Sky HD and Magnet FTTH

Savman

Does anybody know whether Sky can provide service thru their shared dish system without messing up fibre optic broadband from Magnet FTTH?

The Sky rep says no, but didn't sound too sure and of course they would tell me what I want to hear. Not gonna sign into a 12 month contract if I lose my 30meg broadband!

L1011

Savman wrote: »

Does anybody know whether Sky can provide service thru their shared dish system without messing up fibre optic broadband from Magnet FTTH?

The Sky rep says no, but didn't sound too sure and of course they would tell me what I want to hear. Not gonna sign into a 12 month contract if I lose my 30meg broadband!

Does the building have any existing satellite system as it stands?

You'd need to be either very incompetent as an installer or dealing with a management firm that only allows one set of cables to affect anything already installed.

TeaServer

Savman wrote: »

Does anybody know whether Sky can provide service thru their shared dish system without messing up fibre optic broadband from Magnet FTTH?

The Sky rep says no, but didn't sound too sure and of course they would tell me what I want to hear. Not gonna sign into a 12 month contract if I lose my 30meg broadband!

I got Sky in last September and I have Magnet fiber broadband (and had their IP TV service too before Sky). They are using the shared dish system in our place too. Sky ran their own cables to each apartment Magnets system stayed in place. I'm not aware of any issues with this setup. Obviously the management company had to OK the Sky shared system being put in place though

Savman

TeaServer wrote: »

I got Sky in last September and I have Magnet fiber broadband (and had their IP TV service too before Sky). They are using the shared dish system in our place too. Sky ran their own cables to each apartment Magnets system stayed in place. I'm not aware of any issues with this setup. Obviously the management company had to OK the Sky shared system being put in place though

Ah, lovely, great help thanks!

zg3409

Just to be aware if you decide to install Sky's "free" system you get what you pay for. The do not include terrestrial channels as part of their install (deliberately). so if you want to leave Sky and go to Saorview and FreeSat+HD (which has no monthly charge) then you will not get any Saorview channels.

Another thing is they might not actually agree to a "free" install as another company is there and they may not get enough people signing up to justify the system

If Sky do install be aware you need at least two cables fed to the main TV (to allow recording) and one cable to every other room to allow multiroom. sky will only do the basic meaning you will/may not get a TV point in every room. It is not possible to split the signal later.

In terms of getting TV choices in your apartment it's best to NOT ALLOW SKY to install the system. They will probabaly insist the system cannot be used for the free sat channels and they will not offer Saorview.

The ideal system for an apartment consits of
1) Two cables in main room
2) 1 cable in EVERY other room

The cable should carry Saorview in addition to Sky. The system should be cabled to every apartment, not just those interested at the moment. If you have foreigners living in the apartment (which every block has these days) some effort should be made to allow foreign satellite channels on the System. It is normal for apartment TV systems to carry both Irish and UK channels along with the most popular foreign channels. Then there is no need for anyone to install a dish.

Another thing to consider is the management compnay may have signed an agreement to give magnet a monoply for a number of years in order to justify the cost of installation. I know this was an issue for UPC in some locations. As far as I know legally this can only be for a max of 3 years no matter what the contract says as it's unfair.

In summary you get what you pay for. If I lived in an apartment I would not let Sky install. I would get a proper apartment wide TV system that gives lots of free channels.

The problem with such a system is cost vs free. Also the demand might be quite low considering most people already probably have signed up to another provider. Getting agreement of an additional charge for every apartment will be very hard, especially if some residents

Savman

zg3409 wrote: »

Just to be aware if you decide to install Sky's "free" system you get what you pay for. The do not include terrestrial channels as part of their install (deliberately). so if you want to leave Sky and go to Saorview and FreeSat+HD (which has no monthly charge) then you will not get any Saorview channels.

Another thing is they might not actually agree to a "free" install as another company is there and they may not get enough people signing up to justify the system

If Sky do install be aware you need at least two cables fed to the main TV (to allow recording) and one cable to every other room to allow multiroom. sky will only do the basic meaning you will/may not get a TV point in every room. It is not possible to split the signal later.

In terms of getting TV choices in your apartment it's best to NOT ALLOW SKY to install the system. They will probabaly insist the system cannot be used for the free sat channels and they will not offer Saorview.

The ideal system for an apartment consits of
1) Two cables in main room
2) 1 cable in EVERY other room

The cable should carry Saorview in addition to Sky. The system should be cabled to every apartment, not just those interested at the moment. If you have foreigners living in the apartment (which every block has these days) some effort should be made to allow foreign satellite channels on the System. It is normal for apartment TV systems to carry both Irish and UK channels along with the most popular foreign channels. Then there is no need for anyone to install a dish.

Another thing to consider is the management compnay may have signed an agreement to give magnet a monoply for a number of years in order to justify the cost of installation. I know this was an issue for UPC in some locations. As far as I know legally this can only be for a max of 3 years no matter what the contract says as it's unfair.

In summary you get what you pay for. If I lived in an apartment I would not let Sky install. I would get a proper apartment wide TV system that gives lots of free channels.

The problem with such a system is cost vs free. Also the demand might be quite low considering most people already probably have signed up to another provider. Getting agreement of an additional charge for every apartment will be very hard, especially if some residents

That's some rant. I don't care for Saorview, nor do I want Multiroom and I certainly don't care about the politically/financially motivated reasons behind they do what they do. They provide a service I require, better than my current provider, end of story. I was with them before so I already know the drill but thanks for the lecture!

I'd disappear if I were you, no doubt Murdoch has his kill squad coming for ya

zg3409

I was just trying to explain the options and that "free" is sometimes more expensive long term.

Savman

zg3409 wrote: »

I was just trying to explain the options and that "free" is sometimes more expensive long term.

Where did I mention "free" though? I am aware off the free offerings, but if I want those sure I can just watch them online or use FilmOn on the iPhone. HD Movies is what I am after too, finding myself downloading GB's of movies I only watch once.

I appreciate your input but just think it was meant for a different discussion, my query being purely a practical one relating specifically to the install.