Which Receiver?

[Zip48]

I'm in the market for a new or used receiver. I currently have a 10' mesh dish and a 920 4DTV receiver. I haven't use the system for a about a year but everthing works.

The main thing I want to use the dish for is to pick up the preseason football games that are on C and KU bands. The 4DTV will pick up the C band side but not the KU. Since I'm looking for a new box I might want to look at something that can pick-up other FTA stuff.

What a good box to look at? I would like to keep the cost down.

Thanks for the help.
Ken T

 

[andrew_h]

I've had good luck with Openbox S9, if you're looking for a value HD FTA receiver (so good I bought a 2nd set for my dad - he's been happy with the performance, too).
My other receiver was an Omegasat 5701, which I think has a better user interface (but no HD).

 

[FaT Air]

Openbox S9 or the new Openbox S10, the Manhattan RS1399. They do about everything FTA except 4.2.2 video. There's reviews ongoing on these models. Your 10' mesh dish may work for Ku if the holes in the mesh are small enough. If so, an Dual band LNBF (C and Ku) upgrade [dmx741(?)] may be wanted. I prefer dedicated Ku dish setup, but that's personal preference. I made one track with the BUD by mounting it on the lip.

 

[Zip48]

Thanks guys.

I'll check out the reviews. From what I've seen so far they seem like a good little box.

Would I need to use the 4DTV to move the dish?

Ken T

 

[FaT Air]

Yes, you'll need the 920 to move the dish, or a Gbox or Vbox could take over moving the dish. Benefit is satellite selection is done with your FTA box remote(with proper programming/connections). One of the aforementioned movers, and a new LNBF, would put the FTA box in full control. The 920 could easily be slaved to it.

 

[T4Runner]

I made one track with the BUD by mounting it on the lip.

That is the most ridiculous, outstanding, inovation I have ever seen!!

 

[FaT Air]

That is the most ridiculous, outstanding, inovation I have ever seen!!

Glad you like it. It "floats my boat" for a motorized Ku.

 

[gordonkearse]

I purchased an S10 from alibaba about two weeks ago. It came from Hong Kong. It was $95. Shipping was free. I doubt you can beat that. Its working fine with my ten footer and VBox.

 

[Zip48]

Yes, you'll need the 920 to move the dish, or a Gbox or Vbox could take over moving the dish. Benefit is satellite selection is done with your FTA box remote(with proper programming/connections). One of the aforementioned movers, and a new LNBF, would put the FTA box in full control. The 920 could easily be slaved to it.

I ordered the S10 and it will be here today. Where can I find information on how to slave the 920 to it.

 

[phlatwound]

Not sure if this will work for your setup, but this is basically how I slaved an FTA receiver to my original BUD/analog receiver system:

 

[FaT Air]

Another way is, if your 920 is only using one LNB input, is to connect it to the if LOOP out of the FTA box. You may need a DC Block inline. The FTA Box is directly wired to the LNBF, or LNBF's via a switch. This would require band and polarity selection, for the 920, with the FTA box. (This is slaving the 920 to the FTA, Master)
Whoops! the preceding would require a new LNBF, using LNB voltage to select polarity. Not sure what you have. But I would think its a feed and LNB's.(LNB's prefer 18V so powering them with the FTA is not good)
phlatwound's scheme has the 920 powering the LNB's and selecting band/polarity with the 920, The FTA is the slave using diseqc to select the same band as is selected on the 920. I would use HF DC power blocking splitters (one port block, one port pass) with the block port to the diseqc switch (green connections). This is so LNB voltage from one receiver doesn't flow into the other. (regular TV splitters don't work that well at the IF frequencies involved, if at all. Get good ones rated to 2400Mhx)

 

[Zip48]

Another way is, if your 920 is only using one LNB input, is to connect it to the if LOOP out of the FTA box. You may need a DC Block inline. The FTA Box is directly wired to the LNBF, or LNBF's via a switch. This would require band and polarity selection, for the 920, with the FTA box. (This is slaving the 920 to the FTA, Master)
Whoops! the preceding would require a new LNBF, using LNB voltage to select polarity. Not sure what you have. But I would think its a feed and LNB's.(LNB's prefer 18V so powering them with the FTA is not good)
phlatwound's scheme has the 920 powering the LNB's and selecting band/polarity with the 920, The FTA is the slave using diseqc to select the same band as is selected on the 920. I would use HF DC power blocking splitters (one port block, one port pass) with the block port to the diseqc switch (green connections). This is so LNB voltage from one receiver doesn't flow into the other. (regular TV splitters don't work that well at the IF frequencies involved, if at all. Get good ones rated to 2400Mhx)

I have a C/Ku LNBs. One cable coming in from each. If I stay with this setup I need to slave the S10 to the 920, correct? If I change out the LNB to a LNBF I would slave the 920 to the S10, correct. Would the new LNBF would have to be C/KU LNBF? Which ever way I go where is the best place to buy these (spillters, DiSeqc)?

 

[FaT Air]

I have a C/Ku LNBs. One cable coming in from each. If I stay with this setup I need to slave the S10 to the 920, correct?

And phlatwound's diagram. the 920 will be the Master, selecting sat, band and polarity. You still have to select the same band that the 920 has selected,with the FTA via the diseqc switch settings

If I change out the LNB to a LNBF I would slave the 920 to the S10, correct

Yep. You'd still use the 920 to move the dish. But the band and polarity is selected first with the FTA.

Would the new LNBF would have to be C/KU LNBF?

Depends on your requirements. Personally, I use dedicated Ku dishes, but if your dish works well on Ku, why not both bands?

where is the best place to buy these (spillters, DiSeqc)?

Check out the site sponsors - links on the top of the page.

 

[Zip48]

Until I figure out which way I'm going to go and get the parts Can I connect the C band to the 4dtv and the ku to the openbox? I didn't know if the voltages would cross anywhere.

Thanks
Ken T

 

[FaT Air]

Can't see why not. But that LNB Probably won't operate well with 13V (vertical polarity selected with the FTA) but with Horizontal selected (18V) should be fine. ( both polarities are available, selected with the 920.)