Sky TV in Cyprus

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Sky TV in Cyprus

This is an archived page

Paul

April 18, 2014 - 09:16 pm

This is the section where anyone can ask a question or make a comment. This page was updated on the 18th April 2014. The more recent Sky TV Cyprus page continues with more questions and comments.

Derrick

November 12, 2012 - 12:30 pm

Sky TV Cyprus - we rent on a small development of 20 houses with small back gardens. The houses were built nearer the back of each building plot.

We had a beautiful view of the mountain to the left and the sea to the right - that is until our neighbour decided to have one of these big Sky dishes installed which completely blocked our sea-view.

We are furious at having such an eyesore blocking our view - there should be a law against it !

I never laughed as much as I did when he lost his English TV channels - what a waste of money - serves himself right !

Paul

November 18, 2012 - 08:21 am

Derrick, with the Astra 2F satellite on the move and expected to arrive into position tomorrow, channels will probably be transferred to it before the end of November.

People receiving Sky in Cyprus on their big satellite dishes will be experiencing some changes very soon and it sounds as though your neighbour is one of them.

The significant cost of installing a massive satellite dish to receive Sky in Cyprus makes it a risky business and as far as the UK channels are concerned and maybe some of the other channels from other satellites in the group, next week will be a 'make' or 'break' week for some of these people.

No-one yet knows whether fringe reception from the new Astra 2F satellite will be strong enough to make reception in Cyprus possible and if it isn't, whatever channels are transmitted from it will disappear from the list of those that it is possible to watch in Cyprus. Before the end of next week, many people, and your neighbour is one of them, will either be dancing in the street or, crying in their beer !

Paul

November 19, 2012 - 08:02 am

Re: Sky TV Cyprus - Astra 2F is expected to arrive at its final position today (28.2E)

There may be a few more tests to do but it will be switched on quite soon and people all over Europe, including Cyprus, will be hoping to see a signal from it.

Then, if they can see a signal and it is strong enough, they have to wait and see which channels are transmitted from the new satellite.

People in Europe with the much cheaper and smaller satellite dishes no doubt, will be less interested than people in Cyprus who have paid £3,000 or more for massive 4.2m satellite dishes

Stephen Everett

November 19, 2012 - 05:22 pm

Is it possible to connect the set top box if the TV does not have an HDMI socket ?

Paul

November 19, 2012 - 06:10 pm

Hi Stephen, yes you do this via the AV connector, you need a cable which can be purchased from most electrical outlets (now supplied with each box). It needs a 3.5mm jack plug at one end and 3 RCA connectors at the other end (Red, Yellow, White) which should cost less than £5 BUT the picture quality is not as good especially, on older style, non-flat screen TVs.

Paul

November 20, 2012 - 08:58 pm

(We lost Chris' message somehow, but here's the reply anyway)

Hi Chris, I wouldn't advise making an investment in a big dish and expensive equipment until the Astra 2F satellite is up and running but what are your TV viewing preferences because there are smaller, cheaper, and maybe (subject to your viewing preferences) better systems available

Martin

December 13, 2012 - 03:22 am

Re: Sky TV in Cyprus - As far as the UK free to air channels are concerned - BBC and ITV etc, I can report that they still cannot be received on Sky in Cyprus, even on a big dish. It looks as though they are gone forever.

There are reports on the internet that the signals carrying the Sky free to air channels are weaker now than they were before. If they are difficult to receive in mainland Europe, what chance does anyone stand in Cyprus ?

I live permanently in Cyprus and the reason that I got the big dish and a Sky account was to watch ITV and BBC, now I am looking at the other available options.

This looks like one of them but I am not technically minded - is this TV gadget easy to set up and use ?

Martin

December 25, 2012 - 08:57 am

Paul, I want to personally thank you for rushing my order through and installing your UK TV box for me yesterday. I wasn't sure in the beginning and that is why I didn't order immediately, but once I had seen the box at my neighbours, I wanted one.

I can't believe it but the higher definition picture quality is actually better than my Sky TV system. I am now able to watch all the UK TV channels and I don't have to pay a monthly subscription - bye bye Sky subscription - anyone want to buy a 1.8m dish and Sky box ?

I advise anyone who is reading this and wondering whether this is a good product to contact Paul.

Excellent product, customer service and installation - well done to everyone at Satellite Cyprus !

