Freesat in my room?

mrapoc · Aug 16, 2008, 12:48:40

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 12:52:49

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 12:52:55

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 12:53:14

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 12:56:49

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 12:59:32

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 13:02:28

Quote from: mrapoc on Aug 16, 2008, 12:59:32
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 · Aug 16, 2008, 13:03:27

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 17:22:59

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 19:49:20

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 19:50:10

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 :

QuoteIf 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 · Aug 16, 2008, 19:58:42

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 20:49:32

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 · Aug 16, 2008, 20:59:24

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 00:51:05

Quote from: psp83 on Aug 16, 2008, 19:49:20
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 · Aug 17, 2008, 00:56:28

Quote from: mrapoc on Aug 16, 2008, 20:49:32

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 01:00:27

Quote from: madasahatter on Aug 16, 2008, 20:59:24
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 · Aug 17, 2008, 01:10:53

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 01:21:10

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 01:22:15

Quote from: Inactive on Aug 17, 2008, 01:21:10
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 · Aug 17, 2008, 01:28:45

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 01:49:39

Quote from: psp83 on Aug 17, 2008, 01:28:45
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 · Aug 17, 2008, 04:26:06

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 11:04:14

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 · Aug 17, 2008, 11:42:31

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...