Portable satellite TV system

[Christine_374323696]

Does anyone have any opinions on this sytem that Maplins have on offer at the moment?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48737&DOY=24m2
I want to buy my parents a satellite sytem for their 'van but I'm a complete numpty when it comes to technical stuff like this! I saw the same system for sale in my local caravan dealer yesterday and they told me that you had to buy a separate receiver to go with the system, but when I look at the Maplins one it seems to have a receiver with it already. I'm a tad confused and would appreciate any advice. Also, my parents already subscribe to Sky at home - would they be able to use this subscription to receive the bundle they pay for at home?

Many thanks

Chris

 

[Bri2]

Christine, I purchased the very same one and used it on a recent outing. I used it just sat on a table in its box, as you see it on the Maplins site, and it works just fine. I have also seen them attached to tripods and a pole attached to the Caravan jocky wheel.

The one at the caravan dealer is probably the same one and they sell it at a premium with the receiver removed to again sell at a premium!!! I'm afraid you won't be able to use it for Sky as the receiver is a free to air type with no slots for sky cards.

You could just buy a dish etc etc and use your sky box when away depending an which system that is. Check out this site for more info.

http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/
Brian

 

[Christine_374323696]

Christine, I purchased the very same one and used it on a recent outing. I used it just sat on a table in its box, as you see it on the Maplins site, and it works just fine. I have also seen them attached to tripods and a pole attached to the Caravan jocky wheel.

The one at the caravan dealer is probably the same one and they sell it at a premium with the receiver removed to again sell at a premium!!! I'm afraid you won't be able to use it for Sky as the receiver is a free to air type with no slots for sky cards.

You could just buy a dish etc etc and use your sky box when away depending an which system that is. Check out this site for more info.

http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/
Brian

Thanks Brian, that's really helpful. Did you buy one of those satellite finder gadgets to help align the dish?

All I need to do now is find out whether he'll be able to use his Sony Vaio laptop with this system. They use this in the 'van as a TV receiver at the moment. Does anyone know if he'll be able to plug the receiver into this laptop, or am I going to have to fork out for a new telly as well?

Thanks

Chris

 

[giovanni_5060838]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120239346862&ssPageName=MERC_VI_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=120239346851&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=its=S%2BI%2BSS
I know its a long link,but we bought our sat system off ebay,for around 80 notes two years ago.

These systoms come complete with a digibox reciever,or if you prefer you can use your own skybox.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120239346862&ssPageName=MERC_VI_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=120239346851&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=its=S%2BI%2BSS
I know its a long link,but we bought our sat system off ebay,for around 80 notes two years ago.

These systoms come complete with a digibox reciever,or if you prefer you can use your own skybox.

Hi Christine just to follow up on the dish in the box the only downside is you wont get channel four and five as they are subscription only on satellite.

Otherwise they are superb and they wil pick up about 8 of the satellites

I hope this helps .Stewart

 

[Reg]

Thanks Brian, that's really helpful. Did you buy one of those satellite finder gadgets to help align the dish?

All I need to do now is find out whether he'll be able to use his Sony Vaio laptop with this system. They use this in the 'van as a TV receiver at the moment. Does anyone know if he'll be able to plug the receiver into this laptop, or am I going to have to fork out for a new telly as well?

Thanks

Chris

It depends on what tv card he has in his PC. If its a digital USB dongle then it will not work. You must have an analogue tv adaptor card to input the signal from the sat box into. I know that the sky dogibox has a TV out (as well as the scart) but I don'y know if you will find one one the Maplin boxes. You will almost definitely require a sat finder.

 

[Mike_5041144]

Chris if your parents are already Sky subscribers [as I am] - then like me they should take their Skybox, card, & handset from home. All they will need extra is a Dish [with folding arm for ease of storage], LNB for dish, tripod [for dish], some cable & a cheap compass. A Satfinder is an option though I have never needed one. I assume they have a TV in their caravan.

Lots of info. here:- http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/

It really is quite simple to connect up to Sky, we have used ours all over UK & France.

 

[Tom_374355144]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120239346862&ssPageName=MERC_VI_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=120239346851&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=its=S%2BI%2BSS
I know its a long link,but we bought our sat system off ebay,for around 80 notes two years ago.

These systoms come complete with a digibox reciever,or if you prefer you can use your own skybox.

This one also looks like a good portable kit worth looking at: http://www.netgadgets.co.uk/item--Portable-Satellite-Dish-kit-with-easy-setup-mechanism--DishKit2.html

I'm new to caravanning but think that one looks pretty good particularly for the price and its a larger dish so should work in parts of Europe. Does anyone know how far south (France/Spain) a 65cm dish will work?