oyster satellite system

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 03:02

ThreadID: 123989 Views:4562 Replies:2 FollowUps:2

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Sandy & Steve

Has anybody had a problem getting their Austar card to work in the Oyster Satellite system. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Upon putting our card into the system we get the error message - please insert valid card. Our card was working fine.

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Reply By: Summer Breeze - Saturday, Sep 01, 2007 at 19:21

Saturday, Sep 01, 2007 at 19:21

Sandy & Steve,
I also have an Oyster system and we are Austar Didgtal subscribers. It is my understanding that an Austar card does not work in the Oyster card reader/decoder box.
I spoke to the Oyster people before I bought the system and was given the impression that I could use my Austar card with it. After I had the system installed in the van and like yourselves, couldn't get it to work I enquired what I was doing wrong. They indicated that it was probably because I was an Austar Digital customer.and they said that the two were not compatable. The person that I spoke to also said that they were investigating importing a different card reader/decoder box that would be compatible.This all took place about 7-8 months ago and I haven't pursued it since then mostly because I was very disappointed with the initial outcome. Obviously, like yourselves, I would really like to be able to use Austar while we travel, especially since while we are travelling we are paying for it but not using it in our home. In every other way I love the satellite dish and it works a treat with the Optus card and we access Imparja and Southern Cross but it doesn't change the fact that I had expected it work with Austar.
Like yourselves I would also like anyone else to provide some feedback on this.

AnswerID: 572786

Follow Up By: Sandy & Steve - Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 02:25

Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 02:25

Summer Breeze

We got onto Smartsat and they advised that we needed a different decoder for the Austar to work. We have now installed this and the Austar system is working fine. Have 2 decoders - one for the oyster and one for the austar. We are not subscribed to austar digital and this may be the difference. Good luck with it.

FollowupID: 848500

Follow Up By: Summer Breeze - Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 17:48

Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 17:48

Sandy & Steve

Thanks for that. I'll give Smart Sat a call early next week and discuss it with them. Hopefully a second decoder will also solve my problem inspite of the Austar Digital thing. May I ask two other questions? Do you also use an Optus Smart Card for access to Southern Cross and Imparja? Did they charge you for the second decoder (most likely) about how much?

FollowupID: 848501