Paul

January 29, 2013 - 06:06 am

Well, with all but a couple of frequencies left on the Astra 2B satellite, this week, there have been considerable changes in the Sky TV channels that are available in Cyprus.

Following the recent frequency shuffle from Astra 1N to 2F, some industry watchers predicited that there were going to be more changes and they were right.

Astra 2B frequencies have been moved, but not to 2F, they have been moved to Astra 2A and 1N.

We have been contacted by several people who have more or less, lost all their Sky TV channels from their big dishes in Cyprus.

It's predicted that the final couple of frequencies will be moved very shortly.

At the time that MMMMMM was pushing the big dish Sky TV solution on Cyprus 44, several members were advising people to be cautious before they committed to spending thousands of pounds on a TV solution that was very risky.

I wonder if MMMMMM will be offering refunds to the people who acted on his advice and went ahead to spend their hard-earned cash ?

I very much doubt it !

Paul

February 02, 2013 - 03:27 pm

For the many people who view Sky TV outside the UK (especially those who are in places that are long distances away or, 'well' outside the satellites' footprint - Cyprus etc.), the recent re-shuffle of Sky TV channels on the Astra group of satellites at 28.2 degrees, has resulted in the loss of further channels. The amount of lost channels differs from person to person and depends upon location, ie. the distance outside the satellites' footprint, the size of dish and several other factors including the quality of the equipment and installation.

A legitimate subscription account with Sky TV allows a Sky user to access the programmes and content on the Sky subscription channels that are encrypted - not available to view without paying a monthly fee to Sky TV. A good example of this is the extensive Sports coverage that is available on the Sky Sports bouquet of channels. Sky pays a fee for permission to broadcast a particular sports event and charges their customers for access. A good example of this is the English Premier League football coverage that Sky currently holds the UK rights to broadcast.

Technically, the people who are paying Sky TV for access to their bouquet of encrypted channels and are watching outside the official broadcast area (the UK), are breaking Sky TV's terms and conditions and if Sky find out, they will terminate the account.

In spite of this term and condition, the reality of the situation is that many people do pay through a legitimate Sky TV account in the UK and yet, they watch Sky TV outside the official broadcast area. They are paying for legal access to the Sky TV channels and programmes (not cheating or, defrauding Sky), but they are breaking their Sky account holder' terms and conditions.

Sky is accountable to its UK customer base and it's wholly reasonable therefore, to assume that the decisions that are made in relation to which channels and programmes are transmitted from which satellite, are made in the best interests of Sky's UK customers who, according to Sky's terms and conditions, must be located in the UK. In other words, changes may, and will be made, that may adversely affect the quality of service of 'official' Sky account holders who are watching Sky outside the UK and there's absolutely nothing that they can do about it, or is there ?

There are many other factors that Sky takes into account when they decide which channels to broadcast from which satellites. For the moment, let's focus on one factor in particular - TV Piracy. Anyone with a legitimate Sky TV account in the UK who is watching outside the official broadcast area and who has been affected by the recent channel re-shuffle, in part, has got the TV Pirates to thank - why ?

Well, as long as it doesn't affect the quality of service to it's customers who are viewing in the UK, it goes without saying that, if Sky can shuffle the channels around the satellites in a way that disrupts or, stops the TV Pirates, they will do. The TV Pirates who receive their TV signal from a large satellite dish located in Cyprus are affected by these channel re-shuffles and so, the changes that are being made by Sky, are made in part, to disrupt and stop the illegal services being offered by these Pirates. The unfortunate thing is that the people who have been paying Sky for their 'official' account in the UK (instead of cheating or, defrauding Sky) are suffering as a result of the changes being made by Sky to combat TV Piracy. It's the TV Pirate's fault that they are losing their Sky channels.

So, when your neighbour tells you that they have just signed up for the 'latest' Pirated Sky TV system in Cyprus - thank them for supporting the TV Pirate that has spoiled the service that you have legitimately paid for !

Paul

March 14, 2013 - 05:24 pm

Does your internet speed make a difference and what is the recommended speed ?

Paul

March 15, 2013 - 09:11 am

Replied by email as follows:

Hi Paul,

Yes, you need at least a 2Mb internet connection but the more bandwidth, the better. Is your internet connection reliable - is it ADSL or wireless ?

