Combo Box Questions

Rataan

My contract with Sky is up. I want to cancel my subscription and replace it with Freesat and a Saorview aerial. I would like to get a combo box that gives me the same functionality as my Sky box, i.e. record, pause, rewind, series link. From looking at some of the other threads on here, it would seem I need a triple tuner combo box like the Formuler F1? I have several questions that I hope some posters may be able to answer for me before I get started:

1) My impression from reading the threads about the Formuler box is that it is very time consuming to figure out how to get it working and set it up. Spare time is something I don’t have a lot of. Is there a box from an alternate brand, e.g. Humax, that would be just plug and play?

2) I also got the impression from reading other threads that various add-ons are required for a box like the Formuler, e.g. the hard drive for recording programmes is not built in and must be bought separately, and a separate tuner has to be purchased and plugged into the input that the Saorview aerial connects to. Is this correct?

3) I currently have Sky Q. Sky installed the dish a year ago. Will I be able to use this dish for Freesat? I read somewhere that the Sky Q LNB is not compatible with free to air.

4) Is it true that there is no series link on Saorview?

5) If a triple tuner combo box has 2 feeds coming from the satellite dish and 1 feed coming from the aerial, is it possible to record 2 different Saorview channels at the same time? I heard somewhere that this is only possible if the channels are on the same (or different?) MUX.

Gerry Wicklow

1. Just like buying a new laptop, it takes a few minutes to set up your specific needs such as you network details and local Saorview channel. Plug and Play (FreeSat) boxes such as Humax are not combo boxes. Satellite only.
2. Yes the Formuler F1's HDD is a USB device. The optional Terrestrial tuner for Saorview might come separately. It is a simple DIY job to fit into the box. Some suppliers may do this for you.
3. Sky Q dish LNBs are not compatible with ordinary satellite boxes.
4. Only Saorview approved boxes have official series linking. They deliberately broke it on other makes. However, linux enigma boxes have an autotimer facility which is actually far more powerful and versatile by using keywords in the program title or description.
5. You can only record 2 Saorview channels at once if they are on the same mux. A terrestrial tuner can only look at one mux at a time. You would need a second terrestrial tuner if you want to see two muxes at once.

Rataan

Thanks for that info Gerry. I have a few more questions:

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

3. Sky Q dish LNBs are not compatible with ordinary satellite boxes.

Is the dish itself compatible, it would just be the LNB I would have to change? I see that my neighbour has 3 cables coming out of his LNB. If I were to buy an LNB that could take 3 or 4 coax's (1 extra for the kitchen) would that work on my Sky Q dish or is it only on larger dishes that works?

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

4. Only Saorview approved boxes have official series linking. They deliberately broke it on other makes. However, linux enigma boxes have an autotimer facility which is actually far more powerful and versatile by using keywords in the program title or description.

Is a Linux enigma box a different brand from Formuler? Does Formuler have that autotimer facility that you mentioned?

Former Former

Rataan wrote: »

Is a Linux enigma box a different brand from Formuler? Does Formuler have that autotimer facility that you mentioned?

Linux Enigma is the software, Formuler make the box. It's like buying a Samsung phone with Android OS.

I got a Formuler last week from World of Satellite and am delighted with it. They supply with the Saorview tuner installed but you will need either to connect it with a cable to your internet router or buy the wi-fi adaptor.

Yes it has autotimer

Rataan

Former Former wrote: »

you will need either to connect it with a cable to your internet router or buy the wi-fi adaptor.

Why do you need to connect to the router/wifi?

Former Former

Rataan wrote: »

Why do you need to connect to the router/wifi?

You don't need to, but if you want the added functionality that is available, then you'll get more out of the box if you do.

It will function grand as a receiver/recorder without internet.

Gerry Wicklow

Rataan wrote: »

Why do you need to connect to the router/wifi?

You will be able to control the box from any web browser on your home network as well as the ability to stream live or recordings. You can also install things like Youtube on the box.