Smart TV with built in FreeSat (& Saorview)

selfbuild17

Hello

I am looking for a tv solution for a new build.

I have 4 tv points, 3 of which will be wall mounted. I am trying to avoid having to install receiver boxes at these tvs of possible.

I am looking for Saorview and Freesat to be provided at each tv. The tvs will also need to be smart for Netflix, etc.

Are there smart TVs on the market that have FreeSat built in and are Saorview compatible?

Each tv point has 2 coaxes and a data/cat6 which are wired back to a central comms cabinet. I think the electrician has left out 3 coaxes from the comms cabinet to the satellite/aerial location outside.

I’d like the setup to be simple and user friendly. I have had combo receiver boxes before and found them awkward to setup and use.

What’s the best way to distribute satellite through the house? Are tvs with built in FreeSat receivers the way forward? Is is possible to have a single receiver (&recorder?)in the comms cabinet and distribute direct to the tvs? How do hotels do this? Do I need a seperate LNB feed from the satellite for each tv or are the two coaxes that the electrician left out sufficient?

Many thanks!

colm_mcm

Most LG smart TVs have satellite tuner built in for a good few years. You can also record onto a USB stick.

The Cush

selfbuild17 wrote: »

Each tv point has 2 coaxes and a data/cat6 which are wired back to a central comms cabinet. I think the electrician has left out 3 coaxes from the comms cabinet to the satellite/aerial location !

For multiple TV points requiring Saorview and satellite signals you'll require a multiswitch in the comms cabinet, the multiswitch will require 4 feeds from the satellite dish plus 1 feed from the aerial, run the 2 extra cables while you can. The multiswitch will allow 2 satellite feeds at each TV point, watching/recording, combined with the Saorview signal down each cable.

Example of a multiswitch that would be suitable for your setup of 4 TV points x 2 co-ax to each TV point = 8 feeds
5x8 multiswitch (5 inputs/8 outputs) - http://www.freetv.ie/5-x-8-satellite-and-terrestrial-multiswitch/

Tigerandahalf

The Cush wrote: »

For multiple TV points requiring Saorview and satellite signals you'll require a multiswitch in the comms cabinet, the multiswitch will require 4 feeds from the satellite dish plus 1 feed from the aerial, run the 2 extra cables while you can. The multiswitch will allow 2 satellite feeds at each TV point, watching/recording, combined with the Saorview signal down each cable.

Out of interest what is the minimum number of cable feeds from the satellite to ensure viewing/recording in 2 or 3 rooms.

Do the 4 feeds cover VH, VL, HH, HL?

The Cush

Just to add, in future if you decide to go the SkyQ route the standard multiswitch can be replaced by a SkyQ compatible dSCR multiswitch which can feed a SkyQ box in the main room via a single cable with the other cable for Saorview if required while continuing to feed the standard Saorview/satellite feeds to the other TV points.

The Cush

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Do the 4 feeds cover VH, VL, HH, HL?

Yes.

Tigerandahalf

The Cush wrote: »

Yes.

Does SkyQ require just a single cable for viewing/recording across multiple rooms and if so is this possible with a non skyq system?

The Cush

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Does SkyQ require just a single cable for viewing/recording across multiple rooms and if so is this possible with a non skyq system?

In a normal domestic SkyQ install it requires 2 cables from a standard SkyQ wideband LNB, one each for H and V polarisation.

In a multi dwelling setup with a single dish and units mostly fed with a single cable, SkyQ uses SCR (single cable routing), 16 bands down a single cable from a SkyQ compatible dSCR multiswitch. Non SkyQ receivers must be SCR/Unicable compatible to operate this way.

dubrov

Most people want a TV that can take a Satellite and Saorview feed and display all channels in single list with full EPG. Unfortunately, all of the above is just not available.

There are plenty of televisions that have work with Freesat and Saorview but they always have 2 channel lists and generally 5+ button presses to switch between them. Maybe you could live with that.

One other option to consider is using IPTV to distribute the TV signal in your house. You need a server in the comms room (running an IPTV server application like TVHeadEnd) that converts the Satellite/Saorview signal to IPTV. Anything (TV/Tablet/Phone etc.) can play the channels as long as they are on the same network. Newish Sony TVs can run Android apps like "Live Channels" (I am sure there are others too) which can play the channels with full EPG without the need for a separate receiver.

The Cush

selfbuild17 wrote: »

Are there smart TVs on the market that have FreeSat built in and are Saorview compatible?

Current range of Freesat TVs - https://www.freesat.co.uk/get-freesat/televisions/

selfbuild17 wrote: »

What’s the best way to distribute satellite through the house? Are tvs with built in FreeSat receivers the way forward? Is is possible to have a single receiver (&recorder?)in the comms cabinet and distribute direct to the tvs? How do hotels do this? Do I need a seperate LNB feed from the satellite for each tv or are the two coaxes that the electrician left out sufficient?

The 2 co-ax cables to each point will be sufficient for Saorview and satellite viewing/recording with a combi box or combi TV at each TV point.

Multiswitch, as I mentioned above in the comms cabinet, fed by 4 cables from a quad or Quattro LNB on the satellite dish and 1 cable from the aerial.

Suggested wallplate for a 2 co-ax cable installation carrying both sat and Saorview from a multiswitch - http://vision-products.co.uk/product/v33-23plus/

There are other methods to distribute these signals via Ethernet cable but I wouldn't be knowledgeable in this area. Johnboy1951 may be of help with this.

I mentioned combi TVs above, Walker and Nordmende have a range of these TVs, similar to combi boxes you mentioned originally, not Freesat, with all channels in a single list. Might be useful at the other TV points. Once the satellite channels are setup on 1 TV they can be transferred to the other TVs via USB stick, channels can also be edited via a small computer programme. Thread here - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057717391

Soldah

Wasn't this a real satellite in universum how where U.S. plans with whole world TV business. Pretty can tells me ??

selfbuild17

dubrov wrote: »

Most people want a TV that can take a Satellite and Saorview feed and display all channels in single list with full EPG. Unfortunately, all of the above is just not available.

There are plenty of televisions that have work with Freesat and Saorview but they always have 2 channel lists and generally 5+ button presses to switch between them. Maybe you could live with that.

One other option to consider is using IPTV to distribute the TV signal in your house. You need a server in the comms room (running an IPTV server application like TVHeadEnd) that converts the Satellite/Saorview signal to IPTV. Anything (TV/Tablet/Phone etc.) can play the channels as long as they are on the same network. Newish Sony TVs can run Android apps like "Live Channels" (I am sure there are others too) which can play the channels with full EPG without the need for a separate receiver.

Am I better opting for Saorsat rather than Saorview so that all channels come though via satellite cable on a somgle list?

Ten Pin

Am I better opting for Saorsat rather than Saorview so that all channels come though via satellite cable on a somgle list?

Not unless you can't get Saorview.

Saorsat drawbacks:
- Only RTE & TG4 on Saorsat (for now at least)
- Needs a separate dish and LNB

There are enigma2 boxes with satellite and terrestrial tuners with a Sat IP server function. So you could have the box at the main TV and connect the box to the LAN and use client* boxes at other TVs giving the same functionality as the main box.

*if other TVs have a LAN port then client box may not be needed.

Tigerandahalf

Is TG4 on Saorsat in SD or HD?

Ten Pin

Is TG4 on Saorsat in SD or HD?

SD, only RTE 1 & 2 in HD
https://www.lyngsat.com/Eutelsat-Ka-Sat-9A.html