Can I bring a TV and any other appliance from UK ? will they work OK. Where do I get a box load of Swiss Plugs?

Which TV service is the best ? What is the best package for English channels?

Thanks

John

TV Signals: PAL
http://countrycode.org/tv-standards

You can easily find UK=>CH plughead converters such as those mentioned in this thread.



and welcome to the forum.

English channels - have you spent some time browsing through this subforum ?

Yes, Uk appliances work here, including TVs. You can get plugs from all supermarkets and electrical stores. You can get nearly all UK TV channels via freesat these days if you can instal a dish. There is a company in Geneva who can supply Sky if you're looking for more than Freesat offers. I think you can also get English cable channels but I wouldn't know which is best - maybe someone else could advise.

Regarding TV service, some cities (like Basel & Zurich at least) have cable and all main UK channels (BBC 1-4 & ITV 1-?) are on there. Swisscom (the telephone company) also provide a service too. You'll work this out when you arrive.

All appliances will work. Various ways of connecting them. One is to buy multi-way extension from the UK like the one below and use a single UK to Swiss adaptor. Another is to buy individual adaptors or even buy Swiss plugs (around CHF 2-3) and wire yourself. Please don't use adaptors that are not earthed (i.e. no third pin). Fine for electronics, but kettles, heaters, etc., they're dangerous. NOTE with the exception of two prong (Euro)plugs, regular Swiss plugs are different to those used in France/Germany (i.e. the common European type). See here (Type J; Swiss): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_powe...sockets#Type_J

Older TVs (pre 2002?) may not work without connecting them via set top boxes (STB) e.g. cable/satellite boxes connected via SCART. This is due to the type of PAL signal that is broadcast. UK is PAL-I and Europe is mostly PAL B/G (except France which is SECAM). These issues will disappear as countries move to DVB-T (digital terrestrial).

You just need lots of little adaptors like this one:

Attached Thumbnails

 

Morning,

Regarding Uk plugs, check out this thread here

If you are happy with Bbc's,Itv's,Channel 4,More4,Channel 5,movie channels etc.. then a normal sat dish (80cm) and a free to air sat box will do you fine.
No monhtly fees or charges what so ever , love it !

If you want more movie channels and you have money to spend, go with a Sky box..

Joey