what problems can occur with freeview/freesat

Spon Farmer

Hello,

My parents are with Eir for their TV, but the channels they use are the basics - RTÉ, BBC, C4 and the news channels.

I was thinking that Freeview/Freesat* would suit them, but can anyone tell me what, if any, problems can occur?

For example, what can interfere with the signal to the dish?

Can channels be interrupted or is the signal always good once it is tuned in?

Etc.

* Which is better?


Regards

NIMAN

Freeview is the UK version of Saorview, and is received via your aerial on the roof.

If you are not within reach of the border or on the extreme east coat, you can't get it.

Freesat is a good option. It will require the installation of a satellite dish, but once that is up there is little to interfere with it. Extreme weather maybe, but even this doesn't have much effect if its installed properly.

you can get a set top box which will give all the free to air channels, and you can also get the ability to record, series link, etc with some boxes.

Johnboy1951

NIMAN wrote: »

Freeview is the UK version of Saorview, and is received via your aerial on the roof.

If you are not within reach of the border or on the extreme east coat, you can't get it.

Freesat is a good option. It will require the installation of a satellite dish, but once that is up there is little to interfere with it. Extreme weather maybe, but even this doesn't have much effect if its installed properly.

you can get a set top box which will give all the free to air channels, and you can also get the ability to record, series link, etc with some boxes.

Just to add that because Saorview channels are not on FTA Satellite you will need a combination of Satellite and Saorview (or Saorsat) to get them.
There are 'combo' receivers which make things very simple indeed.

Mint Sauce

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Just to add that because Saorview channels are not on FTA Satellite you will need a combination of Satellite and Saorview (or Saorsat) to get them.
There are 'combo' receivers which make things very simple indeed.

Or Dish and Freesat Box for your UK Stations, and Ariel and Saorview TV/Box for the Irish Stations.

NIMAN

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Just to add that because Saorview channels are not on FTA Satellite you will need a combination of Satellite and Saorview (or Saorsat) to get them.
There are 'combo' receivers which make things very simple indeed.

Very simple? I wouldn't say that. If they don't have auto retune when frequencies change, older people may find channels going missing.

A Freesat branded box is the simplest box to get for someone not too up to date with technology. But of course that does mean you have to get some way of watching Saorview too as mentioned above.

Johnboy1951

NIMAN wrote: »

Very simple? I wouldn't say that. If they don't have auto retune when frequencies change, older people may find channels going missing.

A Freesat branded box is the simplest box to get for someone not too up to date with technology. But of course that does mean you have to get some way of watching Saorview too as mentioned above.

I have no idea what age has to do with anything! :mad:
A bit less ageist crap would be appreciated.

It is a continuous problem every time you try to change from a Sat to Terrestrial channel when using two different STBs or TV & sat STB. Possibly even using multiple remotes!

Yes non-Freesat STBs can require a few channels to be re-tuned once in a while.
A lot less interruption than that 'channel change' hassle with two receivers.

NIMAN

I wasn't being ageist, but I know from some family members that if they had to retune the box then they wouldn't have a notion where to start.

Yet the same people have had a Freesat box now for several years, with no issues.

Capt'n Midnight

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Just to add that because Saorview channels are not on FTA Satellite you will need a combination of Satellite and Saorview (or Saorsat) to get them.
There are 'combo' receivers which make things very simple indeed.

Don't forget that any recent TV will get saorview via the aerial so you'd only need a freesat box for the satellite channels, unless they want to record

tippguy2

If you have a modern LG tv it possibly has a fta sat tuned build in and you may just need a Sat dish

Johnboy1951

tippguy2 wrote: »

If you have a modern LG tv it possibly has a fta sat tuned build in and you may just need a Sat dish

I hope it is easier to use than my Walker, on which I would have to go out of the Terrestrial menu and into the Satellite menu when changing channels from a terrestrial to satellite one.
I gave up on that ..... the hassle was too much.

byte

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I hope it is easier to use than my Walker, on which I would have to go out of the Terrestrial menu and into the Satellite menu when changing channels from a terrestrial to satellite one.
I gave up on that ..... the hassle was too much.

Not from the LG's I've tried. Seems more convoluted. On the older Walker, you just had to press OK for channel list, then press Red for Saorview, Green for Satellite, IIRC. Newer Walkers have them all on same list, just sat channels are higher up.

