Leaving Sky - Free Channels Help

Herrick

Ok I currently have a Sky+ HD box. I will be leaving them shorty.

I just wondered what's the story in regards to being able to view channels like BBC, ITV and RTE.

I had assumed I could simply view them all via other channels, is this possible or do I need to get some sort of box? Bear in mind I have nothing but the Sky dish, no aerial for Saorview.

I've looked through some threads but it's beginning to get very confusing.

Peter Rhea

The Irish channels are subscription-only with a Sky box & the dish isn't really any use for the Saorsat service.

Post the make & model of your tv: it might work with Saorview but, you will need a UHF aerial.

SweetCaliber

You can get the Free to Air Channels, BBC, ITV, E4, More4, CBS, Channel 4, Five, etc...

Full list and how to do it here:
http://elfknowsit.com/content/sky-channel-codes-updated-230313


You cannot get RTE. To get RTE you must have a Saorview Approved TV or Set Top Box.

For the TV you need one with a MPEG4 Decoder. MPEG2 Won't work, it will only give you sound.

As for saorsat, last resort if you cannot get Saorview. Doesn't have TV3 etc.. So avoid it if you can.

Now if you want both Irish Channels (RTE, TV3, TG4 etc..) and FTA channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc...) You need a combo box.
You'll also need a satellite dish and a UHF aerial. You will also need the combo box itself.

Herrick

Thanks for the reply Peter.

My TV is a Sony Bravia KDL32BX320BU

The Cush

Herrick wrote: »

I just wondered what's the story in regards to being able to view channels like BBC, ITV and RTE.

I had assumed I could simply view them all via other channels, is this possible or do I need to get some sort of box? Bear in mind I have nothing but the Sky dish, no aerial for Saorview.

Remove your Sky card from the box and then check which channels will remain after you cancel your subscription. Once you cancel the recording and playback functions of the box will no longer work.

Herrick

SweetCaliber wrote: »

Now if you want both Irish Channels (RTE, TV3, TG4 etc..) and FTA channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc...) You need a combo box.
You'll also need a satellite dish and a UHF aerial. You will also need the combo box itself.

This is what I'd want both Irish and FTA. I already have the dish. So I'd just need to get an aerial I have in the shed reattached onto the roof I assume?

Once that is done I just need a combo box, any recommendations?

Peter Rhea

Yeah, that tv is on the Saorview approved list, so you will get Saorview, provided you have coverage & use the appropriate aerial. Coverage checker here: http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/make-the-switch/coverage-map/

That tv doesn't have any recording ability & your Sky box will also lose this when you cancel the sub.

gtg60

Herrick wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Peter.

My TV is a Sony Bravia KDL32BX320BU

The TV is Saorview approved, where are you located as sometimes an indoor aerial is enough to receive the Irish channels.

SweetCaliber

Herrick wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Peter.

My TV is a Sony Bravia KDL32BX320BU

Your TV is compatible with Saorview

Simply buy a UHF Aerial (If you used to get RTE through an Aerial then that will work) Hook it back up to your tv directly and do a digital channel scan.

How to do a digital scan is on page 7 of the manual:
http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/4270481121.pdf

And off you go

SweetCaliber

Herrick wrote: »

This is what I'd want both Irish and FTA. I already have the dish. So I'd just need to get an aerial I have in the shed reattached onto the roof I assume?

Once that is done I just need a combo box, any recommendations?

Your TV is saorview approved so if you only want the Irish channels then thats the way to go.

Actually, if you want, you could connect saorview up to your tv as I described above and use the sky box for FTA channels.

However, If you want the ability to record channels, receive HD channels and get Teletext I would highly suggest the Walker WP645TS-HD Saorview Combo box.

While it is dearer than other combo boxes, my nan has it and its pretty damn good.

More info here: http://www.tvtrade.ie/saorview-combo-walker.html

There are loads though, best to pick one to suit your needs.

Herrick

Thanks for all the help so far.

I'm located in West Clare and the TV used get RTE and the like through the aerial.

I was looking on the Saorview site. They have recommended combo boxes which will allow both RTE and FTA channel reception. I'd be ok to go with one of those? Is it possible to get a combo box that can record like the Sky box?

SweetCaliber

Herrick wrote: »

Thanks for all the help so far.

