Can I watch freeview?

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dafman

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#148731 29-Jun-2014 11:08

I have an old panasonic TH42PV500 which I am pretty sure comes with a digital tuner. Question: if I connect the TV to a sky satellite cable, will I be able to tune into freeview stations?

If yes, I assume that I can buy a cable adapter that will attach to the sky cable for plugging into the standard aerial in on the TV?

RunningMan

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#1076427 29-Jun-2014 11:13

No, it will have a terrestrial tuner, not satellite. You either need a UHF antenna (if you are in a Freeview|HD area) or a satellite STB.

Spyware

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#1076515 29-Jun-2014 13:32

Belling Lee sockets on TVs never have a LNB/dish attached. That simple.

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B1GGLZ

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#1076591 29-Jun-2014 16:35

And from what I can find online via google it is analogue only, the screen resolution is only 1024x768 so it's only use is probably as a boat anchor..

JimmyH

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#1076592 29-Jun-2014 16:43

B1GGLZ: And from what I can find online via google it is analogue only, the screen resolution is only 1024x768 so it's only use is probably as a boat anchor..

It would be OK as a set for satellite Freeview, as the transmission is so awful and low resolution that spending to get a better TV is verging on pointless. The OP will, however, have to spend at least circa $80-90 on a cheap set top box to use connect it to the dish like he wants.

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#1076596 29-Jun-2014 16:48

References to Freeview tuners re: this TV apply to UK DVB-T mpeg2 tuners, wouldn't work in NZ even if included in NZ models as we use H.264.

dafman

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#1076621 29-Jun-2014 17:46

B1GGLZ: And from what I can find online via google it is analogue only, the screen resolution is only 1024x768 so it's only use is probably as a boat anchor..

The main set is a newish 65 panny. The 42 is a second set, the blacks are pretty average, but it came with great speakers and it still looks pretty good with 720p

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bfginger

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#1076785 30-Jun-2014 06:31

There is no way its old 2005 internal tuner would work with Freeview. To make it work with Freeview in HD you need an HDMI cable, a Freeview terrestrial tuner set top box and a UHF aerial within range of a broadcast mast.

Your plasma uses 341 watts so that's about $1 of electricity for every 12 hours of operation.

dafman

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#1076832 30-Jun-2014 09:21

bfginger: There is no way its old 2005 internal tuner would work with Freeview. To make it work with Freeview in HD you need an HDMI cable, a Freeview terrestrial tuner set top box and a UHF aerial within range of a broadcast mast.

Your plasma uses 341 watts so that's about $1 of electricity for every 12 hours of operation.

Ok, thanks - could I get a Freeview satellite set top box and hook the sky satellite cable in, rather than UHF aerial? If yes, any recommendations on a cost effective box?

How times change - what was 'start-of-the-art' HD-ready flagship in 2005 is now a power-hungry boat anchor. Sigh. Now we are entering the new 4k error, will my Panasonic 65" Viera plasma be all but useless in a couple of years time ...

trig42

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#1076889 30-Jun-2014 10:32

dafman:
bfginger: There is no way its old 2005 internal tuner would work with Freeview. To make it work with Freeview in HD you need an HDMI cable, a Freeview terrestrial tuner set top box and a UHF aerial within range of a broadcast mast.

Your plasma uses 341 watts so that's about $1 of electricity for every 12 hours of operation.

Ok, thanks - could I get a Freeview satellite set top box and hook the sky satellite cable in, rather than UHF aerial? If yes, any recommendations on a cost effective box?

How times change - what was 'start-of-the-art' HD-ready flagship in 2005 is now a power-hungry boat anchor. Sigh. Now we are entering the new 4k error, will my Panasonic 65" Viera plasma be all but useless in a couple of years time ...

Any satellite box should be fine. I don't think there are any out there significantly better than others. The UI on them all is pretty average, and the remotes pretty clunky, but they get the job done and display a watchable picture. Pop into your nearest Noel's, DSE, JB HiFi or Warehouse, they will sort you out.

Spyware

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#1077214 30-Jun-2014 17:52

Don't use a sat box, picture quality is vulgar.

B1GGLZ

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#1077252 30-Jun-2014 18:52

Spyware: Don't use a sat box, picture quality is vulgar.

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If you are in a UHF area get a UHF antenna and UHF STB. Much better picture quality even on your low res screen.

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B1GGLZ

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#1077256 30-Jun-2014 18:57

dafman:
The main set is a newish 65 panny. The 42 is a second set, the blacks are pretty average, but it came with great speakers and it still looks pretty good with 720p

How do you watch TV now? Does this mean you already have a UHF antenna for the 65 Panny? If so just use a splitter to run the antenna to the Panny and a UHF STB for the 42.

MikeAqua

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#1078643 2-Jul-2014 14:47

I have a dish S7090. Despite the poor quality of the Freeview satellite signal, it up-scales to an acceptable picture quality for watching TV. Not HD by any means but watchable for general TV and sport.

Mike