Installation > European Satellite > Fixed / Motorised
Fixed / Motorised
Fixed System
This is a satellite system where the dish stays fixed in one position, like Sky. In terms of the channels you are likely to pick up depends on the size of the dish and the angle it is facing.
One Satellite
The simplest of systems is where you only want channels from one satellite. Once the dish size is determined, depending on the satellite, the system points at the satellite and you can receive all the channels available.
More than one satellite
The most popular system is to use a single dish with multiple LNBs, each angled slightly differently so they pick up signals from different satellites (avoiding the "one dish only" planning restrictions many regions have in force). A switching device, usually called a DiSEqC switch, then controls which of those LNBs is in use at any given moment so you can switch between satellites via your remote control. There is still a limit to what you can receive, which is determined by the dish size.
Motorised System
The most flexible but also the most complicated and often most expensive solution is to use a "motorised" ("steerable") system. Basically, this is a dish mounted on a motor that is manoeuvrable by a "positioner". The positioner can be a stand-alone box, or integrated into the receiver. A motorised dish is mounted at such an angle that when it is moved left or right by the motor, it picks up a lot more satellites than a fixed system.
Motors
In terms of how the dish moves, there are two main types of system.
- A "traditional" type is setup whereby a positioner powers a 36V motor directly and sends pulses to move it left or right. Once the positioner moves the dish, the receiver picks up the signal. Separate cabling is required, one from the positioner to the motor and a second from the LNB to the receiver.
- The DiSEqC motor is arguably the most popular. This type of motor is operated entirely via the receiver. The one cable installed from the receiver runs to the motor, and then out of the motor to the LNB. It is popular with manufacturers because their receivers no longer need to include a specific positioner - they just need software which generates the right control signals, called DiSEqC control.
What to do next . . .
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Call us on 0116 2701112.
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