I'm located in West Clare and the TV used get RTE and the like through the aerial.

I was looking on the Saorview site. They have recommended combo boxes which will allow both RTE and FTA channel reception. I'd be ok to go with one of those? Is it possible to get a combo box that can record like the Sky box?

Most Can, the Walker one I posted above does. Just look for the words DVR or PVR (Digital Video Recorder or Personal Video Recorder)

Peter Rhea

SweetCaliber wrote: »

Herrick wrote: »

. . . Is it possible to get a combo box that can record like the Sky box?

Most Can, the Walker one I posted above does. Just look for the words DVR or PVR (Digital Video Recorder or Personal Video Recorder)

You might need to pay more attention to the words like the Sky box . . .

Most of the combos only have 'now & next' info for the UK channels in the EPG & only have a single satellite tuner.

SweetCaliber

Peter Rhea wrote: »

You might need to pay more attention to the words like the Sky box . . .

Most of the combos only have 'now & next' info for the UK channels in the EPG & only have a single satellite tuner.

I know, that's why I said it's best if he took a look for himself to find the box to suit his needs, was just letting him know that those types of boxes do exist.

The walker one only offers now and next info for FTA channels, but on the upside it offers the chance to record, the chance to view the teletext and offers HD.

Herrick

Thanks I'll check out the Walker one To be quiet honest recording isn't a MUST have as I has been resigned to it losing the recording function. This TV is actually a kitchen one, we'll still have the sitting room TV with Sky for regular use.

I just want to ensure at minimum I can get all the Irish and UK channels and more importantly in HD as I will mostly be viewing soccer on it.

Peter is there any box you might know of that would function like the Sky one compared to the Walker just out of interest?

Peter Rhea

The already mentioned Walker WP645TS-HD is one that actually has a 7-day EPG available if the 'satfree' software is loaded. Still just has 1 satellite & 1 terrestrial tuner, so doesn't allow Sky-like recording flexibility & needs an external drive to record to.

Linux receivers like the Amiko Alien 2 triple tuner can incorporate a lot of features but need a bit of user input.

With Saorview mux. 2 starting shortly, a combo needs to have 4 tuners (2 satellite, 2 terrestrial) to give full 'watch 1 programme, record any other' flexibility.

The Cush

Herrick wrote: »

Peter is there any box you might know of that would function like the Sky one compared to the Walker just out of interest?

There is no combi box that functions like the Sky box i.e. no internal HDD, no 7 day epg, no series linking, no twin tuner recording.

The closest you get to Sky functionality is a Freesat+ PVR satellite receiver, it's not a combi. See http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/ (rh column).

For Saorview recording a Saorview PVR gives you similar functionality to a Sky + box like twin tuner recording, series linking etc - http://www.tvtrade.ie/saorview-pvr.html

The Cush

Herrick wrote: »

So I'd just need to get an aerial I have in the shed reattached onto the roof I assume?

Herrick wrote: »

I'm located in West Clare and the TV used get RTE and the like through the aerial.

Some of the old analogue transmitters in W Clare were not converted to Saorview. If that old aerial was for one of those transmitters, like Lahinch, it might not be suitable for a different transmitter.

Did you receive TV3 at that time with the aerial? The smaller transmitters did not transmit analogue TV3.

Do you know which transmitter it was pointing at previously?

Herrick

The Cush wrote: »

Some of the old analogue transmitters in W Clare were not converted to Saorview. If that old aerial was for one of those transmitters, like Lahinch, it might not be suitable for a different transmitter.

Did you receive TV3 at that time with the aerial? The smaller transmitters did not transmit analogue TV3.

Do you know which transmitter it was pointing at previously?

Yes we received TV3 with the aerial, although to enable it to work there was a piece added to the origanl aerial if that makes any difference.

I'm afraid I don't know for sure but my Dad reckons it was Maghera?

The Cush

Herrick wrote: »

Yes we received TV3 with the aerial, although to enable it to work there was a piece added to the origanl aerial if that makes any difference.

I'm afraid I don't know for sure but my Dad reckons it was Maghera?

If it was Maghera 2 aerials were required, VHF aerial for RTÉ1/2 and a UHF aerial for TV3 and TG4.

The UHF aerial should be OK for Saorview, the VHF one will not be required.