Would I be mad to get satellite and Saorview now?

the_amazing_raisin

Hi folks,

I'm contemplating getting a Saorview antenna and box and part of me is considering satellite as well for the free channels

For some background, right now we have no TV antenna of any kind. Up to now we'd just used streaming services for watching TV

Frankly, we don't watch much TV anyway, don't watch sports or soap operas. So I don't want to pay out for a Sky subscription that I won't use

I'd kind of like to get Saorview because it should be cheap enough to get setup, plus I pay my TV license so I feel like I'm already subscribed

Since it doesn't seem to be that more expensive to get satellite then I'm considering getting a dish to get the free-sat channels and a combo box

However, it seems that the current satellite might be in some danger after 2029. I know the satellite itself will probably be fine for a while yet, assuming it doesn't have some sort of self destruct system

My guess is that Sky and Freesat will keep the service going for a couple more years, either because they reach some deal or are forced to provide the service

After that goes it's down to Saorview, and I'm not sure how much enthusiasm RTE and the government have to keep that alive given the rise of streaming services

There's an argument that once the NBP rollout is complete then there's no need for broadcast infrastructure

Then agai, none of this will happenovernight. I reckon if I got 10 years before the system is obsolete then I'd be happy enough

If you were starting from a blank slate, what would you do?

L1011

If I moved to a different house now, I'd do the same install I currently have (assuming wiring could be done relatively neatly) - I've a 16 port sat+aerial distribution amp and two coax to each room a TV might be used in - living room, home offices, bedroom, kitchen. There'll likely be some form of nightlight service on satellite in to the 2030s.

You can probably do a single TV self install for the price of a decent meal out.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892012#Comment_123892012

So my house has a kind of patch panel outdoors with coax going to bedrooms, kitchen and living room

The antenna and dish would presumably be wired back here and could be distributed to any rooms where its used

Although I'm guessing I'd need 2 signal wires to each room, 1 for the satellite and 1 for the antenna? Is there a possibility to multiplex the signals to a single cable?

Realistically, this would probably be 2 rooms max, likely just the living room and maybe kitchen

I'd be happy enough doing the box installation and setup myself so some money saved there. I wouldn't be one for heights or ladders so I'd be paying someone else to do that part but I know a few electricians who might do it as a nixer

Orban6

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892101#Comment_123892101

Deleted.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058426351/would-i-be-mad-to-get-satellite-and-saorview-now

Saorview will be around for many years to come via terrestrial aerial and eventually as an IP delivered service.

Look up DVB-I, a developing epg-like application for TVs and other devices that that will, in future, allow viewers to access broadcast and streaming channels like how you would access broadcast channels today on a Saorview TV, on any device, and this is where DVB-I comes in, seamless delivery to the viewer.

Eventually MPEG TS broadcast channels will transition to Native IP transmission via fibre/5G .

Satellite FTA will be around beyond 2029 imo, pay satellite channels probably have an end of life.

It's possible Freesat/FTA could replace some of the smaller Freeview transmitters in the UK in the interim.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892101#Comment_123892101

Indoor Combiner | Satellite or equivalent from other stores (linking to the a forum posters shop there, there are plenty of alternatives) at each end will put a single satellite feed and Saorview on a single cable.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892134#Comment_123892134

Cheers, I'll take a look into it

I agree the satellite service will probably stick around for a while. It isn't like the satellite will suddenly fall from the sky (hopefully) so the cost is really the ground control and transmitters to keep the thing running

Presuming there'll be some scope for Eutelsat to provide a cheaper "best effort" support that might be enough to fund the service for a while yet

Its also possible Sky will extend the contract for a while yet. My understanding is that they're moving everyone over to an internet based service but that's a lot of customers to change over in a few years

Capt'n Midnight

€18 a month is over €200 a year even if you use NOWTV as a top up. It adds up.

If you don't mind setting it up an Enigma2 box (there are others) will let you watch channels and recordings on computers, tablets and phones over WiFi. And do IPTV.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892271#Comment_123892271

It'll be SES rather than Eutelsat.

Eutelsat departed the slot more than a decade ago.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892101#Comment_123892101

A multiswitch is an option, like L1011 has above.

Satellite Multi Switches For Sale Online at Low Ireland & UK Pricing

1 aerial feed and 4 satellite feeds in, combined internally.

Each output carries both satellite and Saorview feeds.

