Moving from UPC

whowantstwoknow

Hi all,

As I dont want to migrate my existing decoder to UPC's Horizon box and with the cost every increasing, I'm thinking of standalone solution. Will probably be keeping UPC for the broadband.

So I'm trying to determine where I should invest my cash to future proof the solution as best one can, For example

1) install Satellite Dish+Aerial+decoder like Sab Unix HD Triple Tuner with Enigma
2) Or is the future over the internet with the likes of Amazon Fire/Firesticks/pii2 etc. Or are we not ready for an internet solution that the family can cope with, ie family friendly

Any direction would be much appreciated.

Thanks
W.

Gerry Wicklow

The biggest advantage of your own dish/aerial is that, after the initial equipment purchase, you get the FTA channels FREE for life. It's nice to have your independence. I would consider broadband as a bonus/alternative, otherwise if your broadband went down for any reason you'd be stuffed.

Sam Russell

How many TVs do you have?

I have gone with Freesat on my three TVs, one is a Foxsat HD+ which gives recording of one channel independent of watching satellite (but can record two at once) Second TV is a Samsung with built in Freesat - works well but is a bit clunky switching from Freesat to Saorview). Third one has a single tuner Humax 1000s which is fine.

I have a quad LNB that feeds into a combiner for all four lines, but this simplifies the cabling since at each point I have a combiner/spiltter.

Any time I have tried using RTE player or similar, I have found it anything but friendly, and very very clunky. It is also heavily overlaid with pointless unavoidable advertising.

I think it is not the time yet for internet TV.

whowantstwoknow

Hi

I have 3 TVs, 1 has the UPC decoder and the other two were never upgraded so just have the "analogue" signal channels (ie 13 channels).

Probably right about the internet not being ready. I also have a HTPC which was taking the scart output from the decoder and storing recordings on the Home LAN. The PC is showing its age and will decommissioned but it would be great if I didnt have to fork out on a standalone hard drive as I've loads of storage on a server.

Not sure what the combiner/spiltter does but during house renovations I was able to feed 2 satellite cables to 2 of the TV points so in terms of installation it should be an easier job.

So its looks like a dish+aerial on the roof and a number of decoders at the TV points.

Is the Sab Unix HD Triple Tuner with Enigma or similar going to be an equivalent experience to a horizon box and family friendly? The HTPC is giving trouble and none of the family wish to use it..thus being pushed to "upgrade"!!!

Thanks
W.

Sam Russell

whowantstwoknow wrote: »

Hi


Not sure what the combiner/spiltter does but during house renovations I was able to feed 2 satellite cables to 2 of the TV points so in terms of installation it should be an easier job.

The combiner/splitter allows one cable to carry the Saorview signal down the same cable as the satellite signal. This means, if the Saorview aerial is near the satellite dish, you can combine the two signals into each cable going to each TV, splitting it back again to feed the TV and Freesat box. They do not lose signal and require no power.

Hope that helps.

whowantstwoknow

Thanks for the feedback.

If anybody wouldn't mind PMing me details of a reliable/knowledgeable installer who covers the Kildare area I'd much appreciate it.

I can then see what sort of price it will come in at.

Thanks
W

Carawaystick

whowantstwoknow wrote: »

Probably right about the internet not being ready. I also have a HTPC which was taking the scart output from the decoder and storing recordings on the Home LAN. The PC is showing its age and will decommissioned but it would be great if I didnt have to

You can use a raspberry pi to drive hd video from the home lan, it just plugs into the hdmi port of a tv.

Vic_08

whowantstwoknow wrote: »

Hi

I have 3 TVs, 1 has the UPC decoder and the other two were never upgraded so just have the "analogue" signal channels (ie 13 channels).

If you are keeping UPC broadband you will also still have the UPC analogue TV channels.

Worth keeping in mind before you go out and buy a set of new boxes. Useful as Sky 1, Sky Living, Discovery, Comedy Central, MTV are not available FTA.

If you are not bothered with having RTE in HD or recording any of the Irish channels then you may not need to bother with sourview at all.

GerardKeating

Vic_08 wrote: »

If you are keeping UPC broadband you will also still have the UPC analogue TV channels.

To be pedantic, if you are not paying for the TV service, one is technically not allowed to use the Analogue service.

The Cush

GerardKeating wrote: »

To be pedantic, if you are not paying for the TV service, one is technically not allowed to use the Analogue service.

There is no longer an analogue subscription option even if you wanted to pay, the channels remain for the legacy analogue subscribers.

winston_1

The Cush wrote: »

There is no longer an analogue subscription option even if you wanted to pay, the channels remain for the legacy analogue subscribers.

Indeed. But he is not a legacy analogue subscriber.

The Cush

winston_1 wrote: »

But he is not a legacy analogue subscriber.

And so the analogue channels will be available by default as a UPC broadband subscriber until such time as they switch them off and migrate the legacy subscibers over to digital. When or if that happens expect a major outcry from those homes using the analogue channels on second/third/etc. TVs in the home, also without a multiroom sub.