680 Platinum satellite box and Smart TV

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Helen55

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#113674 24-Jan-2013 07:45

I live in an area where I have to access tv via a satellite dish. My current tv is connected to a 680 Platinum box/receiver. It's acceptable for watching tv but I can record only one programme and that programme must be on the channel that is being viewed. Not very high tech at all!

I'm now thinking of getting a 'smart tv' for my front room. When my satellite dish was installed, the installers set up a connection to the satellite dish in the front room so that issue has been addressed.

Just wondering if the smart tv will be compatible with my satellite set up. Will I be able to access all the features on a smart tv and will I need to buy a second '680' remote control to be used on the second tv.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Helen

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#749972 24-Jan-2013 07:49

The TV will only have DVB-T tuners built in, so you will need a satellite box.

Plenty of good boxes around that can record more than one channel at once.

Helen55

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#749974 24-Jan-2013 08:01

Thank you for the quick response.

Did you mean that I have to purchase a second satellite box to go with the proposed new tv. It was nearly 2 years ago when I moved into this house and I thought the original box would cover 2 tvs.

The place that installed the dish and the '680' sells boxes that can be used to record multiple stations for around $800. So adding that cost to the price of the tv makes the whole exercise an expensive one!

Having said that, with tv on demand available and the lack of decent programmes on tv it does seem unlikely that I would want to record much at all. I've got by without recording anything since SBS went off air.

tonyhughes

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#749975 24-Jan-2013 08:08

At retail stores you can buy satellite freeview records that will do multiple channels from about $350. Even cheaper on Trademe.

If you pipe your new TV into the existing satellite box, you will be stuck with only being able to watch whatever channel the first tv is on at the time, and you wont be able to change channels from the other room (channel change is controlled on your box, not by your TV).

tonyhughes

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#749978 24-Jan-2013 08:15

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/satellite-receivers/auction-554614455.htm

(Not my auction, and not an endorsement of the seller).

500GB hard drive, two tuners, watch one channel, and record another, or record two channels.

Freeview approved too.

Helen55

11 posts

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#749984 24-Jan-2013 08:28

Thanks for that.

I had a look at the TM advert and I see that that box requires a UHF aerial. I understand that there is no UHF signal here - that's why I have to have the satellite dish.

Also 'freeview' as such isn't available where I live.

tonyhughes

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#749987 24-Jan-2013 08:31

oops, sorry, I had several tabs open and copied the wrong one. Yes, you defintiely need satellite, not UHF.

tonyhughes

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#749988 24-Jan-2013 08:32

I updated the link to the satellite unit i was looking at.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Helen55

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#749994 24-Jan-2013 08:42

Thanks again!

I think it is all getting a bit too complicated/technical for me.

I'll check to see if there companies in this area (Oamaru) other than the one that installed the original set up.

illicit

553 posts

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#750553 25-Jan-2013 08:24

Hi Helen,

I can help you out with recorder options if you like - give us a call, were based in Timaru.

Edgar Technology
688 4319

Helen55

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#750658 25-Jan-2013 12:40

Thanks for that. I've just spoken with a very helpful lady at your business

Jaxson

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#750679 25-Jan-2013 13:13

This is probably a better link, but all the comments above still apply.
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/tvs-dvds/freeview-decoders/dishtv-s7090pvr-myfreeview-satellite-digital-terrestrial-recorder/prod111505.html

Yes, you can get satellite boxes that cost $800 or so, but you should be able to get a freeview approved unit in the $350 - $450 range that suits you fine.

Helen55

11 posts

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#750685 25-Jan-2013 13:19

Thank you for that link. I'm guessing that that unit would be compatible with my existing satellite dish and the wiring that comes into the house?

B1GGLZ

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#750912 25-Jan-2013 18:57

Will I be able to access all the features on a smart tv and will I need to buy a second '680' remote control to be used on the second tv.

The features such as TVNZ on Demand etc. in Smart TVs have nothing to do with Satellite or UHF tuning.
They require a broadband internet connection and need a WI Fi adaptor or Ethernet cable from the TV to your Broadband Modem/Router. They also chew through your data cap fairly quickly.

Helen55

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#750917 25-Jan-2013 19:07

"They require a broadband internet connection and need a WI Fi adaptor or Ethernet cable from the TV to your Broadband Modem/Router. They also chew through your data cap fairly quickly."

Hmmmm ... does this mean they must be connected to the 'net in order to work i.e. for watching regular tv programmes?

Thanks

Helen

B1GGLZ

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#750950 25-Jan-2013 20:28

Helen55: "They require a broadband internet connection and need a WI Fi adaptor or Ethernet cable from the TV to your Broadband Modem/Router. They also chew through your data cap fairly quickly."

Hmmmm ... does this mean they must be connected to the 'net in order to work i.e. for watching regular tv programmes?

Thanks

Helen

No. Net connection is optional.
If not connected to the 'net' they work just as an ordinary TV i.e. Tuning analogue and digital TV and playing connected devices like Sky, Blu Ray Players etc.
When connected to the 'net' all the smart functions can be used i.e. TVNZ on demand, Facebook, Movie downloads and whatever apps each individual manufacturer allows.
Most Smart TV's are not really very smart because the number of websites you can access is fairly limited and only what the manufacturer installs in the firmware.
My Sony Bravia is extremely limited but I have been able to access a the NZ Film Archive of old NZ weekly news films that used to play in Cinemas back in the 50s and 60s. Lots of interesting stuff and a lot that I remember from when I was much younger.

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