Each cable can be connected directly to a TV or satellite receiver input OR the combined satellite and Saorview feed can be split at the TV point using a Sat/TV splitter or diplexer faceplate and then fed separately to the TV and satellite receiver.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892423#Comment_123892423

Yep, getting my wires crossed

Or perhaps beams crossed is a better term 😅

andy1249

@the_amazing_raisin"I agree the satellite service will probably stick around for a while. It isn't like the satellite will suddenly fall from the sky (hopefully) so the cost is really the ground control and transmitters to keep the thing running"

They reach the end of their useful life and move to whats called a graveyard orbit. There may be another satellite willing to take the slot , it will be nearer the time before all that is sorted out , but may well be the end of FTA satellite given that everyone seems to be moving to IPTV. For example , Freely in the UK is IPTV for all the UK channels , its a bit ropey at the moment , but improving all the time. Just has to be really ready for 2029.

shoegirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058426351/would-i-be-mad-to-get-satellite-and-saorview-now

Saorview and satellite is really cheap compared to streaming services. Its going to be at least 4-5 years before there's a major change in distribution. It currently gives you about 130 watchable channels on IE/UK feeds, plus the bonus of having UK radio on satellite and BBC/ITV channels. And you can usually record anything you wish.

Part of the problem at the moment if you're in Ireland is how high the costs are for getting just BASIC UK terrestrial channels into your home via subscription methods, if they are even available at all.

shoegirl

Plus also the NowTV Entertainment package is ONLY for Sky channels, not the FTA distribution of UK FTA terrestrial channels, which you can get free on satellite here. In all honesty, FTA satellite is worth it here JUST for the BBC, ITV and other UK FTA channels on their own. The rest is a bonus.

Part of the issue is, as I've previously said, that a lot of the streaming options don't legally offer the UK FTA channels as standard.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123894707#Comment_123894707

Absolutely true, and I'm worried that any shift from FTA to streaming will result in more geo blocking

It can obviously be gotten around using a VPN but its hassle and often lower quality

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123893702#Comment_123893702

From articles online it seems that there's a 3 year process to get a new satellite so they'd need to start next year. Sky don't seem to be doing anything to get a new satellite launched and there's a bit of a debate whether Freesat will be able to fund a new one themselves

I suspect some more life can be squeezed out of the current satellite before it is retired, but it's probably a question of how much longer its got before something breaks and who will pay to keep the service running

In the UK, I believe the BBC is required to maintain broadcast services so there's probably a bit of road before they can get out of it given there's still parts of the UK that doesn't have decent broadband

I'm not sure what the situation is here but it seems that Saorview should be around for a while so is still a good investment

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892326#Comment_123892326

This is very interesting, I knew the Linux boxes were more capable but didn't realise multi device streaming was a possibility

How does it work, is the box effectively a media server streaming one of the satellite feeds to a device across LAN? Or does it need to reach out to the internet?

andy1249

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123895394#Comment_123895394

Im running two VU+ Duo 4K SE boxes , both have dual FBC tuners and dual DVBT tuners.

Any tuner can be shared to any computing device running kodi or Plex. There are possibly other apps that can do it too.

Via kodi , its the enigma 2 plugin

Via Plex , you need to have a pass , which has to be paid for.

When a computer or computing device ( tablet , phone etc. ) is using a tuner its not available on the main box anymore. It shows as yellow and in use , But thats normally OK as each box has 8 sat tuners and 2 DVB T tuners. Note that a UNICABLE II LNB is needed to do this.

( also note , its a waste of time trying to do this on a simple dual tuner DVBS2X box , as it doesnt have the firepower to work it , usually you get stuttering and failure of EPG to load. If you want to do this , you need higher end boxes like VU+ or Gigablue running of a UNICABLE II LNB )

A usage that surprised me and had me running out of tuners was during the world cup , group stage final matches , with instances of 4 computers grabbing two tuners each to watch both matches simultaneously in separate Kodi windows , leaving no tuners available on the main box ! Once you show someone how to use em , they get used, its simple.

Also any single tuner enigma 2 box can be set to run in client mode and use a tuner off the main box , so essentially any single tuner box is a multiroom box with full access to recordings. Also , its always worth pointing out , enigma2 boxes do not encrypt recordings , and they can be dragged and dropped on/off the box via windows over the network.

None of this is particularly hard to do , especially with openvix.

Someone above mentioned IPTV and how it works fine in openvix , but I know of no legal IPTV service available here that works with this , others may do.

Tony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892222#Comment_123892222

Thanks for the mention

andy1249

The Freely " Puck " is on the way , to date the only way to get freely was via Certain brands of new TV. Or indeed " upgraded" brands of older TV , for example Vestel TVs that have gotten the Tivo OS update and are setup for UK , but note that Freely is Geo Blocked.

https://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/freely-to-launch-new-streaming-box-later-this-year

This " Puck " is a one off cost , and you get ( at the moment ) about 40 of the FTA channels plus Streaming Services. Its not available just yet , but supposed to be for Christmas , no doubt I will buy one assuming its cheap enough , and see what can be done with it.

