UK TV Shipped to Philippines

[Terpe]

I packed and shipped a custom plywood box containing a fairly large Flat Screen TV

It's not new but we wanted to take a risk and ship it even if we only used it for DVD's and karaoke.

It's a Samsung PS50B450 weighing in at 35 kg
We included a 3 tier black glass TV stand & storage unit in the same box.

The good news is that it arrived safely without damage.
We shippped it via LBC and their Balikbayan Box program

Today I decided to set it up and see just what it can do.

DVD's and Karaoke are of course no problem. All is working well and just as it should.

Next step was to set up for TV reception.

I followed the TV manual instructions for setting NTSC signal. The TV system informed me all was done.

The problem I have is that the TV Aerial / Antenna co-ax connection here in Philippines is different to the UK.

I tried a cheapo indoor ariel and it worked to a point but actually not a watchable quality.

I need a proper outdoors set up but cannot find any way to to connect to the TV

Anyone out there know the answer?

[SimonH]

Could you not get a UK co-axial connector and then just simply cut the local one off and reconnect the UK one

[Longweekend]

I'll second that.....

[Steve.r]

I am sure in some hardware shops you can find the connections Peter

[Terpe]

Could you not get a UK co-axial connector and then just simply cut the local one off and reconnect the UK one

Yep, could do that.

[Terpe]

I am sure in some hardware shops you can find the connections Peter

I'll take a trip into Davao City proper and have a mooch about. If no luck I'll just have to ask a friend to ship one out.

Just wondered if anyone else had found the same issue.
It's not always easy to consider all the small detail.

Thanks all

[grahamw48]

Peter, I took a small TV with me this trip, and was able to purchase an adaptor for the aerial at a local TV shop.

[imagine]

The TV connectors for antenna here are what we call 'F connectors' in UK. In UK we normally use these to connect a Sky receiver to the dish LNB,

I was surprised that all the TV sets here which are surplus have the F connector. Maybe they refurbish and replace the UK-type aerial socket for the F connector type,

You can get a male aerial to F connector converter in the UK. When I worked on satellite and TV installations in the UK, we used these often. I doubt if you will get one here, but maybe you can get someone to send you one.

The alternative is to find a reliable TV technician here, to replace the old one on TV. I guess it would just be a matter of soldering in a new F type connector.

[imagine]

Peter, I took a small TV with me this trip, and was able to purchase an adaptor for the aerial at a local TV shop.

Ah - just seen yours as I posted.

That's good, there are adaptors here

[Terpe]

Peter, I took a small TV with me this trip, and was able to purchase an adaptor for the aerial at a local TV shop.

Thanks for that Graham.
Gives me a reason to go to the big city

We originally planned to experience condo life in the city but eventually decided the complete opposite.

[imagine]

I'll take a trip into Davao City proper and have a mooch about. If no luck I'll just have to ask a friend to ship one out.

Just wondered if anyone else had found the same issue.
It's not always easy to consider all the small detail.

Thanks all

So you can see what it is you need to look for, you will see it on this Amazon link:

Coaxial Adapter, IEC Plug (Antenna) to F-Socket

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coaxial-Adap...WFEZV8GRQ5QYWC

[Terpe]

Thanks Stewart. Always handy to have a picture to show.

[Slip]

So you can see what it is you need to look for, you will see it on this Amazon link:

Coaxial Adapter, IEC Plug (Antenna) to F-Socket

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coaxial-Adap...WFEZV8GRQ5QYWC

I have a few of those knocking about in my bag of bits and bobs.... Cable repair guy left them here by accident some years ago.

[imagine]

Thanks Stewart. Always handy to have a picture to show.

You're welcome

[fred]

Peter..So let me get this right!!.. Apart from VCD`s, video etc., you want your old UK Telly to receive a local TV Ariel connection to local TV?

Any reason why?

For us, we have access to the local TV networks via our satellite system whilst I continually search for a way to block them!

[Steve.r]

We have Signal TV at home. If you like to see pretty much everything, they do quite good bundles actually.

[imagine]

Peter..So let me get this right!!.. Apart from VCD`s,video etc., you want your old UK Telly to receive a local TV Ariel connection to local TV?

Any reason why?

For us, we have access to the local TV networks via our satellite system whilst I continually search for a way to block them!

To block them?

Are you on a contract or using your own dish and receiver? Any free to air satellites up there?

