how to set up for freesat and freeview?

talksome

I have a HD ready TV and standard aerial set-up. I have to go digital. I want to receive the Irish channels and the usual British ones as well. My aerial cable is buried in the wall. I would like clear no nonsense advice on the best way to proceed. I can do the DIY work myself but I would [refer if possible not to have to install an extra cable through the house. I would also prefer if I only had to use one remote control and one new box under the TV. Can anyone help without assuming any knowledge on my part?

I have read a lot of the threads here but cannot find a clear overview of the proper equipment and physical installation. Afterwards if I need help tuning in or setting up channel selections I will reread the information already available here.

bulbs2010

you will need to install a sat dish and get a combi decoder.I would recomend run a second cable from the dish,and the existing areial and cable will more than lightly do for the Irish stations."a combi box is a satellite and saorview box combined

talksome

Thanks for that, I could do with a bit more detail, e.g. best value box, best value dish etc.

BrianD

Your options depend on where you live and what you want to pay.

- Subscribe to UPC if available. One box, one remote, monthly fee
- Subscribe to sky if available One box, one remote, monthly fee
- Check if your TV already has a Saorview compatible tuner in. If so you have the Irish stations. Half of the probelm solved.
- If not buy a Saorview box (may require an aerial) and then buy and install a free to air satellite dish and receiver. Two boxes, two remotes, no monthly fees
- But a combi box for saorview and FTA satellite. One box, one remote, no monthly fees.

I suppose a lot will depend on the condition of the cable going through your wall and where it goes.

There's loads of options out there for set top boxes. Most areas have a local TV man who can often offer good value for both the kit and install. If not try the online stores and install yourself.

talksome

Thank you Brian. I only want to pay a one off cost to install, not interested in ongoing bills. Can you recommend a good combi box, a good dish, and the best place to buy or would that be considered advertising ? I really need to keep costs to a minimum ( I'm a recessionista).

icdg

Moved to Satellite

Peter Rhea

talksome wrote: »

I have a HD ready TV and standard aerial set-up. I have to go digital. I want to receive the Irish channels and the usual British ones as well.

What's the make & model of the tv? What part of the country are you in?

What channels do you currently receive with your 'standard aerial setup'?

Ronnie Raygun

bulbs2010 wrote: »

you will need to install a sat dish and get a combi decoder.I would recomend run a second cable from the dish,and the existing areial and cable will more than lightly do for the Irish stations.

I like the way you're so sure of all this without maybe bothering to find out if the OP is within range of UK terrestrial transmissions (or Saorview for that matter), or finding out what tuning capabilities their tv has.

bulbs2010

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

I like the way you're so sure of all this without maybe bothering to find out if the OP is within range of UK terrestrial transmissions (or Saorview for that matter), or finding out what tuning capabilities their tv has.

why dont you ask him and try to be some help to the guy instead of nitpicking ,all I can say you must have nothing better to be doing with your time

zg3409

Which channels do you have at the moment? Irish? UK?

Which provider are you currently with?

Exact model number of TV?

Any plans for other TV's in house?

Do you want the ability to record, pause?

Is minimum cost most important or best options?

Have you checked this map
http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-map/

and are you within coverage? If so what is the mast recommended?

Is your current aerial pointed at this mast or in a different direction?

How long is your current aerial up on the roof (number of years)?

So it look rusty?

Is it mounted vertical, or horizontal (can you take a photo and attach it)?

Ronnie Raygun

bulbs2010 wrote: »

why dont you ask him and try to be some help to the guy instead of nitpicking ,all I can say you must have nothing better to be doing with your time

This post already had asked the right questions.

If your time is so precious that the best you can manage is to recommend the purchase of equipment that may not be needed & not take a while to suss out what the OP really needs, then you probably shouldn't bother posting at all.

talksome

Firstly let me thank you all for taking time to help me.
My TV is a Mirai Model DTL632E500. The Aerial is ancient it was on the house when I bought it (11 years ago) and it was old then. Its pointed up north for British channel reception and there is a smaller UHF aerial for Irish TV stations.
I receive all the Irish stations(RTE1,NET2,TV3,TG4) with excellent quality. The British stations are variable with the weather. I only get the main four (BBC1,BBC2,UTV,CH4).
In a new set up I would be more than happy if I could continue to receive those eight plus, E4, Film 4 and a few of the extra BBC channels.
I'm not looking to get one million European stations.A simple set up that requires the least amount of drilling holes in walls in the house and only one remote control would be great.
I am within a thirty mile radius of Dublin.
The ability to record and pause would be a perk but not essential. I have a multimedia hard drive if thats relevant.

Peter Rhea

Satellite would be your best option for the UK channels, for now anyway. If you're 30 miles to the north of Dublin, there might be a chance of fairly reliable Freeview (UK terrestrial) reception after switchover in October as a cheap option for extra tvs.

