Autumn Project - Looking for input

BenEadir

Hi all,

Background:
Based in South Dublin with 3 TV's currently being fed UPC Go Digital Max Pack + Digital Sports and Movies Pack + ESPN + Digital Video Recording HD + Digital Multi Room Viewing + 20mb Broadband.

I also have a Freesat HD PVR - Sagem DTR 94500 feeding the main TV. I got it last summer for the HD coverage of the World Cup in South Africa and to see how it worked before ditching UPC all together. Whilst I was/am very happy with the picture quality etc the family revolted at the idea of no RTE/TV3 etc and no Disney channels for the kids so I ended up with both Freesat & UPC :mad:

The kids are now a little older and not so bothered about the Disney Channels and Saorview is available for RTE etc so I've decided now is the time to ditch the UPC TV package and roll out an alternative based on Freesat + Saorview or Saorsat if it blends better with Freesat.


What I want:
A single STB for each TV which will show Freesat and Saorview/Saorsat channels with full 7 day EPG and no fiddling around switching between feeds etc. It needs to be as seamless and straightforward as running up and down the EPG on the current UPC box.


The Challenge:
I'm somewhat useful in terms of laptop and smartphone technology and I know how to download and/or stream content via HDMI cable to my TV but that's the limit of my ability.

First and foremost I'd like to know whether the setup I'm after is even possible? Can Freesat and Saorview/Saorsat be blended with 7 day EPG etc into a single box the way I want without breaking the bank and/or without turning the house into a maze of cables and remote controls?

I'd really appreciate the input of the experts in this forum. If it's doable then the question is what will the ball park costs be? Like everyone else these days I don't have cash to throw around and want to get the best value for money I can. I do however also recognise that paying a little extra for professional assistance can often be better than trying to save money doing a DIY/nixer type job and making a complete mess of it.

I look forward to your input!!


Ben

BenEadir

I guess if 32 people have read my post and none replied I'm either posting in the wrong forum or what I'm looking to do can't be done

Peter Rhea

Be patient!

In the meantime, see what you think of this STB.

cgc5483

BenEadir wrote: »

Hi all,


What I want:
A single STB for each TV which will show Freesat and Saorview/Saorsat channels with full 7 day EPG and no fiddling around switching between feeds etc. It needs to be as seamless and straightforward as running up and down the EPG on the current UPC box.




Ben

In a simple format the STB you want doesn't exist. The best at the moment is what Peter linked to but that won't be Freesat only Now/Next on satellite channels.

A VU+ Duo or Uno with a DTT stick would potentially do what you want but would need internet for EPG and wouldn't call it seamless either.

rlogue

A Triax HD 537 will give you a 7 day Saorview EPG but just now and next on the Freesat channels. It does not have a Freesat EPG but does support digital Aertel as well as full support for BBC Red Button services.

A HTPC with a terrestrial and satellite tuner might be ideal as long as you dont mind setting it all up.

BenEadir

Thanks lads, think I'll wait until the functionality I'm looking for is available in a single box.

Looks like another year of UPC fees

Ben

Carter P Fly

My suggestion would be to get a combo dual DVB-t and Satellite tuner (or two depending on how many TV's you have)for your PC and setup Windows Media Center.

You can use Xbox 360's to share the Tuners to other TV's when setup as Extenders.

BenEadir

Thanks Carter but that just sounds way too complex for me to either set up or manage. I'm sure what you have described would work but I'm looking for an out of the box plug and play solution which is easy to set up and, just as importantly, easy to operate.

The key for me is that there is a single STB per TV with a combined 7 day EPG for the Freesat and Saorview/Saorsat channels all operated off a single remote control without the need to download EPG data from a connected PC or anything like that.

I guess the solution I'm looking for therefore is ........................ UPC :eek:

Ben