Saorview and Freeview question

TessaD06

Was hoping someone can help...we live in Sydney so I'm not familiar with how the irish system works. Visiting my in-laws in Ireland at the moment and want to sort out their tv.

They have a tv that is HD ready but not digital. Currently they watch RTE on a very bad signal (no Saorview Box) and have another box that they use to watch freeview channels (think it is free sat).

They don't want to buy a new telly but want to be able to watch RTE as well as the UK free channels.

Can I get them one box to connect to the tv that will allow them to see all these channels or do they need two separate boxes (e.g. the one that they currently have plus a new saorview box)?

Hope you can help...

Tessa

John mac

A combo box will get them freesat and saorview on one box.
have a look at some of the threads here , Ferguson avira 120 popular.

They will of course need a satellite dish for the freesat channels.

TessaD06

A combo box - that makes sense!

Thank you, will check them out now.

Tessa

TessaD06

Ok have done the research.

Looks like the Ferguson Avira is a good option. We also looked at the Triax 537 although I can see there seem to have been a lot of problems with this box.

My father-in-law uses aertel all the time so ideally we would like a combo-box that allows him to look at aertel. I don't think the Avira does. Is there another option to allow this?

Thanks again....

Vanbis

TessaD06 wrote: »

Ok have done the research.

Looks like the Ferguson Avira is a good option. We also looked at the Triax 537 although I can see there seem to have been a lot of problems with this box.

My father-in-law uses aertel all the time so ideally we would like a combo-box that allows him to look at aertel. I don't think the Avira does. Is there another option to allow this?

Thanks again....

Something like this, Freesat Also try pick up a HDMI cable somewhere cheap, even in Sydney. Powercity in Ireland have them for sale at €5.00, a few other shops here can charge up to 4/5 times that price.

watty

Aertel is likely to end in 2012/2013. So the Terrestrial Tuner really needs to be Saorview certified and at the least have MHEG5 for Text.

Really the only truly compatible solution is two boxes. A Saorview + "Freesat HD".

I look forward to seeing a genuine Freesat HD box with Terrestrial Tuner. But I won't hold my breath.

rlogue

The two box solution might be the most "correct" solution but it won't be practical and if your folks are anything like mine it'll be hated.

The Triax does support Digital Aertel and self updates for Saorview but not for Freesat. It has a poor reputation but my one has been in use at my parents in Donegal since the summer and they have reported no problems. It can record and pause programmes as well. Since the Triax has MHEG 5 capabilities it can also show BBC Red Button text and multiscreen.

I have had to rescan it on my trips home but since I am usually in Ireland at least once a month it's not an issue - but a proper Freesat box will auto update saving your folks a lot of bother.

TessaD06

Thanks for all your advice. We did look at two separate boxes but I think the number of remote controls will be a little problematic for my in-laws. I have opted for the Triax. I can see that people have had problems so hopefully I won't regret this and have lots of people on the forum saying 'I told you so...'! We spoke to a few different retailers and read rlogue's comments and they felt that the Triax was a decent machine.

So we decided to go for it. We will be here to set it up etc so hopefully it will be a smooth experience for them and I won't be tearing my hair out over the weekend.

rlogue

Just make sure the retailer loads the satellite channel list in the correct order to save you having to manually sort it. Saorview is not an issue as the Saorview channels will load automatically in the right order. A usb disk or key can be inserted in the USB port at the back of the box for some recording.

TessaD06

Erm, might be a bit late for that as I already ordered online...

Will have a look when it arrives.

Thanks

rlogue

tvtrade.ie have a downloadable channel list for this box - have a look at http://www.tvtrade.ie/triax-st-hd-537-satellite-combo-box.html and click on the Downloads tab.

You can then load the channel list using a usb key connected to the usb port at the back of the box.

TessaD06

Good tip, thanks.