Spon Farmer

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Just to add that because Saorview channels are not on FTA Satellite you will need a combination of Satellite and Saorview (or Saorsat) to get them.
There are 'combo' receivers which make things very simple indeed.

So you can't get RTÉ with Freesat ?

With combo set top boxes do you have to switch between Saorview and Freesat or does it just do it automatically as you change schannels?

Atlantic Dawn

Spon Farmer wrote: »

So you can't get RTÉ with Freesat ?

With combo set top boxes do you have to switch between Saorview and Freesat or does it just do it automatically as you change schannels?

Combo boxes receive both together and normally are one set epg without the need to switch. My only issue with combo box's are when frequencies change your generally going to have to retune, in some cases this can be complex for the man on the street.

Johnboy1951

Spon Farmer wrote: »

So you can't get RTÉ with Freesat ?

Correct. RTÉ is not on FTA Astra Satellite.
Sky have it on Satellite but have it encrypted.

With combo set top boxes do you have to switch between Saorview and Freesat or does it just do it automatically as you change schannels?

No switching on the boxes I have used.
Also I was able to arrange the channels in an order that suited me ..... mixing terrestrial and satellite channels on the one list.

Spon Farmer

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Correct. RTÉ is not on FTA Astra Satellite.
Sky have it on Satellite but have it encrypted.



No switching on the boxes I have used.
Also I was able to arrange the channels in an order that suited me ..... mixing terrestrial and satellite channels on the one list.

Cheers.

Being able to order the channels is good too.

I was surprised that an aerial can get HD - why didn't Saorview go with satellite dishes? Are dishes and aerials the same thing these days?

I see that Saorview has a combo box - do you know if the BBC and Channel 4 are available on that? They have live chat on their site but I'm guessing it will be offline until Saturday at least.

Spon Farmer

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Combo boxes receive both together and normally are one set epg without the need to switch. My only issue with combo box's are when frequencies change your generally going to have to retune, in some cases this can be complex for the man on the street.

Do they change frequencies often ?

Is retuning done just on the box or would dish/aerial need to be adjusted?

Atlantic Dawn

In general the main channels like ITV 1-4, BBC 1-4 would do it rarely, maybe once a year at most.

Spon Farmer

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

In general the main channels like ITV 1-4, BBC 1-4 would do it rarely, maybe once a year at most.

Would they send email notifications beforehand?

The Cush

Spon Farmer wrote: »

I was surprised that an aerial can get HD - why didn't Saorview go with satellite dishes? Are dishes and aerials the same thing these days?

A satellite dish is just a type of aerial to collect high frequency signals. Aerials/dishes are blind to the content carried, be it HD/SD TV, radio, data, etc. they just capture the carrier signal and relay it to the receiver for decoding. They are designed for the frequency range they operate in.

Spon Farmer wrote: »

I see that Saorview has a combo box - do you know if the BBC and Channel 4 are available on that? They have live chat on their site but I'm guessing it will be offline until Saturday at least.

Saorview doesn't have an approved combi box on the market at the moment but one may be on the way using the Saorview Connect branding/approval, no details yet.

The Cush

Spon Farmer wrote: »

Is retuning done just on the box or would dish/aerial need to be adjusted?

Receiver only, but satellite dishes and aerial can move in stormy weather and may require an installer to realign.

Spon Farmer wrote: »

Would they send email notifications beforehand?

No, announcements on their websites and via other internet technical outlets.

The Cush

Spon Farmer wrote: »

why didn't Saorview go with satellite dishes?

This from an Oireachtas committee discussion with RTÉ/BAI back in 2010, in reply to a similar question to yours

The satellite option does everything mentioned by Mr. Hayes, namely, extending coverage and providing a back-up, but one could not dispense with DTT by virtue of the availability of satellite because, in the last analysis, the satellite option is not within the control of the State.

Basically the state doesn't own the satellite infrastructure that would be required to transmit the service and would be reliant on international commercial satellite operators. The state owns the terrestrial broadcast network here.

Spon Farmer

The Cush wrote: »

Saorview doesn't have an approved combi box on the market at the moment but one may be on the way using the Saorview Connect branding/approval, no details yet.

