FTA & a recordable box (like Sky+)-some questions

dinneenp

Hi,
I have UPC recordable digibox, have been thinking about FTA. In theory it's a lot cheaper in the long run
About €149 for equiptment & to get in installed.
some questions-
1. Is it possible to have same as a 'recordable digibox'/Sky+ where I can record shows, set series record, pause, rewind etc.
2. Presuming yes, then would this be an extra box or possible to get all in the one box (like UPC/Sky).
3. Would it have all the functionallity of Sky+/UPC recordable digibox.
4. Is the picture quality with FTA as good as sky/upc and doens't get bad in stormy weather?
5. RTE isn't on it yet but shouldn't I be able to pick them up wth rabbit ears? Simply solution, but can't record them onto the box then.
6. What's the general option/feeling about FTA?
Cheers,
Pa.

watty

Humax Foxsat HDR does all a SkyHD+ does or UPC PVR does.
you need a dish installed.
Irish TV, via aerial. Digital service now running. There may be a way to record Irish TV on the Humax Sat box next Spring 2011, but not today.
see http://www.techtir.ie/saortv

For the 200+ free channels a Sky box uses the same signals as Freesat box. The quality on UPC is perhaps slightly lower. With decent solid dish (80cm Triax if you want to add Irish TV on it next year, or are in extreme South West/North West) the weather is no issue.

Randyleprechaun

dinneenp wrote: »

Hi,
I have UPC recordable digibox, have been thinking about FTA. In theory it's a lot cheaper in the long run
About €149 for equiptment & to get in installed.
some questions-
1. Is it possible to have same as a 'recordable digibox'/Sky+ where I can record shows, set series record, pause, rewind etc.
2. Presuming yes, then would this be an extra box or possible to get all in the one box (like UPC/Sky).
3. Would it have all the functionallity of Sky+/UPC recordable digibox.
4. Is the picture quality with FTA as good as sky/upc and doens't get bad in stormy weather?
5. RTE isn't on it yet but shouldn't I be able to pick them up wth rabbit ears? Simply solution, but can't record them onto the box then.
6. What's the general option/feeling about FTA?
Cheers,
Pa.

To answer your questions

1. Yes
2. You can get a freesat receiver with recording facilities etc. It is also high definition.
3. Yes, same funtionality as sky+ or UPC.
4. FTA/Freesat quality is equal to sky and probably better than UPC.
5. You should be able to pick up RTE with rabbit ears(depends on your location), probably better to have roof mounted aerial. New digital service is now running including TV3
6. Alot of people are turning to FTA/Freesat as an alternative to pay TV. Obviously channel line up is not as good, but there's loads there, and it offers alternatives to just irish channels.

Well worth thinking about anyway.

Keep clear of generic FTA boxes as they don't have as many features as a Freesat one ie. red button, 7 day program guide. Freesat boxes will also auto tune in new channels or existing ones that move etc

Culann

Sorry to hijack this with another question -

I have a FTA system, put in last year. Can I get rid of the generic FTA box and just put in a FreeSat HD box with PVR? Will I need a new aerial?

Thanks....

Randyleprechaun

Culann wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this with another question -

I have a FTA system, put in last year. Can I get rid of the generic FTA box and just put in a FreeSat HD box with PVR? Will I need a new aerial?

Thanks....

You'll need to change the LNB on your dish to one that takes 2no or more cables(if there's not one there already that is).

Then you'll need to run a second cable from the dish to the receiver location.

That should be it.

watty

Or use it with one cable, then you can only record same as you watch quite often.

Randyleprechaun

watty wrote: »

Or use it with one cable, then you can only record same as you watch quite often.

Could do that too yeah!!!!!

Get the most out of the receiver with two cables though, if the cable can be ran easily.

Culann

Thanks a lot, I'll look into it.