On this page you will find continually updated answers to our Frequently Asked Questions. Please use our contact section with any questions you may have.

General equipment
What is a Videosender?
What is a PVR (Personal Video Recorder)?
What is CAM?

UK satellite programmes
Can I watch Sky Digital on your products?
How can I receive Free-to-View channels BBC, ITV, Channel 4/5?
How can I use high-speed Internet via Satellite?

Satellite installation
How do I install a Monoblock LNB?
What is DiSEqC 1.2 and USALS?
Can I run more than 1 set-top box independently from one dish?
Can I install a satellite dish myself?
Do you offer satellite installation?

Foreign satellite programmes
How can I watch foreign TV and radio channels on satellite?
How can I watch premium live football and the latest movies without Sky?

After-sale installation
How do I activate my smartcard?
Why does my remote control not corrospond?
How do I perform a factory reset on my receiver?

Do you have more questions?

What is a Videosender?
This is a combination of a transmitter (which normally is designed to take the Scart video and audio outputs and modulates them onto a high-frequency "carrier") and a receiver (which converts the signals back to standard video plus left and right audio for a normal Scart connection. You will need equipment with a Scart socket. Some Videosenders also act as a Remote Extender as well.

The units should not be placed too close to sources of interference such as TV sets, VCRs, microwave ovens etc. This also applies to any equipment which may belong to a neighbour with an adjoining wall.

The units should be kept away from sources of heat - i.e. not placed on top of or near anything that is warm to the touch.

The units should be positioned where they can not "see" sources of infra-red radiation (eg. sunshine, electric fire).

Also please note that mercury vapour UV lights, faulty fluorescent or "energy-saver" lamps can interfere with the operation, as can other transmitting equipment such as DECT phones and wireless LAN operating on 2.4Ghz. If in doubt, try unplugging such pieces of equipment temporarily.

The signal which such units are permitted to transmit is limited by law to a tiny amount (a few milliWatts), so that there is minimal risk of interference to other equipment. Unfortunately this does mean that if there's any locally generated interference from, say, mercury vapour lights or even a poorly designed TV, then they simply won't work reliably. Some buildings seem especially prone to such problems - possibly because of internal metalwork or wiring - and there's nothing that can be done in such cases. Wall-mounted (thin) TV sets are especially prone to transmitting interference and units may need to be at least 3 metres away in order to work reliably. In addition, double-screened coaxial cable should be used for the "extender" connections.

Older houses may have "chicken wire" supporting the plaster on partition walls. Newer houses with "dry-lined" plasterboard walls may have aluminium foil on the reverse side of the plasterboard. This applies equally to plasterboard used on ceilings. You can normally determine whether this is so by using a cheap "pipe locator" which you can buy from most hardware stores.

What is a PVR (Personal Video Recorder)?
PVR stands for Personal Video Recorder, a term commonly used for a digital set-top box with in-built HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The inbuilt HDD allows you to record audio, video and data streams, in this case TV and radio programmes. This means that you will not need a CD-R or VCR to record programmes. Most PVRs have a "Time Shift" function, which allows you to pause the programme you are watching, and continue watching later, or delay the start of a programme, for example watch the 10 o'clock news at 10.30.

PVR's HDD variants sold range from 20GB - 250GB. The HDD in PVRs can be formatted, and contents selected for deletion. Selected PVRs also allow you to edit recordings, for example remove commercials or delete over runs.

What is a CAM?
A CAM (Conditional Access Module) is technically a PCMCIA module with on-board decryption software. This is a module that fits in to all set-top boxes and other reception units with a Common Interface slot, it acts as a smartcard reader for the selected encryption format. For example if you wanted to subscribe to a service that uses Viaccess encryption, you would purchase a Viaccess CAM to insert the Viaccess smartcard. Each provider will tell you which encryption format they use, for example Irdeto, Conax, Cryptoworks, Mediaguard.

Can I watch Sky Digital on your products?
Because BSkyB/Sky Digital decide to use their own hardware, it's not available on open platform hardware. There is no CAM (Conditional Access Module) or smartcard reader that our products support to enable access to Sky Digital.

How can I receive Free-to-View channels BBC, ITV, Channel 4/5?
(Read 'Free-To-Air Guide')

How can I use high-speed Internet via Satellite?
(Read 'Your guide to Internet via Satellite services').