Also, for the Irish channels, some areas with good analogue reception from the Clermont Carn transmitter will have poor or nonexistent Saorview coverage until October.

It might be no harm if you could list the UHF (or maybe VHF for RTE) channel nos. of your 8 analogue channels so the transmitters can be identified.

bulbs2010

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

This post already had asked the right questions.

If your time is so precious that the best you can manage is to recommend the purchase of equipment that may not be needed & not take a while to suss out what the OP really needs, then you probably shouldn't bother posting at all.

I bet you when all the talk is over he will go for my option as it will work and stay working,no expensive service calls.Simple is best less things can go wrong,By the way its a open fourm and everyone can post Hitler

SalteeDog

bulbs2010 wrote: »

I bet you when all the talk is over he will go for my option as it will work and stay working,no expensive service calls.Simple is best less things can go wrong,By the way its a open fourm and everyone can post Hitler

Wow. Early application of Godwin's law. Sorry Mods, I couldn't resist

Ronnie Raygun

bulbs2010 wrote: »

By the way its a open fourm and everyone can post Hitler

And anyone can correct misleading or poor advice. As it turns out, your option is probably the right one in this case but we only know this because others took the trouble to find out.

@ SalteeDog, your link doesn't seem to work but I found it via Google & you're right, it does seem a bit early in the thread for Nazi analogies. :pac:

Peter Rhea

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

. . . As it turns out, your option is probably the right one in this case but we only know this because others took the trouble to find out.

Yes, you have to be sure of why someone doesn't currently have any digital channels.

It would be very easy for somebody in my area, for example, to be sitting there with a Saorview capable tv & only be missing out on Saorview & Freeview because of an aerial system that needs attention. There might only be a VHF aerial pointed at the local transmitter & the aerial for NI could be past its best or cables etc. might need replacing.

This will only be the case in a limited no. of areas & satellite will be the reliable option for UK services until switchover, but telling people they need this or that without even knowing where they are or what they currently have is cutting corners a bit.

bulbs2010

SalteeDog wrote: »

Wow. Early application of Godwin's law. Sorry Mods, I couldn't resist

"godwins law" I really learn so much surfing the net everyday,thank you for pointing out this wonderfull law it has changed my life

talksome

The channels I receive are as follows
RTE1 13 719.2 Pal-1
NET2 14
TV3 17
TG4 18
BBC1 7 519.2 PAL-1
BBC2 5
UTV 4
CH4 3

Hope this helps. My aerial is horizontal. Can't take a photo and post it, don't know how.

talksome

to zg3409
I just checked the saorview map. It's recommending the Kippure mast SE 144, H aerial

zg3409

If you are getting BBC's fine now, you won't be able to get the new digital versions until after October 2012.

What you could do is try an ordinary Saorview box now and check the signal is OK. Then re-scan in November 2012 and the BBC's etc may appear. If not then get a dish. If they do appear then you are good to go with only 50 quid spent.

Can you borrow a Saorview approved box or TV from someone and connect it and test. That would confirm Saorview at least, and no urgent need to do anything to the aerial.

Ronnie Raygun

talksome wrote: »

The channels I receive are as follows
RTE1 13 719.2 Pal-1
NET2 14
TV3 17
TG4 18
BBC1 7 519.2 PAL-1
BBC2 5
UTV 4
CH4 3

Hope this helps. My aerial is horizontal. Can't take a photo and post it, don't know how.

719.2 mHz is UHF channel 52, which is the RTE1 frequency from the Clermont Carn transmitter.

519.2 is channel 27, this is BBC2 from Divis in Belfast.

Horizontal/vertical refers to the polarisation of the aerial elements, see info here.

talksome

Is it the case that the Saorview box will receive and decode the British channels if the aerial picks them up? I though a separate decoder was neccessary.

zg3409

talksome wrote: »

Is it the case that the Saorview box will receive and decode the British channels if the aerial picks them up? I though a separate decoder was neccessary.

Yes. If you live in a border county, and can currently get BBC analogue through a TV aerial them come the 25 October 2012 the North of Ireland will begin broadcasting high power Freeview signals. These can be picked up by an ROI Saorview box.

However for many people, who want the most number of channels a satellite based FreeSat box will give more channels, but then you end up with two remotes etc.

stevethesatguy

or you could just buy a combo box, satellite and mpeg4 terrestrial in one receiver with one remote control, best of both worlds if you can get saorview, freeview and free satellite channels on one box, depends on your location though.

talksome

as the crow flies I am about 25 miles north west of Dublin

talksome

Just to say thanks to everyone here for all your help. (Even the spats were amusing) I will borrow a saorview box and check that I am getting reception. All going well come October I should get the high power signal from the North no need for combo box no need to install satellite, no need to drag cable through entire house. Good, clean, inexpensive solution I hope. Thanks again.