Free Sat v Free View

[modeller]

Are there any advantages in Free Sat as compared with Free View ?

[rov1200]

Free sat has about 5 times the number of channels than free view. Originally Freeview was adverised with 30 channels but you can get slighly more than this. Freesat was started with the BBC and ITV and lists almost the same number as Sky.

[Buenchico]

Freeview channels:
http://www.freeview.co.uk/Channels

Freesat channels:
http://www.freesat.co...php?page=whatson.Main

Chris

[AlBags]

It's true there are a lot more FTA channels available on Freesat .. BUT they are not premium channels .. you are not likely to watch more than a few. Most extras are old movies, music, and american programming.

[4getmenot]

and if tv HD ready BBC and ITV are in HD

[AlBags]

.... for free in certain areas at the moment, so long as you have built-in HD Freesat receiver, or connect one! : )

[romko]

the signal is more robust than DTT ('freeview'), with even a basic dish and decent twin shielded cable, you shouldn't have any probs for years. Good in areas with ropey performance on DTT.

[romko]

oh yeah, get a proper free to air sat receiver not a sky box. You can then shift channels around, delete stuff, select audio etc etc. unlike a sky box with its awful user interface,inflexibility and the need to fanny about with cards!

[modeller]

Thank you for all your comments.
Any suggestions for which Free Sat box. and Dish ?,. Is Maplan a first port of call ?
I assume not all boxes are able to pick up HD .

[Buenchico]

I love Maplin's. I could spend all day in one of their stores, simply browsing all of their wonderful goodies. (They've also got staff who actually know what they're talking about, which is rare in 'technology' stores). However I wouldn't look to them for the best value with a FreeSat HD box. On the High Street, Argos is probably better. (Prices start from £67.39 for their cheapest box, with a dish and installation available for £79.99 extra).

Chris

[AlBags]

Rather you than me Chris.
The best boxes are Humax.

Absolutely no doubt about it.
They have proper support, updates regularly on firmware, and web forum for all models.
They are just introducing their first Freesat HD PVR. Winner.

http://www.hummy.org.uk/forums/

[AlBags]

If not too far up north and good view of satellite without reflection or obstruction, a 60cm or Minidish will do fine.
You can double up with a Sky box from same dish if you like .. Quad Low noise (0.2dB or lower) from eBay.
Dish ebay.

[stevie m]

Just has Freesat installed you have the luxury of switching between Freesat and Freeview so adding to the channel list as some channels that are on freeview aren't on freesat. i've got the humax twin recorder foxsat pvr box which means i can simultaneously record 2 channels while watching a third ( you need an extra cable and HMB plug) . Its worth getting for HD alone the clarity will astound you. BBC is best as it gives full 5.1 surround sound with it unlike ITV which comes down at 2.0.

[modeller]

Thanks all .
Did you install it yourself stevie m ? Where did you get it all from ?