In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
A basic Italian freeview box wont do much to add to your viewing pleasure, though there is apparently a channel called IRIS which has lots of films on it. You have a choice - a basic box with no card which will add a few channels such as BBC world, Rai 24 etc, or a Mediaset freeviw box, where you can buy a card to watch more of Mr Berlusconis output. He is setting up a rival to sky, but it is available without a dish. Your third option is buy a Skybox and get freeview channels but with the option of getting sky as and when - but you will need a dish. You will need an aerial acapable of getting digital signal, which may mean a newer version of your existing aerial.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Carmel I think only Admin can change your title.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=carmel;111167]PS I understand English freeview boxes work here in Italy. Would it be better to bring one from the UK?[/quote]We were in the television rental business in England, and brought out a box of English freeview boxes to try - they definitely did not work.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=MargaretM;111204]We were in the television rental business in England, and brought out a box of English freeview boxes to try - they definitely did not work.[/quote]
DTV is an international standard. I was sure that the boxes would work all over Europe.
Are you sure your area had a digital signal?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Steve Graham;111241]DTV is an international standard. I was sure that the boxes would work all over Europe.
Are you sure your area had a digital signal?[/quote]We are using Italian digital terrestrial boxes, so yes we have a digital signal.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=MargaretM;111204]We were in the television rental business in England, and brought out a box of English freeview boxes to try - they definitely did not work.[/quote]
Do you think that would also apply to a new British television with built in freeview? :veryconfused:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Yes the hardware will generally work Internationally, but there are often regional variations with the software. It is up to the manufacturers how many regional variations they support, there are no hard and fast rules. You would have to ask the questions before purchasing. Don't necessarily trust the retailer, check the menus on the TV to see if they support the regional variations. Not just language customisation, but actual country customisation. The digital transmitters are on the same frequencies as the existing analog transmissions, and they alone vary from country to country.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
The boxes are very cheap to buy.Our area went digital last November and Mediaworld where selling the boxes from €5.00
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I see from their website you can order online which is useful to know if there isn't a Mediaworld branch near you.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Freeview being UK terrestial broadcast won't work here but FREESAT is beaming across from the Astra satellite(s). Astra 2D is the tricky one because it has the EPG and main channels you'd want, and the beam to the UK is very narrow. Italy based folk can get it on most fair days with a 2.8m dish and I have heard of 3m dishes working as far south as Rome. FREESAT is jointly rum by the Beeb and ITV and apart from the main channels it has the latest High Definition content. It's all free to air and a UK sourced Humax Freesat receiver or similar will pick this up. Check the web for coverage in your area and satellite pointing data for your house (yes really - comes up on a google maps application - I'll find it again if there is any interest)
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Sagraiasolar, this is helpful and precise, especially about the satellite to orient to. Thank you. Not having seen a single telly programme for 6 months we're also looking at options! Not sure if we can take on the idea of 2.8 m sat dish, unless,perhaps, you can get them in that see through black mesh stuff (not quite such an impact on the eye I would guess). If we decide a 2.8 dish isn't an option, can anyone suggest an update on the next best idea for catching a few English programmes?
Uk tv
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/07/2009 - 04:11In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Lupo you might like to follow these links for more useful TV info. The one on satellite location is brilliant... just find your house on Google maps and ask for Astra 2D and all the set up angles appear... no need to pay an 'expert'.
Re feeding the TV urge... have you discovered PLAY.COM For near the cost of a rental you can buy a DVD and have it sent out free. We often watch Dad's Army, Faulty Towers, Planet Earth on Blue Ray is pretty spectacular... 'Transformers' on Blue Ray and all 7 surround speakers turned up will leave you shaking. We try to order something every month to keep us sated.
[url=http://www.astra2d.com/italy.htm]Astra 2D Reception Reports for Italy[/url]
[url=http://www.astra2d.com/italy.htm]Astra 2D Reception Reports for Italy[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
.... last cut and paste failed... here's the satellite tracker link
[url=http://www.dishpointer.com/]Satellite Finder / Dish Pointing Calculator with Google Maps | DishPointer.com[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Gosh, thanks Sagraiasolar. I'm accumulating quite a list of stuff to check out! The sat info is especially helpful.
PS I understand English freeview boxes work here in Italy. Would it be better to bring one from the UK?