How does Freesat work??

scotsbob

And does it have to be bought from one of the four Freesat approved dealers (Argos, Currys, Comet, John Lewis) or can it be bought from an independent satellite dealer?

Just because Freesat have entered into a commercial sponsorship with 6 manufacturers and 4 retailers surely doesn't mean they are the only ones that can be used.

The manufacturer of my washing machine only approves one brand of soap powder so I can't use any other? No other will work or be as good because it's not "approved"
Yeah right.

The original poster can rest assured that the receivers I have recommended will do everything that the 6 "approved" makes will do and he doesn't have to buy from an "approved" retailer either.

samba

scotsbob wrote: »

They, and many other makes, receive all the Freesat channels. What else is required? What is your definition of a Freesat receiver?

A "Freesat" receiver is one that is capable of receiving and displaying the Freesat EPG. A "FreeToAir" receiver can display the same channels, but it cannot display the full 7 day EPG. A FTA receiver is not a Freesat receiver.

scotsbob wrote: »

The original poster can rest assured that the receivers I have recommended will do everything that the 6 "approved" makes will do and he doesn't have to buy from an "approved" retailer either.

That's not true because the receivers Scotsbob recomends do not display a full 7 day EPG, and thus do not do everything the approved Freesat receivers do.

I know Scotsbob doesn't go for EPGs himself, but I and many others do ( which is why Sky dominates the satellite market, because before Freesat they were the only ones with an EPG, which people were happy to pay for, despite the availability of FTA receivers and poor programming on the Sky subscription channels ). For many years I had an OnDigital box that could only do now and next - what a pain in the !!!! that was having to get the newspaper or going online to find out what was on - never again!

silkyuk9

what is 'full 7 day EPG'

and

FTA

Pokerlad

EPG = Electronic Programme Guide (a TV Times on your screen if you like)

FTA = Free To Air (A channel broadcast with no encryption and can be viewed free by anyone with the right equipement)

Inactive

scotsbob wrote: »

The original poster can rest assured that the receivers I have recommended will do everything that the 6 "approved" makes will do and he doesn't have to buy from an "approved" retailer either.

Will they access ITV HD via the single press of a red button?

Do they have a Post Code input?

lindabea

I'm getting really confused with all this digi stuff!! Do you need a card with these freesat boxes or is that only applicable for freesat from sky. Can someone please explain the difference between BBC/ITV freesat and fressat from sky? Do you get different channels?

macman

No you don't need a card with Freesat from BBC/ITV. Freesat from Sky channel listings are on their website, but essentially it is the Sky non-premium channels.
The Freesat from BBC/ITV channels are also listed on the Freesat website.

almillar

Sorry yes, there's only one FreesatHD+ recorder, the Humax, but there are 2 or 3 FreesatHD viewers.
Scotsbot, this is confusing enough for people without making things worse. The receivers you're talking about are NOT Freesat. Freesat includes the EPG as above, and yes the machines have to be approved by Freesat and no you don't have to buy from an approved retailer. Imagine if someone bought one of the receivers you recommend and came on here to ask where the programme guide is? The machines you talk about are no doubt very versitile and high quality and capable of receiving many more channels, from satellites, for free, but they aren't Freesat.
BBC/ITV Freesat info: http://www.freesat.co.uk/
Freesat From Sky info: http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/
Channels aren't exactly the same, there is info in each of the websites for you to compare.

Inactive

almillar wrote: »

Sorry yes, there's only one FreesatHD+ recorder, the Humax, but there are 2 or 3 FreesatHD viewers.
Scotsbot, this is confusing enough for people without making things worse. The receivers you're talking about are NOT Freesat. .

Agreed 100%;)

silkyuk9

almillar wrote: »

Sorry yes, there's only one FreesatHD+ recorder, the Humax, but there are 2 or 3 FreesatHD viewers.
Scotsbot, this is confusing enough for people without making things worse. The receivers you're talking about are NOT Freesat. Freesat includes the EPG as above, and yes the machines have to be approved by Freesat and no you don't have to buy from an approved retailer. Imagine if someone bought one of the receivers you recommend and came on here to ask where the programme guide is? The machines you talk about are no doubt very versitile and high quality and capable of receiving many more channels, from satellites, for free, but they aren't Freesat.
BBC/ITV Freesat info: http://www.freesat.co.uk/
Freesat From Sky info: http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/
Channels aren't exactly the same, there is info in each of the websites for you to compare.

im glad you mentioned the 'EPG' and its a valid point. I was already to buy a Humax, but as you say there would be no programme guide to search thruogh for programs. and if there is no guide how do you know what on TV??

thanks for pointing that out.
also yes the Humax seems a good buy but im sure most people would want a tv guide these days.