Guys - Has anybody seen the £60 odd dish and decoder available at LIDL at the Moment and -just quickly could I "point it at" the sattelaite that has Thai TV channels

it is apparently pre programmed for European channels??

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20050901.p....te_Dish_Receiver_Set

Any ideas suggestions greatly received.

Thanks Skippy!!

Hi,
We have a moving satelite dish which picks up TGN (Thai Global Network) very well. It's not the Lidl one I have to admit, but if it's any help the satelite which broadcasts TGN is "HOTBIRD". We had a hell of a job setting it up with the SKY ASTRA 1 and 2 satelites but we got there in the end!.
Kind regards,
Phil Primrose

Yes the LIDL kit works OK. Just finished setting it up. but I bought the 80cm dish sold separately instead of using the 57cm one supplied as part of the system to ensure a better signal. I live in NW England.

From what I have seen of Thai TV I think I am going to regret this! Alan

Thanks for the tips guys and girls keep them coming.

Alan I may take your lead and not mention we can get the Thai TV as easy as going down to Lidl and getting a Dish etc etc.

I have just found out that as I am in a big building there is one SAT Dish for everyone (to be confirmed)..... but does this sound right? and if that is the case do I just PLUG in the LIDL box and VOILAS there is TV or am I just "tell him he's dreaming!" ????

again any advice greatly received!!

Skippy

quote:

I have just found out that as I am in a big building there is one SAT Dish for everyone

I doubt if that is the case it is pointing at the right satellite, you would need it to be pointing at Hotbird. Also the LIDL kits were selling like hot cakes, I have set up an email service from LIDL {and ALDI}To inform me in advance of any special offers, so that I can get there early as they only have limited stocks. I got there as the store opened and some people where buying 4-5 kits each,I would think at least in my local branch they will have all gone by now. Alan

Hi Skippy. I have installed quite a few of these systems over the last couple of days . You are getting £60.00 worth of mass manufactured kit . Keep your money in your pocket or invest it in a system which will last you some time. Dont look at this as a cry for bussiness (as you are located down south) more sound advice. What happens when they have sold out of these systems and the faulty ones go back? Will it be a refund or a jar of pickles . Watch this space for when the winds come . Good luck

quote:

What happens when they have sold out of these systems and the faulty ones go back? Will it be a refund or a jar of pickles

Rubbish! LIDL are large international company based in Germany, founded in the 1930's who have stores covering most of Europe and beyond, and a reputation to consider. The equipment is manufactured in Germany, is guaranteed for three years, and as far as I can see is of good quality, it certainly works very well. They have the normal full refund policy for faulty goods. If you are confident enough to install it yourself then you should have nothing to worry about. I have no connection with LIDL other than a satisfied customer Alan

Thanks, for all your advice Guys and Girls - keep it coming!!

It sounds like I have to do a bit more research!

"Mr Skyscope" thanks for your advice, But regardless, you do have a vested interest keep the "Dark Arts" of Satealite TV to yourself, please don't see this as a critism rather an observation. ( We do the same at my work with certain things).If I was at home with the folks in Australia - I would definitely be investing in the best equipment I could afford. But as I am in London and possibly very short term (depending on employment, VISA for Australia for the wife etc) I am keen to get any advice such as do does it work for Thai TV etc etc.

Alan thanks for the advice - keep it coming

Skippy

For anyone interested in the D.I.Y approach to Sat,TV. Maplin also sell a free-to-air kit but I think it's about 90 pounds Alan

I'm sorry if my rather blunt response upset you Alan, but as I said I have fitted several of these kits and they do work great but I have made a number of observations and comparisons with other kit I have fitted. These comparisons are really on the detail level when compared to others I have fitted over the previous years for other customers. Whilst it is given that consumer electronics equipment has seen drastic price reductions over the previous 2 years or so (DVD Players, MP3 Players) and this LIDL kit is possibly indicative if this (£60 for a dish and receiver), I do find it hard to compare it with, for example an Echostar system. In essence this is like trying to compare a Hyundai with a Mercedes. One system could be costing more due to the quality of the electronic components used internally and also the durability of the externally mounted equipment. This is particularly evident with the dish fixings on the LIDL units and I suspect that over time when subject to repeated vibration from winds that the dish may fail - it may not - it is just my opinion thats all. I base this on previous experience of when LIDL previously undertook a similar promotion on the old anaologue systems; around 3 years back if memory serves right. I was called out to many LNB failures and noticed that the dishes had suffered from weathering that seemed inconsistent with the length of time it had been installed.