Thanks for all the information.

I had thought at first that Saorview had their set top boxes like Sky and Eir, and understand now there are different brands. However, it does say here - https://www.saorview.ie/en/get/saorview-combi - that thee are combo boxes.

"Choose a Saorview Approved combi TV or connect a Saorview Approved combi box to an existing TV."

dubrov

I think you have 3 options in Ireland

1) Get a cheap combo box like the SAB Titan III.
Advantages
Cheap, fairly stable, one channel list
Recording available
Disadvantages
No 7 day EPG for satellite(UK) channels
Would need to be retuned if channels ever moved (this is a rare event). Channels are manually ordered

2) Get a Freesat Box and use the TV for Saorview
Advantages
Cheap, rock solid stability, 7 day EPG on both satellite(UK) and terrestrial (Irish) channels
No need for retuning of channels as it will happen automatically
Easy setup
Satellite recording
Disadvantages
Would need to switch TV input to move between Saorview and Freesat = 2 remotes required
Depending on the TV, you may not be able to record Saorview

3) Get an Enigma2 Linux box (generally the more you spend, the faster and more stable a box you get)
Advantages
Most similar to Sky experience
One Remote
Full 7 day EPG and record on both satellite(UK) and terrestrial (Irish) channels
Can be configured to automatically update channels if required (Autobouquet maker)
Disadvantages
Expensive
Difficult initial setup (but once setup correctly should require no maintenance).


If your parents don't care about 7 day EPG on satellite and you are not too far away if a retune (which is fairly straightforward) is required (maybe once per 2 years), option 1 might be the way to go.

The Cush

Spon Farmer wrote: »

I had thought at first that Saorview had their set top boxes like Sky and Eir, and understand now there are different brands. However, it does say here - https://www.saorview.ie/en/get/saorview-combi - that thee are combo boxes.

"Choose a Saorview Approved combi TV or connect a Saorview Approved combi box to an existing TV."

I believe none of the none of those Saorview approved combi boxes on the list are being manufactured now, the planned Saorview Connect range of receivers are expected later in 2017. Other non-Saorview approved combi receivers are available though, wouldn't be able to recommend a specific model though.

There is also a range of combi TVs available, recent discussion here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057717391

Capt'n Midnight

dubrov wrote: »

2) Get a Freesat Box and use the TV for Saorview
Advantages
Cheap, rock solid stability, 7 day EPG on both satellite(UK) and terrestrial (Irish) channels
No need for retuning of channels as it will happen automatically
Easy setup
Satellite recording
Disadvantages
Would need to switch TV input to move between Saorview and Freesat = 2 remotes required
Depending on the TV, you may not be able to record Saorview.

My 2008 freesat box has a universal remote. My ferguson FTA box also has a universal remote. And Dealz has remotes for €1.50

A SKY remote will also control most TV's. But a SKY box is inferior to freesat , no HD, no recording , can't hide the channels you can't get, can't switch to other channels easily, and uses too much power on standby, about it's only advantage is that it has an RF out so you can watch low quality picture from a different room. note Linux boxes allow streaming.

BTW new Sharp TV's use 2.4HGz control so you'd need two remotes regardless.

Johnboy1951

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

My 2008 freesat box has a universal remote. My ferguson FTA box also has a universal remote. And Dealz has remotes for €1.50

A SKY remote will also control most TV's. But a SKY box is inferior to freesat , no HD, no recording , can't hide the channels you can't get, can't switch to other channels easily, and uses too much power on standby, about it's only advantage is that it has an RF out so you can watch low quality picture from a different room. note Linux boxes allow streaming.

All of that plus ...
It apparently keeps the now useless internal HDD powered on and spinning permanently.

A Sky box used for FTA (or even with an eir Sports card) is about the most horrible experience I have ever encountered with a STB.

BTW new Sharp TV's use 2.4HGz control so you'd need two remotes regardless.

Capt'n Midnight

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

All of that plus ...
It apparently keeps the now useless internal HDD powered on and spinning permanently.

A Sky box used for FTA (or even with an eir Sports card) is about the most horrible experience I have ever encountered with a STB.

Which reminds me the older non recording SKY box is better because it can set reminders to automatically change the channel.

