Converting old analogue setup to digital

memorex

Hi all,

I have just moved into a house that has an old satellite setup. Problem is that it was last used about 3/4 years ago for Sky's analogue service on (what I am guessing) was the Astra satellite. My question is what approach should I take to convert this setup to a system capable of receiving a digital signal?

The current setup is as follows:

Satellite Dish - quite large (~1m diameter), exterior wall mounted, would have been setup to point at the original Astra satellite for Sky's Analogue service. Seems to be ~25 deg off South.

LNB - one lnb, wiring is all intact and in place to living room.

Receiver/Decoder: Pace MSS 501-I, this is not in great shape. It emits a high pitch sqeal when turned on. I tried tuning it but couldn't pick up any channels. It also warns frequently about: 'LNB Short', I have to power up and down a few times to reset.

What I would like to do is to upgrade what's there in order to say initially receive FTA (or whatever I can without paying a sub) and then down the line move to a sub with Sky or someone else.

Out of interest are there any channels that I should be able to receive with the set up as is, say just to test the equipment and cabling?

I'd be grateful for any pointers particularly with the new hardware I might need or any help in general. As you can probably tell I am a newbie in this field, but willing to learn...

Thanks!

-AB

memorex

Heh, after reading through the faq on www.satellite.ie it would seem that perhaps my best best would be to chuck the dish, lnb and decoder and buy some new kit. At least the wiring is in place though. Would that sound about right?

Zaphod

memorex wrote:

Satellite Dish - quite large (~1m diameter), exterior wall mounted, would have been setup to point at the original Astra satellite for Sky's Analogue service. Seems to be ~25 deg off South.

LNB - one lnb, wiring is all intact and in place to living room.

The dish should be fine and would originally have pointed at Astra 19E. May need to be realigned. The LNB is probably an FSS type rather than Universal type and of limited use in terms of digital channels. So first thing to buy would be a Universal LNB if you intend going digital.

memorex wrote:

Receiver/Decoder: Pace MSS 501-I, this is not in great shape. It emits a high pitch sqeal when turned on. I tried tuning it but couldn't pick up any channels. It also warns frequently about: 'LNB Short', I have to power up and down a few times to reset.

'LNB Short' most likely indicates a problem with the cable between the receiver and the LNB - possibly the outer braid is touching the inner core or else water in the LNB. Check out the F-connectors at either end of the cable. A new run of cable would be best.

memorex wrote:

What I would like to do is to upgrade what's there in order to say initially receive FTA (or whatever I can without paying a sub) and then down the line move to a sub with Sky or someone else.

Be aware that a digital FTA receiver (eg for BBC channels) cannot be later used (or upgraded) for a Sky subscription. A separate digibox is the only receiver that can currently be used for a Sky subs.

memorex wrote:

Out of interest are there any channels that I should be able to receive with the set up as is, say just to test the equipment and cabling?

On Astra 19E:
11.627 V CNN International
11.259 V Eurosport
10.729 V CNBC Europe

memorex

Hi Zaphod, thanks for the tip re. the digiboxes. I might have a go at tuning those particular frequencies to test the current setup. Then perhaps have a look at upgrading the LNB and decoder/receiver. I'll post back here if I make any progress.

Cheers,
-AB