Replacing Sky+ With Free Alternatives

ODDdave

Substituting SKY+ with a subscription free system in Ireland.

The two biggest advantages of SKY+ are...
1. It provides a 7 day “Guide” (EPG), on which you can select things to record, “series link” etc.
2. You can record one channel and watch any other one, at the same time.
In addition, all your channels and recordings are on the same device with one remote. Sky also has automatic channel updates so you never have to manually retune.

The two biggest problems with finding a replacement are...
1. SKY use a non-standard EPG (electronic programme guide).
Consequently, most generic satellite receivers, can only track “now and next” from the satellite; instead of the full 7 days.
2. On the satellite, Irish channels are all encrypted. So you need a terrestrial aerial get them for “free” (ignoring the TV licence fee). In most houses this can be fitted in the attic.
In most parts of Ireland, it is also possible to get some RTE channels via Saorsat, using a special second dish and a DiSEqC switch. But this service doesn't include TV3, or Be3, and is not supported on Freesat+HD satellite receivers (see below).


Combo boxes...

These have two inputs. One for a dish, which brings in the free to view “English” channels; and another for an aerial, which brings in the “Irish” channels.

Most of these have a PVR function. (Personal Video Recorder).
If you connect a USB memory device such as a flash drive or a hard disk drive, you may record programmes and play back recorded media.

Although you can use the 7 day EPG (Guide) to set recordings on the “Irish” channels, you have to look up the TV schedule and set recording times manually, for all the “English” channels.

Another disadvantage is that when the combo box is recording a programme, you are restricted to what you can watch at the same time. Some don't allow any other channel to be watched. Others allow you to record from the aerial and watch any channel from the dish, or vice versa.

There are some super combo boxes with triple tuners.
These include...
Amiko Alien 2
Golden Media Triplex
SAB Triple Tuner
They should allow you to record one or two programmes and watch another at the same time.
However, they may not be as versatile as you'd imagine they should be! They still lack the full EPG (Guide) for the “English” channels.


Solutions to the EPG problem...

1. If you happen to live in a spot that allows you to get channels from Northern Ireland or Wales via a terrestrial aerial, then you can use a Freeview+HD type box. These have a full 7 day EPG and a hard drive built in. This makes an excellent replacement for Sky+. You can watch one thing and record something else. However, there are less channels available than from a satellite dish; and the RTE channels may show up at programme number 801, 802 etc. instead of being the first on the list.

2. If option 1 isn't possible, then Freesat+ (NOT the same as Freeview+ !!!), is the closest you will get to the Sky+ user experience. These boxes have a built-in hard drive and they tune and retune automatically, so you get the latest new channels and none reporting “No Signal” because a channel has been moved to a different transponder. But these excellent receivers can not receive any of the “Irish” channels!

3. Zgemma H2 and H2S satellite receivers can be linked to your internet. They can then download a full EPG which allows you to set recordings easily. But these do NOT get any “Irish” channels either, and they require an external USB memory device for PVR. (These boxes can also be loaded with IPTV access. See below.)


The two box solution...

You could install a Freesat+HD receiver in place of your Sky+ box.
This would solve the problem for the “English” channels nicely.
Then you could add a separate Saorview box for the “Irish” channels.
Choose one with PVR function and add a USB memory device and you have EPG recording sorted for the “Irish” channels too.
Apart from the cost, the only disadvantage is you then have three remote controls and things can get very confusing!

Some Saorview compatible TVs are also able to record to a USB memory device; when you plug one into the back of them. By reducing the count, to two remote controls, this could simplify the nightmare a little!


P.S.

Yet another option, that I am currently testing, is a “Hybrid Combo” with integrated Android. (eg. Mecool Ki Pro) These can connect to your internet and turn your TV into a smart TV with extraordinary facilities. You can drive them with a standard remote control, a wireless mouse or a wireless keyboard/touchpad. In addition to the combo with PVR functions explained above, you can load a TV guide App, such as “TV Guide+” for a good EPG. But then you still have to input the times manually, whenever you want to program the timer for “English” recordings. However, the record from EPG options do work properly with terrestrial, “Irish” channels. The Mecool also includes a micro SD card slot for up to 32GB of recording space.

If you have fast enough (>5Mbps), unlimited internet, these boxes allow you to watch streamed video such as Netflix and YouTube. You can also watch pay-for-view channels for free via Mobdro, Kodi and other applications. You can even subscribe to an IPTV service and get online access to premium channels and a contemporary video library using an App such as “Perfect Player”. IPTV service providers can be found on DoneDeal, eBay etc.


I hope this hasn't made your head spin right off!? It's only intended to help you get a clearer idea of most of your options, and their specific pros and cons. I'm certainly not trying to frighten you back to Sky!

