www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Amnet,our local cable provider, just announced today the the US networks are no loner being carried here because they have switched to a digital technology. (whatever that means) I guess I will have to go into town to watch the Final 4 today.

LVSteve and I just left the AMNET office in Pavas. The customer service people were very very very helpful. We found it it was not AMNETS fault, whether you have digital or analog service you still do not have the USA networks at this time. When will be straighted out? I do not know was the reply maybe in a month. Do I get a credit on my bill for the missing service...NO

It was like talking to a stone wall. She had no information and really did not care. Typical CR customer service.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Its 7:45Am on Sunday and all three are still off. There is a posted message which basicly says its not thier fault and they are working on it.
Guess I'll have to rely on the chica for entertainment today.
LVSteve

_________________
Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Are you saying you would have canceled the chica if you could have watched US network TV?

Sounds almost like a Sunday afternoon in the States with a gringa wife

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

You guys didnt really want to know whats happening in the USA these days anyways . Just more updates on Ken Delay and other Political/business theives...latest opinions on why the Pastors wife killed him...the latest theories of what happened to the missing Aruba girl Natalee Holloway...the latest PR efforts of the Republicans and Democrats to try and differentiate themselves as politicians...updates on the tightening down on the drug, sex and gambling laws. And those WONDERFUL US sitcoms...how can we live without them ... Guess you guys will have to move back to the USA now .

I also wont be surprised if they replace those channels with more holy roller religious broadcasts so everyone can keep praying for a miracle to get Costa Rica out of its bankrupt state of affairs...

Ah the satire...

Hey TV Fuddleheads,

The new HD digital standard will make watching TV much more expensive in the USA as well.

It might be time to investigate/rent satellite TV in CR. You don't stand a chance of getting American broadcast networks for many years, once the U.S. has completely converted to HD Digital; more networks will drop off the Amnet system, which uses 1980's vintage cable TV technology. By the way...anybody need a pirate descrambler box for the Amnet system?

Start investigating that satellite service now; the loss of U.S. channels from Costa Rica's antiquated TV system is inevitable and will only get worse.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

TMan wrote



No problem. AMNET still broadcasting Fox News so we getting "fair, balanced" news coverage. Long live Bill O'Reilly

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

El Ciego wrote:



A seemingly sensible solution to the problem but not quite as easy at it might appear.

The standard 18" or 24" dish common in the United States is worthless in Costa Rica to receive US based systems (Dish, Direct TV). The minimum dish required is 2.4 meters (approx. 8 feet). If you own your home that is a possible solution albeit an expensive one. If you live in a condominium or rent it is not a viable option.

DirectTV is available here but is not US based but rather Latin America based so the majority of channels are Spanish language and the programming is of little interest to most gringos. I find the average gringo here is looking for US sports not soccer.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I've also known a couple of guys who got pirate dishes all set up and were happy with the channels they were getting and then the companies change the oribt of thier satellites (or something) and they're out of luck.

Like a lot of others on this board I would be interested in being able to get the sports packages, so those of you who are up on this please keep us informed of our options.

I've heard good things about [url]slingbox.com[/url] which allows you to take a US-based television and access everything it's hooked up to get on your computer.

This morning, I sent an e-mail to the editor of AM Costa Rica asking them to investigate. Will keep you all posted.
LVSteve

_________________
Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Bookie wrote:



Pirate dishes are an option. Advertisements for them appear in every edition of the Tico Times. They are relatively expensive($1600.- $2000.). As you pointed out there is a constant game of cat and mouse between the satellite providers and the pirates to overcome each others technology.

I have been told, have not confirmed, that if you can give them a US billing address and a US phone line (think Vonage if you are in CR) you can get a legal Dish network subscription. Your monthly cost would be the same as in the States but you would still have the initial expense.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I don't understand this. If I brought a small 18" dish to CR (Dish 500), along with an active receiver (currently programmed and being used in my gazebo), why wouldn't it work? Every time we have a hurricane, I've got to get on the roof and re-position my dish, so it's pointing at the correct satellite transponder. What's the difference? You're aiming at a satellite out in space. Why would it matter where the dish is mounted, as long as you get the dish 'dialed in' to the right satellite(s) ?

Just curious....

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

MG,

I am certainly not an expert on satellites but will try and tell you what has been explained to me by people in that business.

The satellites are in orbit over the equator and their signal is aimed at North America. Much like a flashlight will brightly illuminate the area it is aimed at it will also illuminate around that area but less brightly until it eventually provides no illumination to the furthest edge from the center.

Following that principal the satellite signal loses strength (illumination) as it gets further away from the point it is aimed at. Costa Rica being so close to the equator it is at the fringe of the signal and requires a large dish to capture the signal that can be captured by a small dish in the center of the target area.

Hope that makes sense as I probably missed a point or two that a professional in that field would provide.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

MG,

ID is essentially correct. However, the larger dish is used for C-band and Ku band satellites, not for the DirecTV or Dish network system. Those systems are fed (mostly) Spanish language programming; same satellites, different transponders aimed more directly at Central and South America.

It may be that C.R. is only covered by C band; this would require a giant dish, but I don't think so.

We stayed at Cabinas Coconut Grove in Dominical, and I attended a Monday Night Football party; the game was being received on an 18"" dish... How, I don't know. I haven't held a General Radiotelephone License from the FCC since 1986; my knowledge of broadcasting is wildly out of date.

This is an interesting topic, in that it not only points to problems receiving television, but also points out that Americans abroad want America abroad. It seems that expatriates want to live in Costa Rica...as long as it's like Cincinnati Ohio. McDonalds and NFL, yeah baby. No offense, but if you guys are all about American media, American fast-food, American cars (including that abortion called Nascar), why the hell did you move away from Mom, apple pie and Chevrolet land?

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Actually, that analogy makes a lot of sense. And it would stand to reason, that by being on the "outside" of that field of light, then the reception/signal strength would be bad. I guess that answers my question.
Thanks ID!
MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!