New Astra Satellite :: Information Package

Matrix Solutions S.L. :: www.matrixsolutions.tv :: [email protected] :: +34 627 955 648 :: +34 627 955 728 New Astra Satellite :: Information Package

The complete guide on how to watch UK TV post Astra 2E. We have compiled a simple to use table so that you can quickly see the benefits and drawbacks with the available solutions. As you read through our guide we will expand on the different systems so that you have the information to choose the system that will suit your needs.

IPTV HD Android PC/Laptop Xbox / PS3 Smart TV Picture quality Good Best Poor Good Good Good Catch-up 7 days 7-14 days No 7-14 days 7-14 days 7-14 days Usability Easy Easy Expert Average Average Average Internet speed Medium Low High High High High Live TV Limited (**) Yes Yes No No Recording No Yes Yes Yes No No Media player Basic No Yes Yes Yes Basic Stream movies Movie Club Free/ Netflix Netflix Netflix Reliability      

(**) Only the pay channels, BBC/ITV/C4/C5 will not be available live. Some of the extra HD channels will remain but are not guaranteed to be available after the switch to the new Astra 2E. Catch-up will be available.

Low internet speed is less than 2mb, medium is 2-4mb and high is over 6mb.

So to expand on the choices above, as a lot of them probably do not make sense right . Let’s start with VPN/DNS.

A VPN is a connection you dial either on your PC or a special router that plugs into your existing internet connection/router.

With any official catch-up or Sky service through the internet you need to connect through a UK server. More commonly referred to as IP address.

When you connect in Spain you get assigned a Spanish IP address. If you then dial the VPN connection, your IP address changes to a UK IP address. This is very common nowadays. However there is one small downside. It does slow your internet connection down a little. Not so much of an issue if you are downloading programmes with say a Sky HD receiver, see SKY HD below, but with streaming iPlayer etc it can cause buffering.

The newer DNS server is similar to a VPN but you get your current internet speed from your provider here in Spain. So if you have a 10mb connection the DNS will allow you to use 10mb instead of slowing you down.

However if you need to download programmes like a SKY HD receiver does, a DNS server will not work only a VPN will work.

You can test your speed from www.speedtest. or a more accurate test to use is www.speedof.me We can provide a VPN or DNS server installed for €120 for the first year, or you can have both for €140. The second year is €90 for either the VPN/DNS or €120 for both of them.

A Special VPN router costs €75 or if purchased with a VPN costs €195 with the first years VPN subscription included!

Matrix Solutions S.L. :: www.matrixsolutions.tv :: [email protected] :: +34 627 955 648 :: +34 627 955 728 New Astra Satellite :: Information Package

SMART TV

A lot of people have Smart TV’s. However if you did not purchase a UK model then you get the local apps from the country the TV was purchased in. If you buy UK Smart TV’s and pair it up with either a VPN or DNS you get access to the BBC iPlayer and normally ITV player 4OD and Demand 5 apps. These vary from TV make to model. But normally BBC/ITV is available. This is a great way to watch catch up TV without any expensive monthly fees. Also iPlayer has content available in HD, the others are only available in standard picture quality at this time.

App’s are applications, basically icons on the screen that allow you to do different things with the push of a button. App’s in this guide are generally for watching TV, relating to BBC iPlayer etc.

Another benefit is that you get access to apps like Netflix which offer premium TV shows and movies for a really low subscription, in fact you can try these services for 1 month normally. Content available in SD/HD/Super HD!

The downside to this system is that you cannot watch live TV through the internet.

If you have certain Samsung Smart TV’s there are some ways to get the UK app store by using a software hack on the TV. Not all models support this. But if you have a Samsung Smart TV then feel free to contact us so we can see if your model is “hackable”.

You can purchase UK model TV’s through our website www.matrixsolutions.tv/buy-tv/ Or you can ask us to source you a European model Smart TV and try to hack it for you. We cannot guarantee that hacking will work though.

ANDROID / XBMC

Android are the cheapest option to get your TV back. The only downside is that they are the most complicated to use, NASA technician comes to mind . Also most of the content is of poor picture quality and you cannot rely on being able to watch programmes when you want to. Lots of the services are free and provided “as is” Also using the system, you may put on the app “FilmOn” to watch live TV at a set time and find that you need to update some apps first. This can be frustrating especially if you’re late trying to watch your favourite TV show.

The upside is that you can watch UK TV live as well as streams of worldwide sports and movies. You also have the opportunity to use you android device as a media player, so you can watch your media from networked PC’s or external usb hard disk drives.

