1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

TV options (source / platform)

Discussion in 'Technology Advice' started by Scotschap16, Apr 7, 2017.

  1. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Ok -- with Kris (@inaroiles ) and her son hopefully arriving in June I need to make some decisions to upgrade my audio-visual entertainment offer!

    Until about 3 years ago I had a fairly basic Sky package - no sport / movies - with history documentaries / natural occupying much of my viewing time. I also like BBC2 and BBC Four -- and Radio 4 is permanently tuned in several radios dotted around the house.

    However, with the range of material now available on YouTube / DailyMotion etc I decided to cancel Sky - so now I have Freeview (Freesat I guess) through the former Sky dish & digibox.

    I also still have the old analogue ariel in the attic (with mains booster) with coax cable to the lounge and 3 bedrooms. Since getting the Sky system I have never connected a TV to the attic ariel - although I do have an unused digibox still in its packaging that i bought a couple of years ago. I intend to try and see if the attic ariel can deliver digital signal to the room TVs.

    The future

    I need to decide how to receive my TV service. I have a basic 32" HD ready LED TV in the lounge. No hdmi socket but has usb which I use for Roku (which I find clunky to use)

    I intend to buy a larger (40") full HD smart TV with built in YouTube / iPlayer / Netflix (no subscription yet but will soon) and Freeview.

    I will also purchase a Freeview compatible hard drive recorder to timeshift viewing.

    I have 2 main questions. First - how should I choose to receive my TV signal - through the satellite dish or (if compatible) through the attic ariel?

    The second issue is how best to facilitate multi-channel viewing on at least one of the bedroom TVs? I would like Kris's son to be able to choose his channel independently of what's on downstairs.

    I have fast fibre broadband and strong WiFi throughout the house.

    Thanks in advance.

    Gerry
  2. John Surrey
    Offline

    John Surrey Well-Known Member

    Don't get a smart tv.

    Get an ordinary one and a box of some kind - kodi box :)
    • Like Like x 1
  3. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I disagree with John Surrey.

    Get a decent Android TV, it will be able to run Kodi natively, it will have a Freeview decoder built in and one or more USB ports that means all you need to do is add an external hard drive to turn it into a PVR recorder, not sure how comprehensive the recording 'timeshift' features generally are.

    I would use the dish for the Freeview signal it will probably be better than the aerial.

    Because most TV's have the Freeview decoder built in you could then split either the aerial signal or the dish signal and wire it through to the other displays, the lad would have full independent freedom of choice as to which channels to watch.

    My Philipps 40PUT6400 is a 4K set and cost me about £350 a year ago they don't sell it anymore but there is a similar 43" 4k model for about £399 at Argos (Netflix and Amazon support the 4K resolution) it supports casting (sending a program from a tablet or PC to the TV display) the only issue with mine is limited viewing angles, the newer ones are much better in this respect, but for me the image is perfect at the angle I view from.

    Most modern sets have an Ethernet socket as well as a built in WiFi receiver, so Netflix and anything on Android can be streamed direct from the internet.

    After initial software updates I've not had any problems with my display and it is extremely impressive when viewing 4k content on Netflix.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  4. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Oh meant to add, receiving through the dish means you are reliant on the Sky box for the inputs, a TV would likely not have a native input socket for satellite signal.

    The aerial would be easier to split and every Freeview box will support that input. Splitting the dish would mean changing the LNB you probably have a dual LNB currently for Sky but you would likely need a quad LNB plus new cabling and another Sky box or you would need to install another minidish and cabling for Freesat and purchase a Freesat box.
    • Informative Informative x 1
  5. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Thanks John - it's certainly an option!
  6. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Thanks a bunch Jim - I expected a comprehensive reply from a tech-meister like your good self and you didn't disappoint!

    I'll digest and respond - probably with more questions - in the next day or so!

    Gerry
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    ive got several non-smart tv's---and a talk talk box for on demand tv & recording------which still works all though i no longer pay for it! so i bought a google chromecast---and it works in any tv with a hdmi slot----and casts from my lenovo laptop and my acer android tablet.

    but since then i bought a tesco online outlet samsung blue ray player---"refurbed "---for £59 ! its brand new--sealed. this gizmo does it all---all the on demand apps--netflix ( if i feel the need to subscribe )...reads my lenovo files--vids photos--music---USB plays everything ive got on sticks.

    casts from the acer tablet--but cant get the lenovo to hook up to it. no matter.
  8. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    The title under my avatar name was not my choice :) it was the title given to me by our founder Sean before he made me an admin and I will never change it, it was close enough :)

    No probs ask away, although I only got into TV tech about a year ago prior to that I was on an old large CRT tele and had been for about 16 years:)
  9. Alexnew
    Offline

    Alexnew Active Member

    The replies above should give you enough options, but I'd also consider getting TFC.

    Fortunately my wife doesn't watch the soaps (if Kris does then I'll apologise now!), only news and the odd other bits and pieces, such as travel and cooking.

    It might help any homesickness.
  10. Markham
    Online

    Markham Guest

    The wife watches Philippine television on her iPhone via, I think, Facebook.
  11. inaroiles
    Offline

    inaroiles Banned






    Make sure I can watched my drama, and judge judy
    • Funny Funny x 1
  12. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    OMG nooooooo honey --- we watched about 50 Judge bloody Judys when you were here! :frust:

    There is only so much a man can take.:D

    Why don't you like volcanoes and battleships and ancient history like any normal person?:p

    Haha - seriously my love you have just convinced me of the NECESSITY of having multi viewing options!:);)

    Can't wait till you're here my love - I may even get to like Filipino drama - but better not count on it! :):)

    G xx
  13. inaroiles
    Offline

    inaroiles Banned

    You kno



    Hmmmm you know I'm not that that keen into history , judge Judy is one of my fave , when I was there, and you know that why. I liked giving shT..

    It's good you accept for what I don't like lol.
    Then we have no problem hahaha
    • Funny Funny x 1
  14. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Lol -- I'm sure it won't be a problem mahal....:D:p:)
    • Like Like x 1
  15. inaroiles
    Offline

    inaroiles Banned

    • Like Like x 1
  16. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    You're in luck young lady as Judge Judy is on Freeview TV on a regular basis, CBS channel I think, don't watch it myself but I often see it when I'm perusing the channel list.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  17. inaroiles
    Offline

    inaroiles Banned

    Thanks Tim, that's really good news haha . I know Gerry will be very happy .
    • Funny Funny x 1
  18. Scotschap16
    Offline

    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    Thanks so much @Timmers - not!!!!! :confused::mad:

    @inaroiles - respectfully suggest you watch JJ while I'm at work!! :)
    :p

    G
    • Funny Funny x 1
  19. bigmac
    Offline

    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    gawd--weve got our very own soap going on here !
    • Funny Funny x 1
  20. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    CBS often shows four episodes one after the other (2 hours) so that should cheer you up Gerry.......................... not :lol:
    • Agree Agree x 1

Share This Page