freesat question

w123kid

hi
my dad recently purchases a satellite receiver so he can see italian tv, but having moved to an area where lil or no tv coverage is availble he has now two satellite boxes one for hotbird and one for astra satellite. I have read about this new freesat and need to know if he can access this with his current set up or do u need a specific satellite box?

also he has an old sky box would this be any good?

Thanks

Daniel

w123kid

computershack wrote: »

You need a specific freesat box and a different LNB from the analogue one he's using. Should be able to get it if he has a big enough dish.

its a digital satellite receiver not analog

scotsbob

I don't think computershack is correct. You say your Dad "recently" purchased the receiver. I would be surprised therefore if it is analogue. The old Sky box probably is if it is more than 10 years old

If your Dad is receiving from Astra at 28.2 then surely he is receiving all the channels available on Freesat.

Before anyone else mentions it, I know that Freesat is a trade name, my point is that the OP's Dad should be able to receive all the channels if he is on Astra 28.2

w123kid

scotsbob wrote: »

I don't think computershack is correct. You say your Dad "recently" purchased the receiver. I would be surprised therefore if it is analogue. The old Sky box probably is if it is more than 10 years old

If your Dad is receiving from Astra at 28.2 then surely he is receiving all the channels available on Freesat.

Before anyone else mentions it, I know that Freesat is a trade name, my point is that the OP's Dad should be able to receive all the channels if he is on Astra 28.2

so basically freesat is the same as astra...juts like a relaunch thingy to sell more

Thats prob the question i wanted asked?? if he is on astra digital is he receiveing the same as freesat?

thnaks

kwikbreaks

> so basically freesat is the same as astra...

No.

Astra is the name of the cluster of satellites
Freesat is the name of a group of channels.

The Freesat channels are broadcast from the Astra satellite but so are many others (e.g. the Sky channels).

A Freesat branded satellite box will have access to a Freesat EPG and be generally easier to set up for the Freesat channel range. You might need to do a bit of research to access all of the available Freesat channels on a general satellite box and make selecting them from a remote easy.

Inactive

It is worth noting that there are 2 Astra Satellites, one at around 19 East, the other that Sky and Freesat are carried on is around 28 East.

teleaddict

I have recently cancelled my sky viewing, in an attempt to put the monthly subs to better use. Many moons ago I was into satellite tv in a big way and had a multi satellite set up (moving house and increasing family size put a hold on things & the OH not allowing my to install my larger dish at the new house). Last week I dug out my additional receiver and re connected it to my sky dish and re-tuned the receiver. I'm now receiving loads of free to air channels, which most people assume the are paying to receive as part of sky tv.

oldwiring

Here is http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/freesat-channels a list of channels on Freesat. There are so,e minor differences from Freesat from Sky: for example Fiver and FIve USA are missing. With Freesat you have the option of watching FTA channels from Astra 2 A/B/C and Eurobird ( @ 28.5) in non-Freesat mode, but wihtout abilty to record on any Freesat PVR. HD on Freesat comprises BBC HD and ITV HD (the latter via red button).