well ive done it,got my dm500s working,flashed with new image and got it reading my sky card.and lo and behold all the channels i subscribe to are there.even managed to stream to my laptop and watch using vlc.its only taken me a week.big big thanks to all, because all the info i needed was here.just took a bit of searching.so before i jump right in and upgrade to a motorised dish set up was wondering are there any other channels i could scan for using a normal fixed sky dish,just want to practice and have a play.i am at the stage of a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.this hobby is very addictive.cheers to one and all.