Freesat and Freeview

[janzman]

I recently bought an HD Ready Tv with built-in Freeview which is just what we wanted.Now we want to experience HD quality pictures and I am seriously considering Freesat as a one-off payment for dish and HDbox. Where we live we dont have cable access and we dont want Sky Many of the channels offered by Freeview and Freesat are the same ,but not all.My question is ...If I installed Freesat would it override the existing Freeview or would I have access to both?
Any advice and/or comments would be much appreciated.

[redman41]

All you have to do is unplug your TV Aerial if there is any conflict between the two signals, which I doubt ,as one (Freesat) comes from a Satellite Transmitter and Freeview comes from a ground based Transmitter and into your current Analogue Aerial.
Leave your current Freeview Set-up as it is for now and install Freesat and see what happens and enjoy your HD viewing !

[stoofur]

As per my other post. Your Freesat will plug into your HDMI socket as your won't be viewing Hi Def pictures. So you won't need to unplug your aerial don't worry.

[stoofur]

I mean if you do not plug your freesat box into the TV using the HDMI socket your won't be viewing HD TV.

[janzman]

Many thanks stoofur and redman, Now all I need to do is select a good Freesat HDbox any reccommendations?

[redman41]

Having recently bought your HDTV it's a shame you did not go for Panasonic as their TV's have inbuilt Freesat.
Anyway, have a look in Comet or Curry's and see what they have on offer regarding Freesat Boxes and an installation Package inclusive as you will need a Satellite Dish installed. Humax and Grundig seem to be popular choices although I personally would not buy the cheapest option such as Bush etc. Get a proper installation done by someone who knows what they are doing!

[Gromit]

You may not be able to see any difference. The TV you purchased is HD ready, not possibly not Full HD. This means you can receive the HD channels and play them, but you will not view them at their full quality (1080).

http://www.squidoo.com/Full_HD_Ready_HDTV

Do you know the screen resolution of the TV you have?

[stoofur]

I don't think that HD Broadcasts are at 1080p anyway

[Gromit]

Does BBC HD broadcast in 1080i or 720p?
The BBC HD channel currently transmits programmes using the 1080i standard. High definition is still a developing technology, however, and the two different standards were developed to overcome different technical problems encountered in making and transmitting HD programmes. The BBC HD channel's commitment to the highest possible quality means that as the technology develops we will choose the standard that delivers the best possible pictures. As all 'HD Ready' equipment can handle both standards, this choice will not require any changes in home equipment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/digitaltv/faq_h d.shtml

[janzman]

Thankyou all for the invaluable information. Its the first time Ive asked any type of question and Im amazed at how helpful you all are.
Im pretty new to AB and only really looked at CB and Crosswords before. Im glad I stopped by the Media& TV section