TELEVISION TECHNOLOGY
UKTV IN SPAIN
UK TV IN COSTA BLANCA & COSTA CALIDA, SPAIN
HELP GUIDE FOR EXPAT TV VIEWING. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SATELLITE, IPTV INTERNET TV, RENTAL AND REBROADCASTING SERVICES.
SATELLITE
& DISHES
SATELLITE & DISHES
Receiving your programming content overseas can be confusing, with a myriad of different options. Below we explain all the available services. This webpage covers Satellite, IPTV / internet TV, rebroadcasting localised services and rental options. In the UK most free to air systems for reception of the main UK terrestrial channels are based on two options – either Freeview or Freesat. The former being based on terrestrial antenna system (which we cannot receive in Spain) & Freesat or Free to air, which can be received locally with a Satellite dish.
There is also Sky from the UK & the reception of this overseas is possible. For free to air content, satellite systems are generally the first recommendation, as offer the original and highest quality format, with the widest channel availability. An important point – these are without further subscription costs. Once you i nstall a satellite dish, for free to air TV – BBC / ITV etc, there are no ongoing costs with this type of system. UK terrestrial channels are available High Definition options and Dolby Digital sound.
You can connect to surround sound systems or sound bars.
SATELLITE DISHES & TYPES
December 2023 - A satellite dish gives you the best original digital picture, does not require an internet connection & once installed, there are no further subscriptions for free to air TV.
In many locations a minimum of a 1.4 metre dish will be required for reception of UK TV channels in parts of Spain.
Recent changes (late 2023) have weakened the signal of the BBC's standard definition channels - so existing users of these 1.4 meter dishes may suffer some channel loss. Additionally further UK BBC regional BBC's standard definition will be removed from satellite broarcast.
If you have an existing dish and do have BBC HD reception issues
- BBC HD on a 1.4 metre can be improved now with the use of a specialist LNB.
For other countries, please review reception maps. European footprint map link.
Dishes can be used privately in Spain under EU law & can be used individually or shared between neighbours or communities.
Single panel dishes produce the best signal. Segmented panel types which do not perform well are generally best avoided in weak signal areas. Of the single panel dishes, there are two types – one is spun (Turkish or Eastern European origin) the other is pressed.
The pressed dishes tend to be of a thicker construction and generally perform to a better standard. Spun dishes are generally of a thinner construction and in most instances have a lower signal gain. As most manufacturers do not put their name on the dishes, another way of checking is the quality of the mount and base. Budget dishes will have thinner metalwork & brackets which are not as strong as the larger diameter tubing on better quality dishes.
Not all dishes are the same quality, even at the same size, this does affect signal performance, which in weaker signal areas needs to be taken into consideration. A good quality dish will give you years of service.
Interested?
Get in touch today for a FREE quote!
IPTV
IPTV & UK TV STREAMING THROUGH THE INTERNET
Depending on where your router is located, when streaming video content, a hard-wired connection is preferable to a Wi-Fi connection, as drops no speed from the original connection point.
Wi-Fi connection can slow internet speeds between 10% – 50% depending on the location of router and property construction type. If you have good speed initially and strong Wi-Fi connection, then WiFi is fine. Wi-Fi signal is variable - depending on where the router is and how far away the connected device is + walls.
Devices are available that offer both hard wire and Wi-Fi options, the highest specification offers best-combined options.
Speed wise most IPTV services, used around 2Mbps for SD content and 6Mbps for HD. 4K is 15-20Mbps stable. Make allowances for internet providers speeds dipping during busy periods.
Those on fibre optic internet, should have no issues, those in rural locations using old type cable connection or Wimax type rebroadcasting internet (small 20cm dish on roof) have slower speeds and need to check. Though now other improved low satellite services such as Starlink are available for rural users Check your internet.
DIFFERENT HARDWARE AND IPTV SERVICES. HOSTED VS SUBSCRIPTION FREE OPTIONS.
One of the benefits
of streaming IPTV services is the option multiple service languages. This is benefit over a satellite system, as often you need a satellite dish for each language, so not always practical or affordable to install multiple dishes for a single property. With streaming IPTV, you can have a mix of international languages.
Other service options for hosted providers and hardware includes catch up services of UK & other channels, recording and inclusive video-on-demand content.
Hardware subscription based
- IPTV Set top boxes are available from a number of manufacturers. Check with your TV provider to confirm that your set top box is compatible with their service. For subscription based content, manufacturers such as Octagon, Mag, Blademedia, Opus & Formuler are some well known brands.
