benefits or otherwise of going Freesat

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

I live in Chelmsford, Essex, but am not a native. We have been watching Freeview for a number of years, initially using a Panasonic set top box, but now a Panasonic TX-32LXD500 with Panasonic DMR-EX79EB PVR and Humax PVR-9200T. Everything used to be pretty good, or at least acceptable, but seems to have gone downhill in terms of reception since the National 'retune'. The signal breakup we are experiencing is not acceptable; contacted Digitall or whatever they call themselves who told me I should not be watching digital. I've only been doing it for about 10 years, don't they know anything?

Quite often we have a choice; switch to analogue or switch TV off. As a result we are contemplating a move to Freesat. Question is, will reception be better from satellite than from terrestrial broadcasts? Have taken note of other posts re having ariel checked over. Anyone feel qualified enough to give a very simple answer to a very simple old man??

 

[Anonymous]

In simple terms, yes, Freesat will be a stronger signal due to it being received via a satellite which is a main reason why people go to Sky when they cannot receive an aerial picture decently but since Freesat came on the scene, allot of people have opted to go that way instead of paying a monthly premium through Sky.

So if you want free to air digital tv channels without subscription, Freesat is the way if you have difficulties getting Freeview over an aerial.

Regards> M

 

[Alsone]

Yes you'll get a perfect picture from almost anywhere in the footprint with the right dish, thats the beauty of Satellite and being in Essex you'll get very easy reception as the further South in the Uk you are, the stronger the signal.

Now for specifics, most people just put up a standard Sky mini dish and leave it at that. My advice is go larger - I put an 85cm dish up, quality LNB and cable, the reason for this was simple - a larger dish gives you better recption in bad weather and can hold a signal when weather might otherwise cause a small dish to lose signal. The kind of weather that can cause problems is terrential rain or heavy snow. Ordinary heavy rain or snow won't cause significant problems.

My dish has only ever lost signal once in 3 years and then only on the upper (weaker channels). Through all of the bad weather this winter, I've had no problems.

Only thing you'll lose from Freeview are Dave, Fiver, Fiver US and Five+1 as these aren't on Freesat (yet).

As for receiver consider Humax Foxsat HD or Humax HDR for recording.

 

[Anonymous]

Also missing is Sky sports news, the +'s are you get the HD channels too, Although i hear freeview is getting HD before the world cup. I have a Panasonic tx-l37gi5 tv with built in free sat and freeview, just using freesat at mo, might connect up freeview too though for the missing channels.

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks to you all. I have not been ignoring you all, have been away. I was not aware that I would lose Dave from Freesat, as it lists a Sky channel; I suppose that means nothing, just comes from same satellite. Also happy to learn that a Panasonic TV has both Freeview and Freesat decoders. Probably go the route of a set top box as an initial investment. Also taken on board the advice of the larger dish.

 

[Anonymous]

jondi:Also missing is Sky sports news, the +'s are you get the HD channels too, Although i hear freeview is getting HD before the world cup. I have a Panasonic tx-l37gi5 tv with built in free sat and freeview, just using freesat at mo, might connect up freeview too though for the missing channels.

Sky Sports News and Sky News and lots of other "Minor" channels can be added to a Freesat receiver in "Non-Freesat Mode" the actual name of this mode varies by manufacturer.

They will work fine, can be recorded on Freesat+ boxes using manual timer functions but will only have Now & Next programme information rather than the full TV guide available for Freesat channels.

 

[Dave_]

Bspks:
jondi:Also missing is Sky sports news, the +'s are you get the HD channels too, Although i hear freeview is getting HD before the world cup. I have a Panasonic tx-l37gi5 tv with built in free sat and freeview, just using freesat at mo, might connect up freeview too though for the missing channels.

Sky Sports News and Sky News and lots of other "Minor" channels can be added to a Freesat receiver in "Non-Freesat Mode" the actual name of this mode varies by manufacturer.

They will work fine, can be recorded on Freesat+ boxes using manual timer functions but will only have Now & Next programme information rather than the full TV guide available for Freesat channels.

Sky Sports News cant be added, it's encrypted.

 

[Gwyndy]

I've got Freesat in South Wales, it's a much better quality signal than my Freeview one, and I had my aerial and cabling replaced a few years back when I moved, so it shouldn't be down to the fact that the Freeview is on old cable.