Freesat in my room?

[mrapoc]

Hey guys

Im looking for a nice 1080p tv for my room for use with ps3 and hopefully freesat (sony is offering a freeview box for recording etc. but freesat is supposedly a lot better (sattelite vs an ariel))

So other than a nice tv, what else would i need to splash out on for a freesat connection? We already have a sky dish, not sure if that would help! I take it ill need a HD freesat box or somethin?

[Rik]

Do you have any spare connections on the LNB, Sam. If so, you just need a cable run from one of them. If you don't, you'll need to upgrade the LNB.

[kinmel]

You need a spare output from the LNB on your satellite dish.  LNBs are available with 1, 2 and 4 outputs.

Simply run the cable from the dish to the receiver,  the cable ends use type "F" connectors and make sure you waterproof the connector at the LNB.

[Simon]

I believe you need a Freesat box, which comes in SD or HD flavours, at around £99 and £149 respectively, but I'm not sure if all existing dishes are compatible, not having gone down that road myself.

[Inactive]

Existing Sky Dish should be fine Sam, you may need to change the LNB ( the bit on the end of the dish ) depending on if it has any spare outlets, Octo LNB's with 8 outlets are cheap on eBay , as well as running another cable from it ( or 2 if you plan to buy a Freesat with Recorder facility ). standard Freesat only needs one feed from dish.

[mrapoc]

So get up on the old ladder and check for spare "holes" lol

if there isnt any just get basically a converter which is one connector to 2/4/8 almost like a an extension.

if there is get the cable mentioned plugged into it (waterproof) run it up to my "freesat" box which is then hooked up to my tv

simple as that?

[Inactive]

So get up on the old ladder and check for spare "holes" lol

if there isnt any just get basically a converter which is one connector to 2/4/8 almost like a an extension.

if there is get the cable mentioned plugged into it (waterproof) run it up to my "freesat" box which is then hooked up to my tv

simple as that?

Not a converter Sam, if you don't have a spare outlet at your LNB, it will need to be replaced with one that has more outlets.

[Rik]

You should be able to see from ground level, Sam. What Sky boxes do you have? If it's just Sky+ (or HD) you'll almost certainly have the spare connection unless there are multi-room boxes.

You can't use a converter, each box has to be able to control switching on its LNB(s). There is a device for communal dishes, eg flats, but a new LNB is much cheaper.

Otherwise, if you have the spare connector, it's as simple as a length of appropriate cable and two F plugs.

[Nigel]

Hi,

I live in a loft apartment which has a communal dish installed by Sky with each flat having the standard faceplate for TV, Sat and DAB. I hooked up my Freesat box and hey ho! 100 and something channels - all crystal clear. Loads of HD too. Freesat is brilliant

[psp83]

This info is good to know.. i've got 2 spare on the sky lnb 

Is there any freesat pci cards out yet for the pc?

[john]

I've been looking at this recently and if you're going to buy a new TV then the Panasonic PZ81 may be worth looking at as it has a Freesat reciever built in.

If you look on this site it says :

If I already have a SKY TV setup, can I just purchase the Freesat digital box?
Yes! If your existing Sky TV satellite setup is in working order, you'll just be able to purchase the Freesat digital box and plug in, no need for installation by a professional etc. The channels are broadcast from the same satellite as used for BSkyB.

Hope this helps.

[psp83]

For TV's i would go for something like these.

SAMSUNG LE32A559P 32" HD Ready 1080p
£493.54

SAMSUNG LE37A559P 37" HD Ready 1080p
£549.10

This is the one i'm keeping my eye on to replace my year old HD tv.
Samsung PS50A556S 50" HD Ready 1080p
£1,149.99

[mrapoc]

Cool guys

Im looking for something above 32" to look beasty and mount on my wall

It HAS to be HD  but there doesnt seem to be a tv with built in HD (isnt that pana sd?)

ill have a look when it stops raining 

[madasahatter]

Personally, I would go for Panasonic or Sony - both get excellent reviews. Personal experience leads me to believe that with Samsung you get loads of TV for your money, but the picture  ain't that good - I can certainly tell a difference (especially when watching fast moving images - football etc) from my Sony to the Samsungs that a couple of my friends have. So can they funnily enough - they always remark how good my TV is compared to theirs! 

[Inactive]

This info is good to know.. i've got 2 spare on the sky lnb 

Is there any freesat pci cards out yet for the pc?