Kind Regards

Paul

Bill Cronin

April 04, 2013 - 12:09 pm

Hi Paul,

We have just spoken on the telephone.

I live in Paphos and the Uk and have a full Sky subscription with an enormous dish on the roof. I have been carrying my HD digibox back and forth Uk/Cyprus.

It looks like Sky reception through a satellite dish has come to an end in Cyprus and I am looking for an alternative means, presumably through my 4mb broadband connection, of viewing all Sky subscription channels.

I have 4 TV's in my Paphos home and watch Sky on all of them using RF outlets and AV wireless systems.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated

Kind regards

Paul

April 05, 2013 - 09:47 am

Replied by email as follows:

Hi Bill,

Thank you for telephoning me yesterday.

The only TV Pirate-Free way to watch the majority of Sky channels now is via a computer/compatible device and the internet and a Sky subscription account which gives you access to Sky Go.

To do this in all the rooms that you have mentioned, you will need alternative equipment.

Hope that this info' is useful.

Kind Regards

Paul

Keith James

April 28, 2013 - 11:33 am

Hi,

I am trying to help a friend here in Cyprus who like everybody else has lost his Sky programmes.

He does not have a clue about computers but I have told him he does not need one for your system .

Am I correct in saying that from your box runs a lead to a router, then an HDMI lead to the TV and that a computer is not required. I am aware if this is the case we would have to have broadband installed.

What also is the shipping cost to the UK as I would try it all out for him before I can down to Cyprus next time.

Thank you

Paul

April 28, 2013 - 02:12 pm

Replied by email as follows:

Hi Keith,

Thank you for your enquiry.

You are absolutely correct - you do not need a computer with our device. It comes with full operating instructions and is very easy to use. It is fully automatic and uses a normal remote control.

Just connect to the internet using an ethernet cable, connect to the TV with the HDMI cable (supplied) and connect to the mains electric. Switch on and choose a channel.

Door to Door Shipping cost to the UK is £16.00. Just complete the order form (above) and we will do the rest. We raise a Quote/Pro-Forma and return it to you with your payment options. We confirm dispatch and supply a tracking number and a link to a an online tracking facility.

Hope that this information is useful.

Thank you and Kind Regards

Paul

John Pearson

May 20, 2013 - 07:55 am

We have an apartment in Paphos which we use for holiday lets, and personal visits.

What is the best and cheapest way to get UK TV ??

Set top box, Dreambox + Sky viewing card, or internet ??

What does an internet connection cost ??

There is a 4.2 metre communal dish.

Thanks, John Pearson

Paul

May 20, 2013 - 08:09 am

Replied by email as follows:

Hi John,

Now that the new Astra satellite is fully functional and Sky channels have been moved onto its tightly focused UK beam, Sky TV in Cyprus is no longer a viable proposition for the majority of channels.

Plus, when the new satellite is launched in July and commissioned shortly thereafter, there will be another Sky channel re-shuffle and that will probably be the end of Sky TV in Cyprus (via satellite)

There's some more information on this page: www.satellitecyprus.net/sky_tv_cyprus/

For a once-only purchase fee of £119.00, our set top box for UK TV provides a cheap solution. Recently, several more channels have been added to the UK channel line-up which at the moment, includes: BBC One, BBC Two, CBBC/BBC Three, CBEEBIES/BBC Four, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC One Northern Ireland, ITV 1, ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, 5USA, Dave, Yesterday, CBS Drama, CBS Reality.

Our set top box is pre-configured to work automatically. Just connect it to the TV using the HDMI cable supplied and mains power and internet (by wireless or cable - preferred for streaming media). Switch on and the channel list loads automatically - simply select a channel and press "OK"

There's a remote control, electronic programme guide for each channel, the ability to watch and playback in 1080P, all the most popular UK radio stations AND TV Programmes and Movies on Demand (free).

There's also a comprehensive user guide (written by us) in English.

You do need a minimum 2Mb internet connection and not knowing where you live exactly, I can't make a recommendation, but Cytanet are installing 6Mbps ADSL internet connections and customers who are using our set top box with this service are more than satisfied.

There are other ways and methods of receiving UK TV in Cyprus such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, Sling Player etc. (using the internet) and OSN, ADMC and JSC (using other satellite TV services - 90cm dish)

I hope that this information is useful to you...

