Reply to: Anyone got FreeSat? Opinions Please Vs Sky...

[TimberWolf]

I probably oughtn't to say this (NDA...), but Freesat 2 is coming next year and is going to be pretty cool

Freesat's next-generation G2 spec will include features such as: DiSEqC 1.2 support; MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) support including single cable routing; core support for iPlayer-style hybrid TV services; HTML, JavaScript and CSS internet technologies for broadband-delivered interactive services; DRM for online content; and payment mechanisms for broadband services like LoveFilm.[39] James Strickland, Freesat's director of product and technology development, explained that G2 is a hybrid between Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) and MHEG-5.
Freesat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

wtf

[Epiphone]

I think its fine as a free alternative, some HD channels with good quality and a lot a the usual Freeview channels. No BBC 1 HD though, although it appears in the channel guide.

BBC One HD/BBC HD changed transponder in April this year. Your box should have sorted itself out but if it's a cheapy it might need you go go into the setup menu and do a manual scan. Google will give you the frequency details to bang in.

[Epiphone]

We've got Freesat running through a Windows 7 media centre box and it's a damn site better than the shi*e Virgin Media claim is HD.

There's not much difference in Freesat and Sky apart from the cost and some bells & whistles. If you get a 3rd party box or a Sky box (freesat from Sky - cost about £180 to install but no recording, that's £10.25 a month extra) then they'll automatically update themselves when new channels come along or channels change numbers. A new satellite went up recently so a lot of changes are on the horizon.

Sky have the monopoly on quite a few free to air channels (Five HD off the top of my head) so it's worth checking the Freesat website and Sky sites to compare as that might be a dealbreaker for you.

Freesat HD resolution is a lot better than Freeeview but if you can't get a decent signal that won't matter all that much to you.

check any reviews for 3rd party boxes as they can be sluggish and have bad programme guides. If you're adventurous and want to set up a PC to do the same task I can recommend a TV card and how to set it all up.

If you've already got a dish up and aren't bothered about recording I'd go for Sky for ease of use and EPG. You can always upgrade to a Sky package later. If you hate Sky spend a decent amount on a Freesat box. You get what you pay for in this market.

[Scrag Meister]

I have Virgin in the main lounge and Freest in the small lounge and the bedroom.

I think its fine as a free alternative, some HD channels with good quality and a lot a the usual Freeview channels. No BBC 1 HD though, although it appears in the channel guide.

[Chugnut]

I got FreeSat because Freeview was cack reception at the time. The Humax PVR was (is?) generally considered to be the one to go for and isn't bad but can be sluggish to respond to the remote sometimes. The remote can control multiple devices though and does a pretty good job of that.

As others have said there's lots of channels you'll never watch, but that's the case with Freeview and Sky too. Every Sky user I know seems to spend just as much time endlessly cycling through the channels as the "Free" user, and even if they've gone the free view option, they have to pay for the pleasure of recording content I believe. Can't beat Sky for the sport though.

Not much HD content on Freesat at the moment, but it's S-L-O-W-L-Y improving. The main channels are though (except Five).

[NickFitz]

I probably oughtn't to say this (NDA...), but Freesat 2 is coming next year and is going to be pretty cool

[fullyautomatix]

There is definitely some muck on both but I couldn't tell you any specifics. On FS it's probably right next to the Islamic channels, near 999 somewhere!

Yes, from 900 onwards there are some "adult" channels, but it can best be described as virtual whorehouses because they all have girls gyrating and wanting you to call soem premium phone number.

Difference between Freeview and Freesat is that for Freeview you need a freeview box and the telly cable. For freesat you need a dish, a dish signal receiving box and a freesat card which is free.

Channel wise, there are plenty more channels in Freesat but most are utter rubbish.

[d000hg]

Apparently you can't get Babestation on Freesat, so I'm out

There is definitely some muck on both but I couldn't tell you any specifics. On FS it's probably right next to the Islamic channels, near 999 somewhere!

[Waldorf]

I have a sky box, not greatly happy with it, often freezes and needs rebooting, much happier when I had a Humax...

[doodab]

There are a fair number of PVR's out there without going with a Sky one. For a couple of hundred quid, I beleive you can get a 1TB PVR of reasonable quality....

I was pointing out a specific limitation of the sky ones which someone else had suggested could be used.

[DiscoStu]

Apparently you can't get Babestation on Freesat, so I'm out

[TheFaQQer]

I wouldn't particularly say Freesat is any better than Freeview, they're rather comparable... both offer HD channels, both have the same core set of (30 or so) channels.

If you go freesat, Humax was the top PVR when we got ours... no TV reception so not much option.

WHS.

My sister has one for her house in France so they can still get British TV (you can't possibly go away and miss the important goings on in Coronation Street for a while )

[zeitghost]

One of the great advantages of Freesat is that you get all the BBC channels.

And I mean all.

There's Heinz 57 varieties of BBC1, and 4 varieties of BBC2, which means you can avoid the tedious crap that the local yokels deem that you should watch, and watch BBC1 London (or whereever) instead.

Great for avoiding tedious rugby matches on Fridays.

[ChrisPackit]

Bear in mind that if you want the PVR functionality on the sky box to work you have to subscribe.

There are a fair number of PVR's out there without going with a Sky one. For a couple of hundred quid, I beleive you can get a 1TB PVR of reasonable quality....

[d000hg]

I wouldn't particularly say Freesat is any better than Freeview, they're rather comparable... both offer HD channels, both have the same core set of (30 or so) channels.

If you go freesat, Humax was the top PVR when we got ours... no TV reception so not much option.