Astra 2E the transponder frequency change over begins

Astra 2E, the change over begins.

The following frequencies have migrated from Astra 2A to the new satellite 2E.

11720 H
11758 H
11836 H
11856 V
11914 H
12012 V
12382 H
12460 H

The above frequencies are for UK Sky & appear to be placed on the 2E pan European beam. Many of these were previously weaker in many locations in Spain.

In Costa Blanca South - 11836 H which is part of the Sky movies package, this was very weak and needed a 1.8 / 1.9 metre dish & still not 100% stable. This morning we scanned in these channels on a 1.1 metre dish with good signal strength.

11758 H was also difficult to receive and has the (Sky) HD versions ITV 2, 3 & 4 and also now scanned in on a 1.1 metre dish - previously 1.8 / 1.9 required in CBS.

All of the above is positive news for UK TV for those using a Sky UK package, they are likely to find that all of the problem 2A channels are o.k. 

This is not the overall indicator as this is the pan european beam, not the UK 2E spot beam, which is where the UK terrestrial channels will be.

We will report on further changes as they come in.

Full channel / frequency list below, courtesy of Lyngsat.

http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/skyuk.html

12344 H 29500 has now also moved from 2A North beam.

Sky sports 2, 3 & 4 HD, Sky 1HD & Sky Atlantic HD all now receivable on a 1 metre dish.

We are in West costa del sol.

We were told that we would 'lose' all terrestrial and freeview through our dish.

the majority of us do not have sky but rely on the community 1.5m dish. Does any one know what impact this will actually have as there are many different views bandied about.

Nick

It is a case of wait & see. The reason why most believe you will not get the UK terrestrials on the 2E spot beam, is that in your location you are already not getting the 2F spot beam. As 2E was originally stated by SES Astra as being the same specification satellite as 2F, a logical assumption is that reception will be similar.

I.E if you are not getting 2F spot beam now, then it is most likely that the same will apply with 2E spot beam, where some of the UK terrestrials will be on.

All of the above is based on SES information as opposed to IPTV only companies and local rags whose reporting borderlines comical.

Bottom line, predictions are one thing, however only when all the frequencies have moved ultimately will we know the answer and the effect in specific locations.

Unrelated (sort of) with a little 'know how' there are satellite receivers which will open Intelsat 907 which has the BBCs, ITV & 4 and is receivable with a 1 metre dish in your location. Combine this with the rest of the channels receivable on Sky & if required a number of IPTV solutions.

Many thanks for the information you have posted. Please keep us informed with the progress as it happens - much appreciated.

BBC Changes with Astra 2E, dates confirmed.

In February 2012, one of these satellites (Astra 2D) was retired and BBC services moved to a new temporary home on Astra 1N. Astra 1N is shortly to be moved to its permanent position at 19°East, so the affected 

BBC services will be transferring to a new permanent home on Astra 2E (28.2°East).

This will take place in the early hours of Thursday 6th February 2014

A small number of channels are unaffected by the change. These are on the multiplex “DSAT 8” which is carried on Astra 2F (also at 28.2°East). These are BBC ONE Scotland HD, BBC ONE Wales HD, BBC FOUR HD, BBC NEWS HD, CBeebies HD. 
 

Which means those currently getting BBC's above on 2F, will not lose them. So far, for this location, all good news.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/news/news_item25.html

This message was last edited by televisiontechnology on 04/02/2014.

Thanks for the info on the changes, I am watching with interest.

Not sure what beam we are on in the Mojacar area and not out for another few months to see what happens, but we have friends visiting next month. I believe our apartment block has a 1.8 metre dish (certainly isn't 1 metre), are our friends likely to be without Corrie and Eastenders for their visit? I know we won't know fully until the move, but if you have any ideas, they would be welcome.

Cheers

Mark

Casperuby,     Imagine it ?  I remember it.  

When the best we could get in the line of English broadcasting was a short wave radio with a constantly fading signal.  

 I put a small shelf in a corner of my studio, about 6 foot high, for my radio, as that was the best place for short-wave reception.  

You 'new arrivals' don't know how lucky you are !!!!

The big changeover is to take place 2 am tomorrow.What with no BBC,ITV, Winter Fuel Allowance and poor exchange rate is it worth staying in Spain?

I'm being told 3.30 - though eitherway we'll know when we all wake up....

It's not so drastic, there are always options of TV, most of Sky's channels will be available, with internet you can have IPTV free or subsbription basd...different types.

Forgetting 2E / 2F for a moment, review the frequency 11495 on the link below - as with the right satellite receiver you can open these BBC1, BBC2, ITV etc with a 1 metre dish in most parts of Spain - you can even link 2 dishes, IPTV etc.

http://www.lyngsat.com/Intelsat-907.html

Whilst it may prove a pain for some, it is not an utter disaster as there will still be a number of solutions available.

