FTA Satellite, Part 2: Is It For You?

FTA Satellite TV
Part 2

(Read part 1 here)

FTA satellite TV is not for everyone. But is FTA Satellite TV for you? That depends on a number of things.

Consider that you'll need to install a satellite dish at least 30" in diameter to get FTA Ku band programming - that's about 2x the size of the smallest (18") Dish Network or DirecTV dishes. Satellite dishes are covered by the FCC's OTARD regulations, which allow for the installation of satellite dishes up to 1 meter diameter (or any size in Alaska), in an area that you have "exclusive use" of. Basically, you can put a FTA dish anywhere you can put an antenna or DirecTV / Dish Network dish.

If you aren't allowed to have a satellite dish where you live, you can stop right here. Otherwise, read on to see if FTA satellite TV is something you may be interested in.

Using FTA Satellite To Get Free TV

Today, we are going to dabble a bit in the "black arts" of free TV. No, we aren't going to do anything illegal. It's all perfectly legal, the equipment is inexpensive, and the programming is FREE.

Let's get this out of the way first: it's not a replacement for pay TV. No HBO, ESPN, or Showtime here. No HGTV. But there is a lot of content that you would find in a basic pay TV package, and free over the air (OTA) broadcast TV can be found. You can also find some unencrypted premium content as well, albeit most of that is international (non-English) programming.

In this multi-part series of posts, we'll walk you through what free satellite TV is and what is not, what content is available, what it will cost you, and how to set up a simple single satellite system for about $100-$200.

Lets start at the beginning: the 1970's, the dawn of satellite TV.

KUTO 15.4 Goes Info-mercial

KUTO-15.4

If you haven't noticed, KUTO's .4 subchannel has dropped the TUFF TV network and replaced it with 24/7 infomercials. PSIP ID now identifies 15.4 as "KUTO-INFO". I believe that they didn't want to drop TUFF, but were forced into it because another LP station in SLC has aquired exclusive rights to TUFF TV in Utah. (Correct me if I am wrong, KUTO!) There is the chance that TUFF may be back on the air in Cache Valley in the future, or that some other network could show up on 15.4 (May I suggest The Cool TV, or Movies!)

I really do enjoy TUFF programming, but I also understand that someone has to pay the bills. And remember, back in the days before digital TV and subchannels, many LP stations existed solely to broadcast infomercials. At least KUTO is still broadcasting worthwhile network and local programming on their three other subchannels.

New Interface Update for Roku 2 Devices

Over the past 2 weeks Roku has been silently and randomly rolling out a new firmware release to Roku 2 series players. As of the 14th of May, you can force this update by going to:

• Settings
• Software update
• Check now

This new update gives older "2" series Roku players the same interface as the new Roku 3.
 From the Official Roku Blog:

PBS and PBS KIDS channels come to the Roku Channel Store!

Since I got my first Roku player, I've wondered why PBS doesn't have their own Roku channel - and I'm not the only one who has wondered that. I've been asked by several people where to watch PBS on Roku, and the only answer I could give them is Hulu - which, as we all know, is a paid service when using a Roku. I couldn't understand it myself, since PBS has always been an early adopter of technologies that can spread their programming to a wider audience.

But now at last, PBS and PBS KIDS have their own Roku channels!

iView 3500STB: An HD Tuner / DTA Converter Box / DVR / Media Player for about $50?

UPDATE: until iview fixes the problems in its firmware, I am no longer recommending the  iView 3500STB.  I am recommending the HomeWorx HW-150PVR. 

A lot of people have asked me about digital converter boxes, HD TV tuners, and DVRs, and where to get them for cheap.

How about a device that does all that, and costs under $50?
What if you could also play videos from USB devices, too?

The iView 3500STB does all that! 

