Which decoder

[Bear]

Which decoder is a good general purpose one?
I have Ku and C band and have been told that a topfield Ucas is good.
But which would be more usefull, a Topfield Ucas or a blind scanner, Unless the topfield is a blind scanner.

I know somone that wants a simple KU setup for SCTV SBS ABC and Imparja and my phoenix would be good for that so while I have the opportunity to get a different box I just wanted to find out which box is commonly used that is good at a reasonable price, a topfield ucas was one suggested.

[VK4BKP]

Fortec? One of those models has UCAS and also blind scans, something the Topfield doesn't.

[Bear]

Fortec? One of those models has UCAS and also blind scans
Any particualr model or just one with ucas?

[wtyt2]

Fortec 5100 Ultra.

http://www.adigitalife.com/product_info.php?product_id=184&cat_link=digital_satellite.html&resultpage=1

or the cheaper version

http://www.adigitalife.com/product_info.php?product_id=175&cat_link=digital_satellite.html&resultpage=1

[VK4BKP]

Adigitalife have the lifetime ultra and 5100 ultra. Both have ucas and blind scan. http://www.adigitalife.com/digital_satellite.html?cat=1

Beat me by that much Wtyt2. :p

[adman]

Hi Bear,

I dont know about UCAS for getting those channels....:D

But I do have a topfield 3000ci-pro & take away the blind scan that other boxes have like my manhatten st-350 it is very user friendly.

Also the Strong STR 4800 ii is very user friendly as well.

hope that helps or confuses

cheers

adman

[wtyt2]

Beat me by that much Wtyt2. :p


I beat you by 2 seconds and one receiver. :cool:

[wtyt2]

btw BEAR, The fortec are not the best receiver to get for weak signals or feed. I am sure there will be a newer model out soon as the Ultra 5100 have being out for more then 12 months.

[bassett]

Mate,, Fortec Star make 30 odd different receivers..

[Bear]

Thanks everyone, been off for a couple days trying to move all our stuff, first chance I have had to read the posts.

Fortecstar ? I just read somestuff on that, seems to be ok, but, saying that, you can read a lot of stuff that tells you that it is ok when it is really not, look at DDT in the 50's.

So any complaints about the fortecstar?

I have no details on the Phoenix to campair it to, PACKED IT.

[weirdo]

btw BEAR, The fortec are not the best receiver to get for weak signals or feed. I am sure there will be a newer model out soon as the Ultra 5100 have being out for more then 12 months.


hmmm Was thinking of buying one of these 5100 Ultra's soon.
Purely for the blindscan and UCAS.
You're making me reconsider wtyt2. :)
Can anyone else confirm the Fortec is not a sensitive tuner? (not doubting your word wtyt2, just like to hear more opinions)
Might still hang out till Feb/March next year when the DM500 PVR comes out.
Apparently you can get interchangeable tuners for them that do blindscan.
No idea on pricing yet.

[wtyt2]

hmmm Was thinking of buying one of these 5100 Ultra's soon.
Purely for the blindscan and UCAS.
You're making me reconsider wtyt2. :)
Can anyone else confirm the Fortec is not a sensitive tuner? (not doubting your word wtyt2, just like to hear more opinions)
Might still hang out till Feb/March next year when the DM500 PVR comes out.
Apparently you can get interchangeable tuners for them that do blindscan.
No idea on pricing yet.


That was comparing my Humax, ID Digital, and a Nokia. ID Digital wins hands down for locking onto weak signals.

[simmo]

Hang out, fang out...!!!! :D
If you wait for perfection, you will be single and celebate for a long long time!!!

[weirdo]

lol thanks simmo
Mrs Palmer never complains
Just read some more reviews about the Fortec Star on here and have decided I will get one
At least this receiver has proven itself
Lookout Jason here I come!

[bassett]

Bear wrote,,look at DDT in the 50's.

Yes mate,, and look at all the trouble we are having these days with out it and Dildrine
No white Ant problems in those days.

[Bear]

Yep, Bassett, somethings are just never the same or do the same.

WTYT2, Does the Humax and the Nokia have the bits? blind scan & Ucas?

[wtyt2]

WTYT2, Does the Humax and the Nokia have the bits? blind scan & Ucas?


none of above. Those receivers were out before any of that features are released.

[Bear]

Back again, I think the next move will be to the cemetry, I ain't doing that shit again, not for a long time yet, I hope.

Any definitive decissions on a good box with a blindscan & Ucas, apart for the Fortec.
I have a friend who said he will take the Phoenix for his Van, said if he needs any Freq he will ring and bug me, so that gives me the opp to get another box.
If I can't get a decent, resonably priced box, blindscan and Ucas, I will just stick with the blindscan that is reasonable with weak signals as well.

I know I just won't the impossible.

[weirdo]

I'm after the same and will settle for a Fortec.
Unfortunately aDigitallife is out of stock at the moment.
Waiting or Jason to call me as soon as they're in.
Bear the Humax can do UCAS if you flash it with ToH firmware but you still won't have the blindscan.
The other option is to go for the Dream 500 PVR which apparently will have interchangeable tuners. You can then put a blindscan tuner in.
These boxes are not due out till Feb/March 2006 (possibly later) and they don't have a price set yet. (but I'll bet you they'll be a more expensive option, especially by the time you buy another tuner) I don't think they come standard with the blindscan tuner but I could be wrong.
Fortecstar has proven to be a good box over the years judging from what I've read on this forum and others, so I'll go with that.

[knucklehead]

Wouldn't they do the blindscan with software?

[bassett]

The dreambox 500 PVR, was shown at the Berlin Audio festivel, in August this year, but it was only a consept receiver, and to date no production dates have been agreed to.
Like all things time will tell when there released. But if you want one it will be an import job

[Bear]

I read some stuff on the Fortec Lifetime Ultra, seems like a bitchin box, at a reasonable price as well.
It looks like it might be the one, I think.

(xxxxxx!)
Edited by Moderator.
Yes the Fortec is UCAS capable. But that is as far as we go here. Further info will be gleaned by using our old mate Mr. Google.

[weirdo]

The dreambox 500 PVR, was shown at the Berlin Audio festivel, in August this year, but it was only a consept receiver, and to date no production dates have been agreed to.
Like all things time will tell when there released. But if you want one it will be an import job

I've had it from Dream Multimedia that they will be released here in Feb/March 2006

[horst]

hi basset
i misst your comments ! :)
i have the fortec star now for 6 weeks and i must say it
works excellent-it really picks new channels up quickly
have a look at the new satellites like apstar-6 !
i counted 80 channels in one go on c band,
i also use the benjamin for a quick download but
that searches only with factory pre-set channel numbers.
but it searches.
the nokia-humax-hyundai are slow and have to be programmed
first,but that is handy too.
have a good day