Satellite TV
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Even when you’ve parked your motorhome in a beautiful location and it’s a glorious summer’s day you may still, every now and again, want to relax in front of the TV.
If you’re on a campsite in the UK, with a good, strong Freeview signal and you don’t want to watch a programme that’s only available on Sky, all you need to do is point your TV aerial in the right direction, switch on and relax.
If, on the other hand, you’re somewhere that has poor reception, you’re abroad or you want to take advantage of your Sky subscription and watch encrypted channels, you’re going to need a satellite TV system of some sort. What equipment you should get depends on a number of factors that we’ll look at later but choosing a system has become more complicated recently as a result of changes being introduced by the satellite operator, Astra SES.THE CURRENT SITUATION
Just a few years ago, it was possible to use a small 40cm dish in the far south of Spain and receive just the same TV programmes that you would at home. Then, with the introduction of digital broadcasts and until as recently as 2013, a dish of around 80cm to 85cm was required to achieve the same results.
During 2013 and 2014, new satellites are being brought into service which will dramatically reduce the size of the ‘footprint’ – the area within which the satellite transmissions can be received. No-one knows for certain exactly what areas will be covered by the footprint but you can be sure that you won’t be watching Coronation Street in Malaga unless you have a dish that’s so big, you probably wouldn’t be able to get it in your motorhome.
10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SATELLITE TV SYSTEM
1 Before buying a portable satellite system, think about how you’re going to mount the dish: free-standing, tripod, suction or magnetic.
2 Before buying an automatic system, take time to compare the available models and bear in mind the system’s weight, size, warranty options and the number of satellites that it can find.
3 Remember that, with every satellite system, the dish is just one component. The satellite receiver, stand-alone or built into a TV is critical.
4 A free-to-air receiver will not give you a full EPG (electronic programme guide).
5 You can’t watch satellite TV with a Freeview receiver; you must have a satellite receiver with free-to-air, freesat or Sky.
6 You can take your Sky receiver away with you (subject to any restrictions on your contract) but you will need an inverter unless you are on mains hookup or are using a generator.
7 A big dish (more than 55cm) isn’t necessary if you’re only travelling in the UK.
8 If you’re thinking of buying an automatic system that needs to be installed on your roof, make absolutely sure it's expertly fitted and you receive a full demosntration.
9 As a rule, don’t listen to campsite or forum ‘experts’ unless you have firm evidence that they know what they’re talking about.
10 When you get your satellite system, if all the programmes you can see are in German, Italian or any language except English, your dish is pointing at the wrong satellite!
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