Freeview in Limerick

concussion

Hi folks,
I plan to cancel my UPC subscription and move to Freesat and as my TV is old I'll need to buy both a Saorview and Freesat box. I was in Harvey Norman and was told if I was going to upgrade my TV soon (which I was planning in another year or so) it would be a good idea to go for a TV like this LG which has Saorview and Freeview. http://www.harveynorman.ie/tvs-headphones/hd-tvs/lg-42-smart-led-tv-42ln575v.html

Would I be correct in thinking that Freeview reception in Limerick would be poor given that it's a terrestrial digital transmission rather than satellite? If so, are there any TV's that have Freesat built in rather than Freeview?

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, it seemed to be the best place for it!

Thanks,
Concussion.

Peter Rhea

That LG TV does have an integrated satellite tuner. It isn't a Freesat TV, so will only have 'now & next' programme info on the satellite channels.

The person in the shop wouldn't necessarlily be aware that Freeview is a terrestrial service.

concussion

Hi Peter, thanks for the quick reply. All the info I have seen, including from the LG website, says Freeview but no mention of a satellite tuner - any idea why they're advertising the terrestrial and not the satellite?

I'd prefer Freesat but for the price I don't mind the FTA feed as I can get listings on android app. Do you know if the channels are easy to set up - can you have certain channels only in the listing or does it just give you the entire channel list without any customisation?

Peter Rhea

Not sure how the channel list works out: have no 1st hand experience of these TVs.

The user guide seems kind of vague although, there is mention of setting the programme mode to satellite etc. You can download it here: http://www.lg.com/uk/support-product/lg-42LN575V#

icdg

concussion wrote: »

Would I be correct in thinking that Freeview reception in Limerick would be poor given that it's a terrestrial digital transmission rather than satellite? .

It would be non-existent in Limerick, you'd need to be living near the border or on the east coast to receive Freeview.

The thread falls between the two stools of satellite and terrestrial, while I could leave it in Broadcasting I think you're probably best pursuing the satellite option and I'll move it there.

homingbird

Try this if you have a good internet connection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nNHVRBlKIY

watty

Better to get a Saorview only "not smart" TV and spend the saving on a Real Freesat + HD PVR (for UK TV) and tablet/notebook with HDMI (for Smart features). Even the HMDI on my phone + my WiFi turns the TV into a smart one.

Freesat needs a dish + LNBF (An ex Sky one works).
Generic FTA Satellite receivers are really for mainland European services (which can be received in Limerick, but not on same LNBF as Freesat).

concussion

Hi watty,
this TV isn't much more expensive than non-smart TV's so I think it would work out more expensive for a Saorview TV and separate Freesat box. I also don't have the option to work in smart features with a separate tablet or smartphone.

I was under the impression that the difference between FTA satellite and Freesat was that Freesat had a 7 (8?) day EPG and didn't require manual re-tuning. I have a Sky dish so was intending on just getting a Freesat box but as I'll be upgrading my old (non-Saorview) TV soon I'd be more than happy if this TV gave me UK satellite - I don't mind re-tuning where required and can get a program guide online.

watty

A good non-Smart HDTV is about €300 I think? Who is selling a decent 42" size genuine Smart TV (which need a compatible tablet / Phone to control fully and real broadband) under €400? Or even under €500?

Most Saorview TVs with built Satellite will not be Freesat Mode if Ireland is selected. A separate real Freesat HD box (possibly PVR) is better.

Freesat vs FTA
It's more than "retuning". You have to delete all the garbage after a scan and you may have to manually add "Transponders". Also BBC interactive may not work at all or fully.

Note also BBC iplayer not likely to work. "Smart" refers to functionally via Networking & Broadband. Always FAR more limited than Tablet/netbook/laptop via HDMI. Rarely kept up to date with Codecs etc so YouTube etc can stop working. Video /Radio /Web that works on Tablet/netbook/laptop may not work.
Satellite Tuner is completely separate issue / feature to any "Smart" features (a misnomer as the best PCs are dumb and have more flexibity/features!).

concussion

Hi watty,
I can get this TV for €469 which is pretty similar to the cost of a 42 inch TV with Saorview plus a decent Fresat box which can record to USB. If this TV can give me HD FTA channels then I reckon it's worth getting instead of a normal tv with Freesat box as I'll be able to use it as a media centre and record to hard drive, as well as using the smart features.

winston_1

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The person in the shop wouldn't necessarlily be aware that Freeview is a terrestrial service.

Well he ought to be.

watty

I'd rather spend a little extra and have a real Freesat + HDR (maybe €30 to €50 more).
Good luck on long HD programs and reliability on USB recording on a TV!

