Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Saorview/freeview advice - what kit

  • 02-06-2013 9:13pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 820 ✭✭✭


    Just back from north america where a mohu leaf gave me 40 hd channels for free, now i have upc internet and want to get as many free channels as possible.

    This house in Dublin 3 has old ntl/cablelink points but that's it - tried them and tried and indoor hd antenna from maplins and nothing, not a bean.

    i run xbmc on an tv2 and a nas - would love to find out what's the most cost effective and most interesting options out there

    cheers


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,673 ✭✭✭FREETV


    bonkers wrote: »
    Just back from north america where a mohu leaf gave me 40 hd channels for free, now i have upc internet and want to get as many free channels as possible.

    This house in Dublin 3 has old ntl/cablelink points but that's it - tried them and tried and indoor hd antenna from maplins and nothing, not a bean.

    i run xbmc on an tv2 and a nas - would love to find out what's the most cost effective and most interesting options out there

    cheers
    Hi, a Humax Foxsat S2 Freesat box or the newer more expensive version with full EPG, automatic updating of channels which subscribe to the service or joint venture by the BBC and ITV, other channels which don't pay a fee at 28E can be tuned in manually but have only now and next programme guides.
    A cheaper option would be generic FTA satellite receivers with no automatic channel updating or interactivity or a second hand Sky box but it will not allow you to record without paying a small monthly fee.
    Another option would be a Linux based satellite receiver or combo box or USB TV Tuner Sticks or slot in tuner cards for a high tech, high spec PC.
    A Free To View card can be sent by post to you for Sky boxes for free from Setanta Ireland under The B.A.I. Scheme by emailing them twice or phoning them in Scotland and you can receive around a half dozen extra channels which aren't otherwise receivable by the Free To Air receivers.e.g. the Sony TV channels, Sony Movies channels, Motors TV UK, LiverpoolFC TV and some Setanta free view programmes. They are SKY cards though.

    Combo boxes for terrestrial and satellite are plentiful, there is one that shows the EPG for both the FTA/Freesat stations and the Saorview ones. Saorview approved model I think, other approved combo boxes only offer now and next for an EPG, cheaper generic combo boxes don't update channels either and only offer now and next on satellites and they have no mheg5 interactive teletext or interactive functionality.

    A Humax Fox T2 terrestrial box will work well for both Freeview and Freeview HD stations from possibly the Arfon Transmitter in Wales in your area if it is receivable and the Saorview ones from the Three Rock Transmitter, there is a newer next generation version of a Humax one out for a year or so now. All of those channels are on satellite though as it is only a relay transmitter. Divis reception for the full line up of Freeview channels from outside Belfast may be doubtful for Dublin 3? Others will know for sure though who live there and post here on boards.

    You will probably require a Group A medium to high gain aerial mounted on mast on a high wall or on the chimney on the roof of your house, a low to medium gain Group A or a Wideband masthead amplifier and WF100 satellite cable made by Webro for reliable terrestrial TV reception.

    A Sky dish or a better solid 80 to 90CM will more than suffice for the English channels at 28E with a Universal Quad LNB.
    I would recommend a 1.2 metre dish to receive a few decent channels available with English audio at BADR4 at 26E, plenty of other foreign satellites are receivable with the sizes of dishes which I have mentioned or a multiple satellite set up or from a motorised satellite system. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,688 ✭✭✭winston_1


    bonkers wrote: »

    tried and indoor hd antenna

    There is NO SUCH THING as an HD antenna.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 820 ✭✭✭bonkers


    cheers for advice

    maybe got my regions mixed up but this is the "hd antenna" i used in NA
    http://www.gomohu.com/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,688 ✭✭✭winston_1


    As I said there is no such thing. An antenna receives RF signals, it makes no difference whether those signals are radio, SD TV, HD TV, analogue or digital. It is a pure marketing ploy and a lucrative one judging by those prices on that website. Also note that amplifiers are designed to go at the start of a long run of cable in a weak signal area to overcome the loss of the cable. An amplifier on an indoor antenna is a waste of time, money, and electricity. All it does is amplify the local noise as much as any signal.

    If you must use an indoor antenna the following is about the best you can get.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/TELECAM-TCE2000-performance-indoor-aerial/dp/B000G73ZIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370258236&sr=8-1&keywords=telecam+tce


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    bonkers wrote: »
    . . . This house in Dublin 3 has old ntl/cablelink points but that's it - tried them and tried and indoor hd antenna from maplins and nothing, not a bean.

    i run xbmc on an tv2 and a nas - would love to find out what's the most cost effective and most interesting options out there

    Some old cable tv points still carry the analogue service, but this may have been disabled with the broadband setup.

    Your indoor antenna might get you the Saorview service: best chance would be to position it near a south-facing window for the Three Rock or Kippure transmitters. What kind of receiver were you using to search for channels?

    If you want more free-to-air tv than Saorview offers, you'll need a satellite dish. I wouldn't even consider UK terrestrial where you are.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement