Saorview box Varies
Saorview Approved set-top box
Various (Walker, Nordmende, Triax, Vision)
Turns any telly with an HDMI socket into a Saorview telly. No subscription, ever.
- Receives all Saorview channels through a normal aerial
- Look for the Saorview Approved logo: models are tested against the Irish spec
- Approved boxes on saorview.ie include Walker WP10DTB to WP13DTB, Nordmende NM8010M4 and NM8030M4, Triax TR112 and Vision VST8010
Best for: Older TVs, and anyone who wants RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4 without a monthly bill.
Saorview + satellite box Mid-range
Saorview and satellite combo box
Various (Walker, Labgear, Triax)
One box, two tuners: Saorview through the aerial, free UK channels through the dish.
- Saorview tuner plus a satellite tuner for free-to-air channels from Astra 28.2°E
- Current example: Walker WPSTBW23, with DVB-T2/C and DVB-S2 HD tuners, RTÉ Player built in, wifi and recording to USB
- Older approved 'Combi' models on saorview.ie include Walker WP645TS_HD, Triax TSC114 and Nordmende NM7100M4
Best for: Households that want BBC, ITV and Channel 4 as well as the Irish channels, for nothing a month.
Our pick Budget
Labgear LOG28K outdoor aerial
Labgear · Aerial
A tidy log-periodic aerial for the roof or the attic. Covers the Saorview band and ignores the phone masts.
- 28-element log periodic design for outdoor or loft mounting
- Wideband (Group K) design, 470 to 694 MHz, channels 21 to 48
- Built-in filter against 4G (LTE 800) and 5G (LTE 700) interference
Best for: Most houses with a reasonable line to a Saorview transmitter.
For weak signal Mid-range
Antiference XG10K high-gain aerial
Antiference · Aerial
For the far end of the county, where the signal arrives tired. Bigger aerial, more reach.
- High-gain cross-element UHF aerial from Antiference's XG range
- K-group (wideband) version, the right choice for Saorview; avoid the Group A XG8A
- F-type connection
Best for: Rural and hilly spots, and houses a long way from the nearest transmitter or relay.
Aerial Budget
One For All SV 9460 amplified indoor aerial
One For All
Only for strong-signal areas: near a transmitter, in a town, not behind three walls and a hill.
- Rated for reception within about 15 miles (24 km) of the transmitter
- Built-in 4G and 5G filter
- Automatic gain control with signal overload protection
Best for: Flats and town houses close to a Saorview transmitter, where a roof aerial isn't an option.
Aerial Budget
Labgear 4-way distribution amplifier
Labgear
One good aerial, four tellies. A distribution amp shares the signal round the house without each room getting less.
- Distribution amplifier: four amplified outputs to feed TVs in several rooms from one aerial
- Class 1 filter against 4G and 5G interference
- Wideband input from 87 to 694 MHz, so FM and DAB pass through too
Best for: Houses feeding one working aerial to three or four rooms. Not a fix for weak signal: that needs a better aerial.
Cable Budget
WF100 satellite-grade coax
Webro
The thick, proper cable. Costs a bit more than the thin brown stuff and outlives it by a decade.
- WF100-type cable, rated for both aerial and satellite runs
- Webro WF100 comes on a drum with cable clips included
- One cable for Saorview and satellite, so a later dish doesn't mean re-wiring
Best for: Anyone running new cable from an aerial or dish, or replacing old cable that's gone green.
Satellite Mid-range
Satellite dish and LNB kit (Astra 28.2°E)
Triax, Inverto and others
A dish, an LNB and a bracket. Point it at 28.2°E and the free UK channels arrive for nothing.
- Aim at Astra 2 (28.2°E) for the free-to-air UK channels
- Dish size depends on where you live: ask a local installer before you buy
- An 80 cm dish is sold by Irish retailers as ideal for the west coast, where the signal is weaker
Best for: Anyone adding free satellite channels, or a combo box, to a house with a clear view south-east.
Satellite Budget
Inverto Black Ultra Quad LNB
Inverto
Four independent outputs from one dish. One for each telly, or two for a box that records.
- Four independent outputs, each can tune any satellite channel
- 0.2 dB typical noise figure, 62 dB gain
- Standard 40 mm feed collar, F-type connectors
Best for: Houses feeding satellite to more than one room, or a recording box that needs two feeds.
Cable Budget
Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable
Any certified brand
If the box says 48Gbps but has no certification sticker, it's a guess. Buy the one with the sticker.
- Up to 48 Gbps, the cable made for HDMI 2.1
- Carries 4K at 120 Hz and 8K at 60 Hz, plus eARC and VRR
- Certified cables are tested at HDMI Forum authorised test centres
Best for: Connecting a 120 Hz TV, a soundbar on eARC, or a console. A streaming stick doesn't need one.