If this has deterred you from buying DVDs of your favourite classic UK series in the past (many of which are available only on Region 2 DVDs) you may be missing out needlessly – even if your DVD player’s instruction manual tells you that your machine is only capable of playing DVDs from a region other than Region 2.

You can find out more on our forum:

British Expat Forum: DVD player region codes – a nuisance but not a show-stopper

The Smurfs cartoon series was broadcast throughout the 1980s here in the UK. But in 1990 the Smurfs cartoons came to an end when Hanna-Barbera (the producers of the animated series) found their animation techniques were now outdated and The Smurfs could not compete with the newer cartoons arriving on the market.

Unless you were a regular traveller to Germany or other countries on the continent where the PVC Smurf figurines were, and still are, very popular you would probably assume that they were no longer produced. It was only with the advent of the internet and particularly eBay that many people rediscovered the Smurfs.

Smurf collecting is now a growing hobby worldwide. The PVC Smurf figurines were actually first introduced in Germany in 1965 with over 400 different figures having been produced so far. After taking into consideration different markings, colours and mould shapes there are actually thousands of different Smurfs to collect. New Smurf figures are still being produced; in fact there have only been two years (1998 and 1991) where no Smurfs were introduced. Every year, up until the year 2000, 100 different figurines were available, some newly introduced and some reproductions of older figures. This was reduced to 50 in 2001 due to the deterioration of older moulds.

With many other retro toys making a comeback it is only a matter of time for the Smurfs. New merchandise is already appearing in shops in the US, with rumours abounding of a new Smurf Movie. I don’t think we have seen the last of the Smurfs.

Help is at hand. There’s a multitude of English-language satellite programmes which are broadcast from a cluster of satellites hovering above the equator some 23,000 miles up in space. The cluster is located around 28° East of true South but the elevation above the horizon depends on how far south you live.

Now, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that these English-language programmes are beamed towards the UK. The good news is that you can receive at least some of them with quite a small dish, even as far away as the Canaries, Cyprus or Moscow.

The weakest signals, unfortunately, are those used by the BBC and ITV. To get an idea of the dish size you’ll need, take a look at the map on this page:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/2d/fprint.htm
This gives the approximate coverage of the satellite called “Astra 2D” which is currently used by both the BBC and ITV.

The other satellites have a slightly greater coverage:

For the most part, these coverage “footprints” are rather pessimistic – sometimes wildly so. So don’t believe them – seek advice from an expat neighbour who already has a system. There’s bound to be someone in your area willing to demonstrate his/her system and advise you.

The BBC programmes are currently NOT scrambled so you can watch them on almost any “free-to-air” digital satellite receiver, with prices as low as £80 for the most basic model. However, although the BBC programmes and many shopping channels, holiday channels, religious programmes etc. are not scrambled, the majority of English-language programmes are scrambled.

To watch the scrambled channels, including the many offerings from SKY, you’ll need a Sky Digibox and a viewing card. There is no other way.

There are two types of viewing card but both look identical and have “SKY” printed on them. They are dark blue with a yellow house outline. (Earlier pale blue cards are now useless).

To obtain a card you need a UK postcode address – and please note that buying a card automatically triggers a TV licence check on that address!

The first type of card is called a FTV (Free To View) card, although some mistakenly refer to it as “free-to-air”. (You don’t need a card for programmes like the BBC that are “free-to-air”). You can order a FTV card for £23.50 by phoning 08700 541800 in the UK and giving your UK address details.

The other type of card is the standard Sky Subscription card. If you already have a Sky Digibox you can phone BskyB and ask for “a second hand contract” which will be sent to your UK address. This can take up to FOUR WEEKS to arrive!

Note that using the card outside the UK is considered to be a breach of contract so, if BskyB find out, they’ll transmit a signal to disable your card.

Do I need a telephone connection?

No, you don’t need this outside the UK. The only time the phone connection is required is when you’ve acquired a Sky system with discount by signing the B.I.B. contract in addition to the Sky contract OR if you’ve subscribed to Sky for a “mirror” card. It’s assumed that most expats will buy a new or used Sky Digibox and will use it with an FTV card (no contract) or with a “second hand contract”, in which case there’s no worries about a phone connection.

Which Sky Digibox shall I buy?

For fringe area reception, the all-time favourite is the Panasonic TU-DSB30 model. But this is obsolete so it’s available second-hand only. It’s reasonably reliable provided that you keep it very cool. If in doubt, fit a fan AND keep it cool! This applies equally to ALL electronic equipment. It doesn’t like to be pizzafied.

For a new Sky Digibox, the best choice for weak signal areas is the Pace BSKYB2600 which will shortly be renamed the Pace DS430N. If you want a really tiny, portable version, then you can’t beat the Pace “Javelin” minibox. This is effectively a shrunken BSKYB2600 with only one Scart socket and one RF output socket. It has an external 12 volt power supply (which itself isn’t very reliable but at least it’s easy to replace). The minibox can also be powered from a 12 volt battery, which is great for power cuts (if you have a 12V TV set) and for camping, caravanning or even boats.

However, at the time of writing, the “Javelin” minibox is already in short supply so buy now!

What size dish do I need?

That depends on your location and what you want to watch. Check with other expats near to you. If you duplicate what they use then you should get the same reception. Also note that the “signal collector” or “LNB” on the dish arm is critical in weak signal areas. Tests indicate that the best LNB for dishes up to 1.5m diameter is the Manhattan MTI 0.6dB but the best LNB for larger dishes is the “Invacom 0.3dB twin-output” or “quad-output” version. (For some reason, the single-output version doesn’t work as well.)

