Blind Scan & LNB

[mahmoodkhan]

I have a SG-2100 motor, Samsung DSB-4700F receiver with a 39" dish. Does blind scan option on other receivers find more satellite channels than what is listed under different satellites on lyngsat.com ? Also will changing my LNB make any difference in signal quality or number of channels scanned? What benefit if any is there by having a dual or multiple LNBs on a motorized installation? Sorry for so many questions....

I have the following LNB

ariza technology inc
er-783L
digital ready
standard KU band single LNB rf 11.70/12.20 ghz
high 950/1450mhz
LO 10.750 ghz
gain 55dcb
noise 0.5

Thank you!!!!

 

[Tron]

Yes, blind scan will find channels not listed on Lyngsat, namely feeds. Feeds come and go all the time, and are usually uplinks of news or sports events. These are some of the best reasons for a FTA system IMO.

As far as changing LNBs, the lower the noise factor of the LNB, the better it will receive weak signals. Dual OUTPUT LNBs are for multiple receivers, so that more than one receiver can share the same LNB. Multiple LNBs are to hit different satellites simultaneously on one dish. You could strap a DBS LNB to the side of your Ku LNB on the motorized dish so that you can pick up the few FTA channels on Dish and ExpressVu, but usually a motorized setup should have only one LNB.

 

[mahmoodkhan]

Yes, blind scan will find channels not listed on Lyngsat, namely feeds. Feeds come and go all the time, and are usually uplinks of news or sports events. These are some of the best reasons for a FTA system IMO.

As far as changing LNBs, the lower the noise factor of the LNB, the better it will receive weak signals. Dual OUTPUT LNBs are for multiple receivers, so that more than one receiver can share the same LNB. Multiple LNBs are to hit different satellites simultaneously on one dish. You could strap a DBS LNB to the side of your Ku LNB on the motorized dish so that you can pick up the few FTA channels on Dish and ExpressVu, but usually a motorized setup should have only one LNB.

Thank you so much, this was very insightful. Any recommendation on what type of receiver I should consider. I have read a lot of reviews here in the forums but its so difficult to decide. I would definitely like the blind scan option since my current receiver doesnt have that, HDTV capable as I have a HDTV and a built in Hard Drive in the receiver to record shows etc..

 

[Tron]

If you really want HD, the best route is a PC with a DVB card receiver for now. There are receivers on the horizon that are scheduled to be released (Passion from Fortec comes to mind immediately) that are very promising for HDTV, but we have to wait to see if all the hype turns out to be warranted.

The problem with a PCI card receiver is that none of them have true blind scan, and they can be VERY difficult to set up without a stand-alone receiver. If HD is not totally necessary, a Pansat 3500, Fortec Mercury II, or Coolsat 5000 might be a good buy. These are, however, standard definition only receivers.

Here's a link to the thread on the upcoming Fortec Passion HD receiver...

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=93743

 

[scottc98]

There is only ONE DVB card with true blind scan: Skystar 2.3

But as Tron mentioned, difficut to setup with a DVB card.

Highly suggest that you get a standalone receiver and setup/motorize with that and run a seperate feed (or slave off your standalone) to your DVB card.

With the right codecs, you can run HD and 4.2.2 feeds on a low cost PC (I had mine on a AMD sempron 3100, 2gig ram, and GEforce5200; upgraded since for other reasons)

 

[mahmoodkhan]

There is only ONE DVB card with true blind scan: Skystar 2.3

But as Tron mentioned, difficut to setup with a DVB card.

Highly suggest that you get a standalone receiver and setup/motorize with that and run a seperate feed (or slave off your standalone) to your DVB card.

With the right codecs, you can run HD and 4.2.2 feeds on a low cost PC (I had mine on a AMD sempron 3100, 2gig ram, and GEforce5200; upgraded since for other reasons)

Thank you for all the info. I think I will go with a standalone receiver as you guys have suggested. Maybe I will wait for the Fortec receiver when its released.

 

[Anole]

1 from column A, 1 from column B . . .

... I would definitely like the blind scan option since my current receiver doesnt have that, HDTV capable as I have a HDTV and a built in Hard Drive in the receiver to record shows etc..

That's not an unrealistic list.
I want the same.
However, getting any two of the above in one receiver is a big challenge.
Apparently, the manufacturers are not listening to us.

So far as I know, in stand-alone receivers, not counting the linux boxes...
1) there is no blind scan with hi def
2) there is no hard drive with hi def
3) there is no blind scan with hard drive (this might change)
4) only one expensive box does 4:2:2

For PCI card (or USB) based computerized receivers...
1) The hard drive is a given
2) hi def can be done
3) 4:2:2 can be done
4) Blind scan is a joke (serious limitations)

The above would suggest the best route is using PC-based system.
There are quite a few shortcomings and hurdles to that solution.
But if that's what you want, get with the guys who've mastered 'em.
Some seem quite happy with their systems!
(but I'll bet none have a full-blown PC as their only system)