Caravan satellite TV. Decided to join the 21st Century.

[Buckman]

This is an excellent appraisal

Horton Common Campsite – For Caravans, Motorhomes and Campervans

www.hortoncommon.co.uk

Interesting article until he gets to Sky Q and then it all falls to pieces. he is going on second hand knowledge and is not any technician in any sense of the word. The SKY Q card is compatible with Sky HD+ boxes as we currently ise a Sky Q card in our HD+ box.
We can watch Sky Go on our LG TV no issue as it is on at present. However we cannot record programs, but have not tried recording to a USB stick.
As said with Sky Go and Now there are quite a number of normal Sky channels that are not available.

 

[Dustydog]

Interesting article until he gets to Sky Q and then it all falls to pieces. he is going on second hand knowledge and is not any technician in any sense of the word. The SKY Q card is compatible with Sky HD+ boxes as we currently ise a Sky Q card in our HD+ box.
We can watch Sky Go on our LG TV no issue as it is on at present. However we cannot record programs, but have not tried recording to a USB stick.
As said with Sky Go and Now there are quite a number of normal Sky channels that are not available.

It proves to me the easiest way is dish, quad LNB,Sky HD Plus.Access to all channels, Recording two programmes same time.

 

[Buckman]

It proves to me the easiest way is dish, quad LNB,Sky HD Plus.Access to all channels, Recording two programmes same time.

Yep the way forward. Never seen any reason to upgrade to Sky Q. If you record 4 channels at the same time and each is an hour long, you need to find 4 hours to watch those programs. We barely find the time to watch two channels that have been recorded.
Unfortunately we are in contract with Sky for another 9 months as foolishly agreed to a lower price on an 18 month contract. We now watch more Prime than anything else as we like watching a film in the evenings before OH disappears to bed.

 

[otherclive]

Yep the way forward. Never seen any reason to upgrade to Sky Q. If you record 4 channels at the same time and each is an hour long, you need to find 4 hours to watch those programs. We barely find the time to watch two channels that have been recorded.
Unfortunately we are in contract with Sky for another 9 months as foolishly agreed to a lower price on an 18 month contract. We now watch more Prime than anything else as we like watching a film in the evenings before OH disappears to bed.

We cancelled Sky a long while ago and now use Freesat and Prime. We do have Netflix which is a bone of contention given the relatively little use it gets. This week whilst my wife is away I’m limited in viewing as the recorder is pre programmed that it limits my viewing, so it’s mainly catch up. One reason for joy was when it was announced that Casualty was ending. Now each night before I go to sleep I pray for the same outcome for Holby and Eastenders. 🤞🏼

 

[Jcloughie]

Wi-Fi is mandatory but available everywhere.Data streaming if you have 4or 5 G may be expensive and again subject to signal availability. My set up is free, easy to use and works even in the remotest parts of the Highlands

Dusty, things have moved on. Data is no longer as expensive as you seem to think.



4g is well fast enough. I have not looked into it, but I don't think that WIFI would be that expensive in Europe now. I can see there may still be advantages In satellite dishes if going abroad, or if someone is used to carrying and setting up a system. But I can have TV coming out of my ears using free view plus WiFi. So for me, dishes are pointless.


We have Prime, Netflix and Disney all family shared. And all the free stuff on Fire. Plus hundreds of hours backed up on hard disk.

John

 

[Jcloughie]

With the Sky app you cannot watch BBC and some other channels. Same applies with NOW TV. Also if travelling to Europe data costs could work out quite expensive never mind using it in the UK.

BBC is available on free view. And WiFi, NOW has it's own App. See previous post are data costs.

John

 

[Buckman]

We cancelled Sky a long while ago and now use Freesat and Prime. We do have Netflix which is a bone of contention given the relatively little use it gets. This week whilst my wife is away I’m limited in viewing as the recorder is pre programmed that it limits my viewing, so it’s mainly catch up. One reason for joy was when it was announced that Casualty was ending. Now each night before I go to sleep I pray for the same outcome for Holby and Eastenders. 🤞🏼

Not sure why the female species like watching medical programs? Luckily OH has never had an interest in watching any soaps like Eastend

BBC is available on free view. And WiFi Now has it's own App. See previous post are data costs.

