ᐅ Is a Satellite System Still Necessary for New Builds, or Is IPTV Sufficient?

No! Why would I? I have an internet radio because I can’t stand the stations broadcast on FM here. My favorite station (Radio BOB) is only available online. Before we finally got a reasonably good internet connection, everything in the kitchen was running through a satellite receiver.

I don’t mind having an FM radio in the kitchen. My previous comment meant that nowadays, radio broadcasting no longer needs to be included in the RF distribution system.

I think we will make a compromise and have the wiring installed in advance. Then we will try IPTV, and if that doesn’t work out, we will retrofit the satellite system. Somehow, I can’t fully decide for or against either option.

wurmwichtel schrieb:

In my opinion, the solution would be much simpler:
Next to the multiswitch with two Unicable and several legacy outputs in the antenna cabinet, one or two Cat6A cables

Which multiswitch did you decide on?

I’ll first try out a DUR-line DCR 5-2-4L4, which has two Unicable and four legacy outputs. There might be easier or better solutions, but a suitable multiswitch currently costs only about 20€ less than the converter.

hanse987 schrieb:
...If your Wi-Fi is too weak for that, then it’s due to poor setup on your end...

Sure – a FritzBox 7490 is useless!? It’s mounted quite high in the room – you probably don’t even realize why.
Furthermore, there are people who actively listen to radio broadcasts (such as Deutschlandfunk, Inforadio, Kulturradio) rather than having them playing in the background, and who don’t want to turn on a TV receiver every time or buy a new device because equivalent replacement products simply aren’t available for their existing technology (ME-Geithain and Syrincs – you probably never heard of those names).

Just to estimate:
Everything via IP could easily cost around 600€ (about $650) per year. If not even more.
A complete satellite system with antennas and splitters might cost about half of that one-time, and then a new receiver every few years for at most 200€ (about $215), unless you want to own a Dreambox.

wurmwichtel schrieb:

Sure – a FritzBox 7490 is worthless!?! It’s mounted quite high in the room – you probably don’t even realize why.
Furthermore, some people don’t just have background radio noise playing, but actively listen to stations like Deutschlandfunk, Inforadio, Kulturradio, and don’t want to have to turn on a TV or buy new equipment every time because equivalent replacement products are simply not available for their existing technology (ME-Geithain and Syrincs – names you’ve probably never heard of).

The FB7490 is decent for Wi-Fi, but there are better options. I just don’t understand why someone would want to mount that ugly device somewhere high up in the room. For me, the Wi-Fi on the FritzBox is turned off, and there’s an access point mounted centrally on the ceiling of the first floor. This covers the house much better than the 7490. If better Wi-Fi is needed on the ground floor, there’s also an access point there. For others with a 7490, we have already installed or are planning to install an access point. If you know a bit about this, you can pretty well estimate what will work and what won’t.

A normal satellite receiver boots up in 2–3 seconds. So I don’t accept that argument. Of course, if you have devices compatible with the technology (FM or DAB+), then it can be done, but how many still use that? Internet radio offers a vast world of programs, and for someone without a good internet connection, radio via satellite remains a great, simple, and affordable way to receive numerous stations in good quality.

Conclusion: The satellite system will be installed, even though we might not use it much later due to the preference for Netflix, Amazon, and similar services.

Thank you for your opinions!