Here at Bits 'n' PCs, we have extensive knowledge when it comes to your TV, satellite and sound systems. We can save you money by offering an alternative to paid for satellite TV. We can help you to get the most from your TV, which can be a smart TV or one of the older regular systems. We can also link your TV to your home hi-fi or surround sound systems.

Most people that use a satellite dish do so through companies like Sky. What they don't realise is that a lot of the channels are available for free. Freesat is the option to view about 160 channels for free, with no monthly subscription, but for a one-off payment for a replacement box. Prices range from around €50 up to €300. Currently the channels covered include the BBC range, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, CBS and News channels like RTE and CNN. Currently they also have a handful of movie channels. The most widely regarded options are made by Humax and Manhattan. We can advise on both providers, and can give you a guideline on cost, and can also install it easily and cleanly with as little inconvenience to you as possible.

https://uk.humaxdigital.com/
Humax are the market leaders, and whilst a bit more pricey, offer an unsurpassed experience. Their boxes start at about €70 for their baseline box, which is just a receiver. Think of it like the original Sky experience. All the channels, in standard definition (SD) but for a low one off price. You can now also watch things online on their later boxes, including Netflix, but this will require a subscription. Their pricier option is a box that comes with a 500gb or 1tb hard drive inside, meaning you can record just like Sky+, but again with no extra cost. You can also access a lot of online services like Netflix and Roku, and some of the free ones. It does come with BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and 5 on demand, but to work in Ireland means tricking it into thinking you are in the UK.

https://manhattan-tv.com/

Manhattan are a cheaper option to the above Humax. Their boxes are slightly cheaper, but they cover almost all of the same systems as above.

Maybe you don't have an existing dish, and for whatever reason you won't have one. Options are still slightly restricted, but you can use things like Amazon's Fire TV stick, which allows you to watch most online options. It is a good cheap option to bring an older TV into the modern age, turning it into a newer smart TV. You can also use it like an Amazon Echo, meaning you can get it to play the radio, read books and listen to music.

And talking of music, what better to improve the sound of your TV experience then by upgrading the sound. Simple systems like connecting your TV or satellite box to your hi-fi are a cheap and hugely beneficial system to your listening experience. You can also get surround sound systems easily enough nowadays, and if set up correctly they can offer you a truly cinematic sound experience. Another option is the connection of something like a soundbar (like above) that replaces the audio in your tv's tiny little speakers with a wider range of speakers, vastly improving the sound quality and without the need for cabling everywhere. At Bits 'n' PCs, we can advise what's best for your experience, and can recommend the best sound within your budget.