cant get all channels here???waste of money then

tt

 

Hi Taff ... not following you fella ... have you or a neighbour gone for it and it doesn't work very well then or something?

Perhaps due to the hardware reliability / satellite signal problems etc. ... or you've done some sort of on-line check for suitability in your patch or suchlike?

 

was told that our area not covered fully if that makes sense,freeview worse?

tt

 

was told that our area not covered fully if that makes sense..

Not to me it doesn't. Not fully covered by satellite

 

My first venture into looking into this Taff, so I don't speak from any knowledge base but I am assuming that anywhere that can get Sky can get FreeSat?

... but then it might be from different satellites or summat , the FreeSat one might be hiding from Welsh people behind the moon, or a local mountain ... who knows? mg:

Hence asking the forum!

 

There is also, I believe, Sky "free air to view" So if you can receive Sky but no longer wish to pay their subscription just ask them for a free-air-to-view card which will slot into the digibox provided when you first got Sky.

 

Yep, thanks tenet, I have just been reading this (amongst other things), not quite the same question but interesting none-the-less: Freesat - any good if I get rid of Virgin? - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

I have a 'Standard Sky Box' which I could just opt to go free with, looks like my other options are a new box that's 'Free to View' with the sat dish aimed elsewhere (haven't a clue why I would do this mind?), or stick with my fist inclination which is to opt for a bona fide FreeSat HD set up, i.e. registered with a good range of channels and some of the 'High Def' ones then made available with a new box (which does appeal); the cost of a box is circa 2 / 3 months current subscription, which is not bad at all but if you go for one that can do recording it gets less sensible a move I think as they are getting nearer Sky rates.

The plot thickens!!!

Still interested in other views and experiences.

 

Toby,

I have both the Sky free to view; and the free-view in on of our bedrooms via a digital box! Go get a Sky Card Free to View. Initially the card will cost you about £20. But it has a vastly better channel selection than freeview. A new TV with the latest technology on it would be the way to go; I think? No need for a box.

 

I've had my Humax Freesat DVR box for about 2 years now, after cancelling rip-off sky!
Plenty channels but only about 6 with HD content, still worth the outlay though.
ITV HD not available in Scotland yet, but I changed my system postcode to York or something, now I get that too

 

I've had my Humax Freesat DVR box for about 2 years now, after cancelling rip-off sky!
Plenty channels but only about 6 with HD content, still worth the outlay though.
ITV HD not available in Scotland yet, but I changed my system postcode to York or something, now I get that too

Gary, presume you can view both standard and HD by switching channels? ... if so are the HD channels noticeably better, as they could be a tipping point between 'free to view' and 'FreeSat'?

 

I think Taff may be getting his satellite dishes and aerials confused ... but to be fair to him, you can get a blocked satellite signal with obstacles in the way; I think FreeSat comes via the same satellite as Sky (?) - so it will be likely that you'd get the same troubles from trees/mountains etc. if you already have a problem in a given location at the mo' with your Sky satellite service?

Satellite Service Problems | eHow.com

---------- Post added at 05:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

PS ... and we do already have problems with signal, so sorting this is going to get seriously geeky !

 

If you use a redundant (or active) LNB tuned to the Astra-Sky satellite, you should pick up all the channels, failing that, turn your house a few degrees and all should be fine.

 

The humax hd box previously mentioned is an excellent choice with in depth forum backup.nHad ours for a couple of years now. Current manifestation just over £200 with a half a gig storage. Free view Sky required a £20 card for three year sub. That may have changed.

Luv
Beryl

 

It's very good.:thumbs:

 

Unless you have a huge telly the HDTV isn't a game changer. I use a 32" jobbie and would have to be told if it was HD programme or not. The stuff they show in showrooms is not what you get at home.

 

Although it's broadcast in 1080, it's not the same as blue-ray quality, the sound ismn't always carried in true 5:1 either.

 

Right the 'LNB' is already in place on the mini-dish and I don't really want to get into buying a new dish and yep Beryl, same here ... an LCD 32" Toshiba, seriously abused by the kids ... so the HD might be a red herring but then again the TV might be due an upgrade pretty soon and more viable with the dosh saved by booting Sky.