I'm not sure what there is in this hemisphere.

[Terpe]

Peter..So let me get this right!!.. Apart from VCD`s, video etc., you want your old UK Telly to receive a local TV Ariel connection to local TV?

Any reason why?

For us, we have access to the local TV networks via our satellite system whilst I continually search for a way to block them!

All those you mentioned plus streamed programmes from UK

The one thing I don't have is local TV

Neither of us wants to subscribe to satellite / cable TV

She who must be obeyed must have local TV

[imagine]

The local TV here consists of 3 channels. Now I'm too busy to bother with TV - been a very busy time since I set foot in Manila.

But if I could find a receiver and dish to buy here, I would search the sky for satellites broadcasting free channels. I thought maybe Australia has a satellite up there or even an American one passing by.

[Michael Parnham]

When we had Smart Cable in Philippines, we could get quite a lot of movie channels such as Fox; also BBC World News, UK and Singapore and plenty of Australian channels, the choice was good - even all the news channels, France 24, Al Jazeera London, RT, but plenty of Movie Channels plus National Geographic, Discovery and History channel!

[imagine]

When we had Smart cable in Philippines, we could get quite a lot of movie channels such as Fox; also BBC World News, UK and Singapore and plenty of Australian channels, the choice was good - even all the news channels, France 24, Al Jazeera London, RT, but plenty of Movie Channels plus National Geographic, Discovery and History channel!

At least with Cable the reception is good, unlike satellite dish which is prone to weather conditions

[fred]

At least with Cable the reception is good, unlike satellite dish which is prone to weather conditions

Tell me about it!!!

About 60 of us missed the 12th round of the boxing last Sunday because of the damned rain!!

[Arthur Little]

I'll take a trip into Davao City proper and have a mooch about. If no luck I'll just have to ask a friend to ship one out.

Dedworth's your man ... he's the "ship 'em out" expert.

[Terpe]

Thanks Arthur, no rush. Probably make a trip to downtown Davao during the next few days
Seems like I should be able to find something from what others have said.

[Terpe]

Neither of us wants to subscribe to satellite / cable TV

She who must be obeyed must have local TV

I found the co-ax adaptor in Ace Hardware just P32
Sadly the picture quality wasn't up to snuff and as has been mentioned just a few channels.

Soooooo, after much discussion with neighbours she who must be obeyed decided cable TV


Skycable is P1999 installation and HD digibox then P549 per month for 66 standard channels plus 12 HD channels. Not too bad I guess.
So another trip to an SM mall tomorrow for signing up.

It's more fun in the Philippines

[andy222]

I see you like a challenge Peter?

[Terpe]

Update:-

Still no TV yet due to delays on our part with my Birthday celebrations, Village Fiesta and Fishing trips.

However, we're told our Home Channel digital cable and box will be installed tomorrow.

The lady visited us today to sign the contract and collect some money for installation.

My wife gave her a good talking to and told her that no payments at all will be made until installation, set-up and correct/satisfactory functioning has been fully completed.

She's getting to be good 'un at such things

Not sure when we'll have time to sit and watch TV but I'm sure time will come.

[Terpe]

Cable TV and digibox installed correctly and according to my instructions.

So now we have plenty of channels to choose from including HD

Apart from the installation there seemed to be a number of other charges we were not told about.

"Oh it's part of the terms and conditions Maam....you already signed it."

Reading through the contract it says something like HomeChannel may, at their option, request security deposit and other charges for etc etc etc.
Our argument was that those charges are not mandatory, but rather discretionary and should have been stated before the signing of the contract. We'll not accept.

At the end we were not charged.

Reading the small print we also discovered that installations completed before 19 December were eligible for one month free rent. Nobody mentioned that before. So we mentioned it (just to remind them) and hey ho that's our Christmas bonus. Nothing more to pay until February
I don't think they were quite as happy as they thought they'd be.

On the downside we did get charged P5 for each grommet/bushing in the hole at the side of the house.
Which incidently was drilled using my extra long drill bit as they didn't have one long enough

It's so much more fun here in the Philippines

[grahamw48]

Every time I see the Simpsons it reminds me of watching it on cable tv in the Phils with my kids.

Happy days.

I think it's nice to feel connected to the outside world, as well as enjoying your piece of paradise.

[Michael Parnham]

You need to challenge everyone Peter or they'll rip you off, your good lady seems to be able to handle things, just follow what she says!