is up and running. Updates will be made public on the site as they become available.

Originally Posted by pedrogarcia

the suggestion is MBC might want to join this proposed venture to increase their market to the USA, they actually have an 1 Arab only speaking Channel already but the rest are dual audio

Please send your thoughts and suggestions to the project management.

Originally Posted by SatSurfer

Please send your thoughts and suggestions to the project management.

I did that last week.