Hi all,

I have copied the following message which was sent to me by Y-Internet:

BBC Confirms Channel Change is Tonight!

The BBC has announced that they will move their channels to Astra 2E in the early hours of tomorrow - Thursday, February 6th.

Therefore, we will lose at least the BBC Free-to-Air channels from the early hours of TOMORROW!

For more information and to SAFEGUARD YOUR UK TV, click on the link below.

Would be good to know what our community can do so that we can continue to receive the FTA channels as in the UK.

NB - I am not endorsing the advertising /offer being mad by Y-Internet.

Jenx

I think it will take some time Janmet to discover what signals if any will be receivable in our particular patch of the Costa del Sol.  Perhaps a slightly bigger dish will do the trick or perhaps not.  I expect that our own service company Gemsat are already checking out the options and will be able to tell us soon how best to proceed.  I would be inclined to wait until we hear from them.

It had been expected that all ITV and Channel 4 group channels would move to Astra 2E last night but they were still working today. This could be because they haven't moved yet OR because they are using the broader beam (apparently Astra 2E has 2 beams 1 narrowly focused on the UK & Ireland and the other covers most of Europe). We really do need to wait and see what the eventual outcome is.

I am told that BBC HD channels are still available (I don't have an HD box in Spain so can't verify this). IF this is the case and it is only BBC that we have lost then the simplest solution for those wanting BBC is to buy an HD box.

Internet tv is a poor alternative to satelite but it may be something we will have to look at. Now that the road is finished we are pushing Telefonica for a date for the instalation of land lines which will make internet tv better quality and more affordable than a wifi setup.

There are community IPTV (wifi) systems available. These work by having a receiving antenae on each roof which feeds a box in the tv room at atico level. The tv signal then travels down the existing Spanish tv coex cable to each apartment. Y-internet's offer looks expensive both to buy and run. Gemsat are investigating this for us as well.

What we don't want is a proliferation of privately owned wifi receivers on the roofs. We already have trouble with those that are there either being attached to the Spaninsh tv aerial or the Sky dish and causing problems.

In summary please be patient - we want to get this right and at the moment even the experts are just guessing.

How about contacting that Spanish tv programme again. It seemed to work to get the road done. Maybe we could embarrass Telefonica into supplying a basic service. Nearly 7 seven years without a basic phone line. They are a disgrace.

Westport

The tv programme seemed to work....but things are not always as they seem! A cynic would say that they only made the tv programme because the politicians agreed to appear and the politicians only agreed to appear because they knew by then they had everything agreed and could.announce a solution making them look good.

Based on the e-mails I have received some neighbours want "English tv" back sooner rather than later so here is an update:

We are working hard to find a cost effective solution that works for our community and are looking at a number of options. At the moment channels are still being changed and we don't want to propose a solution that stops working as soon as it is installed. As soon as we are sure that we've got the best option we'll let everyone know.

For those who are not prepared to wait, subscribing to internet tv is an option but you need at least a 2.2Mb wifi download speed for quality tv. The set top box offered by Y-internet and mentioned by Janmet below has now been increased in price to 129.95€! In addition to their monthly subscription charge for free to air channels you need a high speed internet connection. The low cost annual subscription many of us use is slow so will produce a poor quality picture and the data limit will be reached very quickly if it is used for streaming tv. For a quality picture you need a high speed connection (y-internet charge 24€+IVA/month for their 3Mb). If you want the free to air channels restored now this is one way to do it. There are a lot of people out there making hay while the sun shines and there are a lot of apparently cheaper solutions on the market but be warned that some are not satisfactory. Some neighbours in Don Juan have already discovered this the hard way!

(Based on what I've read elsewhere there is no need to pay a subscription for free to air channels. They can be viewed free through www.filmon.com)

Please note that should you wish to erect your own wifi receiver on the roof you must obtain permission from the President before doing so and that these must not be attached or connected to the Spanish tv aerial or sky dish.  

I am not an expert in this area and if anyone has information that might be helpful please share it here or let me know by e-mail or pm.

Sorry if this sounds a bit robust but both Gemsat and I have had to deal with some rather rude neighbours. We didn't create the problem. We're trying to solve it. Please be patient and courteous.

We are returning to Vinuela,Malaga in 2 weeks time and our friends out there have lost their English TV Channels.One solution provided by an ex-pat TV engineer is to purchase a TECHNOMATE TX5402 M2 HD Box ,and when encrypted and an adjustment to the sat-dish ,it enables you to pick up the channels again.

