TV choice to minimize other equipment

share_bear

This seems to span both Terrestial and Satellite so I'll have to post in each section...


I haven't really kept up to date with the developments in free television viewing, and as I try to catch up, I am becoming a little confused....please help.

It appears that I can get Saorview (limited list of Irish channels only) by purchasing a SaorView approved TV and connecting it to an indoor aerial, no settop box required.

but...

Is it possible to get a TV with an internal sat turner, i.e. to also connect a satallite dish directly to the TV without having to go through a set-top box? If so, how do I tell what TV's have this when looking in Argos, Harvey Normans etc? Or is a set-top box a must-have for satellite?

Is there a TV with the in-built ability to record (not relying on a set-top box)?

Also, if going Freesat, can I also receive the main Irish channels via Saorsat - i.e. eliminate the need to bother with an aerial at all?

I am looking to do several TVs in the house and looking for the best result on a budget.

Thanks in Advance

Gerry Wicklow

1. Depending where you live you might get away with an indoor aerial for Saorview but results are iffy at best. Saorview was designed for external aerials or possibly in the attic.
2. TVs exist with both terrestrial (Saorview) and satellite tuners built in. Look for DVB-T(terrestrial) and DVB-S (Satellite).
3. Recording on TVs is usually a very basic affair, only able to record what you are watching.
4. Getting both UK satellite (28East) and Saorsat needs are more elaborate dish setup. Saorsat has very limited channels, no TV3 and RTÉ1 is not HD.

share_bear

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

1. Depending where you live you might get away with an indoor aerial for Saorview but results are iffy at best. Saorview was designed for external aerials or possibly in the attic.
2. TVs exist with both terrestrial (Saorview) and satellite tuners built in. Look for DVB-T(terrestrial) and DVB-S (Satellite).
3. Recording on TVs is usually a very basic affair, only able to record what you are watching.
4. Getting both UK satellite (28East) and Saorsat needs are more elaborate dish setup. Saorsat has very limited channels, no TV3 and RTÉ1 is not HD.

Its really unclear looking in Argos catalogue what each TV is from the DVB-T/S standpoint...

I came across this post:

galtee boy wrote: »

New Panasonic TVs now out, that have TWIN tuners for both Freeview HD and Freesat HD, allowing recording of one channel via external drive, while watching another channel. Also,fantastic looking smart tv hub on them also, review on June's What Satellite Mag, also Samsung have twin tuners models out also, I believe.

Sounds perfect - anyone know what TV this is?

Gerry Wicklow

From my limited experience of TVs with built-in tuners, the software is pants and very clunky to use. They are also very expensive for what you get. A good HD Tv and combo box will give better results, upgradable software and probably similar price, if not cheaper.

Cerco

In my opinion the best solution is a separate sat ( freesat) receiver with built in recording e.g Humax HDR. together with a separate Saorview approved recorder. You can select from a wide range of TVs to complete the installation.

Tvs with built in tuners require constant retuning in the same way as combo boxes. Freesat boxes automatically update when transponders change.

share_bear

Cerco wrote: »

In my opinion the best solution is a separate sat ( freesat) receiver with built in recording e.g Humax HDR. together with a separate Saorview approved recorder. You can select from a wide range of TVs to complete the installation.

Tvs with built in tuners require constant retuning in the same way as combo boxes. Freesat boxes automatically update when transponders change.

"Constant Retuning" -- like how often please, every couple of months or every week?

share_bear

Please can anyone recommend small cheap TVs with both Sat and Saorview tuners built in? The ones on the saorview website are more towards top of the range.

Also, is it possible to combine Aerial and sat onto one cable for distribution, splitting out again just before each tv?

icdg

We don't do cross posting here. Broadcasting is the place to go if your thread spans multiple platforms. However, I think Satellite is probably more appropriate in this instance.