New aerial or Freesat?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I'm after people's advice please...

My Freeview signal is down at 60% and so I was about to get a new aerial put up, and whilst looking for a fitter I stumbled across Freesat. I cannot afford to pay for both a new aerial and Freesat, so now I plan to get Freesat with the intention that SD quality will be comparable to good Freeview reception, with the bonus that there may be the occassional HD programme to watch. However, can you give me your advice as to whether Freesat SD picture quality will be as good as Freeview - I've heard so many different theories as to yes, no, maybe etc!

I'd not want to get Freesat for the occassional HD programme for the sake of sacrificing the picture quality of the main SD programmes. (NB I believe I live in a good Freeview signal area)

Thanks for your help.

Jed

 

[Andy Clough]

Hi Jed

It depends which TV or set-top box you intend to buy to receive Freesat. Some of the first-generation Freesat set-top boxes we tested produced SD pictures that were we're, in truth, a little soft - the Bush BFSAT01HD being a case in point.

The Humax Foxsat-HD was the best of the boxes we've seen so far, or you could get one of Panasonic's TVs with Freesat such as the Panasonic TH-46PZ81, which delivers excellent SD pictures and has the added benefit of both Freesat and Freeview tuners built in.

 

[John Duncan]

Note that Freesat doesn't carry all the channels that Freeview does (channel 5 being the obvious one).

Personally I'd go with the upgraded aerial until Freesat becomes more establised and there's more HD content.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andy,

I'd get the Humax (unless something better is out there, or emerging) as I'd want to optimise the picture quality, and obviously I'll use HDMIs. The TV I have is a Samsung 40" LCD (LE40R51 I believe).

So from what you've said, if SD on the Freesat is good enough then - for the small extra cost of getting Freesat over a new aerial - it seems to be no contest. However, I take on baord John's point, but I don't think I've ever watched C5 and it seems that more and more channels are coming online to Freesat; the channel list is certainly far more comparable with Freeview now than it was in May. As I said before, the decision for me comes down to picture quality rather than channel choice.

Thanks for the help so far, would really appreciate more feedback from others too.

J

 

[Alsone]

JohnDuncan:Note that Freesat doesn't carry all the channels that Freeview does (channel 5 being the obvious one). Personally I'd go with the upgraded aerial until Freesat becomes more establised and there's more HD content.

This is true although Channel 5 is joining allegedly by the end of the year: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/our-chat-with-freesat, and confirmed as "soon" under the Official channel list here: http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=whatson.Genre&genre_id=1, so that isn't really an issue.

However, some Freeview programming such as Dave, Five US etc currently have no announced plans to join so far as I'm aware. Its just going to depend on what you currently watch on Freeview.

You've got to balance the losses against the advantage of the limited HD programming (Olympics (now gone for a while obviously), football incl Champions league, Euro's, Wimbledon, Amazon, Britain from Above, Electric Proms, Oceans, Spooks, Silent Witness, etc. Link here to full list: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbchd/ ) and the fact that channel choice will expand over time.

That said, an aerial shouldn't be that expensive for you to be able to do both. A good Freeview aerial for strong reception areas shouldn't cost more than about £35-40 for the aerial so £70 or so fitted provided the existing cable / brackets are ok. If its not on the chimney you should be able to self fit quite easily.

Personally, I'd make the jump to Freesat, but it just depends on whether or not you can live without the channels that are currently on Freeview but not Freesat. Best solution is probably to print out both channel line ups, mark out what you actually watch on Freeview then tick them off on Freesat and see if you could live without the ones that aren't there. If you could then its Freesat, if not then maybe Freeview for the time being.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll draw up that channel list, although all we normally watch is the 4 main channels plus their +1 variants but thanks for the advice all the same. My concern is regarding general signal quality rather than channels offered.

 

[Alsone]

BSMSMedic:I'll draw up that channel list, although all we normally watch is the 4 main channels plus their +1 variants but thanks for the advice all the same. My concern is regarding general signal quality rather than channels offered.

Well that does open a can of worms.

Some Freesat boxes have a reputation for displaying soft SD pictures on Freesat although the Humax Foxsat HD is supposed to handle SD very well.

There have also been reports recently to suggest that SD Freesat channels are being broadcast with more compression that SD Freeview channels and so aren't quite as good picture wise. However, this may change both due to changes Freesat may make (or not as the case may be due to representations on this) but also due to changes due to the addition of HD channels to Freeview whihc will require a change in the compression. So I guess its pretty impossible to say which is going to have the better SD in the long run.

Most people seem to be of the opinion that BBC HD is fantastic and ITV HD is acceptable on Freesat, but lagging behind the BBC offering.

As to what HD wil be like on Freeview, who knows. There are bandwidth issues with Freeview but equally new compression and so there seems to be many opinions on whether or not Freeview will offer the same quality SD and high quality HD after HD is added.

I guess its horses for courses, pick which you fancy and take the plunge. In the long run, Freesat doesn't have the bandwidth problems of Freeview so may be a better bet, but no-one can really foresee the future and ultimately quality on both platforms is going to depend not only on available space but also on the compression levels used by the broadcasters and theres cost as a factor there as well the free space issue so clairevoyance needs to see budgets as well as bandwidth which is something beyond most of us!

