Sattelite or Terestial ?

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camo786

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Topic # 26171 14-Sep-2008 16:02

I want to get Freeview working in our home

Should I be going sattelite or terestial -

Summary

Sattelite - requires dish and instaltion - we have flat roof so dish install is difficult, but would allow us to get SKYTV if we so desire too, no HD but possibly in future?

Terestial - Requires UHF aerial this is cheap and easy as we already have pole and VHF aerial. HD which would be nice, but nervous their is no future in teresetial and I will be wasting money on terestial receiver(s)

Why are have they developed both? Will satellite go HD in the near future and if so would that require a new receiver?

Opinions?

eXDee

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Reply # 164350 14-Sep-2008 16:23

Freeview is intended to replace analogue TV, so "No Future" is incredibly unlikely - DVB-T is the future!
In almost all cases you should go for Terrestrial if you're in coverage since Satellite is just designed to fill the gaps which Terrestrial doesn't reach. It's HD too, and future proofs even if you don't have a HDTV, when you upgrade you can simply plug it in and you're away.

richms

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Reply # 164353 14-Sep-2008 16:54

Sat has PVR options available now, and it has stratos which is not on terrestrial.

If you get a dish and cheap settop, its the same price as a terrestrial box roughly.

I would go for sat now if you dont have a hdtv, there will be cheaper terrestrial boxes in a couple of years when you may finally upgrade, and till then you can use a PVR capable sat settop.

If you do have a HD display, then its stupid to go for sat since your wasting your displays capabilities.

Richard rich.ms

Dingbatt

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Reply # 164355 14-Sep-2008 17:00

Bear in mind that more and more TVs will come out with digital terrestrial tuners so 'getting freeview' will be even easier. So if you can receive the terrestrial service then it is probably better to invest in the UHF aerial. Just make sure you are in a reception area. If you want Sky in the future, they will charge you the same installation fee whether you have a dish or not.

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1gkar

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Reply # 164367 14-Sep-2008 18:07

camo786: I want to get Freeview working in our home

Should I be going sattelite or terestial -

Summary
Sattelite - requires dish and instaltion - we have flat roof so dish install is difficult, but would allow us to get SKYTV if we so desire too, no HD but possibly in future?

Terestial - Requires UHF aerial this is cheap and easy as we already have pole and VHF aerial. HD which would be nice, but nervous their is no future in teresetial and I will be wasting money on terestial receiver(s)

Why are have they developed both? Will satellite go HD in the near future and if so would that require a new receiver?

Opinions?

There is NO chance of DVB-T disappearing. It is the only option for HD in the forseeable future, as Freeview have no plans to implement it into DVB-S. The only real reason DVB-S exists is for complete coverage of NZ, otherwise, I think you would find only DVB-T would exist.

http://freeviewnz.tv/index.php?section_id=9&category_id=1

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cyril7

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Reply # 164381 14-Sep-2008 19:21

The current analog terrestial service has some 400odd transmitter sites, and even then only scratches the surface of total national coverage. To fit out all those sites with DVB-T transmitters or translators would be prohibitively expensive in todays climate.

Hence a dual approach of 18 Terrestial transmitters for approx 75% population coverage and a overlay for total cover with satellite. The satellite service was intended to lever on the easy access to Mpeg2 DVB-S recievers to make very cost effective coverage on readily available hardware. The DTT terrestial service has been intended to offer the premium of HD on channels that broadcasters choose to and also allows for local regional services.

As I understand it there is no intention of having HD on the Sat service in the near future, but dont rule it out as a long term option. If you have access to good terrestial reception then I recommend you go for it, otherwsie the sat services offers an excellent service with near (infact very near) DVD qualtiy widescreen digital service that is not to be sneezed at.

By the way its a very odd notion that you present, implying that the terrestial service has no future, quite the opposite. The long term plan is for a few more (6-8) transmitter sites to push the DTT coverage from 75% to 85%, but dont hold your breath.

Cyril

bazzer

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Reply # 164416 15-Sep-2008 00:04

Also, I wouldn't say installing your own dish makes it easier to get Sky in future. Most likely (someone will know for sure) they'll want to install their own dish, rather than use yours. In any case, the installation cost will be the same so may as well let them install the dish if they need to when the time comes.

My vote is for Terrestrial. If you've got the signal, go for it (unless you think the set top box is too pricey). Contant Spong on here and see if he has any extra terrestrial boxes left. They're a good price and perform well.

kiwitrc

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Reply # 164422 15-Sep-2008 06:29

Terrestrial if you can get it. The Extra Terrestrial rxers are the cheapest I have found and work very very well.

cyril7

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Reply # 164424 15-Sep-2008 07:03

Bazzar you are correct, Sky will not use a non Sky dish, however if the mount is installed to their satisfaction (and seeing some Sky installs it does not take much to satisfy them) then they will use your mount and feeder.

Satellite is very important for even those who live in a prime terrestial area, only this last week I did two sat installs in general locations that should be ideal, however in both situations buildings or local geographic details can force your hand back to satellite. In the old days you would walk away knowing you had left a customers with not ideal reception or a massive mast to get reasonable reception, at least now you have a very good solution in any situation.

Cyril

camo786

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Reply # 164486 15-Sep-2008 11:57

Cools, thanks for comments

Now I need someone to install UHF aerial in West Auckland and make sure we get good reception and recommend and or supply suitable receiver

Any recommendations?

turb

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Reply # 164540 15-Sep-2008 15:30

I'd say get the box first - it may work with your existing VHF aerial!

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Dingbatt

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Reply # 164551 15-Sep-2008 16:33

camo786: Cools, thanks for comments

Now I need someone to install UHF aerial in West Auckland and make sure we get good reception and recommend and or supply suitable receiver

Any recommendations?

Alkris Antennas in Moselle Ave, Henderson have looked after me pretty well in the past. They MAKE UHF aerials and also have a range of STBs. www.alkris.co.nz

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1gkar

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Reply # 164574 15-Sep-2008 18:02

Does cyril7 live anywhere near

cyril7

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Reply # 164593 15-Sep-2008 19:16

Cyril7 is in Waikane/Kapiti, bit far from Henderson, and next week Cyril7 has a few days in Surfers, so no antenna jobs out there.

As for good boxs, I have installed a number of Satmax boxs, they seem to go very well, the Visione boxs seem ok, but only done a couple. Zinwells seem to run to hot to last for my likes. The extra terrestial seems to have good reports especially once the firmware bugs are ironed out, but thats not a biggie as long as they are fixed. If you are looking for keen pricing then you should not be paying too much over $360-$370 for any box, otherwise look elsewhere.

While turb seems happy to use a VHF antenna for DTT recetion, this may cause all manner of unpredictable results, so I recommend you install a good UHF antenna and ensure you get consistant results.

Cyril