The difference between the 'Standard' and 'HD' boxes is a few quid, whilst the leap to recording version is a few hundred (ish - or just under I think, not done a lot of looking yet).

Another techy question please fellows if I may? ... do your 'HDR units' (see, I'm getting up to speed ) require any other connections apart from the satellite input, link to TV and power ... i.e. things like permanent telephone and perhaps a further satellite input cable ... I think the Sky Plus features require these?

I mention this as we have our dish wired to a home network hub, which means I can pipe it anywhere but it's only currently set up for basic Sky ... having to get an electrician back would defeat the object of the exercise.

 

HDMi to telly, Coax to LNB, 240v to mains; simple as that.
I have a Bose 5:1 surround which I've hooked up via optical cable, but this is optional,

 

Thanks Gary and for that matter everyone for input so far, much appreciated ... I can now look at the possibilities further, knowing what my current options are all workable.

I believe the signal issues are a result of the mass of cables/distance of wiring it through the home hub, as the signal was better before we got it set up that way but the flexibility out-ways the slight loss of signal ... it only affects a few channels and I think I can park it as a separate issue to selecting the source that suits us best for now.

 

A hundred channels of free dross is still dross Toby.

 

Best post in the thread , Let's face it , most of the channels are pure p1sh . Sky are giving out some cracking deals just now if you phone up . i'm on half price for 1 year and £50 credit added to my account . Lets face it the Sport alone is worth it , ITV and BBC Seem to have given up on sport completely ............

 

Have a wee shifty here: Humax Foxsat-HDR review | Digital tv recorders Reviews | TechRadar

I opted for the Humax Foxsat HDR/500 (500 GB) DVR.

 

I don't follow the ins and outs of telly but you can be sure an Internet connection will be needed soon. Wireless hopefully so get something that has the ability to accept wireless if only through a dongle. You have exhausted my current knowledge now.

 

Personally, I don't watch must sport, so to sit through the adverts on virtually every Sky channel and get football & cricket (which is PPV mostly now) rammed down your neck was the decider for me, I don't miss it one wee bit.

 

I don't watch TV much, it's practically a no Dad zone the TV area - hence why I'm making moves to keep the populous happy whilst imposing cutbacks !

Re' sport ... most of what I watch is available on ITV4 or other streamed sources, straight onto 'PC Screen 2'.

Now I'm set on my path, I will take great pleasure in smashing the Murdoch box some time soon and spend the first month's savings on a night down the pub toasting his good health!

 

I don't watch TV much, it's practically a no Dad zone the TV area - hence why I'm making moves to keep the populous happy whilst imposing cutbacks !

Re' sport ... most of what I watch is available on ITV4 or other streamed sources, straight onto 'PC Screen 2'.

Now I'm set on my path, I will take great pleasure in smashing the Murdoch box some time soon and spend the first month's savings on a night down the pub toasting his good health!

Or hdmi to hdmi:thumbs::thumbs:

tt

 

A pal of mine has one of those Apple TV boxes that's been tweaked. He reckons you get everything you could possibly want on it.

Not sure of the legalities though.

 

Only legit options please Luke, we're principled types on the FFF !

 

One thing I should add here is streaming TV is OK but it does irritate at times with its spinning timer thing clogging up, vision quality tails off in the evenings and sound is crackly ... we run up to 4 computers at times here - 2 PC's + 2 laptops and also phones of course ... the kids will sometimes also stream to the TV area via the Wii.

Our area is down to get faster Broadband at some point soon but we're only clocking 2 Mbps at the mo' out here in the sticks. The satellite set up is already in place and if we avoid streaming TV to too many spots, it means the rest of the house doesn't steal my bandwidth.

My kids are only young at the mo' ... the demands can only increase, I can see the IT demands outstripping the 'old style' TV but see the benefit of spreading your demands across formats. I don't like the idea that Sky get to call all the shots and just take from your account for years on end without any improvements being offered your way - nice to hear they're giving honeymoon deals to new customers ... not!

 

STD

Have you looked here

Freesat reception - all about dishes | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice

Harry