General TV FAQs – UK TV Spain – Frequently Asked Questions
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Will my UK television work in Spain?
In most cases yes. Most TVs these days are compatible with TV systems in many countries. Many of the new modern TV sets, and those bought in the UK, come with a built in “integrated” digital tuner, and should be compatible with the Spanish digital TV service, Television Digital Terrestrial (TDT).
Any decoder (satellite or TDT) or other external equipment will connect to your British TV via the SCART connections and will work. Problems may arise when trying viewing analogue Spanish TV, due to the incompatibility in the sound systems between Spain and the UK. Older TV will have this issue, but more modern TV should be able to handle these analogue signals. Although this will become less of an issue as the Spanish analogue TV system is shut down during 2010, and is replaced by TDT.
Can I view satellite TV in more than one room?
In theory you can run an infinite amount of digiboxes from one dish. Most LNBs are designed for either one, two or four outputs. If more outputs are required, for an apartment complex for example, we can supply and install switching units which can provide further outputs.
You cannot watch more than one satellite TV channel with just one receiver. If you want to watch two different channels in two different location then you will require two satellite receivers.
It is possible to watch one programme from one receiver in multiple locations, using with cabling, “magic-eyes”, or AV Senders.
For more information see Viewing TV In Multiple Rooms
What size satellite dish do I need to watch UK TV In Spain?
It really does depend where you are in Spain and what UK TV channels you want to watch.
For the Costa Blanca area, reception of the main UK TV channels, like BBC and ITV, by satellite is currently better than ever. Using a Sky digibox, or Freesat set top box, you can watch UK TV channels with a satellite dish measuring from a minimum of 100x110cm “1.1m”.
For some areas of Costa Blanca, a minimum 110x120cm satellite dish is required for reception of BBC and ITV via Freesat and Sky.
For some areas of Costa Blanca, a minimum 125x135cm satellite dish is required for reception of BBC and ITV via Freesat and Sky.
For more information see What size satellite dish do I need for Costa Blanca Spain.
What size satellite dish do I need for UK Satellite TV in Valencia
Other areas of Spain may require larger satellite dishes:
What size satellite dish do I need for UK Satellite TV Barcelona and Catalonia
What size satellite dish do I need for UK Satellite TV Andalucía
What size satellite dish do I need for UK Satellite TV Costa del Sol
Can I receive BBC ITV channels in Spain?
See above.
Yes, you can receive BBC TV and ITV in the Costa Blanca Spain.
And you can also receive BBC TV and ITV in other areas of Spain, it all depends on your exact location and size of satellite dish.
BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4 TV reception on the Costa Blanca
For the Costa Blanca area, reception of the main UK TV channels, like BBC and ITV, by satellite is currently better than ever. Using a Sky digibox, or Freesat set top box, you can watch UK TV channels with a satellite dish measuring from a minimum of 100x110cm “1.1m”.
For some areas of Costa Blanca, a minimum 110x120cm satellite dish is required for reception of BBC and ITV via Freesat and Sky.
For some areas of Costa Blanca, a minimum 125x135cm satellite dish is required for reception of BBC and ITV via Freesat and Sky.
For more information see What size satellite dish do I need for Costa Blanca Spain.
What frequency do I need to get BBC TV in Spain?
BBC TV Channel Frequencies on Freesat and Sky TV
What frequency do I need to get ITV TV in Spain?
ITV Channel Frequencies on Freesat and Sky TV
What frequency do I need to get Channel 4 TV in Spain?
Channel Four / Film 4 Channel Frequencies on Freesat and Sky TV
What frequency do I need to get Channel Five in Spain?
Five, Fiver Five USA Channels Frequencies on Freesat and Sky TV
What frequency do I need to get Sky TV in Spain?
Sky TV Frequencies and Default Transponder settings
What frequency do I need to get Freesat TV in Spain?
Freesat Frequencies and Transponder settings
Does Freesat work in Costa Blanca?
Yes, see above.
For more information see Freesat TV in Spain
I have no picture or sound on my digibox / television
Ensure that the SCART lead which connects the Sky decoders to the TV is securely plugged it at either end. Sometimes the weight of these cables can dislodge the cable from its connections.
I have snow on the television screen
Some televisions do not automatically switch to the correct AV setting when a Sky digibox is switched on, in which case your TV set my be showing “snow”. If this is the case then you will have to manually select the correct AV input using your TV remote control.
Will my UK TV work in Spain?
Generally yes.
However the tuner inside the TVs may be different as
Spain uses VHF and UHF and the UK only UHF.
Any external equipment like DVD players, or satellite receiver will also work, as long as they are connected via a SCART, component or HDMI cables.
You may find you are unable to watch Spain analogue TV services, as they use a different frequency for their audio, so you may get a picture but no audio. This is not so much an issue as Spain has now moved to Digital Terrestrial TV.