Hi we go to Scotland all the time and some places we can’t not get Freeview (digital TV) due to the area so we have thought of getting a sat Kit so we can watch Freeview TV (Not sky or free sat etc.)
Do we just plug the sat in to the TV and we have a picture.
I have seen one in Aldi but thought I better ask first
What do we need to achieve this and can anyone recommend something?
You can't get Freeview via satellite. The Aldi kit would give you Freesat if the dish is correctly aligned and if the dish is big enough for Scotland. But you will need to manually tune, and sort the channels into order should you want them in some kind of order.
Quote: Originally posted by Inner Zone on 28/9/2011
You can't get Freeview via satellite. The Aldi kit would give you Freesat if the dish is correctly aligned and if the dish is big enough for Scotland. But you will need to manually tune, and sort the channels into order should you want them in some kind of order.
Fact is the the Aldi kit will only get you the FTA channels, not the FTV channels, for that you will need either a "Freesat" (BBC/iTV) box, or a Sky box with a "Freesat" from Sky card.
On balance, the simplest setup, would be a Sky box running a none subscription "Freesat" card.
We use a Sky Pace 2000 (aka Javelin) sat receiver, which runs of 12v, so quite handy for camping, if EHU is not available.
I found my Sky box in a skip, bought the "Freesat" card from Sky for £25, very cheap setup, and works a treat, when we are down in the South of France, you can just about make the dish out in my gallery photo.
Fact is the the Aldi kit will only get you the FTA channels, not the FTV channels, for that you will need either a "Freesat" (BBC/iTV) box, or a Sky box with a "Freesat" from Sky card.
On balance, the simplest setup, would be a Sky box running a none subscription "Freesat" card.
We use a Sky Pace 2000 (aka Javelin) sat receiver, which runs of 12v, so quite handy for camping, if EHU is not available.
I found my Sky box in a skip, bought the "Freesat" card from Sky for £25, very cheap setup, and works a treat, when we are down in the South of France, you can just about make the dish out in my gallery photo.
Fact is the the Aldi kit will only get you the FTA channels, not the FTV channels,, for that you will need either a "Freesat" (BBC/iTV) box, or a Sky box with a "Freesat" from Sky card.
A Freesat box will not display the FTV channels. That's why is called Freesat.
If you want FTV you need a Sky box or a suitable generic box with a card reader or CAM slot and a CAM and a Sky FTV card at least.
Hi GT60, we recently began using a "camping sat tv " kit on our caravan, almost identical to the Aldi kits. I used to use an expensive crankup dish and equally expensive Sat receiver imported from USA and converted to use in UK/Europe. I can assure you that the cheaper kit gives just as good a picture and reception as the expensive stuff on my former motorhome. Certainly from the Lizard in Cornwall to N.Wales. The free to air programs we can access are more than enough for us giving excellent choice including a handful of film channels. We do not find the need for a free to view box. The box with the kit easily meets our needs. In fact we are spoilt for choice . Once you get used to setting it up you will probably find it easy to use. You need a good compass, a secure fixing (we use a jockey wheel short mast) and patience. With the right research and some notes from the internet in advance it can be fun to learn how to set up and get a perfect picture! You can see our little dish on our gallery picture. Good luck!
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Quote: Originally posted by GT60 on 28/9/2011
...we go to Scotland all the time and some places we can’t not get Freeview (digital TV) due to the area so we have thought of getting a sat Kit so we can watch Freeview TV (Not sky or free sat etc.)
Freeview is unique to being received via an aerial. If your looking at receiving TV via satellite, your best options are for either a dedicated Freesat receiver or a second hand Sky receiver and TV viewing card as described by Francais.
I'm not convinced the type of kit sold by Aldi and the like would be suited for Scotland due to size of dish (others will correct me if they've successfully use one up there), so you'll possibly need a zone 2 (60cm) dish. The Javelin is a brill receiver, but hard to find.
These cheap Aldi "suitcase" kits are all very well (and cheap) for use throughout most of the UK however, from the information you have given so far I would suspect that the Aldi kit dish is just not big enough to guarantee an unbroken signal way up in the far north of Scotland.
If you are not on a limited budget I would definitely consider the "Multimo prime focus" dish available from "RoadPro" and "Towsure". This dish is considered to be probably the best small dish on the market and more than capable of pulling in a signal that far north.
If you decide to go "Freesat" (all channels free including some in HD), my preference for a receiver would always be "Humax".
Either the Foxsat HD/SD set top box or better still, the Humax Foxsat HD Recorder (PVR) offers the additional advantage of recording preferred programs and films, just right for dark wet nights in Ross & Cromarty. (Do they have wet nights in Scotland?).
Important: If you go for a recorder, you will need a twin feed LNB on your dish to enable you to watch one channel whilst recording another.
Last but not least, you should get a cheap "Signal (or satellite) finder" (about £10) and a compass preferably a marine type compass.
Note: All the above named receivers require a 230v supply.
I have written a two page "Idiots guide" on "how to aim the dish" which you might find helpful, unfortunately, I am not sure how to add an attachment on this forum. Perhaps someone will advise.
Or even better..... don't bother with a tv ... your on a relaxing holiday. Read a book, play games, go for a walk. There's enough rubbish to watch when your sat at home.... and this post is coming from a SKY Installer
Quote: Originally posted by niclisem on 30/9/2011
Or even better..... don't bother with a tv ... your on a relaxing holiday. Read a book, play games, go for a walk. There's enough rubbish to watch when your sat at home.... and this post is coming from a SKY Installer
I think you’ve posted in the wrong thread mate!
The thread entitled "Grumpy old ment" is on an earlier page.
Has it occurred to you that if we all did as you suggest, you would be out of a job!.
That would not be in my interest, as the government needs your tax contributions to help pay for my old age pension.
In turn, my pension pays for my site fees so that I can sit in my caravan all day and watch TV!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Sat Tv