There does seem to a demand for these boxes now at £130 a piece.

I was just wandering if anyone out there is using this system? or any other suggestions?

Here is the latest list of tv stations still working, updated 24th Feb 2014.  I suppose the main 2 of any use are 501 sky news and 978 Bbc Rb 2.

145 -  CHALLENGE

146 -  CBS REALITY

147 -  CBS REALITY + 1

148 -  CBS ACTION

149 – CBS DRAMA

152 -  PICK

153 – PICK+1

164 – CHALLENGE + 1

183 – TRUE DRAMA

184 – TRUE ENT

185 – MORE >MOVIES ( FILM )

186 – M > MOVIES + 1 ( FILM )

189 – PROPELLOR

191 – SHOWCASE

192 – SHOWCASE 2

193 – SHOWCASE + 1

198 – REALITY TV

199 – OH TV

212 – INFORMATION TV

251 – TRAVEL CHANNEL

252 – TRAVEL CHANNEL + 1

262 – FOOD NETWORK

263 – FOOD NETWORK + 1

282 – FITNESS TV

284 – HOLIDAY + CRUISE

292 – FILM ON.TV ( FILM )

319 – HORROR CHANNEL ( FILM )

320 – HORROR CHANNEL + 1 ( FILM )

321 – TRUE MOVIES 1 ( FILM )

322 – TRUE MOVIES 2 ( FILM )

325 – MOVIES 4 MEN ( FILM )

326 – MOVIES 4 MEN + 1 ( FILM )

357 – VIVA ( MUSIC )

363 – MAGIC ( MUSIC )

364 – HEAT ( MUSIC )

365 – CHART SHOW TV ( MUSIC )

366 – THE VAULT ( MUSIC )

367 – SCUZZ ( MUSIC )

369 – VINTAGE TV ( MUSIC )

370 – PLANET POP ( MUSIC )

371 – STARZ TV ( MUSIC )

372 – BUZMUZIK ( MUSIC )

374 – FLAVA ( MUSIC )

376 – BLISS ( MUSIC )

378 – NOW MUSIC ( MUSIC )

382 – CHARTSHOW DNCE ( MUSIC )

383 – CLUBLAND TV ( MUSIC )

387 – HEART TV ( MUSIC )

388 – CAPITAL TV ( MUSIC )

501 – SKY NEWS ( NEWS )

502 – BLOOMBERG ( NEWS )

505 – CNBC ( NEWS )

506 – CNN ( NEWS )

508 – EURONEWS ( NEWS )

510 – CCTV NEWS ( NEWS )

512 – RT ( NEWS )

513 – FRANCE ENG ( NEWS )

515 – CNC WORLD ( NEWS )

539 – COMMUNITY CHANNEL

583 – TBN EUROPE

616 – POP ( CHILDRENS TV )

617 – TINY POP ( CHILDRENS TV )

625 – TINY POP + 1 ( CHILDRENS TV )

626 – POP GIRL ( CHILDRENS TV )

627 – KIX ( CHILDRENS TV )

629 – KIX + 1 ( CHILDRENS TV )

640 – QVC ( SHOPPING )

641 – JML DIRECT ( SHOPPING )

644 – IDEAL WORLD ( SHOPPING )

645 – PRICE DROP ( SHOPPING )

654 – BID ( SHOPPING )

796 – ABU DHABI TV

899 – SKY INTRO

978 – BBC RB 2

With the Satellite Astra 2E in its final position , as reported online no signal in our area.

http://www.astra2.org/

http://skyinmadrid.com/pages/news.html

SPAIN
The lower third of the country has lost all BBC. Dishes of 3 metres are receiving no signal in Costa Del Sol. Most dishes in the Málaga region are 1.2m (1.3m vertically) which will just get the Europe beam used by Sky's pay channels. However, no BBC, ITV, Channel Four and associated channels will be received.

There are different solutions to get UK TV via the Internet it is best to consider your position and give it time, having talked on the subject to some residents on the Costa Del Sol there have been a few scams on the purchase of IPTV Boxes , with seller unable to be contacted, and other providers milking the system with exorbitant fees, and high on-going monthly subscription costs.

On line you can watch free, using Filmon or changing your IP address to gain access to BBC//ITV player although this method can balk at differing security policies and cause a loss of connection, also you require 3 MB and need to check your usage allowance by your provider.

