Page 9 of 48 FirstFirst 12345678910111213141516171819 ... LastLast
Results 161 to 180 of 941

Thread: VAST and third party recievers

  1. #161
    Senior Member Farmsky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Gloucester, NSW
    Posts
    964
    Thanks
    138
    Thanked 193 Times in 85 Posts
    Rep Power
    253
    Reputation
    1181

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tassie Devil View Post
    I've edited the previous ideas and have put them in a table (which will not reproduce below with copy & paste). I will use this table as a further lobby tool so it will be sent to politicians & others.

    John


    FTA: Aerial System Compared to VAST

    1. Receiving signal
    (a) Aerial relatively inexpensive
    (b) Satellite dish a minimum of $265 each
    If you compare component for component ie dish, mount and lnb vs a typical external aerial and mount (and amplifier) then the dish is less expensive, more reliable and easier to locate on the roof.

    Quote Originally Posted by Tassie Devil View Post
    2. Setting up the receiving signal
    (a) Easy to set up an aerial - most can do it themselves -> ready to use
    (b) Setting up the satellite dish a specialised job + hassles getting an encrypted card which then will only work in the one specialised unit.
    In a lower signal areas or one in which a DVB-T SFN (single frequency network) is deployed, then aerial selection, location and height is a black art with the required skills well above those of a simple sat dish alignment.

    Remember; it's these in difficult reception areas who will need to apply for VAST; not those who get signal on a 'wet string'.

    PS don't mix the 'installation augument' with reference to encrypted card.

    Quote Originally Posted by Tassie Devil View Post
    3. Wiring the home
    (a) Aerial can supply multiple outlets - easy to install
    (b) Satellite a max of two per dish with more only possible using an SAT multiswitch
    A satellite multi-switch AND a dual output LNB, is only necessary if pay TV and Vast use a common dish.

    Multiple VAST/ Pay outlets via a multiswitch or amplified splitter (Vast only) is really no more difficult.

    4. - 7. OK

    Quote Originally Posted by Tassie Devil View Post
    8. Summary
    (a) Relatively inexpensive and easy to install
    (b) Expensive to install both the satellite dish and receiver + unnecessary complication & expense with encrypted cards tied to only one unit
    I believe the only real issue for VAST is that TV's don't come with DVB-S and encryption facilities. ie the 'STB augument'.



  • #162
    Premium Member
    Smacca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,156
    Thanks
    641
    Thanked 1,096 Times in 424 Posts
    Rep Power
    495
    Reputation
    12987

    Default

    My two cents...

    If the government or the networks wish to use accredited equipment for satellite services, that's fine. But why is there no BYO option? Networks have never had an issue letting satellite viewers buy a smart card and use it in equipment of their choice, so why do they now?

    It can't be an issue of illegal sharing of the cards. This restriction can still be implemented without needing to restrict the equipment it's used in. Maybe they want more control over the boxes for ongoing support - all customers have the same box so support is easy? Nope, VAST have demonstrated they want nothing to do with the box after you buy it.

    Ok, so maybe they want to go down the same road as Freeview, developing a standard for the EPG and the box firmware? Nope. The Altec UEC is hardly a result of Freeview-like standardisation. The firmware is ultra basic and the EPG definitely doesn't adhere to any Australian standards.

    So what's the real reason satellite free-to-air channels are locked up tighter than any pay TV channel in the country? Does VAST or the government think satellite viewers have suddenly gone stupid and forgotten what a smartcard is? Do we really need to be spoon fed a service that we've happily enjoyed devouring to our hearts content for decades?

    Turn sharing off, divorce every card out there now, and sell cards on their own OR in a box from now on.

  • The Following User Says Thank You to Smacca For This Useful Post:

    kevin1341 (25-02-11)

  • #163
    Junior Member wxcooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Age
    71
    Posts
    50
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts
    Rep Power
    196
    Reputation
    50

    Default uec pvr

    i really don't care what i use. if a 3rd party box is available with pvr then fine otherwise i will wait for uec to release theirs. i spoke to them yesterday and while they won't give a date it is definitely on the way.

    wxcooper

  • #164
    Member Tassie Devil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Tasmania
    Age
    88
    Posts
    394
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 247 Times in 107 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    2335

    Default

    Surprise, surprise, no phone call, no email, no letter from anybody. The lack of interest in VAST is deafening!

    John
    Having trouble configuring the remote to control the cat

  • #165
    Senior Member SatGuRu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    941
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked 69 Times in 46 Posts
    Rep Power
    236
    Reputation
    366

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tassie Devil View Post
    Surprise, surprise, no phone call, no email, no letter from anybody. The lack of interest in VAST is deafening!

    John
    Yep, that's typical.
    North Melbourne Football Club Membership 2012 - http://membership.kangaroos.com.au/
    IGNITE!! 2012!! GO NORTH!
    Support Hey Hey it's Saturday for 2011/2012! http://www.facebook.com/heyheyitssaturday
    Don't forget to say Thanks for useful posts!!!

