To HD or not HD....

F@ces

Lets look at the following hypothetical situation. Here are some facts relating to this person:

a). Said person lives in a new duplex within a FTTH (fibre to the home) area.
b). Property is a 2nd and 3rd floor one. 3rd floor is top of the building, on which there is a balcony, with a wall surround (not glass).
c). Said person has just purchased a True HD LCD TV and would dearly like to get HD TV and good broadband (phone use not important).

Firstly, this person has thought of going with Sky HD, as expensive as it is. However, the rules of the development state no dishes allowed on any property. However, it is believed by this person that if he/she places the sky dish on the upper level balcony, down low towards the balcony floor, no one should be able to see it (this person is very concious of putting one up and it's visibility annoying the neighbours, not to mention the cost in having to take it down if the management company spotted it).

So Is it worth it (with the risk someone might (however unlikely) spot it and the management company being notified) and if so, would a Sky engineer install a dish like this?

Secondly, if the above it possible, then what about broadband. Sky don't do broadband, and NTL and Magnet do not do this on it's own (?!). Is it worth his or hers while still going with Magnets intro offer (i.e. 2 months free, €30 a month after - TV, 4Mgs BB and Phone) even tho he/she won't use the magnet TV (or maybe even the phone)? Or is there any other option for BB (wireless wouldn't be great - would it? And a waste in an FTTH area?)?

So what about broadband if he/she does go with Sky?

Shouldn't this NOT be so difficult?!

I realise that it may be difficult to answer the above, but even a "what I'd do" response would be appreciated

Thanx in advance....

F.

mossym

is the balcony even pointing the right way for the dish? if you're going to mount it that low you've less than a 25% chance that it is

F@ces

mossym wrote:

is the balcony even pointing the right way for the dish? if you're going to mount it that low you've less than a 25% chance that it is

Indeed, a far point, I have no idea. I suppose that's why I'd need a Sky engineer to have a look (if they even do call-outs to assess such things?).

Basically, it looks overall then that it is pretty much impossible to get Sky HD and broadband in an apartment/duplex in Dublin. Pretty much amazing that :eek:

I suppose it's NTL or Magnet then until either decide to provide a HD service, which presumably is decades away

Welcome to the 21st century indeed

Tony

Its not impossible at all, main problem is the builder/developer did not plan ahead for access to satellite services, if anyone is to blame for this problem its them.

F@ces

Tony wrote:

Its not impossible at all, main problem is the builder/developer did not plan ahead for access to satellite services, if anyone is to blame for this problem its them.

I suppose. I'm not really posting blame though. In a way it's sorta irrelevant. Just kindof annoying how difficult it is in this country to attain these services, whether it be the providers or builders that are preventing this is another thing.

Appreciate the reply tho - thanx

byte

What direction does your balcony face?

Tony

I can understand your frustration

F@ces wrote:

I suppose. I'm not really posting blame though. In a way it's sorta irrelevant. Just kindof annoying how difficult it is in this country to attain these services, whether it be the providers or builders that are preventing this is another thing.

Appreciate the reply tho - thanx

F@ces

byte wrote:

What direction does your balcony face?

Hi byte. I believe it is facing south.

Tony

F@ces wrote:

Hi byte. I believe it is facing south.

Can you hide the dish from view on the balcony as you are facing the right direction.

Pal

buy a clear transparent dish

F@ces

Tony wrote:

Can you hide the dish from view on the balcony as you are facing the right direction.

Kindof Tony. Basically the balcony is on the 3rd floor (top level) and doesn not have a building close by overlooking onto it (besides next door). There is a wall surround on the balcony, so if I placed the dish slightly below the level of the wall surround (if u know what I mean), then the dish should not be visible to anyone except our next door neighbours. But I could place a plant to that side of it to shield it from them also! Hope that makes sense.

Pal wrote:

buy a clear transparent dish

Seriously - is this possible or are ya yankin my chain

If so I doubt Sky would provide one - would they (I've seen dishes that look like wall lights etc - but all this doesn't matter if Sky don't provide them?)?

Tony

Steer clear of sky, get a sky independent agent to do it. You can buy a clear dish also as pal says

F@ces wrote:

Kindof Tony. Basically the balcony is on the 3rd floor (top level) and doesn not have a building close by overlooking onto it (besides next door). There is a wall surround on the balcony, so if I placed the dish slightly below the level of the wall surround (if u know what I mean), then the dish should not be visible to anyone except our next door neighbours. But I could place a plant to that side of it to shield it from them also! Hope that makes sense.



Seriously - is this possible or are ya yankin my chain

If so I doubt Sky would provide one - would they (I've seen dishes that look like wall lights etc - but all this doesn't matter if Sky don't provide them?)?