KBYU TV Channel 11.3 Drops "PBS Create", Now Showing BYU International

As of today, May 1, 2013, KBYU channel 11.3 from Salt Lake City has dropped "PBS Create" in favor of "BYU International". For those that want to watch PBS Create, it can be seen on Idaho Public TV channel 10.3 from Franklin County where most of PBS Create's programming is on the "Learn" channel. For those with FTA (Free-To-Air) satellite, it's one of 14 PBS Ku band channels on AMC 21 (125.0 W)

BYU Television International is a cable/satellite television channel operated by Brigham Young University. BYU Television International broadcasts simultaneously in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with most of the programming also seen on its sister channel, BYU Television. Content originates from BYU, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and independent producers. Broadcasting via Satellite and as KBYU's 11.3 subchannel, BYU Television International is available in most parts of the world. It aims to provide viewers worldwide with high-quality, educational and inspirational programming. It is available through direct satellite broadcast services such as Dish Network and DIRECTV, as well as on the internet as two separate Ooyala streams: one for Spanish and the other for Portuguese.

I have mixed feelings about the change myself. Channel 11.3 was the only full-time PBS Create channel available in Utah, but here in Northern Utah I can get most of Create's programming on Idaho PTV's 10.3 "Learn" channel. On the other hand, I hate "duplicate" channels that show the same programs, and I appreciate that there are many here in Utah who will appreciate another unique free TV channel.

BYUtv International's schedule can be found here: http://www.byutvint.org/schedule/ 

Yes, You CAN Have An Outdoor TV Antenna!

Can I Haz Antenna?

I've had a lot of people tell me "I would like to put up a TV antenna, but my Home Owner's Association prohibits it." Yes, a lot of HOAs try to prohibit TV antennas and/or satellite dishes. But did you know that if you OWN your own single family detached home, no HOA - or local government entity, for that matter - can prohibit you from putting an antenna on you roof? The FCC has prohibited these sort of shenanigans since 1996, and there are very few exceptions. Even renters, mobile home park residents, and owners of townhouses are afforded some protections from the  tyranny of HOAs and landlords according to the FCC's OTARD ( "Over-the-Air Reception Devices")rules. Since October 1996, the FCC has banned "restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming." The rules have since been expanded it to protect the right of renters to set up antennas in areas they control, such as balconies or porches, and to cover wireless-broadband receivers.

There are some exceptions to the rules, but they aren't very difficult to understand.

Roku Releases Roku 3

Roku, Inc. has released the new Roku 3 streaming player. The Roku 3 replaced the Roku XS, and adds new features like an improved user interface and headphone jack in the remote for private listening in addition to a much faster processor. Reports indicate the the unit loads content faster and responds to input quicker than Roku 2 and LT units.
What else is new?

Some Myths and Misconceptions About Free OTA TV

There is a lot of bad information out there about free OTA TV and pay TV. Some of it is lack of information, some is misinformation. Some of it comes from a basic misunderstanding of free digital TV, and some of it even originates with pay TV providers themselves.

LET'S LOOK AT THESE MISCONCEPTIONS AND THE FACTS.

What's The Best Way To Watch The Superbowl?

GAME TIME!

Super Bowl XLVII—featuring the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers—happens Sunday, February 3 in New Orleans. CBS has the broadcast rights to the game this year, and kickoff is 6:30pm Eastern. You can  Stream the game live online at CBSSports.com, or on a phone or tablet, you can download the NFL Mobile app at NFL.com/mobile. Of course, won't won't get the best  picture quality streaming on the internet, and as often happens when millions of people try to access the same stream, servers crash, and who wants to watch on a 3 inch screen?

So, if the internet doesn't have the best picture, who does have the best picture for the big game? DirecTV, Dish Network, Comcast, Time-Warner cable? Another cable company? The answer may surprise you.

AND THE WINNER IS:

Instant Watch Browser for Netflix

One thing that users of Netflix on smart TVs, Roku box, and other devices find annoying is that it's impossible to browse the whole Neflix catalog from the Netflix app for these devices. The official Netflix apps for these devices limit you to a few categories and Netflix's  "suggestions". For myself, this had always meant hopping on the laptop and adding movies to my queue from a browser to find new movies.

But now I've found a solution that allows me to find everything in the Netflix catalog without putting down the Roku Remote.