Afraid not, there are of course free to air cards, but they are not quite the same thing.

[Inactive]

It HAS to be HD  but there doesnt seem to be a tv with built in HD (isnt that pana sd?)

Taken from Johns link;


Panasonic launches the UK's first HD televisions with freesat HD built-in.

[Inactive]

Personally, I would go for Panasonic or Sony - both get excellent reviews.

I always ignore reviews when buying a TV, there are only 2 mediums that I use, my own eyes and ears.

I bought my TV from John Lewis so that I could send it back if I wasn't happy with it, I was, I still have it.

[Simon]

I don't think it's always wise to ignore reviews.  OK, you have to make up your own mind, but a bit of pre-purchase research could save you a lot of hassle, if, for example, you found that there is a common fault that's likely to occur, or that the item doesn't come up to expectations of the claimed specs.

[Inactive]

OK, perhaps I should have clarified Simon, I ignore reviews that are by so called experts, I do of course take notice of ordinary user reviews, they usually give a for more balanced insight in to a product.

[Simon]

OK, perhaps I should have clarified Simon, I ignore reviews that are by so called experts, I do of course take notice of ordinary user reviews, they usually give a for more balanced insight in to a product.

Indeed, and I'll be trying to find some for that Arcam tomorrow - but I must get to bed now.  Nite!

[psp83]

i love my samsung tv, picture is great on it. You just have to be lucky what panel you get.

My mate had a sony and got alot of ghosting on it.

Best thing to do, is go into a shop and ask them to demo the tv to you, if they dont want to then they've got something to hide. Currys did with my current HD tv.

[Inactive]

Currys did with my current HD tv.

Paul, you were very lucky to find a branch of Currys with a member of staff capable of switching on a TV, let alone demo-ing one for you.

[psp83]

our local currys shop is quite good and helpful tbh. its a small town so i guess they have to keep the people coming back by being nice 

[vitriol]

Go for one with a low response rate and you'll be fine, no ghosting etc...

My Samsung TV is perfect for Xbox and TV images.

[Inactive]

Samsung TV's are as good as any, the one thing that put me off of them was the mirror finish surrounds, the last thing that I want to see is a reflective material surrounding an otherwise good picture...

[kinmel]

This info is good to know.. i've got 2 spare on the sky lnb 

Is there any freesat pci cards out yet for the pc?

Any DVB S, or DVB S2 PCI card will get you SD Freesat.

HD is available with a few cards, but be aware that ITV HD is different from the others and only a few cards will deliver it.

T

[madasahatter]

OK, perhaps I should have clarified Simon, I ignore reviews that are by so called experts, I do of course take notice of ordinary user reviews, they usually give a for more balanced insight in to a product.

I think that "expert" reviews can be very useful - they certainly helped me when I was looking for a new TV. User reviews are great too though, because they show real world experience - not in a place where everything is set up perfectly. I usually look at as many of both as I can, and balance the two out.

[Gary]

I think that "expert" reviews can be very useful - they certainly helped me when I was looking for a new TV. User reviews are great too though, because they show real world experience - not in a place where everything is set up perfectly. I usually look at as many of both as I can, and balance the two out.

Thats what I did when I got my Sony KDL32 D3000 Mad, looked at expert reviews, then at dedicated forums and decided from there.

[madasahatter]

i love my samsung tv, picture is great on it. You just have to be lucky what panel you get.

My mate had a sony and got alot of ghosting on it.

I suppose it's like anything else - we can just go on personal experience at the end of the day.

[madasahatter]

Thats what I did when I got my Sony KDL32 D3000 Mad, looked at expert reviews, then at dedicated forums and decided from there.

Exactly the same TV as I have Gary 

Great minds think alike eh? 

[Gary]

Exactly the same TV as I have Gary 

Great minds think alike eh? 

Indeed and it really does had a fantastic picture, great response time and its and its a 100mhz set as opposed to 50mhz so its good for sport, fast films and has that lovely 10 bit panel

[Inactive]

I am always sceptical of so called " expert reviews " there is usually a bias towards one companies product/s, possibly bought about by financial reward by advertising revenue etc.

I only ever trust a large selection of " hands on " reviews from actual users, then I still take most of it with a pinch of salt.


My middle name is " cynic " but you knows that..  

[Gary]

I am always sceptical of so called " expert reviews " there is usually a bias towards one companies product/s, possibly bought about by financial reward by advertising revenue etc.

