freesat and portugal
[Deleted User]
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firsttime here and I'm so not technical I'm hoping some-one can help as I will have to convey the correct information to the installation company in Portugal.
We have an apartment in Portugal and we would like to be able to receive the recently launched bbc freesat service. I assume that we will need a dish but what size ? What direction would the dish need to face in order to pick up the correct signal ? I assume that we will need a set-top box but which is best, how simple are they to fit and tune and would they work with a portugese TV ?
Mostly interested in getting UK news however the children are intested in keeping up with the usual rubbish they watch !
Any help offered is really gratefully received as I don't know where to start with this. Many Thanks
We have an apartment in Portugal and we would like to be able to receive the recently launched bbc freesat service. I assume that we will need a dish but what size ? What direction would the dish need to face in order to pick up the correct signal ? I assume that we will need a set-top box but which is best, how simple are they to fit and tune and would they work with a portugese TV ?
Mostly interested in getting UK news however the children are intested in keeping up with the usual rubbish they watch !
Any help offered is really gratefully received as I don't know where to start with this. Many Thanks
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Comments
One thing to bear in mind. The channels seen on freesat are broadcast by the Astra 2D satellite (same as Sky and FTA boxes). However, the EPG and software updates come from the Eurobird satellite. There is only 0.3 degrees of separation between the two satellites but you need to ensure that your satellite dish can pick up both OK. A slightly mis-aligned dish could cause you problems. This should not be a problem to a professional satellite installer.
We also have an apartment in Portugal on the Silver Coast. I had installed by the local satellite guy a 1.5m dish up on the roof of the 3 storey block. Currently we use a Technomate (5100) FTA receiver and can pick up most/all available FTA channels. The average strength comes in at around 80%. The dish size was limited to physically going up on to the roof, I believe a 1800mm dish is recommended. I have tried a Fortec Passion HD FTA receiver and it worked ok as receiver but had to bring it back as the receiver remote clashed with our Hitachi plasma, the HD signal was very good. We are now considering Freesat but waiting for the PVR versions to appear. Hope this is of assistance.