Freesat...

[zeitghost]

I see that this has been launched today...

I wonder if this requires different equipment from the bog standard Sky box...

[Churchill]

I see that this has been launched today...

I wonder if this requires different equipment from the bog standard Sky box...

Which satellite is being used?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I see that this has been launched today...

I wonder if this requires different equipment from the bog standard Sky box...

Eh?

I've had freesat for ages

[DiscoStu]

Eh?

I've had freesat for ages

Different Freesat. The one you have is Freesat from Sky. This is different (carries BBC HD, will have ITV HD).

It comes from the same satellite as Sky TV so you can just plug a Freesat box into an existing Sky dish.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

OK - got it now - it's unencryted stuff on Astra 2d - you need a new box (Sky boxes use encrpytion), but not a new dish (if you already have a Sky one :

Freesat HD Receivers
Bush BFSAT01HD — £119.99
Goodmans GFSAT200HD — £149.99
Grundig GUFSATHD — £149.99
Humax Foxsat-HD — price unknown
Freesat SD Receivers
Bush — £49.99
Goodmans GFSAT100SD — £69.99
Grundig GUFSAT01 — £49.99.

Freesat PVR
No Freesat recorders (PVRs) have yet been formally announced, though Humax have announced their intention to release one several months after the launch date.

[Advocate]

If they release a PVR it might be worth ditching Bt Vision, although I'm loathe to put a dish on the house...

[VectraMan]

OK - got it now - it's unencryted stuff on Astra 2d - you need a new box (Sky boxes use encrpytion),

Sky boxes do unencrypted stuff just fine (otherwise you wouldn't be able to watch the BBC, ITV etc.). Pull your card out if you don't believe me.

I assume what's actually new is they're now doing their own EPG - that's the channel numbers and programme information etc., which the new boxes will use. If you get Sky Freesat with a Sky box, you'll get all the Sky channels listed most of which you won't be able to see. Broadcasters have to pay money to Sky to be on the Sky EPG, so maybe some free channels will decide not to do that and only appear on the new freesat, but you can bet they'll only be scraping the bottom of the barrel shopping channels.

All a bit confusing for the consumer. But an old Sky box will be 99% as good.

[Advocate]

It comes with a free hoodie & shell suit though...

Tempting...how about a Nova/Corsa with some poorly glued on plastic?

[TimberWolf]

Does this simply mean that C4 is now unencrypted, as BBC & ITV already are?

If so, my £40 Lidl receiver does the job quite admirably already.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freesat

Channel 4's channels, with the exception of Film4 are encrypted on digital satellite until October 2008. The broadcaster is in negotiations with Sky to allow the channels to be part of Freesat at or near launch, with the exception of Channel 4 HD.

[TimberWolf]

My parents aim their dish at a German satellite and that's also got hoards of (mostly) free German programs. Mum complained to me (cos I bought and tuned in a replacement reciever, and scarped Sky) that it also has pron at night. Probably not HD though.