yeah you need a Sattelite meter to locate the appropriate sattelite and correct signal levels, C band dishes are what all teh ethnics use to pick up there international channels.
Most of the good channels are encrypted and you need a cam to decode them (similar to foxtel), we importe set top boxes, dishes, recievers, LNB's, antennas and all sorts where i work, something interesting though is some of the internationals have started transmitting in 1080i, one of them is fashion TV. So now you can see camel toe in decent resolution!

Over here our broadcasting standards are crap - one HD isnt up to scratch however its getting better

And no - there is no plans at present to make transmission HD only. The lowest standard will be SD, the future it will move to Mpeg4 which means if your set top doesnt have it you will have to upgrade!

where do you work mate pm me if u'd like too

Well then i suppose it pays just to stcik with the normal set top box and wait for them to improve its just i was looking around for another set top box or Tivo as i broke the remote for mine in the bedroom i walked on it and it broke lol, So thought if i was going to get another one i might have a look at the Tivo box but will give it a miss but have to get another soon i hate getting up all the time to change channels lol.

Nicko the SD box your firm will be putting out soon will it have one, 7-2, 99 for example

Thanks Alan

Depending on STB brand have a look at a cheap universal remote control that maybe able to control it for the bedroom to save you getting up all the time.

Did try a universal remote from Aldi and didnt work having a hard time finding one for a set top box I super glued my original one back together but it wont work so buggered maybe cheaper just to buy a el cheapo one of ebay or some where so i can have a working one with remote.

Did not realise you tried one but universal remotes tend not to work with everything no mater how expensive they are unless it is a learning one (but not always due to codes used on the original remote) especially with some cheap branded stuff like Aldi branded stuff.

I guess the original remote would have a cracked board or hairline crack to not let it work after you put it back together.

The eBay way might be the solution for a cheap one but have a look at stores near you as you may find something cheep as by the time you add fright costs it maybe easier.

Also if you get a new unit and remote don't stand on it

I bought my father a HD set top box brand new from Big W for $80 bucks.. that would probably be a cheap answer.. if you are after SD only they had them for less than 50

Yeah i will probably do that this one came from Wollies at $69 for a HD set top box not a bad price works well so will go and get another cheapie.

Thanks all for your replies.

Alan

Managed to find a new remote rang woollies and they gave me a number to ring and they have a new remote for $25 so ones on the way yay, well save buying another set top box now should have thought of it ages ago.

Well done it sometimes pay to ring the supplier or manufacture of the device to find out about replacement parts.