The functionality of subscription based boxes, is they are set up for the service provider and designed to be easy to operate for the typical home user. This is very different in use, to the KODI or Android based solutions, rather than multiple applications, which are often designed by independent developers, the subscription based hardware usually uses a singular and simple operating system - much like a UK Sky or Freesat box, with everything integrated - Full program guide, catch up and on demand services.
Apps & Smart TV's
Applications for different devices are available with hosted solutions. Examples include Samsung & LG smart TV's. Apple ipad, iPhone, iMAC, also the Android phones, tablets and set top TV boxes.
Hosted solutions offer set packages, content and services & support. Not all hosted services offer same standards. Some over share content which leads to poor system performance.
The general rule of thumb is the cheaper it is, the more likely it is to be problematic.
SUBSCRIPTION FREE IPTV SET TOP BOXES. AMAZON FIRESTICK.
Subscription free equipment
usually uses the Android operating system with a media application for the TV called KODI.
KODI allows other apps to be loaded onto the equipment, which then scrape the internet for the free content you wish to watch.
Technically, this type of service is more 'home hobbyist' rather than the 'average home user'. It is technical in terms of use & not what you would usually expect from a main manufacturers type of TV equipment.
Most home consumers, unless patient and technically minded, now do not generally use this type of equipment as simply not always the case of turning on the TV and watching it, without potential issues. Multiple applications and updates, lack of stable software and known or unstable resource material or servers - cannot be defined as a simple ‘integrated solution’.
With anything free on the internet, video streaming wise - there are other issues. Free servers have limited capacity. As they are usually unmonitored, often with live TV, too many people connect to the servers, then they get overloaded and issues with viewing begin. Usually stuttering, freezing or black/blank screens = no TV.
Caution - 'Amazon Firestick you can get everything free on'.
All use the same KODI system and underlying applications, which often are written by individuals or small teams, not large companies and often not updated. Apps also have been pulled for legal reasons of apps allowing access to certain content.
The popular Amazon Firestick
does not work in Spain or overseas in the same manner as the UK or the original country of service. No BBC iplayer, catch up or any of the UK services, when overseas, as device picks up you are overseas. You can purchase the Firestick internationally, though content and services will be specifically in the language of residence.
Some sellers offer the Amazon Firestick 'Fully Loaded' with free everything. In this instance the Amazon software is not used, with KODI side loaded and then the Firestick behaves in same manner as every other Android / KODI Android box. No longer operating with the Amazon software and integration with Amazons services.
This can mean content is unstable for much live TV as resources are freely available ones on the internet and not hosted and monitored. Unlike Amazons own service or Netflix.
Use of this type of subscription free IPTV equipment is a different user experience to a traditional satellite or cable receiver. We would not recommend this type of system to those individuals who are not technically minded and / or require a simple, straightforward and stable solution.
Generally most request a simple and reliable & stable solution – IPTV wise, KODI is the bottom of the list. The obvious rule applies, if something is freely available & is unmonitored, then there cannot be any guarantees of performance or service - as no one is paying for anything!
We recommend caution when being offered ‘every last sports channel for free', or a one-off payment for the set-top box. Not possible.
No one can promise anything on a subscription-free IPTV service.
Anyone doing so or making long-term promises of such, is providing incorrect or false information.
Interested?
Get in touch today for a FREE quote!
RENTAL SCHEMES
RENTAL SCHEMES – ALL TYPES
Localised TV service rental schemes can cost over €300 per year per household – monthly subscriptions, usually around €25 or more per month + VAT / IVA.
There are companies which offer this type of scheme either with a satellite system or via rebroadcasting service, which uses local transmission mast to transmit to a small dish (20cm) on your roof – if signal available locally.
Interested?
Get in touch today for a FREE quote!
REBROADCASTING
SERVICES
REBROADCASTING - LIMITED LOCAL AVAILABILITY
These companies use a local mast to rebroadcast the signal to a 20-40 cm dish with a basic receiver.
If you are offered these channels through a small dish, it will be from this type of ‘Rebroadcasting’ service. HD / 3D services & Dolby digital audio is not available with these type of systems as are a compressed and retransmitted signal.
Due to bandwidth restrictions a limited selection of the FTA channels are available with this service, some of these companies are offering subscription channels illegally from other service providers, with no permissions.
Using a rebroadcast service, you will be asked to pay an ongoing monthly subscription charge, usually between €20 – €35 per month for as long as you wish to use the service. Should the service be interrupted or stopped you will not get any refund of the system or installation charges.
Picture quality & resolution is lower than that of a direct service as the signal is compressed due to bandwidth restriction giving on average a picture resolution of 20% – 30% below a standard definition picture. Whilst this is less noticeable on a smaller television, as the screen size becomes larger this drop in quality becomes more obvious.