Now TV Smart Box

abssorb

Annie1960 wrote: »

Could I use Freeview Play without a Freeview aerial?

Yes, that's what it does. However read on...

To get it going, you will need to set it to join your home WiFi, and the WiFi signal in your kitchen will need to be strong. Also of course if your internet connection has a problem, the TV will have no signal until the internet is working again.

It should be fairly reliable, but it's won't be as reliable as a cable. The same goes for any smart box.

Annie1960 wrote: »

I have an electric socket for two plugs, and 2 cables for Freesat. I have never used Freesat before as I have Freeview in the house,

I assume you mean by your main TV?
If you're using Freeview now, you also have an old standard TV aerial cable. That's OK.
Can we assume the freesat cables are not in use? I.e. hanging free?

As you have 2x freesat cables next to your main TV, you can extend one into the kitchen, and get a TV with freesat built in. There's more TV choice and there might be some small ones.

And as a bonus - have a look on the back of your main TV. If it has a connector which looks like the end of the freesat cables - plug one of them in. It'll be a better picture.

Annie1960 wrote: »

but there is no Freeview cable in the kitchen, and I don't plan to get one.

OK, I know that cable installation gives people the horrors, but just to check.

Cables don't have to be visible. The cowboy way is to tack it onto skirting boards because it's fast and requires little skill, but a decent builder or carpenter can do an invisible job.

The old way to get TV was to put something on the roof and run a cable to the set or set-top-box and bam - you have TV.
This hasn't changed. If you want TV in the kitchen, put a cable in the kitchen. This is the most straighforward way, with the cheapest and least complicated TV sets and the most reliable.

All the new technology like the Now box is for extra services and features. The fact that it works without cables --- is not the main reason it was invented. And that's important. You have to really want all the modern features for it to make sense and to enjoy using it. If you're hoping this stuff is just an easy way to avoid running a cable - it isn't. Sorry about that.


So - If you want to pick up the remote and hit one "On" button - and then TV happens, then put a cable in and put up with the temporary mess, because you'll be much happier with the results.

If you don't mind having to select multiple options before TV happens, then you should be OK with wireless and you might enjoy the extra features.

Annie1960 wrote: »

The TVs I have seen with Freesat built in are HUGE! I only want a little TV.

Remember you're looking for "Freeview Play", not "Freesat".
If you get a set-top box with "Freeview Play", you can connect it to a small TV.

Annie1960

abssorb wrote: »

Yes, that's what it does. However read on...



It should be fairly reliable, but it's won't be as reliable as a cable. The same goes for any smart box.

This is useful info, so therefore it's better to get something fixed with an aerial.


Can we assume the freesat cables are not in use? I.e. hanging free?

Yes, there are two cables, hanging free, in the kitchen, nowhere near my main TV. Main TV in the sitting room has Freeview, and there are already two other cables running off this to two of the bedrooms. There is no Freeview anywhere near the kitchen. I know this for certain as the kitchen was a shell last summer (ceiling down, walls back to the brick, solid concrete floor). I can categorically state that there is no Freeview cable in the kitchen.


As you have 2x freesat cables next to your main TV, you can extend one into the kitchen, and get a TV with freesat built in. There's more TV choice and there might be some small ones.


Cables are already in the kitchen, where I want them, nowhere near the main TV.


And as a bonus - have a look on the back of your main TV. If it has a connector which looks like the end of the freesat cables - plug one of them in. It'll be a better picture.
Not possible as the main TV is nowhere near the Freesat cables!




Cables don't have to be visible. The cowboy way is to tack it onto skirting boards because it's fast and requires little skill, but a decent builder or carpenter can do an invisible job.
See above comment about the fact the kitchen was a shell last summer. No Freeview cables, but there are 2 Freesat cables.


The old way to get TV was to put something on the roof and run a cable to the set or set-top-box and bam - you have TV.
This hasn't changed. If you want TV in the kitchen, put a cable in the kitchen. This is the most straighforward way, with the cheapest and least complicated TV sets and the most reliable.


Freesat cables already there! But, only HUGE TVs available, unless I get separate small TV with a Freesat box. I've never had a Freesat box before, but have had Freeview boxes. I presume the principle is the same?


