Cheapest saorview option?

Ninap

Hi,

I don't currently have any terrestrial or satellite service (just Netflix) but would like to watch the world cup. My TV does not have a built in saorview decoder. Any advice on the cheapest option in terms of a box and a basic (indoor) aerial (I'm based in Dublin)? I don't need recordable, or freesat etc, just a very basic box (if one exists).

Thanks!

kooga

this box from argos €39.99

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/1397578/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CHome+entertainment+and+sat+nav%7C14419512/c_2/3%7Ccat_19780832%7CDigital+boxes+and+services%7C14419633.htm

check to see if it has a hdmi cable if not dealz €1.49

http://www.dealz.ie/leisure-and-entertainment/electrical/tv-and-audio-accessories/signalex-hdmi-cable-1m

indoor aerial dealz again €1.49

http://www.dealz.ie/leisure-and-entertainment/electrical/tv-and-audio-accessories/digital-indoor-tv-aerial



This should get you up and running. (however indoor aerial set ups can be hit and miss) best of luck and hopefully enjoy the world cup on rte 2 in HD

Kuenssberg

Ninap wrote: »

... My TV does not have a built in saorview decoder.

Sure about that? It needn't be on the Saorview approved list.

Ninap

Thanks for responses. I actually went to Maplin at lunchtime and saw they have the Ferguson Ariva basic box for 64.99, and their cheapest aerial was 14.99, I think. The Argos option would be cheaper.

The tv is a Sharp Aquos from 2006 - it was cutting edge then (HD ready!), but a bit dated now. I don't think there's a digital tuner

kooga

Ninap wrote: »

Thanks for responses. I actually went to Maplin at lunchtime and saw they have the Ferguson Ariva basic box for 64.99, and their cheapest aerial was 14.99, I think. The Argos option would be cheaper.

The tv is a Sharp Aquos from 2006 - it was cutting edge then (HD ready!), but a bit dated now. I don't think there's a digital tuner

i assume you have a hdmi connection at the back of the tv? if not you will have to go down the scart option.

Ninap

kooga wrote: »

i assume you have a hdmi connection at the back of the tv? if not you will have to go down the scart option.

Yeah, it has a single HDMI connection, so I have a HDMI splitter into which I feed an Apple TV box and a PS3 (and will add the saorview box)

Thanks again for help!

Kuenssberg

Ninap wrote: »

The tv is a Sharp Aquos from 2006 - it was cutting edge then (HD ready!), but a bit dated now. I don't think there's a digital tuner

Yes, anything that will work with Saorview would be at least a couple of years younger.

watty

Sorry but HD Ready wasn't "cutting edge" in 2006.

But almost nothing in 2006 had MPEG4.

Plenty of local shops have cheap HDMI cables (Under €8). They are actually cheaper and simpler to make than a SCART.

lee_baby_simms

I bought this in DID yesterday. Works like a dream!

http://www.did.ie/prima-vi-digital-terrestrial-high-definition-receiver-prima-vi-prd

STB

Ninap wrote: »

Yeah, it has a single HDMI connection, so I have a HDMI splitter into which I feed an Apple TV box and a PS3 (and will add the saorview box)

Thanks again for help!

You could have got the playtv box for about €25. It connects to your PS3.

winston_1

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

I bought this in DID yesterday. Works like a dream!

http://www.did.ie/prima-vi-digital-terrestrial-high-definition-receiver-prima-vi-prd

Not Saorview approved though, so no MHEG, may work like a dream but a bad dream for many.

winston_1

kooga wrote: »

This should get you up and running. (however indoor aerial set ups can be hit and miss) best of luck and hopefully enjoy the world cup on rte 2 in HD

Particularly when the one you have recommended is a VHF aerial only suitable for DAB and FM radio.

Ninap

Just to say I bought the Argos box, with an All for One aerial, and it's working perfectly. Notwithstanding what I said earlier about not needing to record anything, I do need to record tonight's England match . Is there a cheapish USB stick I can get at short notice (eg, Maplin, Argos or DID) that I will be able to use to record on?

Many thanks again....

fat-tony

You can buy USB sticks in Tesco

zzap64

winston_1 wrote: »

Not Saorview approved though, so no MHEG, may work like a dream but a bad dream for many.

I've done a quick check up on Wikipedia on MHEG5. If the Prima VI box doesn't have it, what does that mean in practical terms?

After a bit more research, I found on tvtrade.ie:

Non approved boxes or generic Digital TV receivers are missing some of these features, mainly the Mheg5 middleware. This will affect their ability to for example;

Get Digital Teletext on HD channels
Access Interactive Services (Red button)

It's not a big issue currently as RTE 2 is the only channel that is broadcast in HD (some of the time) and there aren't really any interactive services to speak of but this may change over time.

I can live without digital teletext and any interactive services anyway.

winston_1

zzap64 wrote: »

I can live without digital teletext and any interactive services anyway.

You may also find it won't store the part time channels properly, and that the clock is stuck on GMT all the year round.

construct06

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

I bought this in DID yesterday. Works like a dream!

http://www.did.ie/prima-vi-digital-terrestrial-high-definition-receiver-prima-vi-prd

for this box which i bought also, i expected the 'ant out' to output in analog the channel displayed but it seems to be only a pass through for the digital signal. Do any of the saorview boxes output in analog to allow a 2nd tv display whats already on the main tv like the sky boxes?

The Cush

construct06 wrote: »

Do any of the saorview boxes output in analog to allow a 2nd tv display whats already on the main tv like the sky boxes?

No Saorview box that I know has an RF modulator that outputs an analogue signal like a Sky box, only the digital loop through is available via the antenna out.

construct06

interesting i thought this would be a basic feature. Anyway not to worry, i can buy a second box, and at 29.99 they are cheap enough to give life back to 2 old tvs at the mobile home...!