Australia Network - Ways to Watch

Contact Us

Mailing Lists

Home

How to Watch via Satellite

Australia Network is broadcast free on both the IS-8 and IS-5 satellites. Find all the details for setting up your dish here.

To find out how to watch our encrypted programs go to our Encryption section. If you are experiencing problems with your reception please read our Reception Advice FAQs below.

IS-8 Satellite

Satellite:
IS-8 at 166°E

Transponder:
6c

Downlink Frequency:
3829Mhz

Downlink Polarity:
Horizontal

Modulation Format:
QPSK

Symbol Rate:
13238

FEC:
3/4

Controlled access:
No, smartcard not required

Receiver:
Any DVB-S compliant receiver

Suggested dish size for IS-8
pdf file approximately 120k

For more information about IS-8 coverage or assistance calculating your dish's alignment, visit the "Look Angle" calculator at the Intelsat website.

IS-5 Satellite

Satellite:
IS-5 at 169°E

Transponder:
PR23C/PR23C

Downlink Frequency:
4160.0 MHz

Downlink Polarity:
Horizontal

Modulation Format:
QPSK

Symbol Rate:
26.479 Msps

FEC:
3/4

Controlled access:
No, smartcard not required

Receiver:
Any DVB-S compliant receiver

Suggested dish size for IS-5
pdf file approximately 120k

For more information about IS-5 coverage or assistance calculating your dish's alignment, visit the "Look Angle" calculator at the Intelsat website.

Reception Advice FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions about receiving our television service are answered here. Please use this information as a guide and if required seek advice from your local equipment and/or service provider.

Q: What can I do if the picture freezes?
Show Answer

This is usually caused by a signal problem and can often be solved by simply changing channels. Switch to another channel, then back to Australia Network. You can also try switching the decoder off and unplugging it completely from the power source. Wait for 30 seconds, plug it back in and switch it on. If the problem persists you may need to check your equipment.

Satellite viewers: Check your satellite dish has not moved or been damaged. You may need to re-point your dish or repair it if it has been affected by wind or water. Interference can also be a problem. The Satellite Reception Tips section below has further advice.

Cable viewers: Contact your service provider for assistance. If the problem persists, please contact us.

SMATV viewers: If you watch Australia Network via your building's TV system (SMATV), contact your building's agent for assistance.

Hide Answer

Q: The signal drops out regularly. The problem may go away for a while and then it comes back. What's causing it?
Show Answer

Satellite viewers: There are several possible causes for this: your satellite dish may be too small; your dish may have moved due to wind; there may be water in connectors. Intermittent signals can also be caused by radar interference from passing ships, aircraft or even nearby car and motorcycle ignition systems. If this is the case, consult your satellite installer for advice on getting a waveguide filter fitted to your dish.

Cable viewers: First check that your decoder box is not overheating. Make sure there is good flow of cool air around your decoder and it is not above something hot. Otherwise contact your service provider for assistance and if the problem persists, contact us.

SMATV viewers: If you watch Australia Network via your building's TV system (SMATV), contact your building's agent for assistance.

Hide Answer

Q: I've lost the signal completely. How do I get it back?
Show Answer

Satellite viewers: Check your satellite dish has not moved or been damaged. You may need to re-point your dish or repair it if it has been affected by wind or water. You will also need to make sure nothing is blocking the path to your dish from the satellite. Any obstacles like buildings, trees, hills or mountains will block the signal if they are in the "line-of-sight" path from the satellite. The Satellite Reception Tips section below has further advice.

Cable viewers: Contact your service provider for assistance. If the problem persists, please contact us.

SMATV viewers: If you watch Australia Network via your building's TV system (SMATV) contact your building's agent for assistance.

Hide Answer

Q: What can I do if the sound and picture are out of sync?
Show Answer

This is usually caused by a fault with your decoder box. Simply changing channels can often solve problems temporarily. Switch to another channel, then back to Australia Network. You can also try switching the decoder off at the wall power socket, waiting for 30 seconds and then switching it back on. If the problem persists you may need to replace your decoder.

Satellite viewers: Talk to your satellite installer about getting another brand satellite decoder or upgrading the one you have.

Cable viewers: Contact your service provider for assistance. If the problem persists, please contact us.

SMATV viewers: If you watch Australia Network via your building's TV system (SMATV), contact your building's agent for assistance.