TV man Dave.
November 2017

Gerry Wicklow

The "super combo boxes" you refer to above are enigma based and can give you a full 7 day EPG on both satellite and terrestrial channels with series linking etc.

ODDdave

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

The "super combo boxes" you refer to above are enigma based and can give you a full 7 day EPG on both satellite and terrestrial channels with series linking etc.

Thanks Gerry. That's good news! Presumably they require internet access for this function!? Which one have you tried? Could you tell us what combinations of watch one channel and record another are possible?

PacMan

I like threads like this one, as I am considering a purchase in the new year. But which one, which box ? Some of the threads are very technical, and hard to understand.

Its all so confusing, and I would like EPG with channel logos, 7 day programme info, record, UK and Irish channels and RTE player / TV3 player etc.

I have been looking at Saorview connect with big interest, but finds it only has now and next info for the UK satellite stations. Not the best for what is a rather expensive box.

Without being too technical about these things, it would be nice if Saorview Connect did all of the above, so it would be plug and play more or less.

Gerry Wicklow

ODDdave wrote: »

Thanks Gerry. That's good news! Presumably they require internet access for this function!? Which one have you tried? Could you tell us what combinations of watch one channel and record another are possible?

No net access required for EPG, it downloads from the satellite. There are numerous threads here on various combo boxes. The current favourite if the Formuler 1. Triple tuner boxes have 2 satellite tuners and 1 terrestrial tuner. This means you can watch/record 2 satellite channels and watch/record a terrestrial channel. You could also watch a previous recording while getting 3 more. It is also possible to stream both live and recorded shows to other devices around your home network.

VeryRapidSkoda

Hi, I am very interested in getting one of these Formuler f1 boxes but with young kids I am concerned about being able to lock it down.

1. Do these have parental control?
2. Can individual channels be completely removed and also removed from epg listings?
3. Can they be set to age restriction after watershed etc?
4. Are their enigma2 images that are family friendly from out of the box?

I am really looking for just the saorview freeview channels without having to deal with any other rubbish appearing and if anyone has any experience with this type of setup could they let me know please.

Thanks.

swoofer

Is this an ad

" 3. Zgemma H2 and H2S satellite receivers can be linked to your internet. They can then download a full EPG which allows you to set recordings easily. But these do NOT get any “Irish” channels either, and they require an external USB memory device for PVR. (These boxes can also be loaded with IPTV access. See below.)"

These boxes are just a few of the many makes available, the info is ok but moving from sky to an alternative should make it clear that a twin tuner sat receiver is the BEST option. Most new tv's are saorview approved and have a record facility. Makes such as edision, Vu+, and others are a lot better than zgemma's. Also there are loads of threads on here already that cover this topic in great detail.

And @Pacman, sky does exactly what you need. There are no other boxes that do. And you get a free tv from sky.

The Mulk

VeryRapidSkoda wrote: »

Hi, I am very interested in getting one of these Formuler f1 boxes but with young kids I am concerned about being able to lock it down.

1. Do these have parental control?
2. Can individual channels be completely removed and also removed from epg listings?
3. Can they be set to age restriction after watershed etc?
4. Are their enigma2 images that are family friendly from out of the box?

I am really looking for just the saorview freeview channels without having to deal with any other rubbish appearing and if anyone has any experience with this type of setup could they let me know please.

Thanks.

When you're selecting what channels to put in autoboquets you can omit religious,adult, shopping etc. I selected FreeSat for the Sat tuners
It only shows the EPG for the channels within the subsets you want. It's quite a user friendly system once you do a small bit of reading before hand.
I bought mine with OpenVix installed but changed to OpenATV after advice on here.

Lostphrophet

I have an ariva combo what I hate about it every so often some of the odder channels just dissapear....
Multiple channels of same broadcast..
Loads of junk channells

The sky box is allways the same Neat no ducplicate channels and no channels just disapear for no reason

Saying that i dont even use the 7 day programe menu or record !
might cut cord in new year

VeryRapidSkoda

The Mulk wrote: »

When you're selecting what channels to put in autoboquets you can omit religious,adult, shopping etc. I selected FreeSat for the Sat tuners
It only shows the EPG for the channels within the subsets you want. It's quite a user friendly system once you do a small bit of reading before hand.
I bought mine with OpenVix installed but changed to OpenATV after advice on here.

Good info, thanks. Yeah I read the openatv was a good choice alright. Ok, that has helped a bit knowing that it can be done. Thanks again.

PacMan

swoofer wrote: »

And @Pacman, sky does exactly what you need. There are no other boxes that do. And you get a free tv from sky.