  • #166
    Member Tassie Devil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Tasmania
    Age
    88
    Posts
    394
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 247 Times in 107 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    2335

    Default Just had a phone call from Miranda at DBCDE

    See below
    Last edited by Tassie Devil; 01-03-11 at 12:38 PM.
    Having trouble configuring the remote to control the cat

  • #167
    Member Tassie Devil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Tasmania
    Age
    88
    Posts
    394
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 247 Times in 107 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    2335

    Default Just had a phone call from Miranda at DBCDE

    Of course I got filibustered by a lot of verbosity but here is what I can gather so far:

    1. The Government is paying for the satellite service
    2. The satellite service is being jointly operated by Impaja and Southern Cross
    3. Encrypted cards are needed so the broadcasters can keep track of who is using the service in any particular area (she could not answer why this was necessary when broadcasters with terrestrial transmissions do not have that data)
    4. New equipment is needed because there is a new broadcaster involved - it is akin to those with old CRT analog TVs having to buy a STB to go digital (she proclaimed brightly the great news they only cost $200 but was somewhat taken aback when I said terrestrial units were half that price)
    5. Broadcasters pay for licenses to each region they broadcast - somehow that gives them the right to impose extra costs on us.
    6. It was admitted that only a small number of us need VAST but she could not explain why anyone could not access the service if they could be bothered with satellite gear.

    It was a long conversation which really got nowhere so I asked if she could please put all her points down in writing for me either in an email or letter. So here we came to the buck pass again - she will refer it all to the ACMA to answer. This will be a "change" (I'm being ironic) as ACMA previously said I should get answers from DBCDE!!!

    Miranda was very nice and did her best to answer my questions (& it was only possible to ask questions by interruption) but I obviously got nowhere.

    Bottom line to me it seems that Commercial interests in the form of the operators and manufacturers of the limited gear see profit in it and Government Bureaucracy sees employment and another possible empire resulting from the administration of the card system.

    Guys, battling both the bureaucracy and commercial interests is an uphill battle and one I feel will only succeed if we can get the politicians involved. Sigh.

    John

    POSTSCRIPT: When asked why we could not use present equipment the reply was that it was a new operator so we should expect to have to buy new items.
    Having trouble configuring the remote to control the cat

  • The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Tassie Devil For This Useful Post:

    gordon_s1942 (01-03-11),marty 17 (07-03-11),Smacca (01-03-11)

  • #168
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Northern Rivers NSW
    Posts
    703
    Thanks
    200
    Thanked 142 Times in 88 Posts
    Rep Power
    268
    Reputation
    2350

    Default

    thanks Tassie Devel for the update, bad news as it is!

    makes me wish there's a VAST hack available soon just to shove it up those "commercial interests" poopers

  • The Following User Says Thank You to macca For This Useful Post:

    mysticalchemist (06-03-11)

  • #169
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    11
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts
    Rep Power
    0
    Reputation
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mtya View Post
    Australia is far too insignificant for that to happen (about 0.01% of all satellite system/component sales worldwide).
    I think you hit the nail on the head - no manufacturer will be willing to customise any box for VAST without any guarantees of volumes - I think locking the box so it tunes to VAST only is a customisation in itself and there was some talk of Australia specific MHEG (Freeview) as well.

    Cheers,

    RD

  • #170
    Member Tassie Devil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Tasmania
    Age
    88
    Posts
    394
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 247 Times in 107 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    2335

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RDX View Post
    I think you hit the nail on the head - no manufacturer will be willing to customise any box for VAST without any guarantees of volumes - I think locking the box so it tunes to VAST only is a customisation in itself and there was some talk of Australia specific MHEG (Freeview) as well.

    Cheers,

    RD
    Maybe, but why set up VAST so such customisation is necessary at all? The "FREE to air" loses its freedom that way!

    John
    Having trouble configuring the remote to control the cat

  • #171
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    11
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts
    Rep Power
    0
    Reputation
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tassie Devil View Post
    Maybe, but why set up VAST so such customisation is necessary at all? The "FREE to air" loses its freedom that way!

    John
    Oh, and the reason why they lock the box to VAST seems to be because they subsidise the box for eligible users and probably don't want them to use it to watch anything other than VAST.

    See:

    Cheers,

    RD

  • #172
    Member Tassie Devil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern Tasmania
    Age
    88
    Posts
    394
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 247 Times in 107 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    2335

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RDX View Post
    Oh, and the reason why they lock the box to VAST seems to be because they subsidise the box for eligible users and probably don't want them to use it to watch anything other than VAST.

    See:

    Cheers,

    RD
    Not sure I'm following. The subsidy is from the Government to some individuals so does not go direct to any manufacturer. But of course that manufacturer benefits if we are forced to buy their product, subsidy or not. That subsidy is supposed to be a palliative to those in remote situations who are forced away from analog by the Government policy to close it down. The card encryption is totally unnecessary and is a product of the Commercial stations trying to wield control over their viewers. Makes no sense as they have no control over 99% of the audience so why so much effort and expense over the 1%. And tying that card to a particular receiver is the bit that benefits the manufacturer. Again with such a small market it is hard to see why they bother. Someone, somewhere must be benefiting. It certainly is not the consumer.

