Noob UPC digital tv questions!

My elderly parents have had UPC analogue for years and years. However these days the picture has lots of interference. I've been trying to get them to switch to digital. However I think they want to wait until they absolutely have to change. When is this? I think it's 2012 so does that mean UPC analogue will be gone this time next year?

They're also worried about how much mess and disruption would be involved. As I said we already have analogue but we'd like to watch in another room.

paulm17781

You can get 1 digital box for now and keep the other room analogue. The cheapest digital package is cheaper than analogue. It takes approximately 5 minutes to install so there would be no "how much mess and disruption".

paulm17781

paulm17781 wrote: »

You can get 1 digital box for now and keep the other room analogue. The cheapest digital package is cheaper than analogue. It takes approximately 5 minutes to install so there would be no "how much mess and disruption".

One room digital and one room analogue? That's possible? Would we have to pay twice? I mean for both services? At the moment we have a things a little naughty in that we're watching the analogue on two tvs in two different rooms. Not quite sure where we stand ethically/legally with that but if we can get the dvr for the main room, the sitting room, and keep the analogue on the crappy kitchen tv then I'd be delighted!

Thanks for the reply ...I felt a little silly posting!

who is this

To answer your question, yes counterintuitive as it seems, when you get the cheapest digital, you continue to get the same analogue service, even though you're paying less.

And the engineers never care about doubled analogue signals.

paulm17781

Deleted User wrote: »

One room digital and one room analogue? That's possible? Would we have to pay twice? I mean for both services? At the moment we have a things a little naughty in that we're watching the analogue on two tvs in two different rooms. Not quite sure where we stand ethically/legally with that but if we can get the dvr for the main room, the sitting room, and keep the analogue on the crappy kitchen tv then I'd be delighted!

Yes, exactly that. It is a push to move people to digital. Eventually they will switch of analogue and it will stop working but currently they are both sent down the same cable.

No, you won't have to pay twice. You pay for the service to be delivered to your house.

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks for the reply ...I felt a little silly posting!

There's no such thing as a stupid question.

So would I be able to order the digital box and pay the lesser monthly charge for it and then if I don't like it simply unhook the box and have the analogue in both rooms and still be paying for the digital service?

I ask because my parents are going away for a month in the summer and I could have the digital all to myself for a month and then when they return disconnect the box and go back to the way things were!

Would that work?

paulm17781

Deleted User wrote: »

So would I be able to order the digital box and pay the lesser monthly charge for it and then if I don't like it simply unhook the box and have the analogue in both rooms and still be paying for the digital service?

Yes but I don't think they'll even want to go back when they realise the improvements. All they really have to do is get used to a different remote control. Odds are you'll be able to use that one for the TV volume. From their perspective, they will have a new remote, different channel order, more channels and a better picture.

Bunnyhopper

Similar situation here - I wonder, if you go for the most basic digital (without the Digital+ dvr add-on) do you still get the analogue pass-through? Also, I presume that analogue signal retains the FM radio stations.

Thanks.

Bunnyhopper

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

Similar situation here - I wonder, if you go for the most basic digital (without the Digital+ dvr add-on) do you still get the analogue pass-through? Also, I presume that analogue signal retains the FM radio stations.

Thanks.

I don't think there is an option of not taking the dvr? The most basic option I can see on the website it "Value +" which I'm guessing by the description and the plus come with the dvr.

Bunnyhopper

I thought that but then if you click on "Made to Measure" you can select Digital Value without selecting the Digital+, which suggests it's an option. It would make it €5/month cheaper if you don't want/need the dvr.

Bunnyhopper

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

I thought that but then if you click on "Made to Measure" you can select Digital Value without selecting the Digital+, which suggests it's an option. It would make it €5/month cheaper if you don't want/need the dvr.

Then I'd like to know too!! Anybody?

Koloman

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't think there is an option of not taking the dvr? The most basic option I can see on the website it "Value +" which I'm guessing by the description and the plus come with the dvr.

It says here you can get the basic digital without the DVR. It's €20.75 a month.

http://www.upc.ie/tv/valuepack/

This is the basic digital with the DVR

http://www.upc.ie/television/valuepluspack/

Bunnyhopper

Thanks - so now does anyone know whether the digital-without-dvr option includes the analogue pass-through with the existing analogue tv and radio signals?

I imagine it does, but it would be good if someone who has it could confirm.

Bunnyhopper

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

Thanks - so now does anyone know whether the digital-without-dvr option includes the analogue pass-through with the existing analogue tv and radio signals?

I imagine it does, but it would be good if someone who has it could confirm.

