Mystery Satellite systems

[ZandarKoad]

Occasionally I'll run accross a foreign individual who wishes to get a satellite system, and they'll mention their friend of a friend, or second cousin, or someone else they can't get ahold of, who had this satellite system where they got hundreds of stations in their language of choice... Sometimes it's Arabic, today it was Thai stations, another time it was Chinese... What are these people talking about? It's happened enough that I'm beginning to think there is something to it.

And yes, in every case, they are referring to systems in North America.

Are they just blowing hot air?

 

[phlatwound]

They are talking about Galaxy 19 Ku-band, @97W, most likely. Around 250 channels in the clear, multiple languages available.

 

[phlatwound]

Channel guide by nothgeorgia, here:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/316713-Galaxy-19-(97W)-Ku-band-channel-guide-Aug-2-update

 

[phlatwound]

I think there are also some pay channels (Globecast?) on 97W also, but those require a proprietary receiver. The ITC stuff, most of it is DVB-S SD, a few DVB-S2.

 

[northgeorgia]

I think there are also some pay channels (Globecast?) on 97W also, but those require a proprietary receiver. The ITC stuff, most of it is DVB-S SD, a few DVB-S2.

That's right, they have additional pay packages on Globecast's World TV: http://www.globecastwtv.com/America/WhatsOnWTV/RegionalPackages.aspx Other popular pay satellite providers also have their own encrypted language-based content packages. But if it is a "different system," I think it almost has to be 97W (either an FTA or World TV setup) they're talking about -- except for Chinese. I'm wondering if there's not some unique marketer out there for those ITC and encrypted Chinese stations on 95W and/or 113W (or perhaps Charlie or Dave using them for rebroadcast)?

 

[Stargazer]

I did a service call for someone last year that had a subscription on 97W. I tihnk it used Irdeto / Globecast.

 

[Jim S.]

The vast majority of foreign-language channels on 97W appear to be Arabic, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or secular. All the other languages are represented by only a handful of channels each, even if you include encrypted channels. There's a dozen or so (not hundreds) of mostly-encrypted Chinese channels on 95W, and there used to be a dozen or so (not hundreds) of mostly-encrypted Thai channels on 101W but I think they're gone. So except for the Arabic channels, I think someone is exaggerating the numbers. (Unless there's an IP mux somewhere -- but I don't think there are DVB-IP receivers on the consumer market.)

 

[Anole]

I did a service call for someone last year that had a subscription on 97W. I tihnk it used Irdeto / Globecast.

?.
I've seen Irdeto, but I forget where.
Brian should join in and comment.
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As for Globecast, I believe they run Nagravision on some truly basic (crappy) receivers.
And, no... They won't authorize on your equipment, just what they sell. :down
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