FTA Reliability? Which ones?

[falcon]

There's always lots of talk on in the threads and even polls about which receiver is better.

Most of us vote and comment passionately on the receiver dear to our hearts because we're staring at that model sitting somewhere near the TV.

But while there are inherent physical and software differences between various receivers, most of us don't look at the whole picture, and the last few days demonstrate it.

While we can argue about the power and merits of Pansats vs. Coolsats vs. Viewsats, I think you can all agree that each of these brands has some powerful receivers, good programming, fast switching, EPG, etc. In other words, some decent programming coupled with good speed hardware.

Based on the last few days, perhaps some older and slower receivers won't make it. Whether due to not enough computing power or simply, support will be dropped for them in favor of inticing the hordes to upgrade and buy the latest and greatest coupled to various excuses why the old simply won't work.

Having blabbered on about this, consider that while Pansat's Blacklist, Viewsat's Mr. Viewsat and Coolsat's "programming team" are singly depended on when it comes to programming your proprietary boxes. That means if Blacklist gets run over by a truck or Mr. Viewsat gets fed up and leaves, THERE WILL BE NO NEW CODE OR SUPPORT for a while, if at all.

There's talk the Blacklist is on Vacation until the 9th, etc. Tell you what... If I was Pansat, I'd send him a 1st class ticket home and a 1-week all expense paid trip at some other time. So, the reason things aren't out quickly is not because of anything except that this is a hard fix and there are problems/issues with some receivers as well.

Consider: If you bought an apartment building with 1000 units. Would you rent it to a single tenant and depend on him to pay his monthly 1.5million in lease payments? You would? Then you would have to Enron, right? And you'd be bankrupt right about now.

I think you heard that putting all your eggs in one basket is always a bad idea. Instead of 1 tenant, why not have 1,000. If any leave, so what? There's a lot more. That's like 1 coder responsible for all the code vs. many all over the world.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we're all playing with fire when it comes to standard FTA units.

I predict the following models will die like the Blackbird has in the past;

• Pantec
• Pansat all models up to 2500
• Fortecs as we know them
• any older receivers more than a year old
• any new receiver without good coders or coders who try to steal other's work by trying to decompile their work, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see some new big names fall, for lack of support (there's talk that even big names are trying to steal the code from Viewsat's fix)

I hope I'm wrong and the older boxes will take updates and fixes. Give them time. But even if these come back, they will be the first to die next time something like this happens.

What will have the best chance at long term survival?

• Dreambox (Linux computer based) and similar boxes (Relook, Triple-Dragon, etc.)

Simply because of their built-in power which is greater than anything else out there and the support and codes for it all over the world.

My main caution to all members here is this.

If you're going out there to buy a receiver, ANY receiver, do NOT buy a model which does not have a fix yet. Enough said!

For the latest FTA STATUS, click on this link...
http://www.dssrookie.com/forums/b-fo...ort-77311.html

Just my 2

[signalsnatcher33]

Thank you Cruzat and Falcon for more information in 2 posts than I have found in over a week at 5 different forums. It seems that everytime I have asked questions about this type of information I have been slammed and crucified by other sites. I would like to ask someone that would actually speak there mind instead of giving a sales pitch, Do you guys believe Neusat 6000s will make the grade over the next 6 months or so? I do not know much about the reliability of their support. I understand they currently have a fix but may it only be temporary? If not I suppose it is off to the linux books.I intend to stay in fta because I love it. Hell I spend more time reading the forums than I do watching the tv. Thanks for any info guys and keep the info coming, even if it is not what most want to hear.

[falcon]

I believe most MODs and ADMINs here are trying to remain pretty neutral. We don't openly want to bash any receiver unless it was absolutely trash (Pantec comes to mind), and even then, it has some redeeming qualities, like "it works sometimes, what do you expect for $79.99?".

By offering an unbiased opinion and advice to our members, we are trying to help you make a decision, by presenting all the facts. I personally don't care what people buy, but they should know the whole story on each receiver, not some sales pitch.

Oh, and opinions are always welcome on this site. You don't have to agree, just offer a perspective.

Originally Posted by signalsnatcher33

Do you guys believe Neusat 6000s will make the grade over the next 6 months or so? I do not know much about the reliability of their support.

So far nothing happened there. Don't forget the slimeballs of the world clone off existing technology give it a cool name (Bumsat, Neusat, Scamsat, what is-this-weeks-flavorsat, etc.) Few survive complicated updates, regardless of how great the hardware specs may seem to be at first.

I understand they currently have a fix but may it only be temporary?

This part belongs in the BS and Rumors section. If I was Neusat, I'd spread that rumor too.

And you don't have to learn anything about Linux for Dreamboxes... Once you know the ropes, it's real easy...

I will open a learning seminar and have all files handy for all those who buy from our sponsors.

[signalsnatcher33]

I would like to thank you very much Falcon. I have only been into FTA testing a couple of months and I know hardly anything about the history of fta manufactures or their support or lack of. I bought a Pansat clone (Ace 2700) on fleabay and I was so impressed that it worked that I bought another, didn't even know they were clones or what a clone was. I have been running old bins and waiting for Don to clean the newer ones and believe me when I say I have the jtag process down pat for my stb. They were good for practice and sparking intrest if nothing else But one thing I have learned from it all is read, read, read then ask someone that actually knows what they are talking about instead of listening to every rookie going thru. Many do give good advise but some reply with bs answers that have a person running in circles. I will probably sign up for your seminar, lol. You pretty well confirmed my thoughts and I have read many of your post and I trust you and the other mods here. Thanks a bunch and as always, dssrookie rules.

[megalodon]

Thanx for info falcon,my guess would be for taking down is World Cup Soccer,as far as reciver goes DB woulde be top one.After reading and reading DreamBox is gonna be my next reciver.In beginning I had Pansat CLONE I had no Idea it was clone,but right now I'm stuck whit CS 5000 and 6000.
Just like you said what can you expect from reciver paid 79$ compare that whit 800$ it's a complete diffrent thing.

Seminar sounds like great Idea +1000

Thanx again

[stealbeam933]

That was a lot of useful info , thanks again

[falcon]

For the latest FTA Status, click on this link...

http://www.dssrookie.com/forums/b-fo...ort-77311.html

[metalmaster75]

Falcon,

"any new receiver without good coders or coders who try to steal other's work by trying to decompile their work, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see some new big names fall, for lack of support (there's talk that even big names are trying to steal the code from Viewsat's fix)"

This, to me, seems to be a direct indication that CoolSat has no future.

My ½ cent…

[falcon]

If true, I won't comment....

[mattman59]

I am a semi linux geek and have wondered since I started testing why there isnt an open source program or even whole distro that will let me turn an old PC into a FTA box.