Bearing in mind Skippy's uncertainty on length of stay in the country, I can fully understand why he has chosen the system on cost alone - I would do the same in his position; however, if I was looking for a budget system with a good tech support I would be looking somewhere like Spectrum UK (in the M25 area) who run special offers and can give technical backup should any problems arise. Although as Alan says, if you feel confident enough to fit it yourself, you shouldn't really have any problems - if you do post it on the forum and you should rapidly get a response.

I do trust that this response is taken in the manner in which is given - i.e. only trying to be helpful, and it is not meant to upset satisfied LIDL customers, nor is it meant to denigrate LIDL products in any way. It is only my humble opinion as a simple satellite installer.

I hope you soon get sorted Skippy and can sit back and enjoy the delights of Thai TV !!

quote:

Originally posted by Skippy:
I have just found out that as I am in a big building there is one SAT Dish for everyone (to be confirmed)..... but does this sound right? and if that is the case do I just PLUG in the LIDL box and VOILAS there is TV or am I just "tell him he's dreaming!" ????

We are in a block of flats with a communal dish. As this dish is pointing at Astra, just buying a box and plugging it in would only get the free channels from Sky.

Skippy, to get the Thai channels you will need your own dish pointing at Hotbird. Our tenancy agreement specifically forbids attaching satellite dishes, cables etc. to the external walls. If yours is the same then, unless you have a balcony facing the right way, it's a non-starter.

However, I am well aware that some flats do allow residents to have their own satellite dish (Hi, Trevor) so check with your landlord.

I wasn't in any way upset. There was a time when I always bought high quality expensive equipment. but increasingly I find that consumer electronics date so rapidly and prices fall so quickly I am more and more reluctant to do so. I have very expensive audio, video, and photographic equipment that may last a lifetime, but was out of date after a very short time. I bought a analogue satellite system from a boot fair for 5 pounds and it's lasted OK for a few years to be now replaced by a digital system. I think deciding if you need technical back-up may be a more important consideration when purchasing. But as always this is only my personal view based on my own experiences. Alan

Thanks To Skyscope, Alan, Nick and Noi...

This is all the sort of information I am after. clearly I will need to do some more research....

I spoke to the wife about it and she isn't too worried about it, saying that the fact that she speaks Thai to our step daughter and so does the child minder who picks her up after school - she is not to worried that she will lose her Thai.

So maybe it will just be Sky that we get? If it is a rather complicated process to get the HOTBIRD set-up etc etc.We have a balcony but how would you know it is the right way??

Anyway again I am grateful for any advice

-cheers Skippy

It points the same way as Sky dishes but down a bit. It is possible to have one dish with dual LNB's fitted (the bit on the end of the arm)

BigRed

quote:

Originally posted by BigRed:
...the bit on the end of the arm...

the hand?

quote:

It is possible to have one dish with dual LNB's fitted (the bit on the end of the arm)

Yes I have made a bracket to mount an additional LNB and can pickup Astra And Hotbird on the same dish It was a bit difficult to set up the second LNB. The LIDL kit included a direction finder that emitted a noise that increased in pitch as the signal got stronger, it proved very useful

Alan

Guys - would seem the Sky dish on our building could be the old version - did that point he right way anyway and how could I tell?

Thanks again Skippy

Skippy, that old Sky dish is still working? If so, I believe the old Sky analogue service was switched off some time ago, so if the Sky service still works it must be facing the correct digital satellite.

Skippy - anything on this page that can help you?

http://www.thai-info2004.com/thaitv_free_thailand_satellite_tv.htm

Regards
Lee

Thanks, Guys and Ggirls keep it coming

-Skippy