I certainly would not go back to the UK over this - or not without a boat :-)

Forgetting 2E / 2F for a moment, review the frequency 11495 on the link below - as with the right satellite receiver you can open these BBC1, BBC2, ITV etc with a 1 metre dish in most parts of Spain - you can even link 2 dishes, IPTV etc.

http://www.lyngsat.com/Intelsat-907.html

Would this require the dish to be re-alligned?

Sanchez1, yes you would need to realign dish as this satellite is 27.5 degrees west, as opposed to 28 degrees east of the new (and old) Astra satellites.

casperruby - Have to say I agree! I can feel my brain cell dying when the eastenders intro begins.....

Thanks for your help on this "televisiontechnology", all information helps .

For all the righteous non soap watchers that have deigned to chastise. Our friends are 75 & 78. There is not much locally to do in the evening where our apartment is, although they may pop out to visit the neighbours. They spend all day out and about emersing themselves in the local culture and want a little R&R in the evenings watching TV. So before you patronise people, best you make yourself aware of the circumstances!!! I've seen far too much of this casting aspersions on people in this forum recently.

Please also don't clog up a worthwhile thread with your infantile responses, open another one if you feel so strongly about it. 

Sanchez1, yes you would need to realign dish as this satellite is 27.5 degrees west, as opposed to 28 degrees east of the new (and old) Astra satellites.

Thanks televisiontechnology.  I've got Sky so don't want to move the dish.  So it looks like an Android dongle + VPN is the way forward.  Can you recommend any particular models?

I've been looking at some quad core android dongles with remote control for around £50 but not sure how these will perform...

What very strange posts from Casperruby – in fact quite rude really, although some forums appear to be plagued by judgemental Brits who denigrate the enjoyment and opinions of others. Why criticise those who choose an alternative life-style to you?

I don’t like TV soaps either but the fact that thousands do, and it brings them lots of enjoyment, doesn’t give me or you the right to criticise them. Where you live and where you shop is of no importance – unless of course you are a typical Brit ‘status seeker’.

The reason I love Spain so much is because it doesn’t matter where you live, how big your house is, what you do for a living and how old your car is – unless of course you are still British in your outlook.

On the few occasions I have watched ‘Corry’ I found it to be funnier than most ‘comedy shows’ and without the modern  penchant for foul language so please live and let live in harmony irrespective of where your home is, where you choose to shop or seek your entertainment.

Regards to all Woodbug

There have been some changes with 1N channels moving temporarily to 2A. It is presently assumed that this is in 'holding for 2G' - these channels below are Sky, not the UK terrestrials.

Tests completed 1.86 portuguese prime focus, nr Almoradi - 16 km's from Torrevieja.

For those in some parts of Spain 2A North will be weak, we have received one report from community member in Costa Calida who has lost 'Challenge' which is on 12304H, shown below.

2A North

12070 h 27500 snr 43 (2A North)
12148 H 27500 55snr (2A North)
12090 v 29500 dvbs2 32-33 snr (2A North)
12168 v 29500 dvbs2 32 (2A North)
12226 h 29500 dvbs 2 57 (2A North)
12246 V 29500 dvbs2 37 (2A North)
12304 h 27500 51snr (2A North)
12324 v 29500 dvbs2 51snr (2A North)

These are all subscription Sky & most have an alternative option - in the case of the DVBS-2 (HD) there are a few of the Sky film channels (not all) but the standard definition versions are o.k. 

2A South beam

12207 v 27500 94 snr (2A Southern beam)
12110 h 27500 99 snr (2A Southern beam)
12266 H 27500 99 snr (2A Southern beam)
12188 h 27500 99 snr (2A Southern beam)

There is a few more which information is not available or clear yet.

Sanchez1 - I've had over a year on the Android boxes / dongles and other IPTV box tests. Of all the equipment the wifi android dongles are my least favourite equipment, antennas weak & always better to use hard wire connection when streaming, too much speed loss. I also had 3 dongles overheat & pack up over this period - so guessing they get too hot in their small enclosures.

Also be wary that most of this equipment supplied will not work for UK TV 'straight out of the box', needs setting up and you need to be quite technically minded & patient - not for everyone.  I offer the customer support on this type of equipment.

We offer our own versions, with reskinned software & set up, welcome to take a look on the weblink below, probably not the cheapest, but individually set up & with support.

We have an (abandoned by my son) Ouya which, after a little research, I have set up with XBMC and can access all the movies, etc.  I have Filmon installed and, to be honest, even though the box is wired with an excellent quality ethernet cable to our router, I am not impressed with the quality of picture using Filmon on the Ouya.  I don't have a problem with movies, etc., generaly - and some HD very good quality.  I find I get a better picture just using the Filmon app on my iPad or iPhone and airpaying it to the ATV.  Could this be to do with the Ouya hardware?  It is making me think twice about paying out for a Mag250 or equivalent box for iptv if the quality is substandard.