Help for an idiot please

Not Telling My Name

Hi

So I’ve just split up with the wife and had to find my own place. I had the full SKY package before but I can’t afford that now (thank you Dublin rents) and I want to know the best way to get the most channels for free (legally, I don’t care about movies and I can NowTV any sports I want)

So I bought a Philips TV in the sales and I have an Apple TV box and a PlayStation and broadband. Those are what I have to work with along with a cable coming into my apartment from a satellite dish.

I wanted to plug the cable into the “satellite” port on the back of the TV to get free channels but it doesn’t fit, do I need to buy a box to sit between them? And if so which is the best box I should buy?

Any advice much appreciated, but please remember I’m an idiot.

The high horse brigade

Not Telling My Name wrote: »

Hi

So I’ve just split up with the wife and had to find my own place. I had the full SKY package before but I can’t afford that now (thank you Dublin rents) and I want to know the best way to get the most channels for free (legally, I don’t care about movies and I can NowTV any sports I want)

So I bought a Philips TV in the sales and I have an Apple TV box and a PlayStation and broadband. Those are what I have to work with along with a cable coming into my apartment from a satellite dish.

I wanted to plug the cable into the “satellite” port on the back of the TV to get free channels but it doesn’t fit, do I need to buy a box to sit between them? And if so which is the best box I should buy?

Any advice much appreciated, but please remember I’m an idiot.

If you want to connect the satellite feed get yourself a Freesat box. The cost will depend on whether or not you want recording features

Manhattan SX Freesat HD Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CD8GHFF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uSpdEb7FCSJYZ

Humax HDR-1100S 500 GB Freesat with Freetime HD TV Recorder - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0104SY71K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rUpdEbY0PSEFN

Not Telling My Name

The high horse brigade wrote: »

If you want to connect the satellite feed get yourself a Freesat box. The cost will depend on whether or not you want recording features

Manhattan SX Freesat HD Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CD8GHFF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uSpdEb7FCSJYZ

Humax HDR-1100S 500 GB Freesat with Freetime HD TV Recorder - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0104SY71K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rUpdEbY0PSEFN

Thank you

I’m not really worried about recording, just picture quality, is that first one 4K?

The high horse brigade

Not Telling My Name wrote: »

Thank you

I’m not really worried about recording, just picture quality, is that first one 4K?

No, there is no 4k content from satellite as it uses too much bandwidth so content will be 1080i full HD

colm_mcm

If the tv has a satellite port, then a set top box shouldn’t be required.
Is the connector a round threaded one, it should take one of these which would be on the end of the cable

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/f-connector-for-sky-cable-pack-of-10/98173?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAo7HwBRBKEiwAvC_Q8fza2Ow_v9CSBV6E_MPw3dMwMTy0AorsRA9CenLwEtQ72gapdepMMBoC-bMQAvD_BwE

Mech1

Post a picture of the cable coming into the room and the wall port it comes from

winston_1

The high horse brigade wrote: »

No, there is no 4k content from satellite as it uses too much bandwidth so content will be 1080i full HD

Rubbish. There are several 4K test channels on Astra 2 and actual content on other satellites. There are even 8K channels.

https://www.flysat.com/satlist-uhd.php

Mech1

just noticed you are new here so maybe cant post pictures

decor58

Not Telling My Name wrote: »

Hi


I wanted to plug the cable into the “satellite” port on the back of the TV to get free channels but it doesn’t fit, do I need to buy a box to sit between them? And if so which is the best box I should buy?

What type of plug is on the cable, it should be a threaded type, an f connector, the one on top in the photo. The TV satellite port will be an f connector too, is the cable connected to a wall plate, you can buy a cable with f connectors on both ends, or an f connector and change the plug (Powercity or Woodies)

greasepalm

I would also check what tuner is in the tv possibly only Saorview if its a plug in,sat uses threaded F connectors.

Does 28.2 not have a 4k channel,ahh only a demo one.

The high horse brigade

winston_1 wrote: »

Rubbish. There are several 4K test channels on Astra 2 and actual content on other satellites. There are even 8K channels.

https://www.flysat.com/satlist-uhd.php

Do tell me which ones on 28.2 are worth watching?

Not Telling My Name

Here’s pics of the cable coming in and the port on my TV

The plastic centre bit of the cable is too big to go into the centre hold in the TV sat port

https://imgur.com/gallery/x0aatzF

greasepalm

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Do tell me which ones on 28.2 are worth watching?

What ya have an 8k tv:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:,only afford 4k and a box:mad:

greasepalm

Does tv have a sat tuner,or what model of tv is it?

cheers it does have a threaded sat tuner so both ends need the screw ends.
But why is that cable showing a push in as sat does not use push in and maybe its a saorview aerial connection.

Just to add strange looking cable your holding,is there a copper centre core that is not exposed?

Mech1

are there threads inside the end of your cable plug?

colm_mcm

That looks like a fibre cable and not satellite cable.

Gerry Wicklow

that looks like a fibre cable so will need a box to connect.

Not Telling My Name

Yes there’s threads inside it.

It’s a cable which runs into every apartment and I was told it comes from a satellite dish.

There’s also old UPC boxes throughout the apartment but this cable comes from outside, split up into every apartment.

colm_mcm

Contact management company and see if there is a communal dish, and if so, a connection to it.

Mech1

is it a copper core inside the central insulated wire

greasepalm

No harm to confirm with neighbours what service they use fibre/sat?

Not Telling My Name

That’s what the landlord told me this was, but he could be wrong.

When you say it looks like a fibre cable, do you mean like a broadband one? Or fibre from a dish?