In terms of signal as opposed picture quality, although the two are linked, all satellite transmissions can break up slightly during very heavy rain or snow. The trade off, is reception is generally much more geographically guaranteed than with an aerial. Freeview can be subject to problems with trees in the line of sight affecting quality and other factors affect strength although it sounds like you're in quite a strong area pre-switchover. Spring / summer is when you'll notice quality problems most if trees are responsible because in winter most obviously don't have leaves!

To give an example on how quality and signal strength differ in their effects on Freeview, I'm in a poor area for tv generally. I too however get 60% signal strength through a powerful aerial and amplifier but my Pioneer tv reports quality at only 20% and it regularly varies between 14-32%. Needless to say I get intermittent break up on Freeview. So with digital terrestrial quality is different to signal strength.

Not sure I've actually answered your questions for you as such, but hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Just like to say how useful I found your comments Alsone. Nothing is ever black or white in the world of colour TV!!

 

[Anonymous]

Agree with Alsone.

I might just add that originally Freesat was intended to help out those who could not get freeview easily.

 

[Highway]

I have been watching the Freesat developments with some interest. I have now decided to go for Freesat as my freeview receptions is quite variable. Never ever had or seen Channel 5 since launch so that's not a problem for me, although Channel 5 has now been announced for November 18th on Freesat.

I mainly consume Channels 1 - 4 including their +1's, so that addition of some bonus HD programming is ideal.

All I need to do now is keep fingers crossed that the Sony KDL40W4500 issues are cleared up as this set will accompany the Humax HD PVR box.

ÿ

 

[Alsone]

Highway:

I have been watching the Freesat developments with some interest. I have now decided to go for Freesat as my freeview receptions is quite variable. Never ever had or seen Channel 5 since launch so that's not a problem for me, although Channel 5 has now been announced for November 18th on Freesat.

I mainly consume Channels 1 - 4 including their +1's, so that addition of some bonus HD programming is ideal.

All I need to do now is keep fingers crossed that the Sony KDL40W4500 issues are cleared up as this set will accompany the Humax HD PVR box.

Five used to be abysmal but now its by far the best channel on tv, I watch practically nothing else!

You've got Neighbours, Home and Away, CSI Miami, House, NCIS, Deadliest Catch, Axemen, UEFA Cup football, Police Interceptors. Many Top films (unlike the poor movies when the channel 1st launched), Build a New Life in the Country, Hotel Inspector, Fifth gear, Grey's Anatomy, The Shield, all at a time when the other channels - the Beeb and ITV are struggling to put on 1 decent program a night.

I can't say I watch a tremendous amount of tv anymore but when I do, its usually something on Five these days.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jed,

We have the same poblem re' freeview reception.

We have just had a new aerial/power unit/amplifier/freesat dish installation, it cost 300pounds.

Our freeview signal is now steadier ranging from 66% to 68% (Previously as low as 30%) but we still get picture breakup.

The freesat reception is in my opinion slightly better in picture quality terms and as yet no picture breakups.

We have just purchased the new Panasonic 37" LCD TV with freesat built in (our local independant supplier has sold 50 of these sets within the last month) and HD is available on BBC1 and ITV.

There is limited HD content on Freesat at the moment.

Strictly Come Dancing was brilliant on HD, there is a definite improvement in picture quality.

Freesat as I have said is also good,freeview still breaking up occasionally and our aerial installers are returning to see if they can improve the situation.

We are pleased with our TV but please note that you cannot record the freesat channels on the normal HHH/DVD recorders.

The new Humax Freesat HDR, which will record freesat, has had mixed reviews.

 

[Andrew17321]

Hi

Having used Freesat, Freeview, Freesat from Sky and analogue TV I have little doubt that you should go for Freesat. Signal quality in SD is terrific, and HD quite wonderful, though there is not much HD as yet.

Freeview bandwidth is strictly limited and in December 2009* the programmes on the three PSB multiplexes are going to be squashed into 2 to allow three HD (720p only) programmes on the third multiplex. The bitrates for the existing programmes will be reduced. And you'll need a new digi-box for Freeview HD

My region, The Borders, is currently in the process of the switchover. BBC transmission has gone from 16QAM to 64QAM (more bits squashed into the same airspace, so errors more likely) so I suspect the quality of the BBC programmes will be more like that of the commercial programmes.

Freesat is gaining new programmes each week, and, by the way, my Humax HD box tunes these in about 5 times as fast as a Freeview box. I think the future is satellite. That is why I have gone for it.

Suggest that if you get a dish get a quad NLB: you'll want Freeview throught your house!

* Freeview HD will probably only be available in the regions where analogue TV has been switched off .

Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

The new Humax Freesat HDR, which will record freesat, has had mixed reviews.

Can you link to these reviews? i can't find them and neither can my mate google.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Darbo,

Scan the mags on TVs in W H Smiths, I thought I,d read it in What Hi-Fi but perhaps I was mistaken.Anyhow it got 4*,comments, noise a possible issue,our local supplier expects to have these shortly.

 

[Alsone]

I think you probably got confused with the new Freeview PVR's from Humax. There's a noise problem from the fans which seems to be what you've reported. WHF have convered it here:

http://whathifi.com/News/Humax-fixes-fan-noise-on-its-PVRs/

To my knowledge, no-one other than beta testers have the Freesat PVR yet for review.