| Satellite TV F.A.Q |
What are the minimum dish requirements for good reception in the Costa Blanca area?
The minimum size to receive UK channels on the Costa Blanca is 85cm but to receive the weaker channels for a longer number of
hours you may need a 1.9m or even 2.4m The size of dish required depends on where you are, please tell us your exact location and
we can calculate the best dish size for good clear reception although this can only be confirmed following a site survey. The quality of
reception also depends on a well fitted dish which has no obstructions.
Why does the price for a satellite system cost more than the UK and why does the cost vary so much?
As the satellite is positioned to provide good reception across UK regions only the signal is very strong and therefore only requires a
small mesh dish. The signal strength in Spain is quite weak and so larger dishes and high-quality cables are needed to maintain
good reception and these are expensive. The cost for an installation will vary greatly according to where you live and which channels
you want to receive because this determines your required dish size. The dish itself is the largest part of the installation charge and we
only use best quality Portuguese manufactured dishes. These alone can cost several hundred pounds to buy. You should not assume
that you only need the same size dish as someone who lives quite near to you because you may require a much larger dish due to the
proximity of other buildings, trees & mountains etc. This is why we can only give an estimated guide price for installation of a dish,
digibox & viewing card from 540 euro which is the minimum outlay you should expect for great TV in Spain.
You will find other companies offering cheaper systems but do beware of these especially those claiming smaller dishes work well as
they simply do not work with fluctuations in signal due to weather and building locations. There are also some systems offering a
microwave system where the signal is picked up from a relay of antennas. Whilst these do work they are known for weak signals and
atmospheric picture and sound noise often resulting on loss of signal for up to half the channels during certain times of the day
annoying if this happens halfway through your favourite programme. Also in the news recently many of these companies have ceased
trading. It is likely that this trend will continue as local authorities take legal action to remove many of these relay antennas which
interfere with some Spanish digital broadcasting signals and have no proper planning permission.
What is free to view?
This means free to view channels that are on digital terrestrial television. Free to view channels are viewable on either a Sky or BBC/ITV
digibox. Also see FreeSat
How many boxes can be run off a single satellite dish?
The answer is infinite. The maximum is eight ports output enabling you to run eight digiboxes from the one satellite dish.
If however you are part of a community wishing to install satellite TV and want 50 apartments installed with a digibox in each apartment
so that each resident can have a digibox plus a sky subscription of their own it is still possible with one dish. This installation will
require switching and amplifying equipment. Obviously systems like this are expensive but can work out economical between an entire
community.
Can I bring my UK TV to Spain and will it work?
Yes. It will work perfectly with regards to viewing sky in Spain but you will be unable to view local television transmissions unless you
purchase a device called a modulator. In the UK, TV transmissions use the Pal I standard and in Spain they use Pal b-g, so you get a
perfect picture but NO sound.
My Digibox is not working or I am getting no satellite signal ( also see our helpline )
Sometimes the digibox can get a build up of static and the message on the screen reads - Searching for listings - or just a blank blue
screen. Try resetting your digibox by unplugging it from the mains, leave it for half an hour then plug back in. This should reset the box
and clear any static. If you are not receiving any sound or picture check the Scart leads are all connected securely.
If the message on the screen is reading “No satellite signal is being received” and you have already re-set the box, then the dish may
require realigning by an engineer. Please call us for a service call ( With new systems this is part of the guarantee but is charged for if
the dish has been moved or knocked by a third party such as builders)
Should you have any questions not covered here please contact us by email or by phone.
The minimum size to receive UK channels on the Costa Blanca is 85cm but to receive the weaker channels for a longer number of
hours you may need a 1.9m or even 2.4m The size of dish required depends on where you are, please tell us your exact location and
we can calculate the best dish size for good clear reception although this can only be confirmed following a site survey. The quality of
reception also depends on a well fitted dish which has no obstructions.
Why does the price for a satellite system cost more than the UK and why does the cost vary so much?
As the satellite is positioned to provide good reception across UK regions only the signal is very strong and therefore only requires a
small mesh dish. The signal strength in Spain is quite weak and so larger dishes and high-quality cables are needed to maintain
good reception and these are expensive. The cost for an installation will vary greatly according to where you live and which channels
you want to receive because this determines your required dish size. The dish itself is the largest part of the installation charge and we
only use best quality Portuguese manufactured dishes. These alone can cost several hundred pounds to buy. You should not assume
that you only need the same size dish as someone who lives quite near to you because you may require a much larger dish due to the
proximity of other buildings, trees & mountains etc. This is why we can only give an estimated guide price for installation of a dish,
digibox & viewing card from 540 euro which is the minimum outlay you should expect for great TV in Spain.
You will find other companies offering cheaper systems but do beware of these especially those claiming smaller dishes work well as
they simply do not work with fluctuations in signal due to weather and building locations. There are also some systems offering a
microwave system where the signal is picked up from a relay of antennas. Whilst these do work they are known for weak signals and
atmospheric picture and sound noise often resulting on loss of signal for up to half the channels during certain times of the day
annoying if this happens halfway through your favourite programme. Also in the news recently many of these companies have ceased
trading. It is likely that this trend will continue as local authorities take legal action to remove many of these relay antennas which
interfere with some Spanish digital broadcasting signals and have no proper planning permission.
What is free to view?
This means free to view channels that are on digital terrestrial television. Free to view channels are viewable on either a Sky or BBC/ITV
digibox. Also see FreeSat
How many boxes can be run off a single satellite dish?
The answer is infinite. The maximum is eight ports output enabling you to run eight digiboxes from the one satellite dish.
If however you are part of a community wishing to install satellite TV and want 50 apartments installed with a digibox in each apartment
so that each resident can have a digibox plus a sky subscription of their own it is still possible with one dish. This installation will
require switching and amplifying equipment. Obviously systems like this are expensive but can work out economical between an entire
community.
Can I bring my UK TV to Spain and will it work?
Yes. It will work perfectly with regards to viewing sky in Spain but you will be unable to view local television transmissions unless you
purchase a device called a modulator. In the UK, TV transmissions use the Pal I standard and in Spain they use Pal b-g, so you get a
perfect picture but NO sound.
My Digibox is not working or I am getting no satellite signal ( also see our helpline )
Sometimes the digibox can get a build up of static and the message on the screen reads - Searching for listings - or just a blank blue
screen. Try resetting your digibox by unplugging it from the mains, leave it for half an hour then plug back in. This should reset the box
and clear any static. If you are not receiving any sound or picture check the Scart leads are all connected securely.
If the message on the screen is reading “No satellite signal is being received” and you have already re-set the box, then the dish may
require realigning by an engineer. Please call us for a service call ( With new systems this is part of the guarantee but is charged for if
the dish has been moved or knocked by a third party such as builders)
Should you have any questions not covered here please contact us by email or by phone.