Another benefit is that you can record your TV programmes to an external usb hard disk.

One of the things to be wary of would be the specs of the android system. You will want at least android v4.1 and the specs of the hardware will need to be at least a dual core preferably a quad core processor. At least 1GB of memory. Also a minimum of 8GB of storage data.

We can supply and install an Android system for €250 which includes us setting it up and giving you a 1 hour demo.

Matrix Solutions S.L. :: www.matrixsolutions.tv :: [email protected] :: +34 627 955 648 :: +34 627 955 728 New Astra Satellite :: Information Package

IPTV (Internet Protocol )

IPTV is a great solution for people who want a system similar to Sky/. You have a receiver with a TV guide, which allows you to watch live TV as well as catch-up TV.

These IPTV systems are really easy to use. They do have issues sometimes with some channels not functioning but generally they are stable. If you miss a TV programme you can always go back to catch-up and see it later. They are around 95% stable. 5% of the time you may have issues. Similar to how the Sky signal goes off with heavy rain etc.

Another benefit to the IPTV system is that when it rains the TV will not be affected. We have a wide range of IPTV solutions available. There are basic or premium channels and even Scandinavian packages. The premium packages have a movie club with around 180 movies to watch as well!

Another benefit to the IPTV systems is that they require around 1mb to work. So if you have at least 2mb you can use this solution without any issues. This allows a small safety margin for browsing the web whilst using the TV.

IPTV has a good picture. Not as good as you may be used to with Sky, especially HD. For the simplicity and fact that you can watch both live and catch-up TV this is one of the preferred solutions also it is in the mid price range. But beware of the few limitations mentioned above.

We have a wide range of options. The IPTV receiver costs €240 installed if next to a router. Otherwise you may need an optional wifi adapter at a cost of €25 If there is no wifi coverage you may need to have a cable or home power plug adapters installed which we will quote for additionally.

SKY HD

If you have a Sky HD receiver, the newer smaller units then you can use a VPN with a VPN router to get the on demand services from Sky. This allows you to download Sky programmes as well as BBC iPlayer, ITV player, 4OD & Demand 5. This gives you catch-up TV from the main terrestrial channels and depending on your Sky package you can download other Sky TV programmes.

If you pay for the HD channel pack from Sky you also get access to ITV 1/2/3/4 in HD as well as C5 live. This may change in the future but as they are pay channels Sky will do their best to keep it available on the European satellite beam! Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the BBC channels.

The picture quality is the best out of any of the systems, plus you can still watch the pay channels via satellite as normal.

Also because the programmes are downloaded rather than streamed you can use it with a slow internet connection.

This is a very good system but it does weigh in at the most expensive. However if you want TV in the best possible picture quality also being the most reliable then this is your only real option. If you also require access to live TV you can add an basic IPTV receiver and package on top of having this system.

If you are interested in the Sky HD option, please contact us for prices, as there are many different options available.

Matrix Solutions S.L. :: www.matrixsolutions.tv :: [email protected] :: +34 627 955 648 :: +34 627 955 728 New Astra Satellite :: Information Package

Games Consoles Xbox360 & Live or PS3

If you own an or Playstation 3 then you can get various UK TV apps like BBC iPlayer or ITV player. You will need either a VPN or DNS in order to get the UK content. They are fairly simple to use but they do not allow for watching live TV. The picture quality is good, most have options to be used as media players as well. They have games controllers rather than a dedicated remote control. Some users may find this complicated or uncomfortable. We can supply a special media remote that is compatible with Xbox 360.

However if you get bored they are games consoles so you can always get stuck into the latest video game. A limitation to the Xbox 360 is that you need a subscription to their live service in order to get the TV apps!

Also SkyGo is available on Xbox 360. Please ask us for more information!

Xbox Live subscription is currently 40 pounds a year. We can supply a DNS and a Xbox 360 and also SkyGo accounts if needed. Please do contact us for prices, again there are many options and prices change often with games consoles.

Closing Comments.

Thank you for reading our guide to the post Astra 2E options available. We have covered the main options available for watching TV. There will always be some other option available, however they will probably not be very reliable. Please do contact us if you have heard of a system that we have not included. We may be able to help you decide if it will work for what your needs are. www.matrixsolutions.tv [email protected]

Ben: (+34) 627 955 648 Mark: (+34) 627 955 728

Matrix Solutions S.L. :: www.matrixsolutions.tv :: [email protected] :: +34 627 955 648 :: +34 627 955 728