Paul

John Leonard

June 13, 2013 - 01:10 pm

Interested to read of your plug-in box, which just might provide the solution to our current problem in Cyprus ie the recent disappearance of BBC, ITV services.

I live in Anoyira & my broadband signal is a through-the-air job....which gives me just over 2Mb. This is not wonderful, but just about ok much of the day!

My question. Is your box legal, here in Cyprus ??

Many Thanks. Best Regards.............John

Paul

June 14, 2013 - 02:15 pm

Replied by email as follows:

Hi John,

Thank you for visiting our web site and making the enquiry.

The question of legality is a complicated one and if you are looking for a straight "Yes" or "No" answer, I am afraid that I am going to disappoint you.

As our Set Top Box only provides the means for you to access Web TV services that are available on the internet, as such, the legality of it cannot be called into question however, as you probably already know, when a TV broadcaster uses the internet as a broadcast medium which allows the public to watch a UK TV programme outside the UK, if the programme has only been licensed by the copyright holder for distribution within the UK, they may have broken the terms of their distribution rights BUT as long as they have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that they do not allow broadcast to a wider region than the terms of the contracts allow, what more can they do ?

We are not a TV broadcaster so this does not concern us, neither do we provide you with the means to illegally gain access to pay-tv subscription channels without paying the broadcaster so again, with this system, this isn't an issue.

You do not need a TV Licence to use catchup services like BBC iPlayer or ITV Player. You can watch programmes that have already been aired on live TV without a Licence. You do however, require a TV Licence to watch live UK TV over the internet. The TV Licence that you have for your home in the UK covers you to watch Live TV away from your home on computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and other devices but I doubt that this means whilst you are 'abroad'

Programme makers and copyright holders have always sold distribution rights by Country/Region on a global basis - good examples of this are Top Gear and Come Dine with Me which are two of the 'most' watched programmes across the world. Internet TV 'interferes' with this business model and programme makers and copyright holders are struggling with it, much in the same way that the music industry struggled with music downloads from the internet.

We have recently been told by the European Court of Justice that Sky having an exclusive system (Premier League Football Rights) was "contrary to EU law" but using copyright (the opening video sequence, the Premier League anthem and various other protected items such as graphics) they have managed to keep a strangle hold on the broadcast rights.

My advice to you is that if, you absolutely need to watch TV when you are in Cyprus and the 'copyright' issue is causing you to wrestle with your conscience, you have several options, here are three of them (tongue-in-cheek):

1. Move back to the UK

2. Scrap the TV and buy a Kindle

3. Watch local TV

I hope that this information is useful to you.

Kind Regards

Paul

John Leonard

June 14, 2013 - 03:22 pm

Thank you Paul, for your comprehensive reply.

My concern was not with the UK angle of copyright, which as you rightly say, is a complicated one.....but rather with the Cypriot authorities & the legalities of installing & using a set-top box here .

Obviously it is common practise in Cyprus & increasingly likely to be the way forward for watching tv in the future. I am close to making a decision to go for your product & would just ask about stock that you currently hold......& likely supply date....next week ?

Thanks again, & best wishes for the future success of your company,

Kind Regards................John Leonard

Paul

June 14, 2013 - 06:19 pm

Replied by email as follows:

Hi John,

As far as I know, there are absolutely no laws against using a TV set top box - it's just the same as connecting a laptop or PC to your TV.

We hold plenty of stock and dispatch from Cyprus the same day that payment is received. We use Travel Express and EMS and you receive a tracking number and a link to track the shipment online.

We have a great many satisfied customers and there's no reason why you shouldn't be equally as satisfied.

Kind Regards

Paul

John Leonard

June 14, 2013 - 07:00 pm

Thank you again, Paul. I can see why your reputation for courtesy & product knowledge is growing. More power to Satellite Cyprus !

I have a last query, before ordering a set top box. My preferred route would be for the signal to be fed into my Sony hard drive DVD recorder....& then, via HDMI cable, to my modern Panasonic TV. This would enable me to record progs & watch the material at my own pace & leisure time. Is this possible ?

Looking at your photo of the rear of the box, it would seem that I would use an av connector to RCA RedY & White. Correct ?

