(This is a modified version of a printed ‘fact sheet’ that includes some relevant Internet links.)

Equipment needed:-

1. Aerial - 80 cm diameter dish, mounted on south side of building.
2. LNB - a box mounted on the dish to pick up signals from the satellite.
3. Digital receiver - mounted near TV and connected to LNB by cable. The receiver requires a CAM - conditional access module - for dealing with encrypted signals. The type of CAM required is for 'Viaccess' type of encryption, to receive NTV broadcasts. Some receivers have the equivalent of a CAM built in - others have CAM slots, which allow alternative CAMs to be fitted, for different encryption schemes.
4. The receiver must also have a card slot into which the card that must be purchased every 6 or 12 months must be fitted to enable reception of pictures on your TV for broadcasts that are encrypted (the ones you have to pay for).
5. Card to be purchased - currently for NTV - price is about £85 per 6 months.

Prices:-

The following are the total prices for three alternative systems from one supplier, Satellite Scene . The price includes installation of the equipment and setting up to work. They include the first card for 6 months viewing of NTV.

• System 1 - £499 - receiver + LNB has integrated 'Viaccess' device and is limited in the range of tuning to not many other programs than those from NTV.
• System 2 - £599 - receiver similar to system 1 but can pick up about 150 programs - increasingly the majority are encrypted - but 30 plus are "free-to-air" - mainly from continental Europe.
• System 3 - £699 - receiver has CAM slot, so enables alternative CAMs to be fitted. Two LNBs are used to access broadcast from 2 satellites that are located in a direction that enables use of a fixed dish aerial. This allows tuning in to "a multitude of channels".

All three system get the NTV signals from the 'Hot Bird' satellite located at 13 degrees east. System 3 can also receive signals from the nearby 'Astra' satellite.

In my opinion, the prices quoted are the maximum. The supplier is happy to offer a 10 % discount. It should be possible by shopping around to get lower prices for the equivalent specifications, but I think it is unlikely to get price of less than 80 % of the prices above. This 80 % figure is based on purchase of the equipment as separate items and employing a small firm or competent individual to install the aerial and cable link to receiver. The safest method is to employ a 'systems integrator' - a supplier who takes responsibility for the whole system, including setting it up to work.

WEB Links:-

• Satellite Scene - very helpful systems integrator that provide good quality package, but a bit pricey.
• T.V.S. - local supplier in NE England.
• ORT TV - guide to ORT.
• LyngSat - Lyngmark Satellite Chart - provides information on satellite TV channels.

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