The lifetime of TVs is poor compared to pre WS CRTs.

dr.fuzzenstein

I have that exact same telly and I'm well pleased with it.
It has Freesat built in (using it copiously) and can pick up Saorview.
It has internet connectivity and it connects to my fileshare.
Two points of criticism:
Movie playback via WiFi is lousy (been told it's a general Smart TV issue) and the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) doesn't work all to well.
Other than that it's a fabulous piece of kit. Built in speakers aren't great, but again, general flatscreen TV problem, rather than LG specific.
Any questions? I'll be glad to answer.

dr.fuzzenstein

Forgot to add, the telly also takes a HDD for recording and keyboard and mouse.
Very handy with the web-browser and youtube app.
Only comes with standard remote, very small, awkward and badly layed out, but you can get smart remote or app for smartphone.
I've only had it for a few months so had no time to fully explore every feature on it yet, this is actually half the fun you can have with this telly.

Peter Rhea

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It has Freesat built in (using it copiously)

The LG TV mentioned in the OP here, is not a Freesat TV.

dr.fuzzenstein

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The LG TV mentioned in the OP here, is not a Freesat TV.

I have all those channels. Whatever it's called.

Peter Rhea

The programmes you are receiving from the satellites at 28 degrees east, are free-to-air but, as you must have noticed, no schedule information is carried, beyond 'now & next'.

A proper EPG is 1 of the features of Freesat. These features are carried in separate broadcast streams that can only be accessed by licensed equipment.

dr.fuzzenstein

Yes, that is right. It's not too bad, I can live with it.
It's good enough for me to get rid of Sky for now.

murfbrowne

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Yes, that is right. It's not too bad, I can live with it.
It's good enough for me to get rid of Sky for now.

Just put a deposit on that tv lg 32ln575v but worried now about its ability to have bbcs and itvs as I too want to get rid of sky.
Do I also have to put my location in as uk to get bbc player etc. What about tv3 player app too.
I dont want any other boxes hanging around
Not worried about the tv listing tho.
Thanks
Kate

dr.fuzzenstein

murfbrowne wrote: »

Just put a deposit on that tv lg 32ln575v but worried now about its ability to have bbcs and itvs as I too want to get rid of sky.
Do I also have to put my location in as uk to get bbc player etc. What about tv3 player app too.
I dont want any other boxes hanging around
Not worried about the tv listing tho.
Thanks
Kate

I'm not sure if this TV has a satellite input. It has Freeview, but that is terrestial, i.e. aerial.
You will get Saorview on it, but for the UK channels, you will need a separate sat box.

Peter Rhea

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I'm not sure if this TV has a satellite input.

I'm pretty sure it does have a satellite tuner.

murfbrowne

More confused now. What is the difference between sat tuner and input. I have dish and fta box in another room. Just want to know about uk channels

dr.fuzzenstein

Peter Rhea wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it does have a satellite tuner.

OK, it wasn't immediately clear, it lists "RF in" as 2, the same as mine, so it would appear it has the Sat input.

dr.fuzzenstein

murfbrowne wrote: »

More confused now. What is the difference between sat tuner and input. I have dish and fta box in another room. Just want to know about uk channels

There are two varieties, Freeview is terrestrial telly, only available in the UK, our equivalent is Saorview.
This is picked up by a TV aerial.
Freesat is picked up from a satellite dish and is available here.
Your dish that connects into your FTA box should hook into the LG telly.
Check out if your dish has the possibility to connect more than one cable into it at a time, you may be able to keep the box for another telly if the LNB has more than one connector on it.

Peter Rhea

murfbrowne wrote: »

More confused now. What is the difference between sat tuner and input.

The input is just the connection on the tuner. (Suppose I could have used 'input' to avoid confusion.)

murfbrowne

So that means that I will be able to get the uk channels. Also wondering if I put my postcode or location in as uk will that make any difference. Thanks

Peter Rhea

It isn't a Freesat TV, so you won't be asked to input a postcode. No point setting country as UK either.

murfbrowne

Ok I just thought there was something about being able to get the BBC player etc.

Peter Rhea

murfbrowne wrote: »

Ok I just thought there was something about being able to get the BBC player etc.

Could be for all I know. I'm just thinking of the satellite reception end of things.

dr.fuzzenstein

murfbrowne wrote: »

Ok I just thought there was something about being able to get the BBC player etc.

Well, I'll check mine when I get home, but aside from YouTube I haven't used any other app.
Normally the iPlayer gets your location information based on your internet connection and if that shows up as Ireland, it won't work, regardless of what you enter as location, if you can even enter location information.

murfbrowne

Cheers. any further information wud be great. Thanks again