I appreciate that the visual quality would not be as good as that produced via HDMI cable directly connected to the tv. Would a better solution be an av connector into scart input on the Sony ? Is such cabling feasible & available in local shops ?

My Broadband signal is supplied by City Cell, not Cytanet. It feeds into a WR340G 54M wireless router. Download speed averages around 2.2Mb.......not wonderful, but it's all I can get!

Many thanks again. Sorry for being so long winded! As you can see from the above, I am not very technical....just elderly !!

Best Regards.................John

Paul

June 15, 2013 - 07:35 am

Replied by email as follows:

Hi John,

The best way to record using additional hardware is to use pass through HDMI. The Set Top Box connects to the device (HDMI) and the device connects to the TV (HDMI).

This is an example of the type of hardware that I am referring to. I haven't tried this device, but I intend to in the near future.

The system requires a minimum of 1.2Mb of constant bandwidth. Make sure that there are no total bandwidth throughput restrictions on your internet connection and how far away from the TV is the router ?

Kind Regards

Paul

John Leonard

June 15, 2013 - 10:29 am

Morning Paul....Thanks again for advice. Points taken.

TV...Computer.... router all very close to each other (within a metre)

I shall probably start in the orthodox way with your set top box & then, if additional possibilities present themself, we can modify matters.

Will be in touch with a firm order very shortly,

Enjoy your weekend

All the best...........John

Paul

July 03, 2013 - 07:19 am

The Launch of the new Astra 2E satellite has been delayed !

Yesterday, an un-manned rocket taking off from the same launch facility in Kazakhstan that the rocket carrying the new Astra 2E satellite is due to take off from, crashed shortly after take off.

The rocket was carrying 3 Russian satellites estimated to be worth $200 million - inevitably, there is going to be an enquiry into what went wrong which could take 2-3 months.

So, it seems that there will be no Sky channel shuffling for a while yet, or will there ?

Astra has a number of issues that it needs to address and the launch delay that Astra 2E now faces may just make Astra's forward planners look at things slightly differently - who knows what may happen ?

Where's that crystal ball ?

Andy

August 17, 2013 - 05:02 pm

Hi

Does your TV box supply SD or HD signal to the TV ?

Also, can you advise on what options are available if any, to receive Premier League football live in HD.

Thanks

Andy

Paul

August 17, 2013 - 07:12 pm

Replied by email as follows:

Hi Andy,

Our set top box is capable of 1080p HD Picture. Premier League football is supplied on our beIN Sports system which is a DTH satellite system and doesn't use the internet at all. Here is some detailed information

Kind Regards

Paul

Evgenia

September 18, 2013 - 09:07 am

Dear Sirs,

We are football fans of English Premier league and lately we have a huge problem to watch English Premier League games or Champions League games from the time that Nova stopped showing any channels and Al Jazeera transfer all important games to channels +9 and +10 and we can get only +1 to +4.

Could you please tell me what you can offer to us and how much it will cost (monthly or yearly etc).

Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Evgenia

Paul

September 18, 2013 - 01:18 pm

Replied by email as follows:

Hi Evgenia,

Thank you for visiting our web site and taking the time to make an enquiry.

Al Jazeera Package 2 gives all Premier League games, Champion League, Internationals and much more. Package price is £149 until 31st May next year (on Irdeto smart card). Use the link in the previous message to visit the page has all the information that you need.

Please look at the information on the page and then, if need be, I can answer any questions that you might have.

Kind Regards

Paul

Paul

September 28, 2013 - 09:42 am

The rocket carrying the new Astra 2E satellite is scheduled for launch on Monday (30th September)

Everyone who is receiving what remains of the Sky TV channels that are still available in Cyprus will be closely monitoring their TV reception during October, but don't expect any changes for at least a couple or, even three weeks as there will be some testing to do before the satellite is moved into its permanent position.

Watch this 'space'

Paul

October 01, 2013 - 07:58 am

The rocket launched successfully and control of the six ton satellite has been handed over to the operator (SES Astra)

First there'll be some testing to do, then the satellite will be moved into its permanent position at 28.2 degrees East

Then the TV channel shuffling begins before (as is expected) the Astra 1N satellite is moved to its permanent position at 19.2 degrees East

A third Astra (2G) satellite is due to be launched to the 28.2 degrees East position next year

Feel free to post information if and when you notice any changes to your Sky TV channel line up in Cyprus.

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