Can I run more than 1 set-top box independently from one dish?
It is possible to run more than one set-top box / receiver to one dish. A simple LNB change is needed for up to 4 independent users. Typically for 1 user, a Single Universal LNB is used, for 2 users a Twin Universal LNB is used with 2 independent signal outputs, for up to 4 users a Quartro Switch Universal LNB is used - with 4 independent signal outputs

For installations for more than 4 independent users, we provide a complete range of signal distribution multiswitches, which also implement VHF/UHF and FM distribution. Our multiswitches can accommodate up to 128 independent users. (See our distribution section).

If you wish to only use 1 receiving unit at a time, many of our products are provided with a signal loopthough, which will automatically send the signal to the unit being used.

Can I install a satellite dish myself?
There is no reason why customers shouldn't attempt to install equipment at their own risk. We have provided AZ/EL angles for locations around Europe, to ensure customers are aimed at the correct angles (Read 'Dish alignment angles'). We also supply satellite signal meters - which measure the strength of any incoming signals, and satellite angle meters (See our antennas section). We do always recommend professional installation of our equipment, and can not assist with antenna alignment other than information already published on our website.

Do you offer satellite installation?
We do not offer satellite installation. However, we have a partner in Heathrow who covers a 60 mile radius of Central London, please call Sat UK Limited on 01895 444088. Customers outside of this area are recommended to use a CAI registered installer, this is the industry standards organization for satellite installers. You will find details of your local CAI installer at http://www.cai.org.uk/asp/installer.asp.

How can I watch foreign TV and radio channels on satellite?
(Read 'A guide to international free-to-air satellite services')

How do I install a Monoblock LNB?
The Monoblock LNB (for Astra 19.2 degrees east and Eutelsat Hot Bird at 13 degrees east) has the degree separation already pre-built. The Eutelsat feed should be the prime focus aligned LNB (as per the diagram). Our Monoblock LNBs have DiSEqC (automatic LNB switching) in-built, therefore no additional DiSEqC switching equipment is required.

To align the central Eutelsat LNB, you can use an alignment compass for the azimuth angle (horizontal degree: 13 degrees east), and the elevation angle measurements can usually be aligned to the markings on the bracket of the back of the dish (AZ/EL mount). We have published the most common alignment angles.

When setting up your set-top box to enter your LNB settings, go to the antenna settings or equivalent menu, and make sure DiSEqC/DiSEqC 1.0/DiSEqC switching is selected 'ON', your 1st feed entry should be ASTRA 19.2 degrees east (or ASTRA 1) , and your second EUTELSAT 13 degrees east (or HOT BIRD).

You should now be able to start searching for channels.

What is DiSEqC 1.2 and USALS?
In 1997 thanks to EUTELSAT-STAB collaboration, all commands of the DisEqC 1.2 standard were developed to operate dish motors directly from the receiver via the LNB cable.

The DisEqC 1.2 system has been adopted as a standard by satellite receiver manufacturers. It needs several adjustments to achieve correct dish alignment including correct southern alignment, manual setting of all satellite positions, limit settings etc.

Since 1999, the main aim of STAB research has been to solve the problems associated with the dish motor installation and to enable end users to buy STAB motors from their retailer and install them easily, anywhere in the world. The new USALS program has enabled this goal to be reached.

USALS is a calculation system processed by STAB of Italy and given free to all manufacturers of satellite receivers and PC cards. The program enables the receiver to calculate the positions of all satellites in orbit with a precision of better than 0.1 degrees with reference to the installation site. This is achieved automatically without the need for specialised technical knowledge.

Please remember that USALS is a program and not a communication protocol. In collaboration with EUTELSAT, the DisEqC 1.2 protocol string has been defined to drive the motors in "Drive Motor to Angular Position (degree)" mode, which is the only command itilised by the USALS program. The USALS program is, therefore, an advanced option of the DisEqC 1.2 protocol.

STAB authorises each manufacturer to use the USALS program ONLY after testing in the laboratory. The receive must have the following:

1. The "STAB-USALS" logo printed on its box.
2. The USALS option under "Motor Setting" in the on-screen menu.
Any other description such as "Go X", "Go To XX'", "DisEqC1.3" have not been authorised by STAB so the correct working of the program can not be guaranteed.

