Satellite combo box or replace TV?

magootoo

Hi all,

You might help me. I've decided to get rid of virgin media and am going the soarview/freesat route. Should I get a combo box like the amiko a3 combo or replace the TV (it's a pretty old sony bravia)with one with built in tuner? I want to go the IPTV route too!!!
I'd appreciate your insight and knowledge thanks.

magootoo

Gerry Wicklow

Some of the things to be wary of with Smart Tvs with built in sat tuners is that the software is usually pretty limited and you are locked in to whatever the maker supports. Things like browsers etc are obsolete before you even buy the set. Some sets make it very awkward to switch between terrestrial and sat channels needing 5-6 button presses. Only some sets actually support true FreeSat others have just FTA satellite tuners.
You can guess I'm inclined towards buying a good TV and separate box. It's much cheaper and easier to update/upgrade a box.
I trust you do realise that you will need both a satellite dish AND terrestrial aerial for Saorview and FTA satellite. Irish channels are not free on the 28E satellite used by FreeSat/Sky.

Gerry Wicklow

Just a point of clarification: there is no such thing as a FreeSat combo. FreeSat is branded software that takes the Free-To-Air (FTA) satellite signals and adds things like a 7day EPG, auto tuning and Red Button functions. FreeSat boxes do not have terrestrial tuners. Linux based combo boxes like the Amiko Alien2, Edision OS3 etc use plugins to mimic the above functions. More basic combos may not support all functions.

magootoo

Thanks for your responses Gerry, so would the Amiko A3 Combo be a good option in your opinion???

EIREAROEIRE

got a box from smart tv never looked back never mind virgin defo

magootoo

Hi what box was it can you recommend one?

Gerry Wicklow

I'm not familiar with the Amiko A3 Combo but it seems to only have 1 x DVB-S2 tuner. If you want to be able to record a satellite channel while watching another, you will need two DVB-S2 tuners as well as the terrestrial tuner. Unlike terrestrial aerials where the signal can be split among several TVs, satellite tuners need a direct feed from the dish. The norm these days is to have a quad LNB (the yoke on the front of the dish) with 4 separate cables coming from it.

EIREAROEIRE

igot celtic warrior box 150 euro he emails u every few weeks with updates and stuff comes with air mouse but tbh i think any box that runs kodi is ok just add some apps that suit u most tv channels nearly all actually work fine

magootoo

Gerry,
Thanks for your input, would there be a box you would recommend, I am very new to this and appreciate your knowledge???