    John
    Having trouble configuring the remote to control the cat

  • The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Tassie Devil For This Useful Post:

    AJM (07-03-11),marty 17 (07-03-11),Tiny (08-03-11)

  • #173
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Northern rivers Nsw Australia
    Age
    81
    Posts
    3,196
    Thanks
    2,018
    Thanked 601 Times in 408 Posts
    Rep Power
    0
    Reputation
    5019

    Default Any update Leroy

    Quote Originally Posted by LeroyPatrol View Post
    It was the UltraPlus supplier that has a card running and that was using a version of MCAS from the 7/12/10. There would be no reason for it to not work on the 1200 being another Fortis receiver using similar firmware. Anyway he's back mid next week so I'll find out more then.

    Leroy
    Have you heard any more news yet Leroy?

  • #174
    Senior Member
    beer4life's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    The Nether World.
    Age
    90
    Posts
    6,375
    Thanks
    1,351
    Thanked 1,452 Times in 1,066 Posts
    Rep Power
    559
    Reputation
    7552

    Question

    Quote Originally Posted by marty 17 View Post
    Have you heard any more news yet Leroy?
    Just to state the obvious.
    3 months and only one with a working box/card?




  • #175
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Northern rivers Nsw Australia
    Age
    81
    Posts
    3,196
    Thanks
    2,018
    Thanked 601 Times in 408 Posts
    Rep Power
    0
    Reputation
    5019

    Default

    Leroy will tell us.

  • #176
    Premium Member

    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Central Tablelands of NSW
    Age
    81
    Posts
    13,824
    Thanks
    1,242
    Thanked 3,806 Times in 2,525 Posts
    Rep Power
    1797
    Reputation
    56986

    Default

    When if ever, was UEC's 'Exclusivitity' supposed to finish because untill it does, no one (manufacturer) is going to announce they are waiting in the wings to release an STB are they?
    I stand unequivicably behind everything I say , I just dont ever remember saying it !!

  • #177
    Administrator
    mtv's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    19,893
    Thanks
    7,508
    Thanked 15,066 Times in 6,761 Posts
    Rep Power
    5647
    Reputation
    239305

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gordon_s1942 View Post
    When if ever, was UEC's 'Exclusivitity' supposed to finish because untill it does, no one (manufacturer) is going to announce they are waiting in the wings to release an STB are they?
    The two confirmed manufacturers 'waiting' to release VAST products are Hills and Healing..... Strong is also rumoured to be another supplier, but that hasn't been confirmed.

  • #178
    Premium Member
    Xplorer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Mid SE
    Posts
    987
    Thanks
    513
    Thanked 470 Times in 226 Posts
    Rep Power
    345
    Reputation
    6285

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gordon_s1942 View Post
    When if ever, was UEC's 'Exclusivitity' supposed to finish because untill it does, no one (manufacturer) is going to announce they are waiting in the wings to release an STB are they?
    One would have thought that in 2010/2011, our initial options would have included PVR capability.
    A technology that has been around for years in both terrestrial and satellite forms.

    Apart from encryption, why initially offer an old school limited featured locked down box, then later have those same and new customers purchase proposed PVR versions due to limitations of the first.


    Not sure when the exclusivity expires, but I doubt it would be anytime soon, as there seems to be no hurry at all with the release of a PVR version. It's not like it is brand new technology.

    Maybe the exclusivity is not for a while yet, thus allowing more and more customers to purchase up that basic box. Then decide to release a proposed PVR version and have those same customers who purchased the basic boxes, turn around and purchase more boxes but with PVR capability.

    Until other manuafacturers come on board and release for sale their vast box, until UEC release for sale their PVR, we only have the 1 basic option, everything else is speculation.

    The sooner we have options the better.

  • #179
    Senior Member
    LeroyPatrol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    N.E. Vic
    Posts
    16,229
    Thanks
    3,528
    Thanked 4,710 Times in 2,797 Posts
    Rep Power
    1669
    Reputation
    46551

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by marty 17 View Post
    Leroy will tell us.
    Aparently they need a card to test again.

    Leroy
    XCRUISER HDSR600HD twin sat and terrestrial receiver $OOS *
    XCRUISER HDSR385 Avant - sold out$OOS UltraPlus DVB-T and DVB-S2 tuners $49 Remotes $OOS

  • #180
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    49
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    41
    Thanked 66 Times in 55 Posts
    Rep Power
    208
    Reputation
    370

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    The two confirmed manufacturers 'waiting' to release VAST products are Hills and Healing..... Strong is also rumoured to be another supplier, but that hasn't been confirmed.
    never heard of Healing. But if thats the case there may be another but its not Strong

  • Page 9 of 48 FirstFirst 12345678910111213141516171819 ... LastLast

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •