freesat launches tomorrow (allegedly)

[old.user4556]

I'm not sure how many of you are aware of it, but freesat it rumoured to launch tomorrow:

freesat - the new free HD digital satellite TV service from the BBC & ITV

Essentially it's freeview over a satellite dish; BBC and ITV are behind it and it will allow greater support for HD channels than normal aerial delivery. I understand BBC HD, ITV HD and C4 HD are all available at launch.

Digitalspy has been one of the better sites for tracking information and rumours.

Freesat - Digital Spy Forums

 

[PLightstar]

I was wondering when they were going start to bring this kinda thing in, seeing as a freeview type HD service is supposed to be coming out in 2009.

 

[old.user4556]

I got my freesat box yesterday and it's fricking fantastic. Granted, the channel selection isn't anywhere near Sky or Virgin, but for someone like me that wants HD channels but doesn't want to spend fortunes on subscription just to get it, it's brilliant. A one of purchase of a £149.99 box. The quality of the BBC HD channel on a 78" screen is fantastic, I'm looking forward to more HD channels.

 

[nath]

78" screen

Awwww what a cute size for a screen.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Is a normal Sky+ satellite dish suitable for HD over Freesat, or would I need to get a different one?

RB

 

[Will]

You can use the same dish. It even comes off the same sat. You just need to change your receiver.

 

[old.user4556]

Is a normal Sky+ satellite dish suitable for HD over Freesat, or would I need to get a different one?

RB

Yep. As long as it's pointed at 28.2 degrees.

One thing worth pointing out is that "freesat from sky" and the channels have been available for some time.

freesat is sorta kinda just the EPG data that only freesat branded boxes can access, akin to how Sky boxes can only utilise the sky functionality / EPG (I understand?).

You could buy pretty much any joe average satellite receiver and pickup most of the free to air channels that freesat supplies, just can't access any EPG data (useless for a PVR then), interactive functions or ITV HD when it arrives in a few weeks.

 

[nath]

More 4 and E4 weren't available on freesat from sky, are they on this new freesat?

 

[old.user4556]

Yes they are.

E4+1 doesn't appear to be there at the moment.

freesat - What's On

Additionally, you can add/pickup the BBC regional channels, so if I wanted to watch something on BBC1 England instead of BBC1 Scotland, I can do this now.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

I won't be doing anything for a while, I won't get an HD telly until my existing set gives up the ghost, but when I do I don't want to get HD Sky for an extra £10 a month.

It's nice to have an option.

RB

 

[Edmond]

I was paying for the movie channels so i didnt have to pay the £10 extra for Sky+, but then i found out (deebs told me) that they knocked the £10 for Sky+ on the head last July, Thanks for telling me Sky!!!

So i dont think the £10 fee applies anymore, even on Sky HD, i might be wrong (usually am)

 

[Deebs]

You still gotta pay sky the extra 10 quid a month for HD. Hopefully this Freesat will force sky to reconsider charging extra for HD. Fuckers.

 

[Edmond]

See, i told you i was wrong.....story of my life, Haa Haa

 

[Nate]

Is it upscaled or real HD.?

 

[old.user4556]

Is it upscaled or real HD.?

what exactly?

 

[Ch3tan]

Only itv and bbc HD channels at the moment Nate, the rest is standard SDTV fare.

I am quite tempted by this, fed up of paying virgin stupid money for a HD box with only one HD channel (BBC HD) and pvr functions. Sky are no better when it comes to charges, but at least have better channel choices.

I do not have a sat dish, any suggestions of where I can get one on the cheap that is not the size of my garden (ala every Turk living in London).

 

[old.user4556]

Chet, I understand that the freesat install (which presumably is all the hardware and installation included) is £80

If you're a dab hand, you could probably do it yourself for less money, something like this might be worth a look as it's a discrete dish.

TRIAX 43cm (ZONE 1) Dish, Bkts, LNB & Fitting Kit on eBay, also, Other Satellite Cable, Satellite Cable Freeview, Consumer Electronics (end time 30-May-08 16:19:43 BST)