I only ever trust a large selection of " hands on " reviews from actual users, then I still take most of it with a pinch of salt.


My middle name is " cynic " but you knows that..  

Glad you don't select people to build our nuclear reactors, In

[madasahatter]

I am always sceptical of so called " expert reviews " there is usually a bias towards one companies product/s, possibly bought about by financial reward by advertising revenue etc.

I understand what you're saying In - that's why I like to look at as many as possible - to get a more rounded picture of the qualities of one piece of equipment against another.

[Inactive]

Glad you don't select people to build our nuclear reactors, In

Me to Gary.

[Inactive]

I understand what you're saying In - that's why I like to look at as many as possible - to get a more rounded picture of the qualities of one piece of equipment against another.

Fair comment Mad, but I also find that the same companies seem to target all review media, actual users reviews give a totally different picture on many occasions.

Most so called experts are only interested in numbers anyway, which actually mean bugger all other than looking statistically appealing to the gullible.

The only real test is with the eyes / ears, at the end of the day, not easy in the real world, I accept.

[Rik]

Especially when the demonstration models are not optimally setup, and are surrounded by lots of other TVs - talking about distorting colour perception! 

[Inactive]

It's a minefield Rik, that is my main reason for buying from John Lewis, they gave me an assurance that if I was not 100% satisfied with my TV, they would collect if FOC and give a full refund, within 7 days, I couldn't argue with that.

[Rik]

JL is generally my first choice of supplier too, they still value customers. 

[psp83]

Samsung TV's are as good as any, the one thing that put me off of them was the mirror finish surrounds, the last thing that I want to see is a reflective material surrounding an otherwise good picture...

That is the only thing i dont like about mine,  I have to dust it everyday 

[Inactive]

JL is generally my first choice of supplier too, they still value customers. 

Indeed, a rare quality these days.

[Gary]

Indeed, a rare quality these days.

Almost unheard of really

[mrapoc]

Well the LNB has no obvious connections left (it would be right next to the existing sky cable connection yeh?) so looks like it will need to be changed or whatever.

What kinda thing am i looking for, is it easy to change or will i end up breaking it 

[Inactive]

Yes, if any were available, they would be close together Sam.

eBay is your best bet, just type in quad LNB in search for a 4 outlet one, you will find there are thousands available, fairly straightforward to change, just take your time.

Will cost around a tenner.

Oh you will need an " f " connector and cable as well, again eBay is your best option.

Good luck.

[sobranie]

Exactly the same TV as I have Gary 

Great minds think alike eh? 

I have this one too. Absolutely 1st class.

On a tangent, I believe Samsung make the screens for Sony (according to a sales manager type I know).
The circuitry in the Sony is quite superior though. (so he says).

[vitriol]

Samsung manufacture alot of LCD panels that are used in other name brands.  I think it was around 80%, well it was when I worked for them.

[mrapoc]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-4-WAY-QUAD-LNB-FOR-SKY-FREESAT-HD-SKYPLUS_W0QQitemZ360079631906QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360079631906&_trkparms=72%3A1121|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

that kinda thing will do fine wont it?

just gotta find a way of routing the cable and affording the tv lol

what you reckon wud be the cheapest option

that tv with build in freesat (£900-£1000 for 40")

or a normal 1080p with a hd freesat box (may perform better or allow recording(?))

[Inactive]

That, or similar will do just fine Sam.

It's down to personal choice re; the built in or stand alone Freesat.

No Freesat Receiver or TV can record .....Humax have a PVR planned for late this year.

[Rik]

One thing to note about quads, Sam. They are heavier than a standard LNB, so you may need to bend the arm slightly upwards after fitting to counter the droop which occurs.

[Inactive]

...and you don't want a " droop " at your age Sam..

[mrapoc]

hahaha!

well if i got a dual, it would stop using getting sky hd or w/e in the future wouldnt it *(without sky comin round, charging loads and probably admiring my handy work on the dual, by that i mean a charge for touching their equipment!)*

[Rik]

 

You don't want it at any age!

[Inactive]

hahaha!

well if i got a dual, it would stop using getting sky hd or w/e in the future wouldnt it *(without sky comin round, charging loads and probably admiring my handy work on the dual, by that i mean a charge for touching their equipment!)*

It's not their equipment after 12 months Sam, it's yours.

You need a quad, a dual is no good, and it would cost more anyway.