John

Besides BBC numerous other channels are not available. NOW is also limited in what it offers and even less channels than Sky Go.
To watch Sky Go you need a HDMI lead from the PC to the TV which means you cannot use the PC for anything else, i.e. wife watching TV and you need to use the PC. Big drawback.

 

[Jcloughie]

Not sure why the female species like watching medical programs? Luckily OH has never had an interest in watching any soaps like Eastend

Besides BBC numerous other channels are not available. NOW is also limited in what it offers and even less channels than Sky Go.
To watch Sky Go you need a HDMI lead from the PC to the TV which means you cannot use the PC for anything else, i.e. wife watching TV and you need to use the PC. Big drawback.

Sorry Ian, made no sense to me. I just plug the TV in and receive masses of stations. Sky sounds really complex.

When my Virgin contract finishes in a couple of months I will just go WiFi. I recon I can make savings of about £45 with no loss of channels. TV is moving on at a pace.

John

 

[PTA]

I can see it may be still of use in Europe, at least the northern part. But we don't know if that is the OP’s need.

John

We go to Spain and Portugal for 12 weeks. I assume getting UK stations over there is a no no? Or am. I wrong?

 

[Jcloughie]

We go to Spain and Portugal for 12 weeks. I assume getting UK stations over there is a no no? Or am. I wrong?

I think if you go down the satellite route you need something big. Perhaps 1.2 metres. I could be wrong.

For WiFi. The problem is with country restrictions and is something which would have to be looked into. Restrictions can be avoided with a VPN. But I thing that the broadcast experts are not always fooled by them.

For me, it would depend on my requirements. My hard disk would provide me with content if we got bored. But I would like access to news channels if poss. BBC is usually accessible.

If I really wanted a film I could just hire one.

If your need is heavy, it would need greater investigation.

John

 

[Buckman]

We go to Spain and Portugal for 12 weeks. I assume getting UK stations over there is a no no? Or am. I wrong?

We had a Satfi dome and for Sky channels it worked as far down as Valencia . At 85cm satellite dish should work further down to south coast of Spain.
You can get BBC and ITV as far down as Roses in Spain with a 85cm dish. I doubt very much if you can use BBC or ITV players on the continent as they will be blocked.

 

[Dustydog]

I get the feeling there is an antipathy towards the old tried and tested satellite for caravans. I do not accept using mobile phone type systems etc will give you full Sky TV .
We have the full Sky package with all the frills, expensive but we like it and have enjoyed it since 1998. SWMBO loves the sport and Football 😥.
A lot of areas , even in the U.K. do not have good mobile phone reception nor Wifi.

The map below shows the availability of Sky using a 65-85 cm dish. Note South Spain is covered.
So my friends I appreciate all your alternative suggestions but sadly none of them will work for us 100%.

 

[Buckman]

Where we live in the UK the mobile signal is almost non existent like many other parts of the UK. We have never had an issue with signal in either France or Spain!

 

[Jcloughie]

I get the feeling there is an antipathy towards the old tried and tested satellite for caravans. I do not accept using mobile phone type systems etc will give you full Sky TV .
We have the full Sky package with all the frills, expensive but we like it and have enjoyed it since 1998. SWMBO loves the sport and Football 😥.
A lot of areas , even in the U.K. do not have good mobile phone reception nor Wifi.

The map below shows the availability of Sky using a 65-85 cm dish. Note South Spain is covered.
So my friends I appreciate all your alternative suggestions but sadly none of them will work for us 100%.

