Activating a VAST Cam

[admin]

Any pitfalls to doing this before I do it ? I presume (dangerous word that) that is exactly the same as activating a standard VAST receiver ?

Also, can someone give me a brief run down on channels ? I just saw during a search that commercial content is the same for Melbourne and Sydney ? I was talking to my GP the other day and he had just activated his receiver and was talking about Alice Springs ads ? Why would he be receiving them ?

From an AFL perspective (based in Vic), is there any benefit to activating at an address in say WA or QLD ?

TIA

[mtv]

There used to be (supposed to be) hoops to jump through, as VAST CAMS are supposed to be for commercial use only, but several people have activated them exactly with the same online method as used for VAST decoders.

Commercial content, as in programming, is the same as metro affiliates, but the commercials (ads) are not, as VAST uses regional network affiliates, not the metro networks, so yes, you will get Alice Springs etc ads and a lot of scenic 'loops' on some channels which do not play actual ads, so they use these repetitive loops to fill the ad breaks.

There may be some sport that is available 'live' in states outside that of where games are played at times, but I'll leave that to people with card activations in WA/QLD to give you a factual answer.

[Rodnic]

Check out the VAST TV Guide to see which bouquet you would like

[Tiny]

talking about Alice Springs ads ? Why would he be receiving them ?

TIA

Ads from the NT; Don't worry you'll love them, "if we don't have it, you don't need it"

[Smacca]

Also, can someone give me a brief run down on channels ? I just saw during a search that commercial content is the same for Melbourne and Sydney ?

Yeah, that's right. VAST viewers in NSW, Vic, Tas and SA get the Southern version of Alice Spring's SD commercial channels, while Qld and NT viewers get the Northern version of the Alice Spring's SD commercial channels. shows which commercial channels you get depending on the state you use on your registration form.

I was talking to my GP the other day and he had just activated his receiver and was talking about Alice Springs ads ? Why would he be receiving them ?

It's either a technical limitation or they're only allowed to show commercials for their original licence area (Alice Springs, Regional NT and Western Qld). I've never worked out what the real reason is. In any case, they're Alice Springs channels that serve a secondary purpose of providing VAST with content.

From an AFL perspective (based in Vic), is there any benefit to activating at an address in say WA or QLD ?

You already get more games on 7mate Central than 7mate Melbourne, usually SA-based games. Bonus games are also shown to WA and Qld viewers, so 3 boxes/CAMs are required for maximum AFL coverage. NRL is also shown in HD on GEM WA, but in SD in all other states.

[LeroyPatrol]

F1 is shown live on OneHD in WA. East coast only get it in SD on Ten

Leroy

[Jas0r]

I'm hoping to get VAST on my HTPC. I have a couple set top boxes operating as we are eligible for it in our area.

Can anyone tell me if the combination of the below would work before I take the plunge:



with



Thanks

[mtv]

We know the CAM/card works..... From the blurb, the tuner would appear to be suitable.

Like anything untested/unconfirmed, no guarantee until someone tries one.

[Smacca]

I'm hoping to get VAST on my HTPC. I have a couple set top boxes operating as we are eligible for it in our area.

Can anyone tell me if the combination of the below would work before I take the plunge:



with



Thanks

Works well on my internal TBS 6928! Should be good with your external tuner.

[LeroyPatrol]

I'm hoping to get VAST on my HTPC. I have a couple set top boxes operating as we are eligible for it in our area.

Can anyone tell me if the combination of the below would work before I take the plunge:



with



Thanks

Any of the Fortis manufactured receivers are working fine.

Leroy

[nfnovice]

anyone got a vast cam/card running in a vu+duo ?

[weirdo]

anyone got a vast cam/card running in a vu+duo ?

yep, no probs

[nfnovice]

just an update here .. vast cam/card arrived - working in vu+duo - activated in about 5 mniutes - sweet
best part is I have 8 days epg and dont think I did anything to set it up
love openpli and vast

[Smacca]

The EPG is most definitely 8 days, however you'll realise after a few days that the data disappears if you don't regularly tune into each transponder. Free to air boxes have this problem too. VAST gets around this by using a dedicated EPG service which it tunes into when you go to the TV Guide. XMLTV is the only workaround where you'll always have at least 6 days worth of data at all times even if you never tune into the channels.

[warbo]

There's an E2 plugin called EPG Refresh that works well for FTA channels that would work with VAST. It scans through channels/bouquets at set times by either changing directly to them or by using PIP. I've used it for years to solve the FTA EPG problem. It's easiest if you set the channels up in a bouquet and choose EPG Refresh to scan it.

[tristen]

I'm hoping to get VAST on my HTPC. I have a couple set top boxes operating as we are eligible for it in our area.

Can anyone tell me if the combination of the below would work before I take the plunge:



with



Thanks

It's now two weeks since your original post...does it work?

[kabammi]

From an AFL perspective (based in Vic), is there any benefit to activating at an address in say WA or QLD ?
TIA

I'm in Melbourne and my address is registered as that. I love 7Mate Central because I get ALL the Crows games !!! (I come from SA). If the game crosses the news break, you even get local Adelaide news.
If the crows are playing a decent team in Melb. then you'll probably see Crows vs Collingwood on normal 7, and then Freo vs Gold Cost on 7Mate Central.

So normally, you'll get all the regular VIC game content on regular 7, and then Crows (or not Vic) on 7Mate. I'm yet to see a Port Power game preferentially aired over a Crows game. A bit weird, as Port were top of the ladder for a long while (not that I care, I can't stand Port).

So I can't help you with WA or QLD, but that's what you get if you register Melb.

Hope this helps.

[kabammi]

with

Interesting to see that this is compatible with XBMC.
and apparently according to , since 2 years ago it (and other TBS cards) have worked on OpenELEC.
I use OpenElec as my media center.. Interesting!

Are programs recorded from any CAM cards that anyone has here encrypted once they hit the disk, and only playable in the same unit with the CAM attached?

cheers.

[Smacca]

There's an E2 plugin called EPG Refresh that works well for FTA channels that would work with VAST. It scans through channels/bouquets at set times by either changing directly to them or by using PIP. I've used it for years to solve the FTA EPG problem. It's easiest if you set the channels up in a bouquet and choose EPG Refresh to scan it.

That's great news and a lot easier than XMLTV. I actually haven't used an Enigma 2 box since the bluey days. Topfield has a similar app called SmartEPG which is essentially the same thing and it works great.

[leginau]

running cam card in dm600 for 6months now no trouble