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In the last month I have started research on doing a HTPC that I wanted to use with my direct tv HD reciever, and then I remembered hearing about free to air about a year ago and came accross this site.
I am sure my setup on the HTPC side is going to be over kill but I had just got rid of most of my old computer stuff and the other old computer I have is being use in my shop for automotive so I am looking at upgrading my gaming rig and using the old stuff from it on the HTPC which will alow me to game on my 57" TV too
used parts
geforce 6600gt 128mb
2gb pc3200 ram
athlon 64x2 3800+
asus a8n-sli 939pin
lite-on dvd-rw
antec 550watt PSU
onboard sound with optical out
new parts
3 250gb sata in raid 5 for speed and protection
SILVERSTONE GD01B-MXR Media Center case
As you noticed I dont have a PCI sat card listed, well I am wanting 2 of them for receiveing 2 channels at once or do I need 2 so I can use more dishes for more channels? and I noticed the Skystar 2 2.3p is mentioned alot for the blind scan. I like Hauppauge but I perhapse they are not into the quality sat cards yet or more functional sat cards.
right now I pay like 50 dallars a month for DTV and I dont need movie channels so it sounds like that is what I can get from FTA.
Can anyone help me figure out what else I need, right now I have a DTV oval HD dish with the 4 terminal LMB and I am not sure about using a big C-band dish yet but if it is worth having then I can get one.
And if you just want to post some links to threads then I will take all the help I can get and I am still looking through threads some more after I send this.
Thank You
I am sure my setup on the HTPC side is going to be over kill but I had just got rid of most of my old computer stuff and the other old computer I have is being use in my shop for automotive so I am looking at upgrading my gaming rig and using the old stuff from it on the HTPC which will alow me to game on my 57" TV too
used parts
geforce 6600gt 128mb
2gb pc3200 ram
athlon 64x2 3800+
asus a8n-sli 939pin
lite-on dvd-rw
antec 550watt PSU
onboard sound with optical out
new parts
3 250gb sata in raid 5 for speed and protection
SILVERSTONE GD01B-MXR Media Center case
As you noticed I dont have a PCI sat card listed, well I am wanting 2 of them for receiveing 2 channels at once or do I need 2 so I can use more dishes for more channels? and I noticed the Skystar 2 2.3p is mentioned alot for the blind scan. I like Hauppauge but I perhapse they are not into the quality sat cards yet or more functional sat cards.
right now I pay like 50 dallars a month for DTV and I dont need movie channels so it sounds like that is what I can get from FTA.
Can anyone help me figure out what else I need, right now I have a DTV oval HD dish with the 4 terminal LMB and I am not sure about using a big C-band dish yet but if it is worth having then I can get one.
And if you just want to post some links to threads then I will take all the help I can get and I am still looking through threads some more after I send this.
Thank You
6 Replies
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3925 views
D
thanks for the input,
I played the 1080p video and it was smooth, also CPU usage was from 22-32% during the play, which could be a little skewed for a 3800+, this one is overclocked 25%
on HTPC build note, I dont really need to upgrade right now just to create a HTPC for I can play all the games out with my current system and the 7900gs I ordered for 129.99
btw if anyone needs a video card the 7900gs is a good choice for atleast a year so the DX10 cards can be priced right, you can get a XFX 190 dollar card from buy.com for 129.99 shipped from the , 40 dollar mail in rebate and 20 dollar off for using google checkout.
