PRACTICAL solutions to loss of TV Reception

[Bruce Wallis]

The loss of UK Satellite TV reception is now a given.

The are several solutions being touted in the Algarve News etc.
Is anybody yet aware of a reasonable clean replacement for the existing SKY service? ie something that doesn't depend on the individuals PC or tablet.

Many of us need to find a foolproof solution.

Any ideas folks?

[RichardHenshall]

It's not as foolproof as a conventional satellite receiver/recorder but my Tesco Hudl seems quite competent with Filmon. The problem with a cheap tablet isn't the cost, it's making sure that it's not too portable!

[Jaylay]

It's not as foolproof as a conventional satellite receiver/recorder but my Tesco Hudl seems quite competent with Filmon. The problem with a cheap tablet isn't the cost, it's making sure that it's not too portable!

Ours is working also working well.

[Mike Burton]

IPTV is one answer, boxes are available for about 300 euros and a subscription of 40 euros a month . 100s of channels available including SKY, It is legal for watching German and Dutch TV but illegal for British TV

I am currently using an iPad and film on through an Apple TV box ,it works well. I have a VPN account which means I can get itv player, BBC I player and Sky go, however these will not transmit from an IPad to an Apple TV box, so I use my laptop for these and connect directly to the tv with a hdmi lead, quality is nor perfect but it is watchable. I am going to wait a bit longer to see what happens before spending out sever hundred euros. The IPTV box I have looked at is currently being improved to make it easier to find the channels you want, currently you have to scroll through hundreds.

[mardi]

I think the future is going to be 4g , when it becomes available. Its going to be the cheapest and requires no installation, just a small box which is portable so you can take your internet with you.

[EMM]

We do not have decent 3G signal so expecting 4G any time soon is a pipe dream.
I tried to watch the rugby yesterday on a Hudl, the picture was poor to say the least but better than nothing.
and we won.

[pickwick]

Hi
Projection dreams in Almancil have the following solution. I have been to see it and already arranged 12mbps cable internet from MEO. My neighbours have this service and get 25mbps but I do not need any more than 12. The box is like an Apple TV box and connects to your router and your TV and the picture quality is excellent. You get a satellite type remote control, do not need a PC and have 14 day catchup on all channels. You do not have to scroll through hundreds of channels, the on-screen display shows only the channels below. You also get an OPG (on screen programme guide) so it is a easy to operate as Sky or any other TV remote control. I was very impressed and although there might be better in six months time (this is always the case with technology and this solution is here now and for a very good price)! The box is only 150€ incl IVA and the monthly sub is 18€ incl. IVA. I used Filmon yesterday to watch BBC through my Apple TV on our big screen and every 5 minutes or so it kept freezing so not much good v what I saw in Almancil. This despite 5 to 6 mbps verified speed on my internet connection. If you do not know what your internet speed is go to http://www.speedtest.net where you can test it free.

Give Alistair a call and go and see for yourself:- (I ordered it on the spot and expect delivery and instal of the MEO next friday!)

COME IN AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELF

Projectiondreams
Rua de Republica, 64
8135-121 Almancil
Tel: 289 040 403
Telm: 917 563 665

The solution we have is using a "tweaked" Mag 250 IPTV box - rated currently as the best IPTV box in the world. We have this married to the largest service provider in Spain to provide 28 channels in good SD quality upscaled to either 720p or 1080p. Contrary to what anyone else may say there is NO iptv box able under the current frameworks able to stream true HD..but the Mag 250 is very capable and the picture improves incrementally based on the network that you have.

Indeed the Mag 250 has variable bandwidth adjustment-so even IF your internet signal is as low as 1mps you can still get a watchable picture. As well as this the Mag 250 is the ONLY solution I have tested that is a good Wi Fi performer.
Be incredibly wary of folks advertising IPTV boxes with 60 channels etc..they are crude and the channels keep blocking and pixellating,freezing and so on...in all the time I have tested the Mag 250 it has not frozen. It is also the only IPTV box that has worked fine after a power cut.......Whether you source from me or someone else ensure its a Mag 250 and ensure the service providor is a reliable one!!

Think quality not quantity.

But please..don`t take my word on the above..research the Mag 250 on the internet and read the reviews and you will see the above is 100%..

