New Build House Aerial Advice Please

torch_light

I saw that my query has been answered elsewhere on the forums but here goes nothing, I am sure that there must be others in the same situation. :T

I am about to move into a new build soon. I am looking for some advice as to the configuration of the aerials that I will need/want.

The builders thoughtfully added a cable to the roof space of the house for the analogue aerial (I presume) that then splits into 4/5 to the various rooms and bedrooms. Each of these rooms have their own aerial socket. BUT from what I can gather this is neither useful or necessary as we are having SKY plumbed in.

We are Sky subscribers but all I see on various websites is the advice that independant installers will make a better job of the dish installation than the Sky guys.

I have a media home hub set up on my wireless network so I can cast games to tv and control my pc from the tv if i should wish. I am proficient in computers having fixed laptops etc, so any clever ideas for the new house would be appreciated.

From what I can gather, Sky will not use the cables that the builder installed, and will drill a fresh hole for the cable that will run from dish to wall socket. BUT after checking the sockets that the builder has put in they are single aerial sockets and nothing like the picture that was posted in the similair thread here. Does that mean that the SKY fitters will fit the right face plates.

For analogue tv will I need a booster box at the junction to split into the seperate rooms? is there any other kit I could use here as well?

Any thoughts are very welcome, I am thinkiing that I will get an independant fitter in to have a look, but thank you in advance.

[Deleted User]

Analogue TV broadcasts were discontinued some years ago. What you have will be more than adequate to receive digital Freeview broadcasts.

Obviously, if you require Freeview TV in different rooms, you'll require either multiple aerials or a distribution network

Sky will use existing cables if it is feasible to do so. However, be aware Sky+ requires two feeds from the dish in order to work correctly. Sky will not fit faceplates as part of a standard installation.

If you require faceplates for satellite TV and additional Freeview connections in different rooms you are correct that an independent installer will fit a far more bespoke array of equipment.

A true money saver might choose to do this himself, of course.

Enterprise_1701C

So you are having Sky to all the rooms you need TV in? What happens if Sky goes down, or your satellite dish gets knocked? Why not just have an aerial popped on there then you have Freeview available. It will also be available when Sky decide to put your subs up massively and you decide you can no longer afford it. It honestly does not cost a lot to have an aerial put up (we install aerials among other things) and it is a one-off cost (unless there is a problem with the aerial). Depending on what sort of reception area you are in you could even have an aerial in the loft (local installer could tell you).

You can get distribution units that can handle Sky as well as Freeview too.

Have to admit I am surprised they didn't do distribution for satellite too, we recently commissioned media points in a block of flats, that included phone points, freeview points and dual satellite points.

torch_light

Thanks for the speedy answer folks.

So now I am wondering if the cable that they have put into the house would carry SKY. (I am guessing this isnt the case.)

I am leaning toward having an aerial put up on the roof too.

I was a little disappointed with all the fascia plates tbh. they didnt even think of adding any of the new USB/plug sockets. For multi room will I need special fascias in each room?

As a follow up is it worth having the aerial guy fix the sky dish up as well as the other aerial? All I keep seeing is they are more conscientious than the sky fitters? apologies to the sky fitters this isnt my opinion just something i have read. :-)

Again thanks for your time.

[Deleted User]

torch_light wrote: »

Thanks for the speedy answer folks.

So now I am wondering if the cable that they have put into the house would carry SKY. (I am guessing this isnt the case.)

I am leaning toward having an aerial put up on the roof too.

I was a little disappointed with all the fascia plates tbh. they didnt even think of adding any of the new USB/plug sockets. For multi room will I need special fascias in each room?

As a follow up is it worth having the aerial guy fix the sky dish up as well as the other aerial? All I keep seeing is they are more conscientious than the sky fitters? apologies to the sky fitters this isnt my opinion just something i have read. :-)

Again thanks for your time.

If the cable from the roof is single core then you can't use it for Sky (ignoring old non-recordable boxes) as they need at least shotgun cable (two cables). If it is two cables then it'll be suitable given the correct faceplate or adaptor.

It's easy enough to replace your mains plug fascias for ones that have USB outputs.

torch_light

ordered the mains plugs usb fascias, thats my department.

[Deleted User]

torch_light wrote: »

is it worth having the aerial guy fix the sky dish up as well as the other aerial? All I keep seeing is they are more conscientious than the sky fitters? apologies to the sky fitters this isnt my opinion just something i have read. :-)

Sky don't charge for initial installation, but this means their installers are given very tight time constraints for each job. They don't generally do shoddy work, but they will obviously be less amenable to anything other than a basic set up. They certainly won't climb on the roof and will often want to plonk the dish in a very obvious low level position on the front wall of the house.

Paying someone to do the work will obviously mean you will have much more control over what goes where and how.

Your choice.

AndyPK

You may want to use the cables in the house if you plan to have small TV's In the kitchen or bedrooms.


In which case put an Aerial in the loft.
Need a distribution amplier too if you want to cover more than 1 room