Thread: Digital TV via VAST receiver

Originally Posted by dmdigital

Earlier this week I bit the bullet and ordered a VAST approved satellite receiver. As of 15-Dec-10 the VAST (Viewer Access Satellite Television) went live and Regional NT fell in the applicable regions. The Government then allows for free access to the digital TV SD and HD broadcasts.

Whilst no eligible for a rebate I could purchase and register a (read THE) VAST approved receiver and since we have an unused Austar dish on the roof I didn't need anything else.

So once I received it and registered the serial numbers I now have what must be every occurrence of ABC and SBS posible, 7, 9, 10, ONE, GO, 7MATE, 7TWO, GEM, Imparja, SCTV and a few others. I don't yet have a full HD TV but I am receiving full HD broadcast signals.

Will be interesting to see how badly the wet season weather affects the signal, but can't be worse than what happens to rebroadcast analogue in town also originating from satellite.

The only downside is you can't record on this receiver as there is no PVR version approved yet. I could plug it in to my HDD/DVD recorder via component/SPDIF and do it that way but at this stage can't be bothered.

Anyway if anyone else is thinking of one, I can say it works well. Oh and my remote control count in the living room has now hit 10! OK I could reduce it to one but I can't be bothered.

Sounds great..how much did all this cost to set up?

$279 is the price of the receiver + postage (in my case). Seems everyone has to sell it at the same price. The unit is a UEC DSD 4121, VAST Approved.

Does that come of C1 like Austar Derek?

Yes it does. Was a little worried about the LNB on the dish but needed have been, all worked as it should.

Originally Posted by dmdigital

Yes it does. Was a little worried about the LNB on the dish but needed have been, all worked as it should.

Makes me feel unwanted.

Bump.

Apparently you can get a UEC VAST receiver with PVR now.
About $60 more than a standard VAST receiver. ($329)

I'll be ordering one soon. (maybe even today)

BTW, anyone know what's the deal with LNB's being five years or older possibly needing replacement ?
Ours is closer to ten

Ooh ... PVR! have to check that out!

The LNB's seem to be hit or miss. Mine is over 7 years old and trouble free but I know a few others who have had to replace them and in some cases they have been under 5 years of age.

Can anyone buy these or is it only for people in poor reception areas.
I was thinking it would be good to install in the Landy for long trips away.