No FTA in Paris Apsrtment.... :(

[pedrogarcia]

Brian if you get the chance in Paris or Germany do a FTA scan on BADR 26east, there are many english language channels, MBC2,3,4, action, max, persia, Foxmovies, Fox, Dubai One despite what Lyngsat says.
You could run a IPTV freebox in the US if you purchased a UK VPN £60 pa

 

[Mr Tony]

I was wondering if Brian picked up one of those 7" disco balls as shown in the left corner of this pic
http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=64384&d=1303778820

 

[classicsat]

Why cant one of those freeview boxes be installed here in the US? If its IPTV, then it should just plug into the internet and your good to go! Unless its like uverse where you have to be on their network. I would certainly getting some TV from over the pond via freeview.

IPTV, in the technical sense, is "Layer 2" IP, the Internet we use is "Layer 3". That basically means that you can access that particular IPTV service on participating ISPs.

If it is delivered over the general "Layer 3" Internet, then it is not really IPTV, but Internet TV. In that case, they can geo-block access from foreign IP addresses, and a VPN might be able to get around that.

On a side note, the Google TV and Boxee box use similar Intel 4100 series chips, so it is not inconceivable such a service could exist in the USA, just the old guard media companies won't warm to it well.

 

[SatelliteAV]

The Virgin Media outlet has a TiVo unit for their service, but no other receivers were in the store. The reps knew nothing about Freeview IP service. One thought that it might be coming to the UK in the future.

Went to another Maplin and they had a larger selection of in stock receivers and complete kits. Some satellite HD, but mostly terrestrial HD and satellite SD.




Took some shots of various dishes in challenging line of sight instances and some of the typical dish mounts.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Ahh Dish Network was looking at using those black mesh dishes for their dish 1000.4's.

Sent from my iPad using The SatelliteGuys app!

 

[trinidex]

The Virgin Media outlet has a TiVo unit for their service, but no other receivers were in the store. The reps knew nothing about Freeview IP service. One thought that it might be coming to the UK in the future.

Went to another Maplin and they had a larger selection of in stock receivers and complete kits. Some satellite HD, but mostly terrestrial HD and satellite SD.

Took some shots of various dishes in challenging line of sight instances and some of the typical dish mounts.

You're making me homesick!! And I just hit the Report button by accident (iPad) SORRY!

 

[SatelliteAV]

These are from a 2nd Maplin Store in Notting Hill on Queens Way. Most electronic stores did not carry satellite equipment, but found another chain, Curry Electronics in the Piccadilly Circus shopping area which carried a few set top boxes. Shops usually do not stock dishes as they are so plentiful from Sky installations.

 

[Tron]

I've always liked the looks of those perforated Sky dishes for some reason. I wonder how much the perforations affect reception...

 

[Blindowl1234]

Brian, I'm loving the pics and all the info you've been posting. Nice to see what others have over there..Blind

 

[Mr Tony]

I agree. Its cool to see the other FTA stuff out there in the world

 

[zamar23]

I wonder what're the advantages of using small mesh dishes? They seem to be more expensive to make, don't save much from environmental standpoint, and lead to some signal loss. Not sure if they are in better harmony with city landscape either compare to regular dishes, but feel a bit lighter and less distinct on the walls. Also, there's a reason why regular dishes are grey painted, so its interesting how black coating of mesh dishes affects signal reception.

 

[SatelliteAV]

The perfs certainly help them blend into the surroundings. The gain figures that I have received from manufacturers would suggest that the perforations and the color effect no change of performance in the KU-band frequencies, 10.7 - 12.75GHz.

Back in Paris and staying in the 2nd arrondissement near the Opera Bastille. Unfortunately, this apartment also recently transitioned to an IP based service. HAve yet to find a store carrying any satellite FTA gear, but may have a lead for a trip to the suburbs during the next week. This IP service is by the company Orange and is bundled with a 3.5mbps down .600mbps up broadband. The service has a variety of channels not found on the French Freeview service. Both services can support DVBT for FTA terrestrial, but neither have had the optional antenna service connected.

Found a motorized 1.2M on a polar mount today on the roof of a 4 story building. Not many visible dishes in Paris, but found this above a shop A typical installer in a hurry, cable drape..... Enjoy a few more photos from France!

Bon Soir!

 

[zamar23]

Have yet to find a store carrying any satellite FTA gear, but may have a lead for a trip to the suburbs during the next week. This IP service is by the company Orange and is bundled with a 3.5mbps down .600mbps up broadband. The service has a variety of channels not found on the French Freeview service.
Bon Soir!

What compression level is their IPTV? I guess, they offer good combo deals making it very attractive despite abundance of free sat around.

Speaking of Paris suburbs, I remember carrying home a huge basket of local wine and variety of cheeses after such trip to Versailles. They wanted to look at it closely at the airport upon return, but looked at Paris tickets instead, and just smile.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Orange Livebox:
Orange Livebox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SatelliteAV]

The compression is quite good with minimal artifacting. This Orange stb only has SCART out, so unable to compare with the Freeview PQ.

 

[SatelliteAV]

Visited DD Electronics in Paris France. The store mostly promoted subscription systems and had very little FTA equipment. The Sky receivers are a FTA STB before activation, but once the receiver is mapped, the FreeSat channels disappear. Watched a CSR struggling to assist a customer who was using their SKY (UK) STB in Paris and had lost all Free channels when the receiver was mapped. The CX wanted the FTA channels for his wife during the week, but he wanted his UK sports on weekends.... Once he inserted the SKY card the wife lost her favorite FTA channels. He ended up buying a basic FTA receiver to run in parallel with the SKY STB. Sound familiar? LOL!

The cost of equipment is quite high in the retail shops. A 1M dish $139E ($205US), basic MPEG 2/4 receiver with USB DVR $239E ($353US), Alps single universal LNBF $18E ($26US), four degree monoblock $35E ($51US).

The CSR indicated that satellite sales are very low for French channels as IP delivered TV offers many more channels and is widely available in most areas. Satellite sales remain strong in rural areas with poor broadband internet connections and for international channels. Most viewers without IP prefer a terrestrial delivery of programming as it is readily available throughout the country.









Visited another shop that advertised satellite equipment, but found that that it was more of a repair shop that distributed inexpensive SD MPEG2 equipment for international viewing. The photos are on my iPhone and will post in another thread. Overall, not much FTA equipment is sold through electronic stores in France. If satellite gear is available, it is a limited selection in more rural areas through a local electrician and mostly for reception of Canal+ programming.

Headquarters for Eutelsat


Headquarters for Sagem


Here are some more dish shots. Universal (adjustable angle / tripod style) mast mounts seem to not exist. Makes me wonder how North America got so fixated on using them!





Snapped this photo in a suburb of Paris as a caravan ( trailer RV) drove by with a permanently affixed dish. Talk about wind load!

 

[SatelliteAV]

Paris Electronique Repair Shop
80cm $39E ($58US)




Sidewalk Sale - SD STB asking $50E ($74US)

 

[rv1pop]

Dish on trailer -- The wind load might be OK roof loading from wind would be worst problem. But can you imagine the challenge of lining up azimuth and elevation as well as skew on that transportable mount? not only have to find a site with good LOS but the right slopes and parking angles to keep both the satellite and refrigerator working!

If you are not an RVer, you may not understand this picture. But my first thought - the RV is the mount, the ground is the non-penetrating mount - or tripod. Please GRIN BIG!