I've had a think about this. I'm paying €27 per month for analogue from UPC. Surely I couldn't get away with paying €20 for the basic digital package and get the same service? A €7 per month reduction for something that's different in name only? Cannot be right!

Bunnyhopper

You'd think, but then I just found this while I was searching on here.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=61633808&postcount=6

bk wrote: »

ankles if you get UPC digital, you get to keep the analogue for use in your other rooms, you get more channels with better picture quality and it actually works out cheaper then analogue.

Analogue: €24.50
Digital Value: €20

And remember with Digital Value, you actually get to keep the analogue TV service for the other rooms, it is a no brainer.

bk is a Mod for Cable & Digital TV so he should know what he's talking about. I did see something elsewhere about subscribers in Cork not getting to keep the analogue alongside the digital, so you might want to check what the story is in Limerick.

If only someone would post and let us know for sure! :mad::D:mad::D

paulm17781

Deleted User wrote: »

I've had a think about this. I'm paying €27 per month for analogue from UPC. Surely I couldn't get away with paying €20 for the basic digital package and get the same service? A €7 per month reduction for something that's different in name only? Cannot be right!

This is correct. They want to shut off analogue (no date set) the sooner they get everyone on to digital, the sooner they will shut off analogue. Phone 1908 and ask them if you are unsure.

paulm17781

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

Thanks - so now does anyone know whether the digital-without-dvr option includes the analogue pass-through with the existing analogue tv and radio signals?

It does. If you can get digital, you get analogue. It is all on the same cable.

Thanks Paul! I'm really glad I posted this thread! So all I have to is order the basic digital online, install nothing,use no digital box and I pay €7 less a month for the exact same service as I'm currently getting? Fcuking hell! I'm going to ring UPC first to confirm cos it's too good to be true! Thanks all!

Oh wait I'd need to use the box! Silly me!

paulm17781

You don't have to use the box and you will get the reduction. To be honest, you'd be mad not to use the box. It's much better than analogue.

paulm17781

paulm17781 wrote: »

You don't have to use the box and you will get the reduction. To be honest, you'd be mad not to use the box. It's much better than analogue.

That's not what Helen from UPC told me. She told me I'd have to use the box no matter if I wanted to watch analogue or digital. Maybe she thought I meant I wanted to watch digital? It did seem a little odd that she said I'd need the box if all I wanted to do was watch the analogue.

My reason for not wanting the digital box is silly. My mum dislikes having lots of boxes, wires etc around the sitting room. Yes time to move out

I actually contacted Chorus a few times and got different answers each time. Is there anyone from Limerick who can confirm? If I sign up to digital with Chorus will I still get the analogue on my second tv whilst using the STB on my main TV?

thefishone

Deleted User wrote: »

I actually contacted Chorus a few times and got different answers each time. Is there anyone from Limerick who can confirm? If I sign up to digital with Chorus will I still get the analogue on my second tv whilst using the STB on my main TV?

Yes you will,the whole installtion should take about ten minutes and don't forget to check the reception on the second Tv before the engineer leaves,just in case;)

What part of Limerick are you in?

I'm living across from Verona Park. I hope you're right! We want the digital on the TV in sitting room and keep the analogue on the TV in the kitchen.

thefishone

I have four TV's in the house,two on HD,one on digital plus and one on analogue,the engineers (if you want to call them that)really don't care what you have,they just want the job done as quickly as possible,hence the check on the second Tv,before they leave:)

Verona Park???

thefishone

thefishone wrote: »

Verona Park???

Rosbrien, up from Lord Edward St, near Sarsfield army Barracks? In the city! Near the People's Park too.....where are you by the way?

thefishone

Deleted User wrote: »

Rosbrien, up from Lord Edward St, near Sarsfield army Barracks? In the city! Near the People's Park too.....where are you by the way?

Right....how stupid of me.....since I pass it nearly everyday on the way to work.I'm only over in Rathbane.

I have pinpointed another problem. We have only one analogue cable with a splitter used to split it to two cables to watch it on 2 tvs. I'm unsure whether this would cause a problem. At the moment it causes a reduction in picture quality and signal strength and we can't watch the same channel on both TVs without terrible interference.

I wonder if I get the digital and use the splitter would things still work? We have such an antiquated odd setup we'd need an engineer come up and have a look before ordering anything. Only problem is I think watching the analogue on two TVs is a little naughty....or it used to be anyway.

Fcuking hell I wish I could just go ahead and order it without all this worrying!

thefishone

Just go ahead and order it,you won't be any worse off!!
If you have to get a new cable the most it will cost you €50,however from my experience,if it is a straight forward job,you won't be charged anything.