Timestep
- TechniSat SkyStar II Weather Satellite DVB Systems
Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) has totally revolutionised
weather satellite technology in Europe. Using simple
reception systems, achieving 1km resolution and new images
every 15 minutes gives the user unparalleled imagery. Animation
has never been so detailed or so smooth before. It’s
like the difference between WEFAX and PDUS but all over again,
totally surpassing PDUS is a dream come true using the HRIT
data stream. And now that the last WEFAX image has been
transmitted, you must consider buying our MSG system!
Setting up a 12GHz satellite system is not as simple as the
1691MHz systems. There is less than +/- 1 degree tolerance,
and the digital nature means that you will get nothing at all
until you are within 1 degree of the satellite. You need
to be very skilled or use the SatFinder meter. A satellite
TV Installer will do the whole lot for you at around £85
! so it may save a lot of hassle to just go for this
option.
The Eumetsat Tellique software can be difficult to install
and may conflict with your network card or modem. If
you change your computer hardware you may find the system does
not work again until you reinstall the drivers. This
isn’t a problem, you just have to be aware of it. Eumetsat
recommend two machines networked together, one for reception
and one for display. But we have found that this is not
necessary, almost any Pentium 3 or 4 will work just fine, don’t
animate more than one area though. At Timestep we use
a cheap 2.4GHz Pentium purely for MSG and nothing else, these
sort of computers can be made for under £300.00 or bought
from around £350.00.
The Timestep DB 1 lite software is exceptionally
easy to use. The DB1 lite software is a special
version only available from Timestep, we provide full technical
support with this version of the software, and not for any
others.
DB1 full software
for government use is approximately £5,000, please ask
if you are a professional user.
Recommended System
SkyStar II USB
version receiver £117.50 External
12 volt 100-260V universal power supply included.
Local
TV satellite installer supplies bracket and fixes
for you (price not included but estimate £80
to £100)
You must buy the software below,
or your own other choice (price not included)
Total cost of above in the UK including shipping £242.50
Software
• Timestep DB1 lite software for display £495.00
• Tellique (Eumetsat) software and e-token £125.00,
only supplied with DB1 lite software. (You can purchase the
Tellique software directly and cheaper from Eumetsat to install
yourself, or you can buy it and get them to send it directly
to us)
Options
• Professional ground stand for Triax £82.25 (or
use your own wall mount)
• TechniSat SatFinder LevelMeter, high quality moving coil
meter £25.00
• 2.5M cable F plugs fitted to connect the SatFinder easily £2.50
C Band
If you are out
of coverage of Hotbird 6, then we are able to supply C Band
systems, please ask for further details.
Computers
You need a
2.4GHz computer or better (preferably an Intel Pentium). In
our experience you can do other things on that computer and
you will probably want Internet access.
However it is much better not to load the computer with any
other programs and to consider it a dedicated Weather Satellite
computer.
We can supply a ready built computer, 3.0GHz Pentium 4, Windows
XP, 512mb RAM with 17” TFT screen for £599 (excluding
the cost of the DB1 lite software and the Eumetsat software)
Everything will be ready loaded so that you can just plug the
dish in and start receiving images.
We can configure your own computer for £150 (including
return shipping UK only), we would need your original Windows
XP system disc and the computer will be returned with our weather
satellite software and Internet Explorer/Outlook Express only,
in other words we will remove all existing software and return
to you a clean reformatted system. We will also remove any
internal cards except for modem, sound and network cards.
Complete recommended system
• Ready built computer with 17” TFT screen, Windows
XP, 3.0GHz Pentium 4, 512mb RAM
• SkyStar II USB version receiver
• MTI Blue Label LNB
• 20M cable plugs attached. (40M F plugs fitted add £25.00)
• Triax 88cm dish (recommended by Eumetsat)
• Timestep DB1 lite software for display
• Tellique (Eumetsat) software and e-token
• Total price (UK) including VAT and shipping £1499.00
You only need sign a form from Eumetsat and get a satellite
TV installer to fit your dish
Read the Review
The full review with background info on MSG can
be downloaded in PDF format
Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) has totally revolutionised
weather satellite technology in Europe. Using simple
reception systems, achieving 1km resolution and new images
every 15 minutes gives the user unparalleled imagery. Animation
has never been so detailed or so smooth before. It’s
like the difference between WEFAX and PDUS but all over again,
totally surpassing PDUS is a dream come true using the HRIT
data stream. And now that the last WEFAX image has been
transmitted, you must consider buying our MSG system!
