Ultimate Newbie FAQ

1) My receiver just arrived. I'm new to all this. What do I do now?
Start by reading the FAQ and Video Help forums. Try using the search engine. If you still have questions, try the Newbie forum.

2) I'm not too good with computers. What should I do?
Take a computer class. I'm not being facetious. The hobby revolves around computers. You have to know the basics: how to unpack files, how to use a serial cable or USB flash drive, how to use a loader program, etc. If you don't know much more than how to turn the machine on, you are not going to get very far with any of this.

3) What is Dish Network? What is BEV? What is an LNB? What is a DishPro? What is a factory bin? What are keys? What is an ECM? Lots of jargon here. How do I learn this language?
Go to the glossary of terms: http://www.sattech.us/forums/index.php?topic=266.0

4) How do I know where to point the dish?
Go here: www.sattech.us/dishpointer

5) How do I get DirecTV?
You have to call and subscribe. You can't get it with anything discussed on this site.

6) How do I get StarChoice?
You have to call and subscribe. You can't get it with anything discussed on this site.

7) Why can't I get DirectTV? Why can't I get StarChoice?
They use different video formats than FTA receivers use. They also use an encryption that is not of interest to hackers to compromise.

8. My receiver says "Autoroll processing" or "Scrambled Channel" and it's been doing so for quite a while now. What do I need to do?
The first thing you should do is check the forums. If everyone is having the same problem, you'll either see a marquee banner announcing ECM status or you will see people talking about it. If you don't see these things, you should probably troubleshoot. Most likely, you have had your receiver turned off and the keys have changed. In that case, you may need to enter them manually.

9) How do I enter keys manually?
Each receiver has its own instructions. Most instructions are posted in the FAQ, Video Help, or receiver forums. If you can't find them, do a search.

10) I have BEV. Now I want to add Dish Network. How do I do that?
You'll probably need another dish unless you have a motorized setup. You can re-point your dish from one provider to the other by referring to Question #4 above.

11) What satellite is BEV?
Nimiq 1 at 91 and Nimiq 2 at 82

12) What satellite is Dish Network?
The two major ones are Echostar 8/10 at 110 and Echostar 7 at 119. The HD satellites are Echostar 5 at 129 and Echostar 3 at 61.5. The minor satellites are Echostar 1/2 at 148, Echostar 9 at 121, Anik F3 at 118, and AMC 16 at 105.

13) Can I get all the Dish Network satellites with one dish?
No. Not unless you have a motor.

14) I can't find 119. Help.
Unless you live in the Northeast, Northwest, Florida, or Southern California, you can't use 12224 to point your dish. You need to use 12239.

15) When is there going to be a fix?
When it's released. You just have to be patient. Please read here: http://www.sattech.us/forums/index.php?topic=9826.0

16) This seems like alot of trouble and hassle. Maybe I should just give up and subscribe?
That's the point. That's why the providers haven't been more aggressive in fighting piracy. They know that not everyone has the patience or know-how to do this. The vast majority of people see all of this as too much hassle.

17) What else is out there besides Dish and BEV?
Lots of things! Dish and BEV only account for a handful of the satellites that are up there. The only reason your receiver can be sold legally is because of those "other" satellites. Most of them contain foreign programming, US network affiliates, and other programming that isn't quite as popular as the two main providers. However, they are a hobbyist's gold mine. Lots of hobbyists enjoy scanning for wild feeds-- those unscheduled news and sports feeds that are commercial free and often reveal more than a packaged televised broadcast. For more information, take a look at the True FTA forum on this site.

18) Can I get caught?
Not unless you lead the wrong people to your door. The satellite people do not drive around in vans looking for illegal dishes. The providers can't tell if you're using an FTA receiver, even if you have it hooked up to the same dish as your subscribed receiver. Take a look at this thread: http://www.sattech.us/forums/index.php?topic=9924.0