F@ces

Tony wrote:

Steer clear of sky, get a sky independent agent to do it. You can buy a clear dish also as pal says

Thanx Tony.

Can anyone recommend a company / person. I'm not asking for anyone to post a persons direct contact details here (which would be wrong) - only a company name or to PM me details.

Cheers

Aquos76

Maybe I am speaking out of turn here, but if you are in Dublin, you could check out www.satellite.ie The owner, is a popular poster here on Boards;)

I have found him most helpful, anytime I had dealing with him in the past.

F@ces

Aquos76 wrote:

Maybe I am speaking out of turn here, but if you are in Dublin, you could check out www.satellite.ie The owner, is a popular poster here on Boards;)

I have found him most helpful, anytime I had dealing with him in the past.

Thanx very much, will check them out and see if they can have a look at it for me.

johnwilliam1

hi

have you ever considered have something like a 60cm dish inside the window? on a stand, i have a spare bedroom where i have a 1.1mtr dish that gets astra 1 and the hotbird

thos

Get a DigiGlobe - http://www.susat.co.uk/su6110503.php

I'm on a 2nd floor apartment, south facing balcony, and have put one of these on the wall, receiving SkyHD. There are 2 apartments in my complex both using these, and not a word from the management company.

Also, I've been onto Digiweb about their Metro wireless broadband service, and while it needs an external antenna, is quite a small device which can be wall mounted. So if your in the right area you could be in luck. Your other options are Clearwire, and probably a few others.

Pal

No I'm not yanking your chain.
Clear dish. Do a google. they are cheap enough.
This one is £59 from satellitesuperstore

You can also buy a dish that is disguised as a rock !

Aquos76

Pal wrote:

Clear dish. Do a google. they are cheap enough.

And does she come with the Dish pal:D

Pal

thos wrote:

Get a DigiGlobe - http://www.susat.co.uk/su6110503.php

I'm on a 2nd floor apartment, south facing balcony, and have put one of these on the wall, receiving SkyHD. There are 2 apartments in my complex both using these, and not a word from the management company.

Also, I've been onto Digiweb about their Metro wireless broadband service, and while it needs an external antenna, is quite a small device which can be wall mounted. So if your in the right area you could be in luck. Your other options are Clearwire, and probably a few others.

Now that's clever !

Pal

Aquos76 wrote:

And does she come with the Dish pal:D

thats another £50

F@ces

johnwilliam1 wrote:

hi

have you ever considered have something like a 60cm dish inside the window? on a stand, i have a spare bedroom where i have a 1.1mtr dish that gets astra 1 and the hotbird

Thanx for the suggestion johnwilliam1. I haven't considered that. But while I might, I am almost completely certain the missus would frown upon it

thos wrote:

Get a DigiGlobe - http://www.susat.co.uk/su6110503.php

Very very clever! I wonder if satellite.ie do these?

Pal wrote:

No I'm not yanking your chain.

So I see That said - it is still "visible". lol @ the picture. No matter what ur trying to sell, put a pretty blonde girl with big, um, personality(s) in front of it and it's sure to grab attention

Tony

F@ces wrote:

Very very clever! I wonder if satellite.ie do these?

Dont think they do Because of the dish size the globe does not work 100% of the time in ireland

thos

Tony wrote:

Dont think they do Because of the dish size the globe does not work 100% of the time in ireland

It doesnt get all channels alright, but no problems with all the mainstream stuff. So you dont the likes of Challenge+1, Raj TV, Motors TV, some of the filth doesnt come through, but all the Sky & HD stuff is fine, and it doesnt cause me a problem on a day-to-day basis.

Tony

thos wrote:

It doesnt get all channels alright, but no problems with all the mainstream stuff. So you dont the likes of Challenge+1, Raj TV, Motors TV, some of the filth doesnt come through, but all the Sky & HD stuff is fine, and it doesnt cause me a problem on a day-to-day basis.

Of course you are right i should have clarified by saying it does not work on all channels.

watty

A big dish with a plastic sheet over it and painted to look like anything from a polar bear to a rock...

TCollins

You could bolt a pole on to your balcony and out the dish on this.
The management company are most likely only concerned about dishes on the walls. If its inside the boundary of your balcony i think youll be ok. If you can see the sun at about 11am form your balcony then you can get sky.

thos

TCollins wrote:

You could bolt a pole on to your balcony and out the dish on this.
The management company are most likely only concerned about dishes on the walls.

The Mgmt Co's are usually more concerned about the aesthetics and not the logistics of a satellite dish.

zod

make it look like a plant !