Freeview or Freesat?

[judethepude]

I live in the UK. I am currently on a Sky subscription, but my contract has ended and I can keep the equipment (two Sky boxes, one of which is Sky+, and the satellite dish). I want to stop paying a monthly subscription and buy something as a one-off purchase. My TV has Freeview built in and is HD ready.

What do people think is my best option? I am confused by all the hype around Freeview and Freesat.

[alan-r]

freesat is the same as freeview but with a few (and more promised) programmes transmitted in hd,there is a one off set up p[payment of �80 then its free but if your satisfied with your picture on your tv with its built in freeview like i am, then id stick to that

[Mattk]

i think you will lose your sky+ funtionality however with no sky subscription.

[VHG]

Freeview comes down your aerial and is free, but only has a limited number of channels. As your TV already has freeview you can use that for free.

Rather confusingly there are TWO services called Freesat.

One, provided by Sky, the other by the BBC/ITV.

BOTH come in via your existing "dish".

The freesat from Sky uses your existing Sky box and offers around 200 channels and no monthly subscription. You do need a Sky card (only �20) and you can read more here

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/

The freesat from BBC/ITV needs a new "box" but no monthly charge, and offers about 140 channels, some in HD if you buy a new HD box.

You can read more here

http://www.freesat.co.uk/

As you already have the Sky dish and Sky box then it makes sense to go for the Sky freesat offering (unless you want to watch some channels in HD then go for the BBC/ITV offering).

[VHG]

btw On the Sky freesat web site ignore all the things on the front page about paying one off payments, this is for people who dont have ANY Sky dish or Sky box already.

If you go to the FAQ page it says

Q: I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?

A: All you need to gain access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a Freesat from Sky viewing card, which costs just �19.57. If you�d like to access the interactive services available, you�ll also need a working phone line. To purchase a viewing card please phone Sky on 08448 244 400.

[wideboy]

As you already have the dish, I can thoroughly recommend the Humax Foxsat HDR (especially as you'll probably lose your SKY+ facility when you stop paying Sky). New stock seems to be coming out now and the price is falling (see below). Make sure that you invest in a twin LNB (or more) if you don't already have one.

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/digital -boxes/humax-foxsat-hdr

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/playcom -lower-cost-of-humax-foxsat-hdr