VAST Service with Aurora Setup

[Conor1234]

Hello,
I currently live in a rural area and have the Aurora satellite system set up, but as you would all know, only the base ABC1 and SBS1 channels have been broadcast on this service (as well as the Imparja and Seven Central channels).

I have read about the VAST service, and my first question is if i buy a receiver now, will I be able to access the ABC and SBS channels without having the card activated? (I live outside the Mildura region).

Thanks in advance,
Conor.

[husky61]

As memory recalls only for 60 days without card activation

[Conor1234]

and activation, even for the ABC and SBS channels, can only be done if you live within the Mildura area?

Thanks.

[mtv]

and activation, even for the ABC and SBS channels, can only be done if you live within the Mildura area?

Thanks.

Correct...

You won't get the card activated unless the 'installation address' is in the Mildura/Sunraysia VAST area.

Existing Aurora users will be given access to VAST later this year... according to Sen. Conroy.

[LeroyPatrol]

and activation, even for the ABC and SBS channels, can only be done if you live within the Mildura area?

Thanks.

Point a dish at Optus D1 and you can get them free with your own receiver and no card is required.

Leroy

[Conor1234]

and i'm assuming Sen. Conroy wouldn't have been so helpful as to provide even a vaguely specific date?

Also, if you are able to "point a dish at optus D1" why do they employ all the encryption/activation methods? I have an existing Aurora service and even with that I am only able to receive the base ABC1 channel, not 2, 3 etc.

LeroyPatrol, is there something I am not doing that I need to be to receive these extra channels?

Thanks for all your replies.

[mtv]

and i'm assuming Sen. Conroy wouldn't have been so helpful as to provide even a vaguely specific date?

Also, if you are able to "point a dish at optus D1" why do they employ all the encryption/activation methods? I have an existing Aurora service and even with that I am only able to receive the base ABC1 channel, not 2, 3 etc.

LeroyPatrol, is there something I am not doing that I need to be to receive these extra channels?

Thanks for all your replies.

Nope.... no specific date.. just... 'later this year'

The additional ABC/SBS channels are not available on Aurora.

As Leroy mentioned, they are all available on Optus D1 (from each state) incl HD (with an HD receiver) and in widescreen.

You can use a second dish or a two LNB's on a single dish, using a diseqc switch so you get both sats. Or, motorise a dish with a single LNB for the same result..... motorised with an horizon-horizon motor will give you extra sats too.

[LeroyPatrol]

I repointed an Austar/Aurora dish the other week to D1 and then used a multi LNB mount to hold another LNB for Aurora on C1. It was a tight squeeze! (LNB's are on top of one another) But the objective was to get SBS HD and we achieved that plus more.

Leroy

[Conor1234]

thanks for your help guys.

So to confirm, the optus D1 satellite has all ABC and SBS channels but no commercial channels, whereas the C1 has that plus many more commercial ones?

Edit: also, do i need any smart cards to connect to D1?

[mtv]

So to confirm, the optus D1 satellite has all ABC and SBS channels but no commercial channels, whereas the C1 has that plus many more commercial ones?

Correct..... VAST has all networks and all channels, incl extra channels ABC2/3 SBS 2/3/4 all HD channels, plus 7two and Go.

D1 has all ABC & SBS channels only... no unencrypted commercial channels.

[Conor1234]

Okay - that sounds like a good interim option. Thanks mtv, LeroyPatrol, and husky61 for your help

[viewer]

Some answers to an email I sent requesting information on VAST


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[mtv]

No surprises there, viewer... standard letter.

There are numerous areas which will never be serviced by terrestrial transmissions, most of which are covered now by Aurora.

In such cases, I cannot see any reason whatsoever why such areas cannot be given access to VAST now.

[Conor1234]

Thank you very much Viewer!
Thats a fantastic help - much more useful than the 'digital ready hotline' - they basically just asked for my postcode and told me when the analogue was being switched off in my area. The explanation is great, and welcome.

[Farmsky]

Tks Viewer,

Good to see this bit re existing authorised Aurora customers confirmed.

[Conor1234]

No surprises there, viewer... standard letter.

There are numerous areas which will never be serviced by terrestrial transmissions, most of which are covered now by Aurora.

In such cases, I cannot see any reason whatsoever why such areas cannot be given access to VAST now.

Still, the news that Aurora viewers will have access to the service by the end of the year is better than being told by the Digital Switchover Taskforce that I will be waiting till 2012 until it is enabled for me

[Conor1234]

also on the mysattv.com.au website as mentioned in the link:

"Existing Remote Area viewers who currently watch Southern Cross and Imparja via satellite will be able to convert to this new service later in the year following the Mildura/Sunraysia switchover. We will have more information on this site soon."

[mtv]

also on the mysattv.com.au website as mentioned in the link:

"Existing Remote Area viewers who currently watch Southern Cross and Imparja via satellite will be able to convert to this new service later in the year following the Mildura/Sunraysia switchover. We will have more information on this site soon."

I mentioned that in post #4

Existing Aurora users will be given access to VAST later this year... according to Sen. Conroy.

[Farmsky]

... well confirmed again ... by the ACMA ... I meant.

And the bit 'less onerous' access procedures ... for reception challenged viewers ... is very welcome.

No more cwazy ACMA B58???

[mtv]

No more cwazy ACMA B58???

Yes.... for those in terrestrial coverage areas, but in blackspots.... requires the usual signal measurements, etc.

Not required if in designated non-terrestrial serviced areas.