I disagree Dusty. I have simply made observations regarding the validity in this day and age. No antipathy whatsoever. Thought it might be an opportunity for the OP to explore alternatives. I have already stated that if it suits your situation that is fantastic. But I do not want the weight, inconvenience and cost involved when modern alternatives do the job. But then we are only light users

John

 

[Jcloughie]

We had a Satfi dome and for Sky channels it worked as far down as Valencia . At 85cm satellite dish should work further down to south coast of Spain.
You can get BBC and ITV as far down as Roses in Spain with a 85cm dish. I doubt very much if you can use BBC or ITV players on the continent as they will be blocked.

This site says a VPN works fine. I have not tested it.

https://www.iplayerabroad.com/bbciplayer-in-spain-uk-proxy/

John

 

[Dustydog]

I disagree Dusty. I have simply made observations regarding the validity in this day and age. No antipathy whatsoever. Thought it might be an opportunity for the OP to explore alternatives. I have already stated that if it suits your situation that is fantastic. But I do not want the weight, inconvenience and cost involved when modern alternatives do the job. But then we are only light users

John

But John
None of your suggestions offer the full Sky package. If I have missed anything let me know. At the end of the day we need to hear from PTA on precisely what he wants not we think😜

 

[PTA]

But John
None of your suggestions offer the full Sky package. If I have missed anything let me know. At the end of the day we need to hear from PTA on precisely what he wants not we think😜

Truth is I'm not quite sure what I want!
I suppose the key word for me is "simplicity."

As I already have a fairly large sat dish (sorry, can't remember dimensions and it's in storage with the caravan) I was considering how best to use it. A TV with built in Freeview would seem to be the best bet. Priority is for use in UK, but a bonus would be ability to use in S Spain and Portugal, but that's not essential...again simplicity would be the priority (without messing about with phones etc.).

Many thanks for all responses so far.

 

[Buckman]

Truth is I'm not quite sure what I want!
I suppose the key word for me is "simplicity."

As I already have a fairly large sat dish (sorry, can't remember dimensions and it's in storage with the caravan) I was considering how best to use it. A TV with built in Freeview would seem to be the best bet. Priority is for use in UK, but a bonus would be ability to use in S Spain and Portugal, but that's not essential...again simplicity would be the priority (without messing about with phones etc.).

Many thanks for all responses so far.

I may be wrong, but doubt very much if you will get Freeview anywhere in Spain.

 

[PTA]

I may be wrong, but doubt very much if you will get Freeview anywhere in Spain.

Thought not really.
Will. just have to visit bars and restaurants. Nightmare!

 

[Dustydog]

Freeview is U.K. transmitters. Like Buckman I doubt there are any Freeview transmitters in Spain.

 

[Buckman]

Freeview is U.K. transmitters. Like Buckman I doubt there are any Freeview transmitters in Spain.

Not even sure about Freesat however a cool bar is a good option.

 

[Dustydog]

Not even sure about Freesat however a cool bar is a good option.

Freesat needs a dish and a compatible TV, most are these days

 

[Buckman]

Freesat needs a dish and a compatible TV, most are these days

OP has a dish and no need for a compatible TV if they are using a Sky HD+ box.

 

[Jcloughie]

But John
None of your suggestions offer the full Sky package. If I have missed anything let me know. At the end of the day we need to hear from PTA on precisely what he wants not we think😜

True. But I have no idea what the full Sky package is. And you are correct. We don't know the OP’s needs, which I keep saying. At no point have I criticized others for their requirements which are very different to mine. You have made many good points as to why the package suits your needs. Which is excellent.

John

 

[Dustydog]

John
For years we suffered very poor TV reception, ghosting, fade outs etc. 24 years ago Sky gave us a perfect picture, a massive range of channels. It is expensive but that’s down to the individual to choose the package , top to bottom that suits them.

There was a chap named David Sullivan who ran a fantastic web “ Satellite for caravans” . Following his guidance and the then Melksham Satellites for the hardware it all fell into place.

Grantown on Spey site actually has plug ins on the EHU for your ease of use. If you don’t have your own Sky box they rent you one.