Essential Accessories to Maximise Your Satellite or Saorview TV System
Want better picture quality, fewer dropouts, and an easier way to watch your favourite channels without monthly bills? The right accessories can transform your satellite or Saorview setup for very little cost. In this guide, you will find the practical add‑ons that make a real difference, whether you are running a Free to Air satellite system, Saorview, or a combined setup.
Start with the basics: quality cable and connectors
If you only upgrade one thing, make it your cabling. Cheap or aging coax can lose signal, pick up interference, and ruin HD channels during bad weather. Go for CAI approved RG6 or, even better, CT100 spec cable. Keep runs as short as practical, avoid tight bends, and replace any outdoor lengths that have cracked or water‑logged jackets.
F connectors: Use properly fitted F type connectors that are compression or high quality screw‑on. They should feel snug and show no copper braid whiskers touching the centre conductor.
Couplers and splitters: If you must join cables, use a double female F coupler and seal it with self‑amalgamating tape for weather protection. Do not use splitters on satellite cables, satellite feeds require dedicated point‑to‑point runs to each tuner.
Neat terminations: Where you need to present separate TV and SAT feeds at the room end, use a purpose‑built de‑combiner rather than generic splitters to preserve signal quality.
A small spend on cable and terminations usually yields the biggest stability boost.
Replace a tired LNB for instant reliability
The LNB at the dish arm is a workhorse, and it wears with time. Symptoms of a failing LNB include pixelation during rain, random channel loss, or only some tuners working. Replacing like for like is simple, but you can also upgrade:
Single or twin LNB: Ideal for one or two tuners.
Quad LNB: Run up to four receivers or a combo box plus extra rooms.
Sky Q Hybrid LNB: Useful if you still have a Sky Q box alongside a Free to Air receiver. A hybrid model supports both systems on one dish for a smooth transition.
LNB with aerial input: Some models allow you to inject a Saorview aerial feed at the dish and carry both Saorview and satellite down a single cable. At the TV point, use an indoor combiner/splitter (de‑combiner) to present separate TV and SAT outputs.
If you are changing boxes or moving to a combo setup, upgrading the LNB can future‑proof the system and reduce callouts.
Tidy signal management with combiners and de‑combiners
Want Saorview and satellite to one room without running two cables? Use a combiner at the mast or dish to feed both signals down a single coax. At the TV point, use a matching de‑combiner to split them into separate TV and SAT outputs. This saves on drilling and keeps installations neat while preserving performance.
The small extras that make a big difference
A short, good quality hdmi cable between your receiver and TV prevents handshake drops and ensures crisp 4K or HD video with proper audio formats.
Weather boots and self‑amalgamating tape protect outdoor F connections from water ingress, which is the enemy of signal stability.
Cable clips and tidy trunking keep runs secure so wind and movement do not work joints loose over time.
These items cost little, yet they protect your investment and prevent signal faults.
Must‑have accessories for Free to Air and Saorview combo setups
If you run a combo box, or plan to, consider these essentials:
Saorview aerial: Even in strong signal areas, a compact wide band Saorview aerial mounted outdoors is the most reliable choice. It ensures you get consistent Irish channels with the best quality.
Strong dish and bracket: A 45 cm dish is enough for most locations, provided it is mounted securely with the correct wall fixings. A solid bracket and coach screws prevent movement that can knock the dish off alignment.
Replacement remote: If you have a family setup, a spare remote is a handy backup so you are not stuck on a rainy night when the original goes missing.
With a combo receiver, you can have all your Irish and UK Free to Air channels in a unified list and control everything with a single remote.
What accessories can improve my satellite TV experience?
High grade coax (CAI RG6 or CT100) and solid F connectors to prevent dropouts.
A fresh LNB that matches your current or planned number of tuners, or an LNB with aerial input for single‑cable Saorview + satellite.
Proper de‑combiners or dedicated outlets to keep signals clean and easy to manage.
Weatherproofing for all outdoor joints.
A certified hdmi cable for reliable audio and video at full resolution.
A simple sat finder meter if you like DIY tweaks, useful for fine alignment after storms.
These upgrades cut issues like pixelation, audio pops, and vanishing channels, especially during bad weather.
Which accessories are a must‑have for Free to Air systems?
A dependable LNB that matches your setup, single, twin, or quad, with hybrid or aerial‑input options if needed.
Correct cabling with tidy runs and proper de‑combiners where you share Saorview and satellite on one cable.
A compact Saorview aerial if you want Irish channels alongside UK Free to Air.
A combo receiver if you want one remote and one channel list across Saorview and satellite.
Spare remote and connectors in the drawer for quick fixes.
Together, these keep your system simple, stable, and easy to use for everyone in the home.
Where can I buy satellite parts and accessories in Ireland?
You can order cables, LNBs, combiners/de‑combiners, Saorview aerials, receivers, and more for delivery anywhere in Ireland. If you prefer expert help, local service calls and installations are available across Dublin, North Kildare, and parts of Meath, often same or next day. Prices are kept affordable, and you can pay by card, cash, or Revolut on completion. If you are near Tallaght or Clondalkin, you can also arrange fast local callouts for repairs or upgrades.If you are unsure what part fits your setup, just ask. You will get straight advice, and you will not be pushed into gear you do not need.
Quick upgrade paths for common situations
You are moving from Sky subscription to Free to Air: Keep your dish, add a compatible LNB if required, use your existing coax to your TV point, install a combo receiver, and fit a Saorview aerial for Irish channels. You will have a full lineup of Irish and UK channels with no monthly fee.
Your picture breaks up in the rain: Check outdoor F connectors for water, replace any cracked cable, and consider a new LNB. Realign the dish if it has shifted.
You want to add Saorview to a room that only has a satellite cable: Use a combiner at the aerial end and a matching de‑combiner at the TV end, or choose an LNB with aerial input to simplify cabling.
Each of these paths uses simple accessories to fix problems without replacing your whole system.
Need help or parts today?
If you want a neat setup that just works, we can supply the parts, talk you through the choices, or send an installer if you prefer hands‑off. You get fair pricing, pre‑programmed receivers, and friendly local support. For accessories that make a real difference, start with cable, connectors, and the right LNB, then add tidy finishing touches like de‑combiners and a quality hdmi cable.
Summary: Reliable cable and connectors, a healthy LNB, and tidy signal management deliver the biggest gains for satellite and Saorview systems. Add a compact Saorview aerial, weatherproof your joints, and keep a spare remote, and you will enjoy stable, high quality Free to Air viewing for years, without monthly costs.