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Is a HTPC with tv tuner a viable alternative to Sky

  • 20-01-2014 8:56pm
    #1
    adocholiday
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    Just wondering if a HTPC with a tv tuner would be a viable alternative to Sky? My parents have Sky but feel that it is no longer worth the money because they don't watch the majority of channels on it. The problem is that they're in a fairly rural area with no fibre service so UPC and eVision are not viable options. I was thinking about making a HTPC for them with a TV tuner but its hard to find reliable information about what channels are available. Would really appreciate some information. I also wouldn't mind splashing out for one either because it will still be money saved in the long run. Also lack of sports and movies is not a problem.

    Thanks in advance!


Comments

  • #2
    Knasher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,370 ✭✭✭Knasher


    http://whatson.freesat.co.uk/tvguide/

    Those are the channels that are broadcast unencrypted over freesat, which you could pickup with a dvb-s2 card and a satellite dish pointed at 28.2e (where sky dishes point; so you can reuse your current dish. There are also other channels but they are generally of poor quality or special interest). If you are only interested in those channels then it might be simpler get a dedicated freesat receiver, which has the advantage of updating automatically whenever the channels move frequencies.

    If you want the Irish channels on the same box (for recording purposes) then you can go the htpc route and also get a dvb-t card and pick them up off a normal antenna, there are combined dvb-s and dvb-t boxes, but they don't use the full freesat epg (now and next only), which is annoying for recording programs.

    Personally I built a box with a dvb-s2 card and a dvb-t card and I use mythtv and xbmc on my htpc. This gives me a full epg, the ability to pause tv, and record all the saorview and freesat channels.


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