Alignment of the dish on that cluster of satellites 23,000 miles away is critical to success. Just one degree error will lose the signals. You can use a purpose-built satellite signal meter (satmeter) to locate the signal then make the final adjustment of dish and LNB by looking at the Digibox on-screen signal display. This usually means taking the Sky Digibox and a portable TV outside so wait for a dry day.

Where can I buy everything I need?

Because of its size, it’s usually more convenient and cheaper to buy the dish locally. But you can buy everything else by mail-order. Bear in mind that there may be import duty and tax to pay. But the Pace “Javelin” can be carried in a briefcase.

SatCure has everything you’ll need in its on-line catalogue. There’s also lots of free information and, if that’s not enough, you can buy eBooks from SatCure to help your understanding. Be sure to download a FREE copy of “Understanding Sky Digital TV” from the SatCure web site.

Su exudes an infectious energy that keeps her constantly moving. In fact, she finds it extremely hard to keep still. Her hands gesticulate as she talks, seemingly conducting the chinking coming from the plethora of faux diamond necklaces, cascading down her chest. It’s a warm day, she’s wearing shorts and a plain white t-shirt, marguerite rimmed glasses and dangling diamond clusters from her ears. Strangely it’s only her odd socks that look out of place as she puts the kettle on in her North London home.

“I’ve always liked things like this,” she says tugging at her necklace, “and I mean this is just to wear round the house!”

“When I went to the interview for Peggy, I saw Jimmy Perry at his house in Westminster. He answered the door and said, “No thank you!” He must have thought, good god, who the bloody hell is this. I thought I looked fabulous but I must have looked a right sight; covered in patchouli oil, scarves tied round my wrists because I liked all that at the time and a bowler hat with a feather in it. That’s quite imaginative I suppose. I just have an eye for the bizarre. Even if it doesn’t look fabulous, I don’t care.”

Su is inevitably remembered as dithery chalet maid “Peggy” from the 1980s sit-com Hi De Hi!, but the show which ran for 58 episodes represents but a fraction of her thirty year career. Since it ended in 1988 she’s recorded two albums, written a book, made a video, toured with her one-woman show and starred in countless theatre productions up and down the country.

“I’m definitely a perfectionist. I always think if you can get 100% that’s fabulous, but you must try for 110. I do like to prepare though, preparation is everything,” she says, waving her hand towards an extensively tagged script.

For the past month Su has been in Lincoln starring as the wicked queen in the pantomime Snow White, just one of many theatres she has performed in over the last year playing “Miss Hannigan” in Annie and Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance. In many respects Su prefers the theatre to television; there’s more freedom, it’s a work in progress and offers the chance to improve on previous performances. There has been talk of her returning to our screens but she’s turned down numerous sit-coms because she feels the scripts aren’t up to scratch.

“I just like to do what I feel is a good vehicle, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a star vehicle but it’s got to be good work. I don’t like doing rubbish. I still get offered things I did thirty years ago and I think, I’ve been there, done that, what satisfaction am I going to get?”

Now 53 but looking much younger, Su takes care of herself by skipping and taking vitamins although this doesn’t entirely account for her boundless energy.

“I’ve been dead lucky. I’ve always had a zest for life simply because I’ve always lived for the now. It’s no good getting excited about something that’s happening in November if it’s only August. I’ve got to enjoy every single day I have because they don’t come again.”

Su is equally unequivocal when it comes to her personal philosophies.

“Work hard, play hard in equal measures and be responsible for yourself. If you feel you’ve done everything that you could for yourself in your own life, you’re doing a good job, but you do have to establish some sort of route or growth with yourself otherwise you just dither. If you don’t stretch yourself you don’t know how you will tackle things. You don’t know your own strength or what you’re capable of.”

Su hasn’t any children but she’s never regretted her decision. “Absolutely not; drive me nuts! I know people say you can have it all if you plan, but being a mother is a full-time job. You’ve got to give that child all the support and security and let’s face it, if you have a funny childhood, you’re stuffed up. So many people are dysfunctional. I didn’t want that sort of responsibility, I wanted a career. I don’t think its being selfish, I’m just trying to realise my potential with the talent I’ve been given. Let’s face it, more and more people get divorced and then what happens to the kids? Too hard, I think, no thank you. I baby-sit for anybody anytime because I enjoy that, but that’s all the involvement I want.”

Unsurprisingly, Su’s life has been full of capers. Her stage debut in a school nativity play saw her fall through the box she was standing on as she announced the arrival of Angel Gabriel. She came second to a singing Jack Russell in her first television appearance on Opportunity Knocks and her ex-husband, Peter Keogh proposed to her whilst she was dressed as an insect, filming an episode of Hi De Hi.

“When he asked me to marry him I said, “Don’t be so ridiculous!” Then I had to go straight on, dressed as a centipede, banging a pair of bongos. I came back and said, “What did you say?” It was weird, but it was great. Bless, I thought, that’s a funny proposal. I’m glad I got married. It’s one of those things isn’t it, sometimes they last, sometimes they don’t.”

Su hasn’t had much luck with men. “I’m hopeless, hopeless, hopeless at choosing blokes. I always have been. Suddenly I think to myself, what am I doing with him, this is ridiculous. So I’ve decided to give myself a break and maybe I’ll suddenly meet somebody marvellous. I don’t seem to have met anybody I feel is equal enough, in terms of liking the same things. It’s very difficult to meet somebody unless they’re an actor and I’ve never gone out with actors. Their egos are right out here, but at the moment it’s nice not to have any involvement that takes me away from my focus, especially when I’m touring.”

“I’ve been very unfortunate with the chaps I’ve met. Sadly, two of them have kissed and told which I can’t bear. I just hate that, so I think I’ve got to be really careful, but you’ll be the first to know if I get ensconced in a romance. I might stick it on my website and say hey, guess what guys! Mind you, I might not. I might just keep him under wraps.”