Our service includes:

-28 unique UK TV channels
-14 unique UK Radio channels
-14 day catchup TV
-7 day Electronic Program Guide

Equipment price: 150 Euros inc.iva

Monthly subscription: 18 Euros per month

TV channels:
BBC 1,2,3,4 & News
ITV 1,2,3,4
Channel 4, More 4, E4, Film 4
Channel 5, 5 USA, 5*
True Movies 1 & 2
True Drama & Entertainment
Sky News
Pick TV
Flava, Chartshow & The Vault
Community Channel
CBBC & CBeebies

Radio channels:
BBC Radio 1,2,3,4,5 Live & World service
Capital FM, Classic, Choice, Planet rock, Bay, Gold & XFM

[sasha1]

Hi

We are having our satellite redirected and a new digibox installed by Mark of Skyrealm (who posted under a similar thread last week) in a few days. We should be able to get the bbc channels, itv and channel4. Has anyone else had this done or know about it? It seems a simple solution for those of us who have no decent broadband speed.

Sasha

[pickwick]

Hi Sasha

I looked at the same sort of solution and dismissed it due to the following:- (in particular the bit in red!!!!)

For Free - Intelsat 907

Get BBC 1, 2, 3, 4 and ITV1 through this satellite. You can get 18 British TV channels.

All these channels are encrypted. A so called BISS key is needed to be able to watch these channels. This key is available on the Internet. Of course we will supply you with the BISS code on setup of the receiver(s).

What do I need to receive these channels?
A satellite dish pointed at Intelsat 907. You can use your excisting dish for this or we can add a 95 cm dish.
An HD satellite receiver, capable of handling a symbol rate of 44,100, and able to decrypt BISS

How will we do it?

We simply re-point your existing dish and install a new receiver.

Another option is to add a (relatively small, 95 cm) dish and install a DiseqC switch, so you can also receive the remaining channels. A new receiver will be needed as well.

If you have more than one TV in your home you will need extra DisecqC switches and more receivers.

Of course we will supply you with the BISS code on setup of the receiver(s), and we will supply you with instructions on how to change that code. However, if the code changes, you will need to do that yourself. This BISS code has not changed often in the past, and when the code did change the new code was usually available on the Internet within a few days.
However, be aware that we cannot guarantee that this code will always be available.
So we are completely honest here. If the BISS code changes and it will not be posted on the Internet, or if this backup system is abandoned or changed, your investment in this system will be lost

[sasha1]

Thank you Pickwick. Food for thought!

[Projectiondreams]

We trialed the solution mentioned above , with the BISS codes, but decided against offering it as the supply of service depended on someone cracking the codes and making them freely available.

This is a BBC uplink satellite and their future usage of it is something completely out of our control.

As many of you know, Projectiondreams are a well respected AV company with large showrooms in Almancil and we have to provide robust solutions to clients for the long term. I would highly advise anyone to make sure that whoever they are buying from, shows them the system working first, has a premises (so aren´t a flight risk) and gives them assurances about future service levels.

Unfortunately, we had one lady in the showroom yesterday who have bought a box for 200 euros on Thursday (with no monthly subscription) and by Friday night the channels had disappeared and so had the chap that sold it!!!! Typical Algarve story.

We have been trialing IPTV boxes, and loads of other solutions, for months now. We´ve pretty much seen every one out there. If you would like our advice on anything you are about to buy we will give you an honest opinion, or even if you want to stream channels for free we are happy to help. The showroom is open from 10-6 every day and I can be contacted on 917 563 665. www.projectiondreams.com

[Bruce Wallis]

I thought that I had found the solution by importing a new "Smart TV" from the UK.
Got it here, set it up and discovered that the BBC feed, although available on my menu, is blocked because of attempting to access it via a non UK server.
Bugger!!!

I can circumvent this problem on my laptop by using a proximity server based in the UK, but my new LG Smart telly maybe smart, but not THAT smart!!

Returns ruefully to the drawing board.

Well.....heigh-ho....at least we have a nice new telly

[Mike Burton]

Bruce, connect you laptop to your tv with a HDMI cable, set the tv input to hdmi , I have. Found picture not brilliant but watchable.

[tricky]

I thought that I had found the solution by importing a new "Smart TV" from the UK.
Got it here, set it up and discovered that the BBC feed, although available on my menu, is blocked because of attempting to access it via a non UK server.
Bugger!!!

I can circumvent this problem on my laptop by using a proximity server based in the UK, but my new LG Smart telly maybe smart, but not THAT smart!!

Returns ruefully to the drawing board.

Well.....heigh-ho....at least we have a nice new telly

You could always put a lamp on top of it Bruce!

[RichardHenshall]

I thought that I had found the solution by importing a new "Smart TV" from the UK.
Got it here, set it up and discovered that the BBC feed, although available on my menu, is blocked because of attempting to access it via a non UK server.
Bugger!!!

I can circumvent this problem on my laptop by using a proximity server based in the UK, but my new LG Smart telly maybe smart, but not THAT smart!!

Returns ruefully to the drawing board.

Well.....heigh-ho....at least we have a nice new telly

It's allegedly possible to use a VPN router (in conjunction with a VPN service) to achieve what you want.