Saorview/Freesat newby - is it what I need?

gigglybits

Currently I have a samsung smart tv (not saorview enabled). No phone line, no aerial, no dish. I have broadband but through a minidish which gives up to 7mbps but more likely 3 mbps.

What I would like is access to some Irish and UK channels, any in HD would be a bonus and I would have no need to record. I have netflix but find the content mostly uninteresting. I cannot tolerate any more of RTE player on this smart tv - it just refuses to work properly. It seems from reading up on Saorview and Freesat that these are exactly what I am looking for with a once off payment and no need for a phone line or great broadband.

I am not tech savvie and from the threads here that I have read some of it all seems like a new language, however, I can follow instructions and would not mind having to do the odd update on a box as long as it didn't get too complicated. I would not be ok having to readjust aerials however as jelly legs take over when heights are involved.

I have looked online and there are complete installation packages (€269 the best I can see so far) whereby a new aerial, dish and box is installed (Ariva 153 Combo).

Do you think this would meet my needs?

Is there a better box than Ariva that you might recommend and why? (or am I going down a complicated route that might go over my head).

Oh and I'm on the east coast near the sea so I think that Freesat should work, thanks.

The Cush

The Samsung TV I'm assuming has the necessary Saorview tuner, simply requiring an aerial. Check here for your recommended Saorview transmitter - https://www.saorview.ie/en/get/coverage

Regarding Freesat, this is via a satellite dish, so your location on the east coast make no difference as coverage is nationwide. Your location there might allow you to receive the UK Freeview channels via an aerial pointing towards Wales though, talk to local installers.

Freesat refers to a specific receiver type with 7 day guide, auto tuning, channel layout.

The Ariva you mention above would be regarded as a combi terrestrial/ free-to-air satellite receiver requiring some technical input setting up, tuning etc.

Your own Samsung TV may have a built-in satellite tuner, post the model no. and someone will be able to advise.

gigglybits

Checked coverage. I am 5k from a transmitter which I presume is good.

Finally found the manual (tv is flat against wall, could not see sticker on back) - I have a Samsung UE48H6400 which I think has a satellite tuner, so that would mean I don't need an Ariva (combi) receiver?!

So I need a dish for the freesat UK channels and an aerial with a saorview receiver for the Irish channels and someone to put them up and point them in the right direction and tune them in too.

I think I have enough of a grasp to phone a local installer now without sounding like an eejit.

Thanks for you help.

The Cush

Had a look on the net, that TV range may or may not have a satellite tuner. To confirm, if possible, have a look at the rear of the TV and look for a screw on connector (f-connector), located close to the aerial push-in connector, and identified as SAT or LNB in.

5km is very close to the transmitter so no problem there, which transmitter?

When installing the dish I suggest you run at least 2 cables which will allow you to upgrade to a twin tuner satellite recorder, such as Freesat+, in future if required.

Gerry Wicklow

According to this it DOES NOT have a satellite tuner. So you will need a separate box.

_Kaiser_

It doesn't. I have the same TV myself. It does have a Saorview compatible tuner though so you should just need an aerial for that side of it anyway.

daithi7

You might also wish to have the ability to record and watch back shows, etc. For that your tv will either have to have usb recording (& you'll then need to get a good size usb memory stick(drive) to hold your recordings , which should be pretty cheap) , or else you may need to purchase either an external HDD or a PVR (personal video recorder) device to provide this functionality. I'd recommend this type of functionality tbh, it's great for recording, pausing tv, taking out ad breaks, etc, etc, etc.

Your ideal scenario is a tv with an in built saorview tuner & a freesat tuner, Plus usb recording, (&a usb stick or usb hdd) OR a PVR or HDD connected via hdmi cable.
If you're getting a pvr , order one from the same manufacturer so that it will all work with one remote. That's what I have and it's very handy altogether.

Then you will need an Aerial and satellite dish and cabling installed to connect to your tv point (s) in the house. Finally if you think you'd like sat tv in more than one room get a 4 x LNB satellite dish installed which will allow you to connect up to 4 different tv sockets from one dish. The aerial can normally be connected to a few points without issue. Specify this requirement with your installer from the off. My advice is get the whole lot done, tested and signed off day one, rather than trying to add extra tv points later to find somethings not quite right, or working right, or whatever.

Good luck & enjoy!! :-)