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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 27 December 2008, 20:47:43

Title: Installing FreeSat
Post by: tunnie on 27 December 2008, 20:47:43
Due to Virgin Media giving my grandad the run around, he plans to go back to BT and ditch the cable TV.

Problem is the ariel on the roof is 30 years old, so he needs to replace it if he wants freeview.

That said he is considering FreeSat, so he can get the free HD channels.

Whats involved in setting it up? He said Currys (told him not to buy it from there yet) can sell him all the gear for free sat for £100, so its just installing it.

Is it difficult?

Anyone recommend some decent decoders?
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: Martin_1962 on 27 December 2008, 20:51:08
Not too difficult but aligning the dish is not easy without the correct meters.

I would suggest getting a 65cm dish with quad LNB, fitting it and cabling it yourself then get a local installer to point it for you (unless you buy a meter).

Decoder - easy - Humax HDR best of the lot

Please note for SDTV Freeview appears to have a better picture
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: Martin_1962 on 27 December 2008, 20:53:34
Got the PVR from Argos online, dish and LNB from Maplins cable from Screwfix, 4 F connectors from Maplins
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: tunnie on 27 December 2008, 21:12:17
cheers Martin, so the regular channels get better picture on Freeview?

Must say i run freeview upstairs and been very impressed with the picture!
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: Leomas on 27 December 2008, 21:13:45
Screwfix have an offer will the whole lot for £49....oddly enought the decoder box on it's own is £99???

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/80878/Electrical-Supplies/TV-Range/Aerials-Fixings/Labgear-Free-to-Air-Satellite-Kit
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: STMO123 on 27 December 2008, 21:17:14
It depends on the strength of the signal in your area. I get a perfect freeview signal on the upstairs telly with a £1 shop aerial.
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: Martin_1962 on 27 December 2008, 21:50:20
Quote
cheers Martin, so the regular channels get better picture on Freeview?

Must say i run freeview upstairs and been very impressed with the picture!

Supposed to be
BBC Same
ITV FV
C4 FV
C5 FS

However I am sure the Freeview PVRs I have are slightly better PQ than the Humax at SD, may even be the 576 to 1080 upscaler (not needed with HD)

That said BBC SD was dreadfull this Christmas.

I would put in a quad LNB regardless rather than a useless 1 LNB, each tuner needs it own LNB.

I would also say that multi sourcing TV is important.

Bad tropospheric ducting - got Freesat, thunderstorm have Freeview, both have TV Replay.
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2008, 09:52:57
It seems the compression is higher on freesat than freeview, hence poor picture.

Pretty certain some things on freeview are not yet on freesat, but would need to check
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: tunnie on 28 December 2008, 11:01:51
think i might steer him towards free view now, it will be cheaper to install. Plus he does not even have a HD TV yet!
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2008, 11:14:09
Quote
think i might steer him towards free view now, it will be cheaper to install. Plus he does not even have a HD TV yet!
and freeview boxes are around a tenner from tescos
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: Martin_1962 on 28 December 2008, 12:41:59
And a DECENT PVR not much over £100
Title: Re: Installing FreeSat
Post by: tunnie on 28 December 2008, 14:02:08
Quote
And a DECENT PVR not much over £100

x that by 3, as he has TV's in the living room, bedroom and conservatory....

95% of the time he will be watching SD thats even if he gets a HD TV!