sky gnome is now in Ireland

god's toy

Just seen an ad on paramount comedy 1 for it. (who show Irish ads)

Is it worth getting or just a gimmick? anyone got one on Boards.ie?



Always bugs me that we are left so far behind the UK with everything in Sky.

philologos

sorry for my ignorance but what is Sky Gnome

DMC

http://www1.sky.com/skygnome/ ftw

dohouch

Probably corrected by now.

They wern't capable of working with the new EPG 4 digit numbers for
radio channels. So you could hear the TV channels but not BBC 4, i.e. 0104, etc

DMC

god's toy wrote:

Just seen an ad on paramount comedy 1 for it. (who show Irish ads)

Is it worth getting or just a gimmick? anyone got one on Boards.ie?

Always bugs me that we are left so far behind the UK with everything in Sky.

Time for a fuller reply.

I know of some people in the UK having them, and they quite like them. I like the idea myself, even now, I keep forgetting to tune into the Sky box to listen to the BBC radio, I seem to always go on the net still, and I still think a wireless should be still a wireless. That bug has been overcome, but they took their time.

The major drawback for Irish customers is that this device would not be capable of relaying BBC Radio, as it is not on the Irish EPG, like BBC THREE and Cbeebies on a normal Sky box. As far as I can see, it has no "other channels" function.

I see it has come down to below £60 in the UK, that would equate to ~€90 if it does go on the market, albeit, yours is the first noticing of it.

givecredit

I saw a review of the Gnome on the Gadget Show on Ch5 recently. Basically their advise was to advoid at all costs. Poorly made, poor sound. and expensive for what you get.
I would recommend a wireless sender or a second free to air sat box connected to your av system.
Last weekend i had my small Radio/cd player in back garden hooked up to Wireless sender by aux inputs playing music from the sky radio channels. Worked a treat!!

dub45

Slightly away from the main topic but dont forget that the main bbc radio channels are available on ntl cable. Most people seem unaware of this even though they have been for years.

http://www.ntl.com/locales/ie/en/athome/frequency.html

god's toy

I was thinking as much... still it's kinda cute, NOT!


Thanks for feedback everyone.

watty

A video sender's receiver will drive walk man headphones and can run of a batttery pack. Even has remote control.. You could even optionally connect a 6" LCD TV?

lawhec

The Sky Gnome is basically a small wireless unit which has the advantage of allowing you to change channels via the unit. The speakers themselves are oddly postitioned & the sound itself it alright but nothing to write home about.

An alternative would be to use an 863MHz wireless link. If you're happy enough with just headphones you could get such a system for around €30-40 by looking in the right places, while if you actually want speakers it'll cost a bit more. You'll get stereo (FM) sound whose fidelity is only limited by how good the equiptment is. For changing channels, if you're in a room where a Sky remote eye is already in place, you can of course use that. Otherwise you'll need some sort of wireless, non-infrared (2.4GHz?) remote control. The only thing missing would be Station ID and EPG data, but most people could live without this.

A suggestion could be made to use a VHF Band II transmitter (think iTrip) which is not really legal so I won't go any further about how to set up or obtain one, only to say that if you did, and you kept the range of the transmitter to no further than you house or land, then you are highly unlikely to get into any trouble. However don't say I didn't warn you!:cool:

magnumlady

Just been thinking about getting one of these but I don't think it will do what I want it too.
I would like to have Planet Rock through the gnome but not have to change the Sky box to Planet Rock.
Does anyone know if this is possible or do you have to have the gnome on the same channel as the box, from what I've read thats what it sounds like.
If this is the case has anyone got any other ideas? I don't really want to be added another LNB or to have another sky box.
I wish we had DAB over here.

Mossy Monk

magnumlady wrote:

do you have to have the gnome on the same channel as the box

yes

watty

If you want a different channel get a Quad LNB and a smal FTA satellite reciever.

You can add a FTA receiver on HiFi in another room if you already have a Quad LNB.

It really seems expensive. What's the range of Wireless Loudspeakers or Wirless headphones.

A Video sender will drive personal player headphones etc. I've used a minature video sender with Sky remote and a 5" LCD TV too.

lawhec

It really seems expensive. What's the range of Wireless Loudspeakers or Wirless headphones.

The set of wireless headphones I have, have a rough range of some 50-60 metres stereo reception on 863MHz with a maximum 10mW ERP. They cover my house more than enough for the purpouse.

watty

I think that might be more attractive than the Gnome. and extra €70 FTA receiver for hifi in another room.