Questions about a free to air satellite

U_Fig

Ok so i am cancelling my sky subscription and i am looking to avail of free sat and Saorview ..

In my current setup I have a dish with a quad LBN connected to my sky + HD box. I have an old(Still working Sky + HD box also and possibly an old sky box also) and my TV (Panasonic Viera TX-P42GT20L) is Saorview enabled.. i have a recording feature on the TV but i haven't tested it at all..

So my question, is there any benefit to getting a Free-sat box when i have access to 2 sky + HD boxes and a Saorview enabled TV?

If I cancel sky can i still record on the sky boxes?

I would need to be able to timer record (A function i am unsure that my TV Has and probably does not). and possibly record 2 channels at once or watch one and record one.

I also would like to be able to share the picture into at least 1 other room in the house using RF out, which i am currently doing with my sky box into 2 rooms. i have a signal splitter already.

I was looking at a 2 x DVB-T2 and 2 x DBV-S2 combo box but it is quite expensive and i don't think it's worth the money..

what do you think my best option would be?

Have you any advice on hardware if i should buy new ones

Thanks

Atlantic Dawn

You won't be able to record once you cancel your sub and you also won't have access to your recorded content.

If it was me I would buy a proper Freesat box thst record. Humax make a couple of models. Combo boxes require manual tuning when frequencies change and don't offer the 7 day epg.

mass_debater

Just to note, Freesat and Free to Air are not the same thing, Freesat is a branded product, a joint venture between ITV and BBC. They market and sell Freesat satellite boxes. The difference between Freesat and Free to Air satellite boxes is huge, FTA boxes usually do not get updates of channel frequency changes and only get now and next EPG from the satellites at 28.2e. Freesat boxes get continuous updates and have a 7 day EPG

muffler

mass_debater wrote: »

The difference between Freesat and Free to Air satellite boxes is huge, FTA boxes usually do not get updates of channel frequency changes and only get now and next EPG from the satellites at 28.2e. Freesat boxes get continuous updates and have a 7 day EPG

But do FTA receivers not have a lot more channels than Freesat receivers?

excollier

muffler wrote: »

But do FTA receivers not have a lot more channels than Freesat receivers?

Only than in the main freesat epg. If a freesat box is switched to non-freesat mode then it is just a fta box (in behaviour)

mass_debater

muffler wrote: »

But do FTA receivers not have a lot more channels than Freesat receivers?

A few, not many you'd watch though.

Technofobe

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

You won't be able to record once you cancel your sub and you also won't have access to your recorded content.

If it was me I would buy a proper Freesat box thst record. Humax make a couple of models. Combo boxes require manual tuning when frequencies change and don't offer the 7 day epg.

The amiko alien 2 combo box gets automatic updates using autoboquets and also has a 7 day epg when connected to the interweb thingy
It is a triple tuner
2 sat + 1 terrestial
can record and pause if you plug in a usb HDD

Main advantage is you can have your sat and terrestial stations in 1 list with only 1 remote
If you like the sky epg you could use fresh potts hyperion 4.5 with the sky skin

Main thread is here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057246289

U_Fig

Hi thanks for the replys yeah because the tv has terrestrial built in that alien 2 would be perfect I think or any triple tuner box.. i would have the option to always watch and record something simultaniouslty regardless of it being sat or terrestrial.. All be it with 2 hard drives connected.. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

mass_debater

Just to note, the Alien 2 is not a plug and play box. You need to get your head around installing, configuring and tuning enigma 2.

Technofobe

mass_debater wrote: »

Just to note, the Alien 2 is not a plug and play box. You need to get your head around installing, configuring and tuning enigma 2.

If your not too technically minded you could opt for the default spark operating system
Really boring but stable as it gets
No autoboquets on spark but cross epg works
But If you like enigma 2 there are quite a few backup images floating about
where most of the work is already done
a simple rescan of the terrestial channels should have it up and running in no time
Im using the openATV image at the mo and have not had any green screeners in quite a while

By the way spark thread is here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057246284

Technofobe

U_Fig wrote: »

Hi thanks for the replys yeah because the tv has terrestrial built in that alien 2 would be perfect I think or any triple tuner box.. i would have the option to always watch and record something simultaniouslty regardless of it being sat or terrestrial.. All be it with 2 hard drives connected.. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

No need for 2 HDD
with a triple tuner you can watch RTE and record 2 sat stations at same time
Or watch 1 sat while recording another sat and record RTE as well

Obvious limit is has to be a good quality HDD like the samsung M3
And although its a triple tuner it is 1 terrestial ( Saorview ) tuner and 2 satelite tuners
So If your watching RTE 1 you cant record RTE 2 at same time as there's only 1 Terrestial tuner
No teletext through this box either
But if your tv is saorview enabled you can connect a fly lead from the Ant passthrough of the amiko box to the Ant in on your tv
and you will get teletxt and also be able to record RTE 1 from the amiko and watch RTE2 at same time from the saorview tuner in the tv
simples

also you may or may not be aware that there is no rf out on these boxes so if you have a second tv connected to your sky box
you would need to find another way of getting picture to your second tv via raspberry pi or cubieboard or odroid
and that can get a little technical alright :-)

Thurston?

Technofobe wrote: »

No need for 2 HDD ...

... although its a triple tuner it is 1 terrestial ( Saorview ) tuner and 2 satelite tuners
So If your watching RTE 1 you cant record RTE 2 at same time as there's only 1 Terrestial tuner

Presumably, the 2nd HDD is for recording from the TV's own tuner, just to maximise the recording options.

U_Fig wrote: »

... I also would like to be able to share the picture into at least 1 other room in the house using RF out, which i am currently doing with my sky box into 2 rooms. i have a signal splitter already.

Triax Tri-Link seems to be a popular choice for re-establishing the Sky box RF-out & 9 volts DC power for 'magic eyes' & amplifiers, for receivers that don't have these features. Similar device from Antiference.

U_Fig

Thanks guys yeah the second HDD would just be for maximising recording options.. Jesus if I missed a soap I'd be killed.. Yeah I wouldn't mind the technical side setting it up but I'd need it to be easy to use on and day to day basis for others I'm the house.. That tri-link thing would work OK I'll look I to that ..I have a HTPC that I built and was looking at PCIe tuners but they seem be just as expenive that the stand alone boxes with less functionality. I think I have a plan sussed out. I just have one more question..

Do these boxes require a lot of matianing or is it just a case of updating every few weeks or so?

Gerry Wicklow

Once set up they are easy to use and maintain. On rare occasions a channel may move transponder but that takes only a few seconds to scan the new TP if you have any tech savvy (it can also be automated). They can also be very powerful and flexible if you do dive in a bit further;)
I use my HTPC a lot less these days as my AA2 does all I want and much more.