Sky for a year just to get the satellite

thesto

Is it worth getting Sky subscription for a year to get the satellite installed?

Or is there another option in Dublin? Independant installed satellite and Freesat/Saorsat box?

I'm very new to all of this

KaneToad

thesto wrote: »

Is it worth getting Sky subscription for a year to get the satellite installed?

Or is there another option in Dublin? Independant installed satellite and Freesat/Saorsat box?

I'm very new to all of this

I would imagine someone like this crowd would be a better bet than getting a year long sky sub:

https://www.billfreetv.ie/

Also, going the DIY route is not that difficult, if you (or someone close to you) are up for it. I'm not very competent with DIY but still managed it.

I bought all my gear from this crowd:

https://www.freetv.ie/

No affiliation with any of the above. I assume alternates are available.

Johnboy1951

thesto wrote: »

Is it worth getting Sky subscription for a year to get the satellite installed?

No, a waste of money if you do not require Sky subscription content.

GhostyMcGhost

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

No, a waste of money if you do not require Sky subscription content.

Used to be worth it maybe a while back, sky obviously got fed up with it and now SkyQ is the default installation, so at the very least you’ll need to change the LNB at the end of the year

If you could manage to change the LNB, you could put the dish up yourself. Also got my gear from FreeTV and the videos they have on their site were a great help!

AllForIt

I did that years back. You will loose the RTE channels despite being told by SKY they would stay after the year sub ended. That was so long ago I've no clue what it cost.

Johnboy1951

Terminator. wrote: »

Wouldn't it be ballpark the same cost

Not in my view.

Contract: 12 x 30  =  €360
Sky Q 1TB box:          30

At end of contract the LNB will have to be changed and an aerial will need to be fitted to receive Saorview channels, which will mean a call out of a suitably qualified fitter.

A replacement combi receiver will need to be bought as the Sky Q box must be returned.

So essentially the sub pays only for the satellite dish and running two coax cables in a standard fitting.

Add in the hassle of re-doing it after 12 months and it is really a waste, IMO.

thesto

Much obliged, that clearly outlines the holes in my thinking. Wasn't aware of the LNB etc...

Will research the DIY route - better not fall off the ladder!

Ger Roe

thesto wrote: »

Much obliged, that clearly outlines the holes in my thinking. Wasn't aware of the LNB etc...

Will research the DIY route - better not fall off the ladder!

The dish doesn't have to be up high. I have mounted several dishes on the ground in order to avoid heights. It just needs a clear line of sight to the satellite position.

I once set up a dish for my elderly neighbour that was mounted on to a solid building block and placed out so that it was hidden from direct view by a bush in the garden.

I also put one on an apartment balcony, mounted on an old microphone stand and positioned behind and just below the balcony wall, so it could not be seen. The angle of incidence was so critical in that location that it once lost signal when a level of snowfall rose two inches on top of the balcony wall - creating a gap in the slight snow buildup allowed the signal through again. It was only clearing the wall by the two inches.

GY A1

Satellite dish can be gotten for €40 if your willing to try installing yourself

Staplor

I signed up to Sky for this reason a few years ago, I also got a free telly (for the bedroom) at the time. This was before Sky Q and the LNB was fine for me. In that situation I think it was worth it (as my telly in the sitting room will take the satellite cable).

The LNB makes this a non runner now in my book. Plenty of satellite installers who'll sort you out if you're nervous about it.

Sky are the worst crowd to deal with. Somehow they set me up with 2 accounts to the same address.

2 install lads
2 accounts
No matter how many times I called to cancel I kept getting bills.

Then took forever to get a refund. They wouldn't even offer anything as a sorry.

Definitely don't go with them for a Yr.