Given the pace of " Freely" Development and news , I dont see FTA satellite being extended beyond 2029 , this looks to be the official replacement.

No doubt if you want one here , the same setup routine as an " Official" Freesat box will apply , i.e. UK postcode and setup will be required. There is also talk of having to prove you have a valid UK TV license !

It is announced for all of the UK , including Northern Ireland , so ……. available here partially at least.

Just to add , and Im no expert on this , there are far more knowledgeable people on here on this subject , the Government must ensure a Public Service Broadcast is readily available in each country in case of emergencies etc. and it must be free.

For us I guess thats RTE ( personally if Saorview was all I could get , I wouldnt bother , and the only material I would be watching would be netflix , disney + , etc. )

Manc-Red_

For me the switch from Sky to Freesat and Saorview has been nothing but a success.

LG TV has tuners for both and I’m lucky enough to live close enough to the transmitter for Saorview to use a standard aerial.

Also using a reasonably cheap android box with vpn for Peacock, Fubo, ITV, BBC apps sideloaded.

No need to ever go back to the crazy prices I was paying Sky, I have much more now with the above packs then I ever had when paying for Sky.

icdg

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123896731#Comment_123896731

It will be more than that, almost certainly UK IP restricted (and we can’t discuss methods of circumventing regional restrictions).

It won’t be as simple as plug and play and put in a UK postcode.

reggie3434

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123899052#Comment_123899052

I'm same, have LG tv with satellite plugged in directly and an ariel (bout a tenner off amazon) for Saorview, then use shortcut buttons to switch between the Irish and UK channels, works a treat and a usb hard drive for recordings.

decor58

I'm in a similar position, never had a tv sub, using FTA for about 25 years, hoping that satellite broadcasting continues beyond 2029. So for a saving of whatever a tv sub costs for a period of 4 or more years could justify installing a dish, Saorview will be there for a while more, so for the cost of an aerial, we should be ok for some time. The availability of capable broadband and the legal responsibility of the BBC to provide service delivery might be the saviour in extending the need for satellite broadcasting into the 30's but for how long, we live in hope.

Just to repeat 2 issues with LG tvs, one with Saorview and Freesat on newer LG tvs, it Saorview and FTA channels, not Freesat or if Freesat is chosen Saorview channels are in the 800's and can't be renumbered. The other issue, I have, is regarding recording, if a recording is in progress, it is necessary to wait until the programme is finished recording before you can access the recording or any other recordings, yes the apps or streaming channels are accessible. I didn't have these issues previously with Vestel tvs where I could access a recording while it was still recording. Yes LG tvs are a lot more advanced in terms of picture quality, so prose and cons to both.

andy1249

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123899478#Comment_123899478

I think the Proof of a valid UK television license ( you can register interest but want your TV license details ) is the biggest hurdle if that proves to be the case.

Shure well see , if I can get one to tinker with I will. Assuming they are a sensible price that is , expecting around the 100 ballpark at most.

decor58

I think we have some examples of what we can expect, BBC iplayer, ITV X and My5 are not available legally in RoI, C4 player doesn't allow live viewing. Many of the programmes on these channels are licensed for UK broadcasting only, so access to Freely will be more than a case of a valid tv license and a post code. In my experience there is no app to download at the moment, though I have seen tvs with "Freely app" on sale here, it would be interesting to see if anyone on here has any experience of these tv's.

swoofer

4 years is a long time

human 19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123896017#Comment_123896017

I have 2 dishes pointed to Freesat & German 19.2 satellites. they Run into a VU+ duo (running openvix) box which connects to the TV and also to my internet router. The router is connected to a plugged in Netgear Powerline adapter which run the signal around the house via the electrical wires. Other adapters in the house link the VU+ to PCs and and they also link to a Raspberry Pi 5 which is stored in a drawer in the kitchen and also provides streaming via its browser. This time of year I normally stream the NFL through the Pi without issues. I use Transcend removable USB drives to record TV so Im not limited to hard disk space.

Gerry Wicklow

A sign of the times https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/10/13/the-end-of-an-era-mtv-music-channels-to-be-switched-off-across-europe-by-end-of-2025

MrFrisp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123903283#Comment_123903283

No loss these days.

More ads than music.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123903283#Comment_123903283

True, although when was the last time MTV showed music? I'd say the writing was on the wall for around 20 years