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Modern apartment only has UPC socket...

  • 12-06-2011 5:01pm
    #1
    christopher84
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭


    I'm not from Dublin orginally and so am not fully aware how things work here and think I must be missing something quite basic.... I have just moved into an apartment in the city centre which is around 10 years old.

    I've searched high and low for an aerial socket in the wall and found nothing, however there is an NTL (UPC) box in both the living room and main bedroom, with two points, one for "FM" and one for "CATV." I tried to plug my television into this box and there was no signal (unsurprising, I have no UPC subscription).

    Having read through posts on this site I then find out that if I plug my TV into one of these boxes without a UPC subscription I am breaking the law. So how am I supposed to get television in this flat? I can't believe that a large complex has been built and all the residents are forced to subscribe to a certain company to watch any kind of TV, even the free-to-air channels for which I have paid my licence....

    Also, the FM point, as UPC don't offer an FM service is it also illegal to use this?


Comments

  • #2
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭STB


    christopher84

    Yes it sounds like you are in a scenario whereby the only show in town is by paying a pay tv company.

    Do you have a television/set top box that will pick up Saorview (MPEG4) ? What type TV do you have ?

    If so, then you will also have to get your own indoor aerial in town. Get one with an adjustable amplifier gain. I note that you are in an apartment. That is the only reason why i am suggesting this as the solution (you can't place an aerial outside in an apartment complex). You then place it by the window on the cill and plug it into the TV.

    http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5343243/Trail/searchtext%3EAERIAL.htm/.


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    christopher84 wrote: »
    Also, the FM point, as UPC don't offer an FM service is it also illegal to use this?

    UPC do have a FM service in Dublin as a legacy of the old Cablelink system but they never advertise it anymore. I agree with STB though, looks like the complex is locked into UPC.


  • #4
    christopher84
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭christopher84


    Thanks for the suggestion STB, I feared this might be the only solution. On this occasion I almost don't want to sign up to UPC out of principal of the fact they are making me! I've got a Philips LED which is capable of picking up Saorview.

    Sounds crazy that someone would even contemplate building a block of flats without normal TV sockets! Is this sort of thing standard practice in Dublin?


  • #5
    christopher84
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭christopher84


    Thanks to Karsini too.


  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    christopher84 wrote: »
    Sounds crazy that someone would even contemplate building a block of flats without normal TV sockets! Is this sort of thing standard practice in Dublin?

    Pretty much, Dublin has such a high concentration of pay-TV takeup that most houses don't have aerials at all. Historically, cable takeup was at about 70% or more but that has dwindled with Sky and FTA coming in. Basically, the developers are living in the past or else just greedy.


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