Desparate to go digital!!! Freesat???

macman

familyfitz wrote: »

We are like the OP only, about 1.5yrs ago finally decided only option was to go down Sky route - really for better signal and possibility of extra channels although dont really watch too much tv.

We then find can't get Sky signal due to tree in neighbours garden blocking signal (even when high installation team came to check). Result, back to 4 channels (dont even get ch 5) and not much hope.

I assume from what I am trying to understand that freesat also works through receiving signal like Sky hence will be blocked too.

Before anyone might suggest, neighbour has huge bird box on tree of interest so no chance of any help there.

Have I understood the freesat thing correctly?

Yes, afraid so, Freesat requires the same satelliete view as Sky does.

Katie-Kat-Kins

DAS_TV wrote: »

Freeview will need a new aerial
Freesat will need a new dish
Sky will need a new dish

Freeview will need a new box
Freesat will need a new box
Sky will need a new box

Freeview will not need any subscriptions
Freesat will not need any subscriptions
Sky might require subscriptions

What do your neighbours run currently? Are they all dished up, or are they making do with aerial signals somehow?

There's no doubt that the range of channels on Sky is better than the others, but then you get what you pay for. If you don't care about moves or sport, I'm not sure you can justify Sky. If you don't care about HD, I'm not sure you can justify Freesat.

Right can't really justify subscription sky, just don't watch enough tv to bother, hate sport and just watch movies when they happen to come on tv, never bother with DVDs etc.

BUT as I said earlier I can't get freeview through an aerial for 3 years, If I could get it now I'd go for it and stump up for a new aerial if necessary as I have a box. I'd also be able to see what I could receive with the current aerial before I pay for an upgrade. We can't get freeview though until the old analogue signal is turned off so if we wait and see we risk being without any tv.

Don't understand your comment that if I'm not bothered about HD we can't justify freesat though???

Inactive

Your best/cheapest option is to get a second hand Sky Receiver and then get a local installer to install a dish for you, total cost should be well under a hundred pounds.

You will then get all of the free to view channels.

almillar

Sounds like it's Freesat or Virgin for you KatP, but Virgin will be similar subs to Sky, so that leaves the choice of which Freesat box...

Katie-Kat-Kins

almillar wrote: »

Sounds like it's Freesat or Virgin for you KatP, but Virgin will be similar subs to Sky, so that leaves the choice of which Freesat box...

Can't get virgin, so as I said in my original post it is freesat or waiting three years for freeview!

Just need to sort out the cheapest way to get freesat before I deicde finally. £146 from sky, all inclusive, not sure it can be got cheaper...... Not sure I'm confident to buy secondhand stuff as I haven't a clue about sky tv so could easily end up without a crucial part!

familyfitz

Inactive, I assume you mean freeview using set top box? If so, afraid that does not work either.

Guess stuck with 4 channels till go digital then can only hope for best. Seems debateable as to whether I will receive channels then???

KatP - hope you have more luck than us in sorting things out.

Inactive

familyfitz wrote: »

Inactive, I assume you mean freeview using set top box? If so, afraid that does not work either.

.

How do you know that you cannot get Freeview?

Do any of your neighbours get Freeview?

I live in an area where it states that I cannot receive Freeview yet I get all channels perfectly with the correct aerial of course.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Inactive wrote: »

How do you know that you cannot get Freeview?

Do any of your neighbours get Freeview?

I live in an area where it states that I cannot receive Freeview yet I get all channels perfectly with the correct aerial of course.

It is worth a try if you can borrow a set top box for a day, my parents live in an area where it says that they cannot get freeview but they can. The online checker is based on postcode and makes assumptions about which transmitter you are tuned to. Sadly doesn't help me....

familyfitz

Borrowed my dads set top box and couldn't get signal. Definately can't get freeview in area (at this end of village - other end can!) unless through Sky disc. Most people have Sky here but as said previously, tried that route eventually. So frustrating.

Thanks for help tho.

balusri

I cancelled Sky today and wanted to use the Sky+ box as for freesat from sky. But the customer service guy told me that I need to get a "package" from sky to watch freesat. I dont understand the point in getting a package. Freesat should be free. Can somebody help me out please? May be that guy is just trying to sell the sky package to me. Can I use my sky+ box for freesat without buying anything else?