I wish computers had changed more in the last year to make it worth an upgrade but I am still justifying its worth to upgrade just to build a HTPC out of the currect PC
One other thing to think about it Blue ray dvd players and HD DVD players for the PC will be alot cheaper IMO also hardware on DVD players has always had a hard time with colors like red, and unless you by the cheapest player with one of the 2 chips like the panasonic S-97S for 240 dollars you dont get the true quality, so that is what makes me want a HTPC and the HD DVR with FTA.
of course I was one of those guys that had a DOS based computer in the truck of hmy mustang with a 20x4 char. LCD screen molded into the dash, for playing MP3's in the car before MP3/CD players started. actually it is not a bad idea still today but mostly in a SUV and if ya got Kids, GPS, External DVD drive, Internet WiFi, Games, Music. Kinda off subject, though
I played the 1080p video and it was smooth, also CPU usage was from 22-32% during the play, which could be a little skewed for a 3800+, this one is overclocked 25%
on HTPC build note, I dont really need to upgrade right now just to create a HTPC for I can play all the games out with my current system and the 7900gs I ordered for 129.99
btw if anyone needs a video card the 7900gs is a good choice for atleast a year so the DX10 cards can be priced right, you can get a XFX 190 dollar card from buy.com for 129.99 shipped from the , 40 dollar mail in rebate and 20 dollar off for using google checkout.
I wish computers had changed more in the last year to make it worth an upgrade but I am still justifying its worth to upgrade just to build a HTPC out of the currect PC
One other thing to think about it Blue ray dvd players and HD DVD players for the PC will be alot cheaper IMO also hardware on DVD players has always had a hard time with colors like red, and unless you by the cheapest player with one of the 2 chips like the panasonic S-97S for 240 dollars you dont get the true quality, so that is what makes me want a HTPC and the HD DVR with FTA.
of course I was one of those guys that had a DOS based computer in the truck of hmy mustang with a 20x4 char. LCD screen molded into the dash, for playing MP3's in the car before MP3/CD players started. actually it is not a bad idea still today but mostly in a SUV and if ya got Kids, GPS, External DVD drive, Internet WiFi, Games, Music. Kinda off subject, though
get the most video card for your $
Most of what I own, and all that I've bought in the last 4..5 years are nVidia.
However, one thing everyone should know, to keep from getting stung, is that the letter suffix is as meaningful or more meaningful as the numbers!
Do your homework by reading card comparisons on the technical review sites.
For example, an nVidia 6600 is a dog by comparison to the 6600gt.
Last year when i got one, the 6600gt was the best bang for the buck.
The 7600gt will probably outperform the 7900gs. (I haven't verified this, so don't quote me.
I also bought a 7600gt last year, and it's way hotter than my 6600gt.
Point being, often you can get the correct version of a lower-numbered card for less money, and outperform a higher number card.
On a funny note, I read in another thread where someone had a P4-3000mhz box, and was running an nVidia Ti 4200 card.
(I have one of those, and a 5900oc, too.)
The point is, a 4200 is four or five generations old.
Will it display the video the guy wants? It might.
But it's sure outclassed by a P4-3000.
video cards aren't well understood...
I'm a big fan of the nVidia gForce video cards.
Most of what I own, and all that I've bought in the last 4..5 years are nVidia.
However, one thing everyone should know, to keep from getting stung, is that the letter suffix is as meaningful or more meaningful as the numbers!
Do your homework by reading card comparisons on the technical review sites.
For example, an nVidia 6600 is a dog by comparison to the 6600gt.
Last year when i got one, the 6600gt was the best bang for the buck.
The 7600gt will probably outperform the 7900gs. (I haven't verified this, so don't quote me.
I also bought a 7600gt last year, and it's way hotter than my 6600gt.
Point being, often you can get the correct version of a lower-numbered card for less money, and outperform a higher number card.
On a funny note, I read in another thread where someone had a P4-3000mhz box, and was running an nVidia Ti 4200 card.
(I have one of those, and a 5900oc, too.)
The point is, a 4200 is four or five generations old.
Will it display the video the guy wants? It might.
But it's sure outclassed by a P4-3000.
video cards aren't well understood...
Lifetime Supporter
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
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4451 views
Unfortunately, I don't think my social proximity to Charle Ergen provides any special perks. Maybe if Foxbat, Jr. were to marry his daughter…have charlie buy you a new house
S
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that would be one hell of a convoUnfortunately, I don't think my social proximity to Charle Ergen provides any special perks. Maybe if Foxbat, Jr. were to marry his daughter…
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Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68614 Replies
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2678128 views
Picked up a sweet directv dish, mount, twin lnbs and a short cable.