Not Telling My Name

Mech1 wrote: »

is it a copper core inside the central insulated wire

I can’t see, the plastic is really thick.

greasepalm

Not a sat cable,so more like broadband?

Mech1

can you disconnect the cable at the wall?

Not Telling My Name

greasepalm wrote: »

Not a sat cable,so more like broadband?

Maybe it is, although it was ran from outside along balconies and stuff and splits in boxes into every apartment. Plus it’s terminated where you would have your TV.

And it’s not eir nor Virgin so dunno who else it could be.

Not Telling My Name

Mech1 wrote: »

can you disconnect the cable at the wall?

No it comes from outside, it runs along balconies and walls and splits up to go into every apartment.

colm_mcm

Not Telling My Name wrote: »

That’s what the landlord told me this was, but he could be wrong.

When you say it looks like a fibre cable, do you mean like a broadband one? Or fibre from a dish?

Could be SIRO or similar which would have been retrofitted after the apartments were built.

Boxcar_Willie

There's always the option to set up something alternative on the Apple TV

Not Telling My Name

colm_mcm wrote: »

Could be SIRO or similar which would have been retrofitted after the apartments were built.

It’s definitely retrofitted. I didn’t know that SIRO existed but I’ve just checked on their website and it’s not available at this address so mustn’t be it.

jayneemac

looks very similar to the Sky fibre cable in my apt block.

greasepalm

But does not available mean its not connected at their source end even tho cabling might be in place.
Does not matter for the moment as you cant use it.

Mech1

you gotta speak to a long term resident

Not Telling My Name

jayneemac wrote: »

looks very similar to the Sky fibre cable in my apt block.

According to SKY website it isn’t available here so don’t think it’s it.

I’m meant to be getting eir fibre on Monday anyway.

greasepalm

Siro is esb bb is it not?

Not Telling My Name

sugarman wrote: »

Its a Fibre Optic connector used to distribute satellite.

Youre missing a Fibre IRS GTU to convert the optical connection into a standard coax connection.

Something similar to this.

Get onto your landlord, someone probably swiped the last one.

Aha! This looks exactly like what it is and would explain it.

I’m guessing this IRS GTU thing was just never here, they probably ran the cables and only installed those to whoever wanted the service. The cable is left coiled up with lots to spare.

So if I buy one of those it will convert the fibre to coax and I can just plug that straight into my TV sat port and it should get the free channels, right?

Mech1

Ask the management if there is one lying about in another apt.

Not Telling My Name

sugarman wrote: »

In theory it should.. but who knows? Cables might not even be connected to anything on the other end.

You need to speak to your landlord or your neighbors see what exactly what the story is.

Ok thanks. The landlord is clueless and I don’t know any neighbours yet so I’ll probably just buy one as they’re only 20 quid and see what happens.

winston_1

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Do tell me which ones on 28.2 are worth watching?

I never said they were worth watching, about 90% of what's on Astra isn't. I was pointing out that the statement that there was not enough bandwidth was untrue.

winston_1

Not Telling My Name wrote: »

Ok thanks. The landlord is clueless and I don’t know any neighbours yet so I’ll probably just buy one as they’re only 20 quid and see what happens.

You'll also need the 20volt DC power supply that they say is not included.

The high horse brigade

winston_1 wrote: »

I never said they were worth watching, about 90% of what's on Astra isn't. I was pointing out that the statement that there was not enough bandwidth was untrue.

Yes that is true, you'll see a channel or two but the fact is it uses so much bandwidth it'll never be mainstream on satellite. The only point in getting a 4k satellite box is to handle x265 from online sources

NewClareman

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Yes that is true, you'll see a channel or two but the fact is it uses so much bandwidth it'll never be mainstream on satellite. The only point in getting a 4k satellite box is to handle x265 from online sources

To be fair, that’s your personal opinion. I expect to see many 4K satellite channels, over time. Compared with the bandwidth being deployed for satellite broadband, the bandwidth requirement for UHD is small.

The high horse brigade

NewClareman wrote: »

To be fair, that’s your personal opinion. I expect to see many 4K satellite channels, over time. Compared with the bandwidth being deployed for satellite broadband, the bandwidth requirement for UHD is small.

The Amazon prime premier League coverage in 4k over the Xmas break showed us just how we are better setup to stream online. BT Sport ultimate in the UK and Sky Q UHD are online streams. The providers are already changing.

NewClareman

The high horse brigade wrote: »

The Amazon prime premier League coverage in 4k over the Xmas break showed us just how we are better setup to stream online. BT Sport ultimate in the UK and Sky Q UHD are online streams. The providers are already changing.

I agree that more content is moving online and that that change is likely to continue. However that is a separate issue. 🙂

Not Telling My Name

sugarman wrote: »

In theory it should.. but who knows? Cables might not even be connected to anything on the other end.

You need to speak to your landlord or your neighbors see what exactly what the story is.

So thank you sugarman, I bought one of those boxes for €20 off a guy off adverts and it works.

Granted my TV just installs 1000 Astra channels and the TV guide function on it is ****, takes ages to browse and there’s on a handful of unscrambled channels worth watching. But still, it works!!!

The high horse brigade

Not Telling My Name wrote: »

So thank you sugarman, I bought one of those boxes for €20 off a guy off adverts and it works.

Granted my TV just installs 1000 Astra channels and the TV guide function on it is ****, takes ages to browse and there’s on a handful of unscrambled channels worth watching. But still, it works!!!

Pick yourself up a Freesat or enigma box for better functionality