Upgrade to 500 GB HumaxFox

[Brano77]

We live in the very NW of Galicia. Our current installation has a 1.8m dish, two Sharp 0.3DB Universal LNB's, and FoneStar receivers. The dish is aligned such that we can receive Astra 19.2 and Astra 28.2. I presume each LNB is dedicated to each Astra group. Two cables in from the dish to a junction box in loft and one cable out and around the house. I have a DVD recorder which is now on it's last legs and as we like to record programmes it needs replacing. Hence the desire to bite the bullet and upgrade to a PVR and at the same time take the opportunity to have a dedicated FreeSat reciever.

My thoughts are:

1. Receiver - HumaxFox 500GB. Can these be sourced in Spain or do people normally get them through say Amazon? Is there a warranty issue if bought from UK?
2. Ditch Astra 19.2 - very few Spanish channels
3. I believe I need two dual LNB's to feed the twin tuners through dedicated cabling. Can I use the current Sharp LNB's providing a second cable is installed? Is there a better LNB choice to be made?
4. As I am proposing to ditch Astra 19.2 would it be best to have the dish realigned - current reception is good.

Comments /advice gratefully received.

Dave C.

[satandpcguy]

Hi

1. Receiver - HumaxFox 500GB. Can these be sourced in Spain or do people normally get them through say Amazon? Is there a warranty issue if bought from UK?

Yes. But they may be cheaper from the UK, but as you say there may be warranty issues.

2. Ditch Astra 19.2 - very few Spanish channels

Only a handful of local channels I think are left

3. I believe I need two dual LNB's to feed the twin tuners through dedicated cabling. Can I use the current Sharp LNB's providing a second cable is installed? Is there a better LNB choice to be made?

A PVR usually has two inputs for two cable feeds. This allows you to watch one channel and record another at the same time.
If you are feeding just one PVR then you will need a twin output LNB, and two cables from that LNB to the PVR receiver.
If you want to feed more receivers then a quad LNB and more cables for those receiver feeds will be required.

4. As I am proposing to ditch Astra 19.2 would it be best to have the dish realigned - current reception is good.
YOu might as well get it realigned for maximum signal, sa you wil be chaning the LNB on the dish anyway.

[Brano77]

Many thanks for the helpful reply - it will help me to ensure I get what I want from the local sat guy who speaks no English. If it were not for the travelling time I would ask you for a presupuesto!!