Using a British TV in Spain

Television in Ronda

British TVs and Spanish TVs are more or less compatible, except for older models. Technically, the UK uses a broadcasting standard known as Pal-I, whereas Spain uses Pal-B/G, and the difference is in the way the sound is transmitted.

Older TVs from the UK will be able to receive a Spanish picture but may not be able to tune into the sound. Most modern TVs should work equally well on both systems, so, check with the manufacturer of your model of TV before bringing it to Spain.

Televisions imported from France, the French cantons of Switzerland, most of the Middle East, and Francophone Africa use the SECAM standard, whereas televisions from most of the Americas and Japan use the NTSC standard. These are not directly compatible with the PAL system used in Spain but can be made to work if a multi-standard video recorder is used to receive the signal although the quality of the picture may suffer slightly in the conversion process, but will allow imported DVDs and videos to be played.

Be sure to read our Sky TV in Spain and Ronda page for more information about watching English language TV. If you do bring an older TV with you, it will be capable of getting the Spanish audio channel if a multi-standard video recorder is attached to it.

DVD players bought in the UK or in Spain will both be configured as region 2 (Western Europe and other places) and will work perfectly in either place, as will DVD drives/players in computers or games consoles with DVD drives. Most video recorders manufactured in the last decade should work, but check the specifications of your recorder to ensure it supports Pal-I and Pal-B/G.

Using a UK DVD player or video recorder with a Spanish TV should not be a problem, again, if your equipment is more than a few years old check with the supplier. DVDs imported from outside region 2 can only be played with multi-region equipment unless you bring your old DVD player with you. For example DVDs purchased in North America are not compatible with European DVD players.

In 2010 Spain expects to fully convert to digital TV and will be using the DVB standard. British digital TVs and digital decoders are fully compatible with this new standard.

<h3>Terrestrial Channels in Ronda</h3>

Ronda is currently rolling out digital transmission services, and within the town it is possible to receive test transmissions, however the campo surrounding Ronda is still restricted to old analogue signals.

At present analogue transmissions in Ronda are available from Localia (Radio TV Ronda), Canal Sur, Canal Sur 2, RTVE 1, RTVE 2, Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco. All channels are in Spanish, and all foreign language programmes are usually dubbed into Spanish which is great for learning Spanish.

Digital DVB-T broadcasts are available in Ronda, and you will currently get about 20 channels, all in Spanish, but in some cases, the original language audio is broadcast as well on a separate channel, particularly on Disney, Canal Sur 2, La Sexta, Neox, and Sony Channel.

Simply changing the audio channel should allow you to watch most American films or TV shows in English. Very few British programmes are broadcast, and if this is absolutely necessary for you then Sky Satellite TV is your best option.

<h3>Sky Satellite TV in Spain</h3>

Arranging to get Sky TV installed in Spain will almost certainly suit most of your viewing needs, a dish is placed on the roof of your house, or on a side wall facing south, and usually the cabling can be connected using the same conduit used for your terrestrial aerial so there should be no need for mess or costly plastering to cover up new openings.

Choose an installer with a good reputation, unfortunately there are a few not so good installers who will leave you high and dry when things go wrong. A professional installer should be able to align your dish perfectly using a signal analysing instrument. Any installer who tells you isn’t needed should be avoided. Your dish needs to be very securely fitted because even a slight misalignment will affect signal or drop it altogether.

Most reputable installers recommend a dish of at least 1.2 metres diameter for Sky TV, but if you only want free to air broadcasts as from the Astra satellites you may need to consider a bigger dish.

Sky TV in Spain also requires you have an account with Sky in the UK, which sadly also means having a UK billing address. If this isn’t available to you then ask your installer if they can provide a Sky card on your behalf. Be prepared to pay a little more for the convenience.