Major networks on FTA

[criminalcola]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forums. I'm looking to get in to the FTA world.

I've been interested in satellites for some time, and recently was given the task at work to dial in some back up feeds of CBS. (I work at a CBS/ABC television affiliate). Normally, I am a director and only handle the newscasts with occasional master control. Needless to say, I was intrigued by being able to control the dishes and tune in satellites with the book we have of satellite feeds.

My question to the community is, do very many of you watch the network feeds on FTA equipment? NBC, CBS, ABC? I am talking about the actual **network feed**, not the affiliate feed.

I am looking to purchase an AZBox MiniMe, which my research shows is capable of decoding 4:2:2 chroma (CBS). Does anyone have experience with this receiver? A friend of the family has access to an 8 ft BUG (I'm already learning the lingo), and has graciously agreed to give it to me.

Call me crazy, but I'm looking to watch more network feeds and obscure channels at home! You'd think I'd get enough of it at work. Just looking to get into this field I find interesting (and save few bucks (or a few hundred) on cable bills each month).

 

[Tron]

Sounds like FTA is perfect for you. Being in the business, you know not to expect premium cable channels. There are tons of interesting feeds, and the AzBox will display 4:2:2. Many (most) other receivers will tune it and record it for playback on other devices, but will not display it themselves. Welcome to SatelliteGuys!

P.S. - I regularly watch the PBS network master feeds on 125W Ku as well as NBC on 103W Ku.

 

[toucan-man]

I am looking to purchase an AZBox MiniMe, which my research shows is capable of decoding 4:2:2 chroma (CBS). Does anyone have experience with this receiver? A friend of the family has access to an 8 ft BUG (I'm already learning the lingo), and has graciously agreed to give it to me.

That's the receiver, not sure about the size BUD (Big Ugly Dish) you'd want. Was thinking 10' would be better, if I recall I could scarcely get a signal with a 7.5', correct me someone if this is wrong. I have the same interest, except I don't work there, but will need a 4:2:2 solution; for this reason I haven't looked at CBS, but want to !

 

[Mr Tony]

welcome

(I work at a CBS/ABC television affiliate)

I'm guessing KHQA?

When I had FTA (I live in an apartment now) I use to watch the ABC & NBC feeds because my market (Minneapolis) is such a big market (runs from Iowa almost to the Canadian border) so anytime there is a storm they break into with the weather scroll.....even when the storms are 200 miles north of us. Couldn't get CBS as they require a 10 foot dish and all I had was a 6 footer

Call me crazy, but I'm looking to watch more network feeds and obscure channels at home!

nah you're not crazy. Thats what this section of the site is for
Loved watching the really weird sports feeds (and not weird as in sports but weird as in these public access type broadcasts between D3 football teams as example)

 

[Babadem]

Welcome to Satelliteguys. Toucan-man said it all.

 

[danristheman]

I watch the feeds off of 99w ABC, NBC and Fox. I wish CBS broadcasted on 99w with the other feeds that would be nice.

Dan Rose

 

[Pi314]

International news can be found on the English speaking channel DW (Deutsche Welle) at 103w, 3740 V 29270. They also have documentaries and other interesting programming.