I don't want to sound off or rude so I apologize if I have or had come off that way. 1st of all, reading everyone response I'am more confused then ever about C -Band / BUD
Let me try to be a little more detail and clear with my questions
As it concerns buying a brand new dish vs. getting a old / used dish
To me it's just my personal preference. It's nothing against you guys that have found a used dish and refurbished yourself but my personal preference is a brand new dish. Plus, I don't have the time, patients or the DIY skills to get a used dish and refurbished it. I just don't have the DIY skills to pay the bills
We all LOVE having new people here, we're just trying to tell you that, ECONOMICALLY you're better off used in most cases. If you buy "new" you're likely to invest the equivalent of at least a year's worth of (small) reasonable subscriptions to cable or a subscription dish system.
As it goes for putting the dish up myself and tune it up myself, again I don't have those skills and I would be nervous and scared that I would break something or screw something up. I have been lucky to track down a local installer that has experienced in the C - Band / BUD and is willing to work with me and help me out installing my dish and system. I would be right there with him every step of the way and learning everything I can while he is installing the dish
If you have mechanical aptitude at all, and DECIDE to get into C-band you'll find it rewarding. If not, and with NO disrespect intended, FTA is not "for" you. It's a hobby; part of which is the "hunt" and the "alignment" fun, which is usually required a couple times a year to keep a system running well, not much different than a tuneup on your car. Another good point is that if you have found a BUD installer familiar with what FTA is all about, re-habbing an old dish is not a problem to him, and you'll STILL learn as you observe....while saving money! Any installer familiar with BUD systems will most likely be excited to share knowledge tips, and ideas!
Next item, HITS ( 4DTV ) vs. FTA channels. I've read in some of the old post that some of you'll do subscribe to HITS threw Programming - Center and some of you'll are strictly watching FTA channels on C - Band I'll be completely honest, I'am torn between getting HITS or just a dish and picking up just FTA. If I get HITS or even FTA it would not replace any t.v. service I have or would have in the future. I'm getting a C - Band / BUD system out of pure love for the industry / hobby. Just like the majority of you'll I love C - Band and want to see everything be done to save it
Getting C-band out of love for it? There's NO better reason! Excellent! You're in the right place with the right people! HITS is a nice option for watching "certain available" channels which may fit your tastes. I was a huge advocate of it, subscribed for quite a long time on a DSR-410 and on a 4D receiver both at different times, but the ECONOMIC model of this system is not likely to see expansion of services, or even eventually 'support' for it. Those who provide the actual "hits" to your box (the programming center folks and skyvision) are GREAT to work with, but they're operating in an HD world with SD channels and limited income to support the system. Their SD is very nice looking however, and exceeds many "local" SD broadcasts on terrestrial TV for quality. It IS an option if you're already going to have a system for "other" uses installed. Again, look for good USED receiver here so your investment is less if they decide to discontinue service. user WallyHTS can steer you in the right direction if you seriously want a good quality inexpensive HITS receiver.
I just get the feeling reading some of you'll replys that you'll are trying to steer me completely away from even getting a dish. I just have that feeling so I do apologize for this.
I didn't get that feeling at all from the other posts. People here WANT new hobbyists. We all have our stories, but the "common" model here is that our hobby would be very expensive and out of the range of most of us if "all new" dishes had to be used. When it comes to the LNB's, Movers, and Receivers, the post by user and retailer "Titanium" is spot-on. New INDOOR equipment and LNB's are very affordable, more so than EVER in the satellite industry for consumers, and if you CAN afford a new C-band dish, go for it! I think the overall message is simply "caution" in case you find FTA is not for you, again to reduce your investment dollars lost if you abandon the hobby. We ALL want you to be successful, enjoy FTA and, to contribute your stories, pictures, and questions to this site!
I respect everyone opinions but when I mentioned in my original post, alot people say it's a waste of time and money to subscribe to HITS. I figured that a new person coming on board that is going to spend money on this hobby would much appreciated but I didn't get that feeling
Your investment in new equipment is appreciated by folks like Titanium who are not overseas "shippers' but rather actively involved in the hobby. It helps to tell them that there is enough interest to continue developing hobbyist and C-band products for us! As far as HITS goes, yes, you're supporting them, and they'll VERY much appreciate it, but...the time clock ticks on how long they can keep the programming agreements going as prices FOR the programming rise to them as a "small" supplier of programming, and as hardware for reception ages and becomes harder to fine. BEST source of that hardware is probably other users here, on Satguys.
Anyways sorry for the long winded post but I hope I may myself a little clearer
NO apology needed on this site for "long winded" posts. it's a WONDERFUL group, probably the most polite and helpful you'll ever find for this industry, and perhaps the BEST of the web! We're glad you're here...(and no, I'm not staff, I'm just another member.) As you tell us more, you will also help yourself to decide what you want "out" of your system the most, and that will contribute to your selecting the best hardware to accomplish your viewing goals.
Again, thank you'll for allowing me to be apart of this awesome group
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