Satellite/Flames/3rd world country TV thread - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Tron_fdc · 04-21-2006, 03:22 PM

So here's the deal....I leave on Wednesday for Costa Rica, and am wondering WTF I can do to watch Flames games when I'm there. I have a satellite radio that will be making the trip, and I assume it will work down there(?) but I'd much rather try to get it on TV.

Anyone know if I can bring my expressvu card with me, and plug that into a random receiver and re-point the dish? Can I even GET a signal that far down south? I'm contemplating bringing my entire reciever along, and commandeering a dish and TV (there will be 50 of us all from Calgary so strong arm tactics won't be a problem) but I don't know what's going to happen if I pack it in my suitcase. Will the games be on OLN? I'll watch a webcast if I have to.....which may include hacking someones satellite internet (I know there's one at the hotel I'm staying at

) but whatever. I'll risk jail in this instance.

Any ideas ANYONE? The last thing I want to do is miss out on games....

MolsonInBothHands · 04-21-2006, 03:27 PM

There is apparently a box you can attach to your TV at home and to your internet connection that will stream television to you via the web. Around $300 bucks I think. If there is web access where you are going, you could watch on a laptop. A guy I know in Spain is supposedly using one, and is happy with the results.

I am no expert, but *IF* there is signal from bell down there, taking the card will not do. You have to take the card and the reciever, since the card is married to the reciever.

Tron_fdc · 04-21-2006, 03:33 PM

Yeah it's a slingbox. In true fashion, I've left it to the last minute though. not enough time!!!!!

ken0042 · 04-21-2006, 03:56 PM

Bell's satellites footprints only extend through the States. Some people in southern states even have problems.

So even taking your dish and receiver won't work.

And also your card is "married" to your receiver; if you brought it over to my house it wouldn't work either.

Tron_fdc · 04-21-2006, 04:27 PM

FEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

Well that sucks. I know there's some dingy sportsbar that gets NFL games there.....hopefully an American broadcaster is showing the game as well. Anyone know what US network would carry it? Is it OLN or Comcast? Or are those the same thing?

BlackArcher101 · 04-21-2006, 07:02 PM

I don't believe satellite radio works there either... aren't the satellites stationary over USA and Canada?

ken0042 · 04-22-2006, 12:18 AM

On satellite radio I'm not 100% sure; but my guess would be that XM would be your best bet. XM's satellites are in geosynchronous orbits; meaning from Earth they are always in the same place in the sky. So they orbit around the equator; on over the Atlantic and the other over the Pacific.

Sirius has 3 birds; and they appear from Earth to do a figure 8 over the Americas. While this may sound good in theory; I know that they turn off as they head south over Mexico, and turn back on heading North.

For footprints for US satellite; you may also be out of luck. Best place to double check for that would be satelliteguys.us

But I know I've read threads where people can't get Dish or Direct in parts of Mexico.

The reason for the footprints is two fold. The first; these satellites are only putting out a couple of hundred watts of power. If they focus the beam to a certain area they can provide better service. I know with Nimiq 1 when they re-aimed it towards Canada and people in Texas were left crying, I ended up with a signal that would survive a hailstorm. (For those in the know; please note I'm not talking about the Nimiq 3 activation a while ago.)

Edit- found a copy of the gif that shows how the satellite radios move. Don't look at it if you are drunk:
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3...ritrack6tg.gif

Tron_fdc · 04-22-2006, 09:58 AM

Interesting to know. I'm assuming that even though the Sirius satellites run across the Americas, they shut off as soon as they hit Mexico?

Well that sucks now doesn't it!!

Bill Bumface · 04-22-2006, 11:40 AM

Anyone have any good ideas for catching games in Playa del Carmen or Cancun? I'm leaving next Saturday

kootenayguy9 · 04-23-2006, 10:25 AM

When I was on my honeymoon in 2004 I was able to watch the Flames/Canucks game in Puerto Vallarta with a whole bunch of Flames fans.

Bobblehead · 04-23-2006, 12:36 PM

I'm headed to the Mayan Riviera in a week. There is supposed to be Sat TV at the resort, but no details so while I'm sure I can see hi-lights, I don't know if I will catch any games.

kootenayguy9 · 04-23-2006, 12:43 PM

I forgot to mention I was in Costa Rica during the Olympics and was able to watch Hockey on NBC. OLN was not on their TV guide though.

Deelow · 04-23-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kootenayguy9

When I was on my honeymoon in 2004 I was able to watch the Flames/Canucks game in Puerto Vallarta with a whole bunch of Flames fans.

There's a bar in Puerto Vallarta called "The No Name Bar and Grill". It's owned by a Calgary guy. They have loads of hockey on there. They also run BEV. We were watching a a bunch of Sportsnet coverage. I have no idea how big his dish was.

FireFly · 04-23-2006, 04:40 PM

If you plan a vacation durning the playoffs, you deserve to miss games.... (I go on holidays during the SCFs... good thing I didn't book any flights!)

Tron_fdc · 04-23-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

If you plan a vacation durning the playoffs, you deserve to miss games.... (I go on holidays during the SCFs... good thing I didn't book any flights!)

NO TICKETS FOR YOU!!!!

FireFly · 04-23-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

NO TICKETS FOR YOU!!!!

It was a joke luv!

mykalberta · 04-24-2006, 02:27 PM

you could always just listen to the game streamed online, no video but its better than nothing

MYK

Bill Bumface · 04-24-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

If you plan a vacation durning the playoffs, you deserve to miss games.... (I go on holidays during the SCFs... good thing I didn't book any flights!)

You're right, I should tell my friend I'm not going to his wedding anymore.

FireFly · 04-24-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

You're right, I should tell my friend I'm not going to his wedding anymore.

You're right. I should also not be a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding. You just can't take a damn joke, can you?

habernac · 04-24-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

You're right, I should tell my friend I'm not going to his wedding anymore.

here's a quarter, hulk. go buy yourself a sense of humour.