Advantages of USALS: If the dish is not initially aligned perfectly to face due south (in the Northern hemisphere) then the search for satellites is normallt problematic. However, with USALS, this inconvenience no longer exists because the program calculates the positions of all "visible" satellites, on the basis of latitude and longitude of the installation site, with a precision of +/- 0.05 degrees. This is possible because the USALS program also decides the direction of rotation.

With DisEqC1.2 a manual search and memorisation of every satellite position is required. However, with USALS all you have to do is point the dish towards a satellite at the centre of the arc and USALD will automatically find and store the rest.

With DisEqC1.2, the user is obliged to seek the help of an expert every time a satellite position has been changed or a new one activated. However, with USALS, you need only to add the name of the new satellite to the list, and its orbital position. The motor will move to the new position without need for further programming or alignment!

As the user doesn't need to carry out complicated adjustments or programming, the risk of making a mistake is greatly reduced. This is unlike standard DisEqC1.2 where a small error can require the installation procedure to be started from the beginning.

How can I watch premium live football and the latest movies without Sky?
There is still much talk about the availability of Premier League football, especially live Saturday afternoon matches - which are not shown on the Sky Sports channels. Prior to May 2000, which marked an EU anti-piracy act, many satellite dealers sold unofficial (pirate) smartcards to gain access to foreign pay-TV providers, offering access to many premium events, including original language pay-per-view movies and live football.

These smartcards updated every month with key codes available freely on the internet, and without any programming equipment or computer knowledge, would unlock 100s of pay-TV (including pay-per-view) channels at the touch of a remote.

After May 2000 mass-piracy turned underground, and EU dealers made non EU affiliations in Eastern Europe and beyond, to continue selling pirate smartcards into the EU.

Between 2001 and 2003 many broadcasters implemented version 2 encryption formats, because of fears of mass-growing piracy. This successful halted the bulk of unofficial smartcard sales into the EU. Although piracy still remains an issue for broadcasters, only a minority of unofficial smartcards circulate the market in comparison to previous years. Unofficial smartcards now prove an expensive and more unreliable alternative to taking an official subscription.

Despite the Television without Frontiers directive, brought into EU law, giving the right for citizens to have official access to any broadcaster they can receive, pay-TV operators remain reluctant to provide subscriptions outside of their territory. Operators restrict foreign sales due to copyright agreements, mainly held with US production companies and football leagues.

To obtain an official subscription not offered by us, you should firstly contact the operator for its policy on selling to your location. Should the operator be unable to assist, the Internet provides an open platform for making contacts to obtain the subscription from the operator's territory.

How do I activate my smartcard?
Smartcards are pre-authorised before sale, so theoretically your subscription would work immediately - and your subscription begins expiring once active in your set-top box.

If you have initially received a smartcard that does not work immediately, or your smartcard has stopped working before its expiry date, try the following steps: 1) Remove all other cards and CAMs (CI modules) from the receiver, leaving the smartcard you want to activate inserted. 2) Goto the channel you want to activate. 3) Put the receiver in Standby, and then switch it back on to the channel. 4) Leave without interruption for 30-60 minutes (this can sometimes take longer).

If this does not work, we suggest that multi-channel card users repeat this procedure on another channel handled by the smartcard.

Why does my remote control not correspond?
On TechniSat, TELESTAR and Orbitech receiver products, a multi-functional remote control is typically provided, this allows you to use the remote for up to 4 independent devices.

Either during use or in transit, one of the function buttons may have been pressed. To default this back to its preset standard, press the SAT 1 and OK buttons at the same time. the same applies to controlling another remote compatible device, such as a TV, by pressing the TV and OK buttons.

How do I perform a factory reset on my receiver?
To perform a manual factory reset on TechniSat, TELESTAR and Orbitech receiver products: 1) Put the receiver into Standby mode. 2) Press your finger on the Standby button on the front panel. 3) At the same time as following step 2), turn the receiver on/off at the mains. 4) Do not release your finger from the Standby button, until you see the word 'FLAS' appear on the front panel display.

Performing a factory reset will put re-install all settings to its default factory standard, meaning all stored channels will be lost and settings, such as the menu language will be defaulted to German.

Do you have more questions?
Visit the Sat Europa Forum to share your questions with forum users and Sat Europa. This is a great way of publishing information that will also help other users.