Copy of email I have sent today to Phase 1 neighbours

Since BBC, ITV and Channel 4 etc. moved to a new satellite with a narrow beam focused on the British Isles they can no longer be received via a Sky system in Costa del Sol. There are a large number of channels still available but most are not popular. There are a number of options for improving the situation. All prices are for guidance only:

1. If you have a Sky subscription at home you can bring your card out when you are here. This improves the options  as all Sky content is still available. You can purchase a card here for the Sky family package for £25/month. If you need a Sky box they are around 150€
2. You can use IPTV (TV over the internet.) You need a high speed connection (Y-internet charge £24/month for 3mb) and a decent box (typically €110 for one with a high speed processor which is necessary for a good picture). This is dependent on internet speed. With a lot of users wifi systems tend to slow down so the quality may be poor. We are pushing Telephonica to install landlines in Don Juan now that the road is complete and ducting has been provided. These are likely to provide the best quality internet connection and picture but at 48€ per month for an internet\calls package are not that cheap and we don’t know how long we will have to wait.
3. An encrypted signal for BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4, BBC3 BBC4 CBBC & CBeebies can be picked up from another satellite Intelsat. To pick up this signal we would need another (smaller) dish for each block. A special box is then required to decode the signal. When the encryption is changed the boxes have to be reset. This has happened once so far this year. There are then 2 options:

1. Put 2 of these boxes in the switch room at atico level permanently tuned to BBC1 & ITV. The signal can then be sent down the Spanish TV cable and picked up as analogue channels on your TV. The cost for this is approx 700€ to be split between the number of subscribers. A 3^rd or 4^th box could be added if Channel 4 or BBC2 were desired. To do this a quad lmb (80€ + each box is 240€) With this option the boxes will be reset by Gemsat and they would aim to do this within 48 hours of the encryption changing.
2. With a box in individual apartments all 8 channels would be available. An additional cable will need to be brought down from the roof (unless you don’t want Sky anymore). The cost for this installation will be around 480€ (including the dish) and there will be a 20€ charge every time the encryption changes. You have to be in your apartment for Gemsat to update your box so if it changes when you are away you have to arrange for it to be done when you get back.

With either of these options (3a or 3b) the cost per apartment will vary depending on demand. If you are interested in either option please let me know which within the next 7 days. I will then see what is the best deal I can get and work out the cost per apartment.

Hi dave 

Is there any update on the english tv channels

Dermot

Hi Dermot,

There are a number of problems with the underground ducting and Telefonica cannot bring thier lines in until they are fixed. We are dependant on the Town Hall to get the contractor to fix the problems so I think it may be some time before we have land lines.

Internet TV via wifi is an option but you really need your own roof top antenae for this to work successfully. The wifi hotspot in the community was not designed for multiple clients using it for video steaming and the quality is disappointing.

The instalation of a 2nd dish picking up the encoded signal for ITV, all BBCs (including regions) and Channel 4 from another satelite is what we have opted for. In most blocks there is more than one neghbour having this installed and the cost is around 320€ per neighbour. I'll send you Gemsat's tel no by PM if you want to discuss this with him. (the residual channels via Sky are still available from the existing system).

I have been told that there is a Russian satellite being launched in July / August, this will have a wider range and should not be a problem picking up English channels again. You can look this up by typing in Astra 2g on your web, this will save people getting new dishes or decoder boxes.

We had our first experience of a change in the encryption on the new satelite system this week. The encryption changed during the day on Thursday. The new decoder file was available to download on Friday afternoon. Gemsat were here this morning to update the communal boxes in block 1 and anyone else who had requested help.

I don't know who all has these boxes but if anyone needs to know how to access the file to download please send me a PM

The encryption has changed again today on the new BBC\ITV satelite system

Paul now has the update. He will be in Don Juan tomorrow around 12. He will update those he can and I will have a copy of the update (for GI box only) for anyone who is not here tomorrow

With 1 exception (a different box that needs different software) All those who have asked have now had their boxes updated. Anyone who is not in Spain at the moment can ask Paul of Gemsat or me when you are next here. 

Final Update:

We have now discovered that the encrytion code is an alpha numeric code and can be updated using the remote control. So anyone who was not here when the encryption changed can simply ring Gemsat and Paul will talk you through how to update your own box - just make sure you are in front of the tv when you call as it is quite complicated.