I am not giving up Sky at all
My comments were about a future purchase for additional viewing in the kitchen. And I should have explained that. I have been a customer with Sky for an age.

spongerobinson

I use a Zgemma H2S with a USB tuner added for Saorview, and a USB hard drive for recording. It works pretty well once it's all set up, but I would be of the opinion that whoever is setting it up needs to be fairly tech savvy to get it working properly. And if things go wrong with it, that same person needs to know where to go and what to do to fix it.

STB.

I see someone has a sense of humour.

90% of whats posted in that first post is incorrect.

For those who do not get the irony, do not touch any of the boxes mentioned. ie Zgemma, Amiko, SAB or the Golden media Triplex.

They are all most certainly not superboxes. They are also not e2 boxes. They are junk.

Also 7 day EPG can be downloaded by any Enigma2 box. They do not require an internet connection for epg. They download the data from Sky's openepg satellite frequency.

Android Combo's are not advanced enough. Thats because all of the DVB software is still written for the Linux platform.

spongerobinson

STB. wrote: »

They are junk.

That's extremely debatable STB. I'm using a zgemma for a number of years now with very few issues. Ok, it's not the rolls Royce of boxes, but it's functioning extremely well for my needs, especially for the price I paid.

charleville

So.... what box would you recommend then for the least problematic and most user friendly ?

I had a guy set up a dish and Cheap Small boxes in a couple of rooms and he made a mess of it to be honest, wouldn’t even come back to finish off what he done, so now we’re stuck with no irish stations and a dish, also an aerial in the attic but not able to watch irish stations and no epg etc.

I really just want a good box for living room and bedrooms that will give the least hassle and just work properly (user friendly).

Please can you recommend a good set up.

Tks

swoofer

how much do you want to spend and do you know the make of the boxes you currently have? also are your tv[s saorview approved? do you want to record channels?

can you do ftp? what version of windows do you use? do yuo know anyone who has a non sky set up?

has all your tv's got hdmi sockets?

its a simple principle if you pay peanuts ....

charleville

swoofer wrote: »

how much do you want to spend and do you know the make of the boxes you currently have? also are your tv[s saorview approved? do you want to record channels?

can you do ftp? what version of windows do you use? do yuo know anyone who has a non sky set up?

has all your tv's got hdmi sockets?

its a simple principle if you pay peanuts ....

Hi,

The boxes we have are Optimus.
Tvs are not Saorview approved as far as I know so hoping for a combo box.

Yes there is hdmi sockets on all televisions.

I have no idea what a ftp is, can you please explain ? I don’t know anyone with a non sky set up, hence why I am looking for advice here.

Please can you recommend a box for mid range budget...

Tks

swoofer

those are good boxes so dont give up yet. If you can post make and model of tv's I can check to see if they can get soarview. Your installer has let you down. Can you say your location roughly.

you will have to bring yourself up to speed and its not hard, just a bit of reading.

look here and scroll down, watch the videos.

http://www.freetv.ie/combo-box/

No point getting a box until you have aerial and sat dish working.

dodzy

charleville wrote: »

Hi,

The boxes we have are Optimus.
Tvs are not Saorview approved as far as I know so hoping for a combo box.

Yes there is hdmi sockets on all televisions.

I have no idea what a ftp is, can you please explain ? I don’t know anyone with a non sky set up, hence why I am looking for advice here.

Please can you recommend a box for mid range budget...

Tks

See Gerry's post above (#5)

JaCrispy

dodzy wrote: »

See Gerry's post above (#5)

In addition to the original post, another major stumbling block the the magic eye remote control operation via RF2 out. AFAIK this is propriety to Sky boxes.
I use this to pipe my Sky signal around the house to various TVs.

Anywho......I'm looking at cancelling Sky altogether and using one of the boxes listed here to connect to an IPTV service. I'll need
1) 7 day epg (does this come from the manufacturer of the box or the supplier of the iptv stream
2) some sort of series link functionality
3) And obviously a record function.

JaCrispy

JaCrispy wrote: »

In addition to the original post, another major stumbling block the the magic eye remote control operation via RF2 out. AFAIK this is propriety to Sky boxes.
I use this to pipe my Sky signal around the house to various TVs.

Anywho......I'm looking at cancelling Sky altogether and using one of the boxes listed here to connect to an IPTV service. I'll need
1) 7 day epg (does this come from the manufacturer of the box or the supplier of the iptv stream
2) some sort of series link functionality
3) And obviously a record function.

3 months later an i can answer my own questions
1) Wooshbuild, link satellite channels to IPTV channels to get full 7 day epg
2) IPTV series link doesn't work on Wooshbuild/Openatv so that is a problem. Works fine on satellite channels though
3) Recording works perfectly.

Also use triax trilink to enable magic eye functionality around the house.
PM me if you have any queries.