TV Austerity

BenEadir

Hi all,

Living in Dublin is it possible to get the Irish FTA and UK FTA channels on a single box with merged 7 day EPG and full PVR functionality including series recording or am I dreaming up something that doesn't yet exist??

I'm paying UPC waaaay too much per annum for my TV service.

Ben

kippy

BenThere wrote: »

Hi all,

Living in Dublin is it possible to get the Irish FTA and UK FTA channels on a single box with merged 7 day EPG and full PVR functionality including series recording or am I dreaming up something that doesn't yet exist??

I'm paying UPC waaaay too much per annum for my TV service.

Ben

Yes, there are devices that do this, some better than others.
Full kit, including the box is here.
https://www.satellitetv.ie/saorview_and_freesat/saorview_freesat_diy_system
You can get the boxes cheaper on their own obviously and I am sure other posters may be able to give a better recommendation of a box to use.

BenEadir

Thanks Kippy,

Do you know if that box offers a combined 7 day EPG and full PVR functionality? I can't see either issue addressed in the description.

Ben

The Cush

BenThere wrote: »

Living in Dublin is it possible to get the Irish FTA and UK FTA channels on a single box with merged 7 day EPG and full PVR functionality including series recording or am I dreaming up something that doesn't yet exist?

There is no direct non-sub one box replacement for UPC or Sky.

A 2 box solution, Saorview+ (Irish channels) and Freesat+ (UK channels) PVRs get closest with series link, 7 day programme guide, built in HDD, digital text, watch one/record one or record two/playback one etc.

There are combi receivers out there but can be lacking in certain areas such as no digital text, no 7 day guide for satellite channels, no built-in HDD, no series link.

Saorview PVR
http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-23-WP6500&pages=1&prod=WP6500&brands=WALKER&image=
http://www.tvtrade.ie/saorview-pvr.html

Freesat+
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/ (rh column)

Combi
http://www.tvtrade.ie/satellite-receivers/combined-digital-receivers.html

BenEadir

Thanks Cush,

My family couldn't cope with a two box solution and I couldn't live without a 7 day EPG and functional PVR so I guess I'll have to wait a while for the combi boxes to evolve into a seamless experience.

Cheers,

Ben

basill

Cush does the Amiko Alien provide a one box solution? I know it requires the user to spend a fair amount of time configuring but once up and running it appears to be the dogs whatsits. Am seriously thinking of ditching Sky myself.

The Cush

basill wrote: »

Cush does the Amiko Alien provide a one box solution?

I don't own one so can't confirm. There is a long thread on it over in the terrestrial forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056707402

bappelbe

The Cush wrote: »

I don't own one so can't confirm. There is a long thread on it over in the terrestrial forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056707402

it does - however it is not easy to set up.
By that I mean to get it running the way you want it will require work and knowledge of telnet and ftp.
look at the firmware thread in the terrestrial forum for a guide on how to set it up. this will let you know if you would be comfortable doing it

I have one set up with Saorview and the FTA satellite channels, with 7day epg and recording all working

basill

I have one set up with Saorview and the FTA satellite channels, with 7day epg and recording all working

Are there any "image files" with all of the settings that you can download to get you up and running straight off the bat or does it not really work like that eg: with all available channels for example.

bappelbe

basill wrote: »

Are there any "image files" with all of the settings that you can download to get you up and running straight off the bat or does it not really work like that eg: with all available channels for example.

There are a few image files
one of the contributors to the above thread has one - championc you can pm him for a link.
The forum at http://www.satstation.co.uk/ has a few as well.
These make life easier but doing a full install yourself is good to learn how it works so you can change it to your preferences

homelink

BenThere wrote: »

Hi all,

Living in Dublin is it possible to get the Irish FTA and UK FTA channels on a single box with merged 7 day EPG and full PVR functionality including series recording or am I dreaming up something that doesn't yet exist??

I'm paying UPC waaaay too much per annum for my TV service.

Ben

What I did was have a look at what the family actually watched & then decided what we needed. We had a TV with a Saorview tuner built in & got a freesat PVR box. So for example, now the missus watches & records home & away on channel 5 instead of rte2. A lot of the shows featured on rte are on the uk channels & TV3 is basically UTV south.:rolleyes:

kooga

homelink wrote: »

What I did was have a look at what the family actually watched & then decided what we needed. We had a TV with a Saorview tuner built in & got a freesat PVR box. So for example, now the missus watches & records home & away on channel 5 instead of rte2. A lot of the shows featured on rte are on the uk channels & TV3 is basically UTV south.:rolleyes:

I agree the best and slickest alternative to pay TV