Get Ready For a Change To The Way We Watch TV....

Astra 2E – On The Move & Getting Ready for Service
* Official SES Astra Announcement Below In case You Missed It

Astra SES Official Statement – Source SES Astra Facebook Page – December 11th 2013

“As part of SES' ongoing fleet renewal programme, we will be transferring all the UK Spot Beam transponders currently operating on ASTRA 1N across to ASTRA 2E.

This move at the 28.2/28.5ºEast orbital location will take place over several weeks beginning early February 2014.

The transfer will have no adverse implications for viewers in the UK and Ireland as the affected channels will continue to operate on the same frequencies and will be broadcast at the same, or slightly improved power levels, across the UK and Ireland.

TV viewers outside the UK and Ireland may see an impact and may not be able to receive channels from ASTRA 2E UK Spot Beam, which has a smaller footprint than ASTRA 1N.

The new footprint on SES' replacement fleet has been designed to meet the requirements of UK and Irish broadcasters who target their channels for distribution in the UK and/or Ireland. UK and Irish broadcasters hold broadcasting rights only for the UK and/or Ireland but not for other countries.”

So what does this mean then??

Well like Channel 5 last year all the channels that are referred to as "Freeview" will no longer be available here in southern Spain. To find out why this is going to happen have a look at our blog post back in November 2012 "Satellite News, am I going to lose out?" 

 When??

Well the slow transition from its test location to its final operating position has started, this should take something like 10 to 14 days to reach its destination. Once there it should be only a matter of days until the channels start to disappear.

You can track the satellites location using this website.

Ok So what can I do??

 Future Lifestyle have been working on a number of solutions throughout the year and have been testing them to see how they work under different circumstances. The key to any to the future of television services is going to be the internet. Streaming live programs, using a catch up service of some kind or just downloading a film or a series box set you are going to need a good internet connection. 

What do we mean when we say a good internet connection? Well the services we have been testing run on anything from 0.8mb to 2.5mb, depending on the kind of service you are trying to use and the quality of the image. We always recommend a connection of at least 3mb to ensure a good viewing experience and a little extra to allow someone to use the internet as you watch TV.

So what happens if your telefonica service isn´t up to it or you don´t have internet at all?? 

 

 Contact the Future Lifestyle team we have partnered with Servifone a supplier of a reliable internet service covering the Costa Del Sol. They can supply, install and maintain all your internet and VoIP needs. 

So give Future Lifestyle a call today, we will listen to how you want to watch TV, what components you already have and what solution is best for you. From internet connection to a brand new screen, the guys from Future Lifestyle will ensure you don´t miss a single episode of Eastenders or Corrie... 

Telephone today on +34 952 830 936 or email info@futurelifestyle.es 

Big changes a foot

With all the projects Future Lifestyle has completed over the past 18 months and the press coverage we have been receiving both locally and internationally we thought what better time to highlight it on a new look website.

The forthcoming website will incorporate a larger portfolio, a section of press releases and articles involving our installations as well as general updates showcasing our work and development of our work as a direct result of our market growth as our industry goes from strength to strength.

And as part of the new website launch there will be offers on various services and product releases. 

We´ll keep you posted - so watch this space → www.futurelifestyle.es

Control for everyone...

Future Lifestyle has teamed up with the developers of a stunning apartment complex to provide the audio and visual solutions for their new home owners...

This project consists of 140 luxury apartments over 9 blocks in beautifully landscaped sub-tropical gardens in the heart of the Nueva Andalucia better known as the "Golf Valley" just behind world famous Puerto Banus (Marbella).

Future Lifestyle have provided 3 video and 2 multi-room audio options as well as additional extras such as audio and video memory storage options with stand-a-lone audio solutions, a Control4 iPod dock, lighting control and apple licenses for smart devices for buyers to choose from. The developers wanted to ensure they were offering the best in class in kitchens, furniture, spa baths etc so we were teamed up with other local companies specialising in their field to produce turn-key packs that the end user could choose from.

Demo Suite

In the showflat we have installed a sample of one of our ´packs´, showing HD video and audio for demonstration purposes. A Samsung flatscreen TV with Harman Revel speakers and subwoofer sit in the lounge with Nuvo In-ceiling speakers providing audio in a second zone (main bedroom).

The whole house can be controlled via the easy to use on-screen interface in the lounge. You can choose movies stored on the media server using the cover art or search through the albums by artist or even genre.

