Satellite TV

[Andy&Kath]

Does anyone know if there is a company in the Scalea area that supplies and installs satellite dishes? I have seen some info from old posts regarding some places to purchase the equipment but was hoping to arrange without having to be over there to purchase the equipment in person. I am hoping to be able to recieve at least a few free to air English channels. Is this possible?

I have read something about being able to recieve Astra 2A & 2B signals but being a bit of a technophobe it doesn't mean much to me.

Andy

[gill]

hi,
we got our satelitte box and dish from spar, it was about 90 euros, Sergio from hotel continental knows some guy that installs them, we get some music,sport and news channels in english, it is a free to air package!

[Italy4me]

We bought a TV from Cinema (opposite Bar Playa) and whilst there were talking to the bloke about TV reception and satellite dishes etc.
The upshot was that he reckoned the reception was hopeless with an ordinary aerial and he recommended a "freeview" box and satelitte dish (therefore no subscription).
He arranged the installation along with the delivery of our TV and the necessary box etc but I believe the installation was actually carried out by Elettrotutto & Piu (303 Via Fiume Lao).
This gave us loads of channels in a myriad of languages including some English ones.
When we got here full-time we signed up to Italian Sky so now get all the usual stuff including BBC Prime and Hallmark etc (so Brian gets Inspector Morse and all his murder mystery series and there's also Dr House, CSI, Eastenders Omnibus edition and all sorts of other stuff in English).
We pay a monthly subsription for this but I think others have brought over an English sky box and card and get some UK sky somehow.
I'm not sure just how that works as I was led to believe we were too far South to get English Sky broadcasts without an enormous dish but I will see if I can find out.
Lesley

[Andy&Kath]

Thanks Gill & Lesley
I did want to have installation arranged in advance for when we come out next March (seems like an eternity) so might be easier to go with the Sergio option. But does he understand any English as my Italian is very basic?
Had heard about Sky box option and may well consider but keen to sort dish out first.

Andy

[Italy4me]

Hi Andy & Kath,
Sergio has very little English (but smiles a lot, he is a really lovely, helpful bloke).
If you let Tony or Dave know what you want I'm sure they will tell Sergio for you
Lesley

Hi, We bought a place in Maiera at the start of the year. Does anybody know somebody who can install a satellite dish in Maiera. I installed a TV ariel myself but I just can't get a good signal. I am over in November and would like to get a satellite dish.

Thanks
Michael & Elie

[Italy4me]

Hi Michael & Elie,
All the previous advice would apply (our installer came from Scalea to Belvedere so Maiera wouldn't be a problem I wouldn't have thought).
Sergio has organised his man to install in Centro Storico, Santa Maria Del Cedro very recently so he's obviously happy to travel.
Is there a shop near you that sells TVs and other domestic appliances as they can usually rustle up a "dish" man out of thin air - or ask a neighbour!
Our neighbours know everyone locally as they have lived here forever - and they are absolute founts of knowledge.
Cheers, Lesley

Hi Lesley,
Thanks for the information. There aren't any TV shops in Maiera. It is a very small village. Nobody speaks english and I don't speak Italian, yet. I will see Segio when I am over in a few weeks.

Thanks again,
Michael

[RioneGlen]

Does anyone know if a british freeview box would work in Scalea? We have a spare one and thought if we brought it over and arranged installation it may work just the same.

[Italy4me]

Are you talking about a terrestrial freeview box (that you just plug into your aerial socket and then into the TV?)
Do you have a reasonable reception currently on your TV in Scalea when it is simply connected to the aerial?
In principle the box should work as it will scan for DVB-T channels but it would be dependent on signal strength. I've checked for coverage at this site but it tells me we have 50% coverage in our comune and I can't find any coverage at all for Scalea.
http://www.dgtvi.it/dgtvi/copertura....=1&CITYID=6705
Having said that, if the box is small enough to pack in your case maybe you should just bring it and have a fiddle when you get here to see if it works?
Hope this is helpful, Lesley

[RioneGlen]

Thanks for info Lesley. Will bring box over and give it a try.

We have a communual ariel and get great pictures.

Worth a try.

Cheers,


Alan & Shirley.

[Italy4me]

Hi Alan & Shirley,
Missed you when you were over (possibly it was when we were in Scotland?).
Anyways, just wondering if you brought your freeview box over to try it?
If so, did it work?
Best wishes, Lesley

[RioneGlen]

Hi Lesley,

Sorry we missed you when we were over. We spent a lot of time working on the bathroom.

Tried freeview box but no joy. At first it was tuning into all the channels but when we tried to view we could not get a picture. Think we will need a dish or something.

We are hoping to come back over in March - doing the kitchen this time! It seems never ending. Alan wants to know when he will come out just for a holiday.

Maybe we will meet up with you in March. Do you stay in Italy for Xmas? We wondered what it would be like over Xmas and New Year. Maybe will give it a try one year.

Hope to see you soon.

Alan & Shirley.