Switching from Analogue to Digital in the West (for both Soarview and Freeview)

Charlie-Bravo

A relation of mine has just got a Saorview approved TV and is based in Mayo. The previous setup was with two aerials, one large antenna laid flat in an attic and a smaller antenna hung (I have yet to see the layout). I don't think this has changed.

Before I go looking at the whole setup this is the issue I have found out so far:

All Saorview channels scan in no problem. The analogue stuff loads also (including the 4 NI channels) but the quality is poor.

While coverage for Saorview is no problem whatsoever, the fact that BBC channels are in analgoue makes me think that there's possiblility of getting digital Freeview over the same aerials. Obviously they should have scanned in if this was the case? Or are the local deflectors carrying the UK analogue channels in the west and when DSO happens the analogue UK stuff will disappear in Mayo? Some local knowledge would be appreciated to see what direction I take when I look at it. Thanks.

Kristopherus

Well, there's absolutely zilch info on what is happening to the Deflectors. IMHO I would not be surprised if they closed.There must be very few punters actually paying anything to support the operators. Sorry. cannot give you any more info !!!

Avns1s

It's absolutely guaranteed that the UK Channels are coming in via a deflector and no chance of getting them over freeview. If your relation wants the UK Channels, his only chance after ASO is via satellite.

watty

It was stated years ago that the Deflector licences only temporary and they become illegal again in 2012.

Get a "Freesat HD" box and a dish, far better. The Deflectors have been pointless for years.

Sponge Bob

The large aerial ( H shaped is it) will be superflous after October 2012 as it is a VHF aerial.

Charlie-Bravo

Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't aware of the licenses with the deflectors - goes to show when you live in or near the capital, the rural setup is gonna be a new bit of info even though its been like that for years.

Ok, so here's the real issue. My relation is elderly and I would like to just use the saorview approved TV - no boxes or extra remotes. So take this newly bought Philips 32PFL4606H and connect it to the existing aerial - it gets the Saorview stuff no problem. What would I need to add to get the UK channels? Nearest town is Kiltimagh so take that as the rough distance from NI. The site is elevated. I take it an external aerial is needed pointed at say Enniskillen. But what size antenna and is a masthead amp needed?

You can understand my ideal outcome and respect any constructive comments! Thanks.

Avns1s

astrofluff wrote: »

Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't aware of the licenses with the deflectors - goes to show when you live in or near the capital, the rural setup is gonna be a new bit of info even though its been like that for years.

Ok, so here's the real issue. My relation is elderly and I would like to just use the saorview approved TV - no boxes or extra remotes. So take this newly bought Philips 32PFL4606H and connect it to the existing aerial - it gets the Saorview stuff no problem. What would I need to add to get the UK channels? Nearest town is Kiltimagh so take that as the rough distance from NI. The site is elevated. I take it an external aerial is needed pointed at say Enniskillen. But what size antenna and is a masthead amp needed?

You can understand my ideal outcome and respect any constructive comments! Thanks.

As per several of the posters including myself, the only option is freesat. I am familiar with the Kiltimagh area, and unless you're on top of Sliabh Cairn you wont get any signal. Even then, following the ASO, you will very likely not be receiving anything.

PM me if you want the name of a reliable sat installer. I would expect it would cost in the region of €200 to get a dish and a basic box installed, perhaps a bit less. If you had an old sky box, it might cover the box requirement and make it a bit cheaper. However, you will need the two remotes, unless you go the skybox option and programme the sky remote to the tv.

Charlie-Bravo

Ok thanks Avns1s - I am handy enough with doing a sat install - I have my own Triax dish with Ariva Combo 120 I set up myself and also a Panny 2008 which gave me a huge learning curve on TVs.

I just really didn't want to introduce a STB and more remotes - I thought a DVD player was enough! I might have a chat with him and see what he thinks. I agree Sat is the best setup...I'm nearly thinking an Irish/Europe TV with a sat tuner would have been a better option and take advantage of two LNBs, Astra and Saorsat and stack the channels the way he liked them! Slightly flawed I know but someday they'll just do 'TV simples'. That'll be my new slogan: "TV, simples!".

Avns1s

astrofluff wrote: »

Ok thanks Avns1s - I am handy enough with doing a sat install - I have my own Triax dish with Ariva Combo 120 I set up myself and also a Panny 2008 which gave me a huge learning curve on TVs.

I just really didn't want to introduce a STB and more remotes - I thought a DVD player was enough! I might have a chat with him and see what he thinks. I agree Sat is the best setup...I'm nearly thinking an Irish/Europe TV with a sat tuner would have been a better option and take advantage of two LNBs, Astra and Saorsat and stack the channels the way he liked them! Slightly flawed I know but someday they'll just do 'TV simples'. That'll be my new slogan: "TV, simples!".

Well if you can do the sat install, you're on a winner.

How about leaving him with his existing tv and putting in a combo box for both saorview and satellite. I haven't direct experience of one but I believe you can stack the channels as you wish.

Kristopherus

Avns1s wrote: »

Well if you can do the sat install, you're on a winner.

How about leaving him with his existing tv and putting in a combo box for both saorview and satellite. I haven't direct experience of one but I believe you can stack the channels as you wish.

Agreed, Avens1s. I have a combo box that brings in the DTTs via the roof aerial and takes the Satellite signal from $ky's dish. Its a win,win solution. You can set up RTE 1 as 1, RTE2 as 2 and so on. You will currently get 8 DTT stns, BBC1 can be 9 and so on with the Sat stns. Have a look at the Ferguson Ariva 120 Combo box Forum here and you will get all the info you need. You can buy it from www.satsklep.pl in Poland or www.satellite.ie among others in Ireland. Cost is generally €80 to €105 delivered to your door. All the Sat installer needs to do is put up a dish, run a cable, and you're up & running. Don't pay an installer any more than €150 for that bit of work. There's a very well known installer in Balla, which is close enough to Kiltimagh.

Avns1s

Kristopherus wrote: »

Agreed, Avens1s. I have a combo box that brings in the DTTs via the roof aerial and takes the Satellite signal from $ky's dish. Its a win,win solution. You can set up RTE 1 as 1, RTE2 as 2 and so on. You will currently get 8 DTT stns, BBC1 can be 9 and so on with the Sat stns. Have a look at the Ferguson Ariva 120 Combo box Forum here and you will get all the info you need. You can buy it from www.satsklep.pl in Poland or www.satellite.ie among others in Ireland. Cost is generally €80 to €105 delivered to your door. All the Sat installer needs to do is put up a dish, run a cable, and you're up & running. Don't pay an installer any more than €150 for that bit of work. There's a very well known installer in Balla, which is close enough to Kiltimagh.

I dont really need an installer, because I can do my own. Mind you, if I could get €150 for it, I would change career very rapidly and do it for others!!

I know the guy in Balla and there's two I can think of, in Kiltimagh. All good by the way.