Hide Answer

Q: We receive your service via satellite but we only see a black and white picture. The sound is fine and my other satellite channels are fine, what's wrong?
Show Answer

Satellite viewers: It's possible that your TV (or another part of your system such as the VCR) may be NTSC only or set to the wrong video standard. Our service is transmitted in the Australian "PAL B/G" TV standard. Look in the menus of your equipment for this setting. Otherwise, your TV or other equipment may have a fault relating to colour - you would need to get advice on this from your local TV repairer.

Cable viewers: Contact your service provider for assistance. If the problem persists, please contact us.

SMATV viewers: If you watch Australia Network via your building's TV system (SMATV), contact your building's agent for assistance.

Hide Answer

Q: We are moving to a different part of Asia. Can we use our existing direct to home dish and decoder to watch your service or do we have to buy/rent from another distributor?
Show Answer

If you own your equipment, you should be able to continue to use your current dish and decoder but it depends on where you are. Select your location from our How to Watch page to determine the best satellite option. Our satellite reception section contains information on settings and suggested dish sizes. In much of Asia, a C-Band dish of 2.0m diameter should be adequate, however, the strength of the satellite signal affects dish size so you may need a larger dish.

Please be aware that some countries have restrictions on the importation of satellite reception equipment.

If you need to buy your own decoder, we suggest the Humax brand decoder (model F1-ACE) or similar. Our signal is provided free to air in C-band across Asia. No smartcard or conditional access card is needed.

You may also want to investigate receiving Australia Network via your local rebroadcaster. You can find the one nearest you by selecting your area from the drop down list on our How to Watch page.

Hide Answer

Q: I should be able to receive your TV station from the IS-8 satellite, however, I am having trouble tuning in. Can you help?
Show Answer

First check the settings in your decoder. Satellite reception details for IS-8 (and IS-5) can be found here.

To work out which way to point your dish, visit the Intelsat site. Select IS-8, (or IS-5 if you are in the Pacific) select the nearest location to you and click "calculate". Remember to allow for the difference between true north and magnetic north in your area.

You will also need to make sure nothing is blocking the path to your dish from the satellite. Any obstacles like buildings, trees, hills or mountains will block the signal if they are in the "line-of-sight" path from the satellite. You may need to mount the dish in another location or on top of a building to receive the signal clearly.

Hide Answer

Q: What are the settings for receiving Australia Network? I'm using a computer-based receiver and am trying to tune to the IS-8 satellite.
Show Answer

The key parameters for our IS-8 signal are:
Frequency Band: C-band
Downlink Frequency: 3829Mhz
Symbol Rate: 13238
FEC: 3/4
The Symbol Rate in Kb/s should be set to 13238
The LNB Freq Mhz should be set to the "Low" or "5150" value
The Frequency in Khz input should be set to 970000 kHz (=970 MHz)
If there is an inverted or normal selection, this should be set to inverted
If there is an FEC setting, set it to 3/4
If there is a LNB power setting, set it to on and 18V.

Your dish should also be correctly pointed at IS-8 (the exact angle is calculated on the Intelsat website at:
http://www.intelsat.com/resources/satellitedata-pas/calc-look-angle.asp).

If you are still having trouble, contact a local satellite installer or the equipment vendor for assistance.

Hide Answer

Q: During March or April and September or October my signal drops out for a few minutes each day. What's going on?
Show Answer

At these times of year, 'sun outages' affect the signals from the IS-8 and IS-5 satellites. This typically occurs in the morning and can only occur during the day. Other channels carried on these satellites will also be affected. Sun outages are a naturally occurring event caused when the sun passes behind the satellite.

Hide Answer

Satellite Reception Tips
Show Tips

Make sure the edge of your dish is smooth and does not wave up and down around the edge - the dish edge should be in a flat plane.
Make sure the dish mounting is strong and does not move when the wind blows.
Use a good quality low noise block converter (LNB) on the front of dish (we suggest the NORSAT brand).
Adjust the LNB polarization carefully (using the decoder install menu "signal quality" meter, rotate LNB to get the best reading).
Waterproof any outside cable connections.
Car and motorcycle ignition systems will interfere with the signal so try to avoid mounting the dish near roads.
Remember to allow for the difference between true north and magnetic north (from a compass) when pointing your dish.
If you use a splitter, be sure to check the DC passing ports do give power to the LNB.
Interference from telco microwave towers, ship, aircraft or military radar can cause problems. A waveguide filter before the LNB may be needed.

Your local satellite dish installer should be able to help you further.

Hide Tips