All the new technology like the Now box is for extra services and features. The fact that it works without cables --- is not the main reason it was invented. And that's important. You have to really want all the modern features for it to make sense and to enjoy using it. If you're hoping this stuff is just an easy way to avoid running a cable - it isn't. Sorry about that.
OK, this information is useful and helps me to decide that NOW TV is not the best option for me. I just want something very plain and simple for occasional use.



So - If you want to pick up the remote and hit one "On" button - and then TV happens, then put a cable in and put up with the temporary mess, because you'll be much happier with the results.


No need for temporary mess as the cables are already there in my shiny new kitchen!



Remember you're looking for "Freeview Play", not "Freesat".
If you get a set-top box with "Freeview Play", you can connect it to a small TV.

Now I'm confused again! Can I get Freeview Play if I have Freesat cables? No Freeview cables in the vicinity. Or, do I need a Freesat box and a Freeview Play TV?

EveryWhere

Once again......Roku

DoaM

Let's break it down ...

1. You want to watch basic Freeview channels on a small TV set in the kitchen - do you already have this TV set?
2. There is no Freeview aerial connection in the kitchen
3. There are Freesat connections in the kitchen but you don't have a Freesat receiver

Does this summarise things?

If you already have a TV, then you can get pretty much any Android TV box (probably best if it has WiFi built in), connect it to your home Internet connection (e.g. via WiFi), connect it to your TV and then install the TVPlayer app (as said earlier). The benefit of this is that you'll also be able to install various catch-up player apps too (e.g. iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD etc.), also the likes of Netflix if that's your thing.

Such an Android box could be a Roku as linked earlier, or an Amazon Fire TV stick (which is easy to modify to install Google Play, so you can get all the additional apps not available via Amazon app store), or one of the many different TV boxes available online.

Alternatively you could invest in a Freesat receiver and connect that to the TV.

abssorb

Annie1960 wrote: »

Cables are already in the kitchen, where I want them, nowhere near the main TV.

LOL! :rotfl::rotfl:

adding the words "in the kitchen" in a few places would have helped.
Just buy a freesat box or TV and plug it in.



@EveryWhere - Roku is an on-demand solution, doesn't fit the requirement.

Annie1960

Could I use this TV


https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/televisions/televisions/logik-l20he18-20-led-tv-10172444-pdt.html


with this Freesat box


https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/digital-and-smart-tv/set-top-boxes/humax-hdr-1100s-w-freesat-smart-tv-hd-recorder-1-tb-10133281-pdt.html


I have 2 electric sockets to plug them into, and 2 Freesat cables which presumably plug into the Freesat box.

Inner_Zone

DoaM wrote: »

Let's break it down ...

1. You want to watch basic Freeview channels on a small TV set in the kitchen - do you already have this TV set?
2. There is no Freeview aerial connection in the kitchen
3. There are Freesat connections in the kitchen but you don't have a Freesat receiver

Does this summarise things?

If you already have a TV, then you can get pretty much any Android TV box (probably best if it has WiFi built in), connect it to your home Internet connection (e.g. via WiFi), connect it to your TV and then install the TVPlayer app (as said earlier). The benefit of this is that you'll also be able to install various catch-up player apps too (e.g. iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD etc.), also the likes of Netflix if that's your thing.

Such an Android box could be a Roku as linked earlier, or an Amazon Fire TV stick (which is easy to modify to install Google Play, so you can get all the additional apps not available via Amazon app store), or one of the many different TV boxes available online.

Alternatively you could invest in a Freesat receiver and connect that to the TV.

When did Roku start using Android?

DoaM

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/televisions/televisions/lg-28mt49s-28-smart-led-tv-10161494-pdt.html

That one says it has both Freeview and Freesat?

Spending £200+ on a Humax box just to get a Freesat connection is way overkill ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D560880&field-keywords=freesat

EveryWhere

abssorb wrote: »

LOL! :rotfl::rotfl:

adding the words "in the kitchen" in a few places would have helped.
Just buy a freesat box or TV and plug it in.



@EveryWhere - Roku is an on-demand solution, doesn't fit the requirement.

What are you talking? Roku is exactly what is needed if the OP has no aerial for FreeView.

DoaM

Inner_Zone wrote: »

When did Roku start using Android?

No idea, and don't care - the principle is the same. I was piggy-backing on the good advice in posts 15/16.