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
9 Replies
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541 views
Many of us have used a universal LNBF mount (or get creative with L brackets and plumbers tape - perforated metal strapping). Use a few inches of aluminum tube (or a piece of 1x2" lumber) to extend the support arm (replacing the plastic mount used by DirecTV and Dish) to place the LNBF throat opening at the correct distance from the reflector, the correct height and at the correct angle. Nothing magical... simply place the new linear LNBF in the center at the same distance, height and angle as the current combo.
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
To add: 101W Ku seems to be (one of if not the) strongest for me, and if I only had Ku I definitely want 101W for the music mux, it's robust FEC and strong signal help a lot. I've thought about using a used Dish/DirectTV dish at my Dads to supplement his OTA (mainly for my benefit when I visit 
)
)
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
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2251 views
M
They get cruel sometimes, very very cruel.
. Hated to see my dawgs go down but I still say being ranked #1 is a hex on you!
They get cruel sometimes, very very cruel.
. Hated to see my dawgs go down but I still say being ranked #1 is a hex on you!
Yup, I agree, I'd rather be 2 or 3 till the last few weeks.They get cruel sometimes, very very cruel.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.
I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
16 Replies
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168 views
The guy in the Video, REALLY needs to TAKE a Breath ...
If he'd Slow down, you could figure out What he's testing and on what.
If he'd Slow down, you could figure out What he's testing and on what.
Season 2 order already in hand:
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
95 Replies
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3775 views
As has always been the case for those consumed by their own financial enrichment.
The title was to catch everyone's eye lol! But it is a thought I've been having as I dev a Roku app for a client. You see many MAAANY years ago I got really interested in cable TV channels and even chatted with a regional carrier, Insight about what it took to get a channel number. It was surprisingly easy although prohibitively expensive.
You could petition, reserve a high channel number, they monitored performance and if they liked you, you'd get lower channel number overtime and cut into ad overlays.
Roku has a similar setup. Make an app, if it has a strong, original linear component you could get channel assignment on The Roku Channel.
As mixed as my feelings are on the current media landscape, I can't help but feel a little excited interest when I scope out the apps in the Roku store.
You could petition, reserve a high channel number, they monitored performance and if they liked you, you'd get lower channel number overtime and cut into ad overlays.
Roku has a similar setup. Make an app, if it has a strong, original linear component you could get channel assignment on The Roku Channel.
As mixed as my feelings are on the current media landscape, I can't help but feel a little excited interest when I scope out the apps in the Roku store.
4 Replies
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93 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Don't know if any of you have watched this series yet, it would be interesting to see if you feel this review was accurate. It was very humorous to listen to however.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tsDO3y8I2c
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tsDO3y8I2c
3 Replies
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141 views
Y
Halfway into the "written" review, I know more about how the writer "thinks" than I do about what they are writing about. I understand their politics, their self-overestimated understanding of film, their inability to be funny.
Takes about 22 paragraphs to get to one that starts "Anyway, the story kicks off...". Talk about Slop!
If the review is like the article, oi! Eighteen paragraphs into the review and... all they've done is not really talk at all about the actual thing they are reviewing.
Halfway into the "written" review, I know more about how the writer "thinks" than I do about what they are writing about. I understand their politics, their self-overestimated understanding of film, their inability to be funny.
Takes about 22 paragraphs to get to one that starts "Anyway, the story kicks off...". Talk about Slop!
TFLEV
Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-wAFhIJCSk
Direct YouTube Link - How Far? The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Takes On Toughest Mountain Range Test!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-wAFhIJCSk
Direct YouTube Link - How Far? The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Takes On Toughest Mountain Range Test!
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9 views
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Additional tabs provide:
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
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940324 views
