Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

PrimoTurbo · 2010-03-07 04:19:58

My former TV (Look TV) provider has closed and now I am stuck with 3 RCA LookTV Satellite Receivers (TRD04M3C).
Is there anything interesting/useful I can do with these receiver? Are there any components in them that can be useful for tech related projects?
Not my picture.

I wish I could put linux on it

Peasantoid · 2010-03-07 04:23:08

Well you could always break the thing down into components and then store those for later use. (I find coaxial cable connectors are useful for many things.) Then turn the case into a fish tank or something.

Also you can make a shock generator with a transformer and some creativity. Note that I don't recommend this as it can a) start fires, b) remove the hair from your body (see (a)), c) kill you, and d) earn you a reputation as the transformer-carrying maniac.

** Well actually I do recommend it, because it's awesome. Go right ahead.

Last edited by Peasantoid (2010-03-07 04:26:02)

PrimoTurbo · 2010-03-07 04:31:55

some good ideas, thanks for the quick reply. Anyone else have any practical applications?

brianhanna · 2010-03-07 13:02:31

Use the dish to make a wireless antenna. Apparently you can get 30db gain if you build it right.

MikeT · 2010-03-07 16:00:34

Here in the UK you can attach a motorised dish and pick up all sorts of free to air channels from around Europe by changing the dish alignment.

PrimoTurbo · 2010-03-07 16:49:17

It's not a dish it's a receiver box.

PrimoTurbo · 2010-03-08 01:05:43

I took one of the units apart to see what was inside, not finding anything useful in particular. The processor appears to be a IBM PowerPC 403GB - PPC403GB

Here are some pictures.

Any idea what the white expansion slot might be used for? In the right/mid top area.

This is the unit for the buttons from the front panel, has a red/green LED on it.

Anyone has any ideas for any uses any of the components may have?

Peasantoid · 2010-03-08 01:22:25

Ahh but there is a big transformer and a giant capacitor. Like I said you can make cool sparks with those.

Really the only thing you can do with assembled circuitry is cannibalize it. I would just strip out anything that isn't a chip (though there might be a few 555 timer ICs you can use later). Can't think of practical applications though.

** Might be able to use the case as a computer enclosure, if you insulate it or at least keep sensitive leads from touching.
** Or you could hack up a PPC machine out of the processor, if you like masochism.

Last edited by Peasantoid (2010-03-08 01:26:32)

brianhanna · 2010-03-08 03:15:04

Sorry, I assumed you had a dish or 3 that came along with them.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-03-07 04:19:58

Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#2 2010-03-07 04:23:08

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#3 2010-03-07 04:31:55

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#4 2010-03-07 13:02:31

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#5 2010-03-07 16:00:34

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#6 2010-03-07 16:49:17

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#7 2010-03-08 01:05:43

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#8 2010-03-08 01:22:25

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

#9 2010-03-08 03:15:04

Re: Any uses for old tv satellite receivers?

Board footer