Spon Farmer

The Cush wrote: »

I believe none of the none of those Saorview approved combi boxes on the list are being manufactured now, the planned Saorview Connect range of receivers are expected later in 2017. Other non-Saorview approved combi receivers are available though, wouldn't be able to recommend a specific model though.

Thank you.

Do you think it is best to wait for the Saorview Connect boxes to be released?

The Cush

Spon Farmer wrote: »

Do you think it is best to wait for the Saorview Connect boxes to be released?

I guess it'll depend on what your requirements are. We don't know the Saorview Connect spec or price yet, even the release date is not known. Can you wait and compare with the existing boxes on the market, only you can make that decision.

Atlantic Dawn

Spon Farmer wrote: »

Thank you.

Do you think it is best to wait for the Saorview Connect boxes to be released?

It will likely be at least €300 plus to buy if the initial Walker PVR release price is anything to go by(€250), I wouldn't bother waiting as there's no concrete spec on what actually will be released so I would estimate a year plus from the spec release date for anything to be in the shops.

The Walker PVR box is €90 now...
https://powercity.ie/?par=10-23-WP6500

The Cush

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

It will likely be at least €300 plus to buy if the initial Walker PVR release price is anything to go by(€250), I wouldn't bother waiting as there's no concrete spec on what actually will be released so I would estimate a year plus from the spec release date for anything to be in the shops.

It's almost 2 years since Freesat were awarded the contract so I'd assume the spec for the receivers is finalised just not available publically, the connected HbbTV 2.0.1 standard was formally adopted by Nordig back in Jan (mandatory from Jul 2018) and part of Freeview's D-Book 9 since last Nov. Manhattan are rumoured to be the manufacturers.

The Walker PVR launched at €230 but within months dropped below €200

The tender for creative services, branding, website creation and management etc. for Saorview/Saorview Connect closed earlier this month so we may finally see this happening by Autumn.

FRIENDO

Spon Farmer wrote:

Do you think it is best to wait for the Saorview Connect boxes to be released?

I think its worth waiting, with Freesat involved and hopefully humax, it will be a good reliable box.
I have a Freesat humax foxsat hdr since 2009, an excellent receiver, it has been in non stop use over the years.
I only had to replace a remote once, possibly because of kids using it.
.
Hopefully the Saorview Connect box will be as good quality

The Cush

No mention of Humax on the rumour mill, the Irish terrestrial market may be too small for multiple manufacturers of these boxes.

Spon Farmer

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

It will likely be at least €300 plus to buy if the initial Walker PVR release price is anything to go by(€250), I wouldn't bother waiting as there's no concrete spec on what actually will be released so I would estimate a year plus from the spec release date for anything to be in the shops.

The Walker PVR box is €90 now...
https://powercity.ie/?par=10-23-WP6500

There is no mention of Freesat on that box.

The Cush

Spon Farmer wrote: »

There is no mention of Freesat on that box.

Freesat has nothing to do with that box. That was a Walker developed twin-tuner PVR for Saorview, no satellite receiver included.

Freesat were awarded a contract to develop a connected receiver for Saorview Connect almost 2 years ago, launch due later this year - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=97732401

Spon Farmer

[QUOTE=The Cush;103021311]Freesat has nothing to do with that box. That was a Walker developed twin-tuner PVR for Saorview, no satellite receiver included.

Freesat were awarded a contract to develop a connected receiver for Saorview Connect almost 2 years ago, launch due later this year - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=97732401[/QUOTE]

What I meant was it is not suitable for our needs.

One_Of_Shanks

Is there any combi-box that gives you the possibility to record satellite shows days in advance?

At the moment our combi-box only allows record on shows about to immediately start, which is kind of pointless.

I have another TV with a regular saorview box which can record shows 7 days in advance but cannot find a combi-box that can do same unless I'm missing something obvious, which is possible.

Thanks in advance

Gerry Wicklow

Most linux based boxes give you a 7day EPG on all channels. They also have an autotimer function which is a more advanced form of series linking. You can even set it to record based on keywords. However linux based boxes need a bit of know-how to setup.

One_Of_Shanks

Cheers Gerry! That's great! Never knew that. I'd be happy enough to buy a linux box so and pay someone to call out to install it.

Will google it now, thanks for that!