Wondering into the bedroom you can use a remote that provides 2 way communication of what song or artist is playing. It is even possible to pick up or iPhone or iPad* and control the home.

The lights have been added to the system in the entrance, hallway, kitchen, dining area and lounge. To show that it is possible to integrate almost every system within these apartments.

*there is also an Android version of the app

The director of Aloha Hill Club has stated, 'It was very important for us (Aloha Hill Club) to be able to offer potential clients the latest in what luxury living can offer. We have involved several companies all specialising in different fields to ensure our overall package was unrivalled at our price point within real estate in Marbella. We have chosen Future Lifestyle as they are able to provide the latest in home technology at affordable prices with the added benefit their systems are up-scalable and flexible to all our buyers.´

The packs that were designed this project have provided a good guide line price for the potential home owners of the Aloha Hill Club. But these packs are not set in stone and can serve as a guide not only in this development but for any installation.

The systems we use are designed to be able to expand as your needs or wants grow. Future Lifestyle are on a mission to prove that it’s not only the million Euro villas or the yachts down Puerto Banus that can benefit from home automation.

To set up a demonstration of the Future Lifestyle control system at the Aloha Hill Club or to request copy of our AHC Audio – Visual packages contact a member of the sales team on sales@futurelifestyle.es or call on +34 902 107 227

Future Lifestyle go East...

Future Lifestyle headed up the coast to Nerja this month to bring another home into the 21st century. This luxury 3 bed villa with its own 2 bed guest apartment in Frigiliana near Nerja is being built by an English businessman who is looking to the future. Although this will initially be a holiday home the client has every intention of moving over here on a more permanent basis in the future. So this is how Future Lifestyle approached the project, we wanted to give the client a system that would keep him entertained whilst he is on holiday, but with enough scope to upgrade the system as he spent more time in Spain.

More tubes than the London underground...

We have learnt from our experiences in Spain that there is no such thing as over tubing, although we did get looks of disbelieve from the Spanish workers on site when we started installing the tubes back in the summer. However, as the cable is installed they begin to understand the need for such a tube network.

In our 1st phase of cabling we are installing the cables for a Cat5 network, these points can be used for a number of things including a stable internet connection, networking of PC´s & printers, telephones (internal phone network with extensions), Wi-Fi boosters and a host of other IP based technologies. Also going in at this stage is the cabling for a Multiroom Audio System. We have used high grade speaker cable installed from a central location to points in the ceiling and walls where discreet speakers will be installed. We have specified the Nuvo system to provide the audio, control of which will be done using the Nuvo keypads placed at the entrance of each room, each of which needed a Cat5 cable for connection. The Nuvo system was chosen for its ease of integration with Control 4 home automation system which will be installed to provide control of all elements via touch pads in key areas, which also requires Cat5 cables for communication.

Although a coaxial network has been installed for the TV distribution thanks to the Future Lifestyle design it will be possible to install a satellite receiver in any of the 8 rooms with a TV or a PVR satellite system with dual input for recording (Sky +/Sky HD/ Canal+ HD) in 3 of the rooms and shared around the house.

Alternatively all systems can be installed in a central location (Head End) and distributed around the home, with control done via an IR repeater or Wi-Fi remote. But if that wasn´t enough to cover anybody’s TV addiction we have installed a Cat6 network to the rear of every screen. This is to allow the streaming of HD programs or films from a central location or via the internet with IPTV when it finally comes of age.

Surround sound set ups have been installed into two locations in the main house, one in the lounge and the other in the dedicated studio which should stop any arguments during next year’s world cup.

Also to be added is a lighting system by Rako that will give him full control of his lighting from anywhere in the house as well mimicking a presence when he is not in Spain, whilst saving him money on electrical bills and extending the lamp life of his lights.

Yet to be installed is the CCTV network and video entry system which would allow the client to check on any visitors - wanted or otherwise, from any TV screen in the house or anywhere in the world via the internet.

And that´s not all.......

The client has appreciated the approach that we took with his installation. Not only has he got all the elements that he wanted in his original brief but he has room to grow as he spends more time in his new home. Space left in the tubes means that extra cables can be added in the future if need be and the comprehensive paper work handed to the client at the end of the job means that he knows what his house has hiding behind the walls. And as with every Future Lifestyle system that is installed a member of the team is never more that a phone call away to answer any questions the client might have, be it now or in the future.

If you would like to know more about benefits of installing a Future Lifestyle system in your property or you would like to know more about any of the things mention here give a member of the team a call on +34 902 107 227