Freeview via Satellite

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trig42

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#1783251 16-May-2017 16:29

How old is your TV? Due for a replacement?

Some TVs have a Sat (DVB-S) tuner in them so you wouldn't need an STB. You can plug in a USB HDD to record from the TVs tuner - but only the channel you are on (and, not sure if the TV has to be on to record anything??)

If you wanted to record another channel, however, you will need an STB with multiple tuners.

The slow loading EPG is the biggest issue with Freeview, and I'm pretty sure it is not just the Dish TV boxes that this affects.

The S8200 is an OK unit (though, admittedly, not as good as a MySky), just has a horrible remote. Get a Harmony (any Harmony) and it makes it a lot better.

Rushmere

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#1783256 16-May-2017 16:39

trig42:

How old is your TV? Due for a replacement?

Some TVs have a Sat (DVB-S) tuner in them so you wouldn't need an STB. You can plug in a USB HDD to record from the TVs tuner - but only the channel you are on (and, not sure if the TV has to be on to record anything??)

If you wanted to record another channel, however, you will need an STB with multiple tuners.

The slow loading EPG is the biggest issue with Freeview, and I'm pretty sure it is not just the Dish TV boxes that this affects.

The S8200 is an OK unit (though, admittedly, not as good as a MySky), just has a horrible remote. Get a Harmony (any Harmony) and it makes it a lot better.

The TV is about 6 years old. It's a Panasonic plasma model that I'm rather fond of, so I don't really want to replace it until it fails. It does have DVB-T built in, which is useless to me of course, so I'm using the S8200 at the moment. I did suspect that slow loading of the EPG could be a Freeview issue, so that's good to know! I'll be buying a Harmony remote this week.

Mavarick

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#1783332 16-May-2017 18:40

Mine loads in 1-2 seconds , but Vu is not a freeview approved box,

the smart TV's and dish boxes are really slow to load

JimmyH

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#1783348 16-May-2017 19:21

Just out of interest, how much do the Vu boxes cost and where do you get them from?

I'm on terrestrial myself, but will probably have to put my "tech support" hat on and replace a flaky satellite STB Freeview setup for a relative in the not too distant future.

Mavarick

213 posts

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#1783351 16-May-2017 19:27

On Trade Me for $470,

Can buy on Ebay about 200 pounds plus but with current exchange rate and freight its almost not worth it, dont get the clone ones from China if you go that route

Plus if buy here will be covered by CGA

SepticSceptic

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#1783764 17-May-2017 16:41

Rushmere:

davidcole:

Have you figured out if ondemand could replace your recording ability? It may surprise you how much is is ondemand and that you may not need to buy some new hardware.

Using on-demand might make it less convenient to watch live programmes like the news, although I know there are streaming options too. Perhaps the programmable remote would open up the options a bit more, as I could hopefully set up one-touch access to different ways to watch, and that might make me more likely to seriously explore the on-demand and streaming options. Hopefully I can work something out before the Sky box goes back at the end of the month.

You cant skip adverts with FTA streams ... the one reason why I still record shows, in one form or another.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

jat80

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#1784188 18-May-2017 13:04

I use an Apple TV4 for everything (bar gaming on the ps4)

For freeview content live I use an HDHomerun with the channels app for the apple TV and then have all the on demand and streaming apps on the apple tv as well.

The channels app is amazing and will soon have DVR support as well (currently only in the US and UK but oz and NZ are next). It's the best interface by miles to view freeview channels. You can pause live tv as well and easily switch between channels, setup favourites and so on.

The HDHomerun twin tuner also allows you to watch live TV on other devices over your home network like your computer or tablet/phone.

HDhomerun is around $250 and the channels app is around $35 I think from memory. Best money i've spent and the wife loves it as we only use one input in our AV system.

Rushmere

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#1784333 18-May-2017 16:13

jat80:
I use an Apple TV4 for everything (bar gaming on the ps4)

For freeview content live I use an HDHomerun with the channels app for the apple TV and then have all the on demand and streaming apps on the apple tv as well.

The channels app is amazing and will soon have DVR support as well (currently only in the US and UK but oz and NZ are next). It's the best interface by miles to view freeview channels. You can pause live tv as well and easily switch between channels, setup favourites and so on.

The HDHomerun twin tuner also allows you to watch live TV on other devices over your home network like your computer or tablet/phone.

HDhomerun is around $250 and the channels app is around $35 I think from memory. Best money i've spent and the wife loves it as we only use one input in our AV system.

I'd love to be able to get everything via the Apple TV, but unfortunately, because I'm not in an area with aerial reception, it doesn't look like it would work for me - unless there's a similar solution with DVB-S input?

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