Freeview+ vs Freesat

betjeman

Hi - I have had a look about on the forum for similar questions, but no no avail, so...

I would like a TV system that records programmes, gets the usual terrestrial digital channels and is a one-off fee.

I had though about getting Freeview+ as it sounds right and won't require me waiting around for a man to come and fit a satellite dish into my house.

Would I be right in that assumption? I have checked there is reception in the area, and see you can get lots of different models of Freesat+ boxes costing £100-200.

Is Freesat exactly the same, except with more channels and a dish?

If I got an HD telly, would Freesat+ let me see the free-to-air HD channels?

Thanks in advance

macman

The channel line ups are similar but not identical. Look at the relevant websites if you need specific channels. The PVR functions are essentially the same on either platform. Freesat is a no-brainer if you already have a dish (an old Sky dish with a twin feed for Sky+). If you already have a decent rooftop aerial for Freeview reception. then a Freeview or Freeview HD box is probably the more logical choice.
All Freesat and Freeview channels, HD or otherwise, are free. A Freesat box or PVR will give you all 4 of them.
For the 4 Freeview HD channels, you'll need a Freeview HD box or PVR.

betjeman

Thanks for that ~ excuse my ignorance, but how would I know if I have a decent aerial outside?

macman

Go outside and look?
How do you currently receive your TV signal-what is your TV connected to?
You don't have a dish, so you are either on an aerial or cable delivery.

Kurtis_Blue

Freeview PVRs tend to require a stronger signal then normal one channel TVs/stbs if you have a freeview tv put one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nickel-Line-Attenuator-Coaxial-Socket/dp/B000L1LF7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1309119798&sr=8-3

on the cable as it enters the tv, still works? you have a good signal.

davemurgatroyd

To get the most from UK free TV then a combination of Freeview and freesat would be the optimum choice. As virtually all TVs now come with a built in Freeview tuner then the obvious choice is to add a freesat+ PVR unless you want to record any of the few channels that are only on Freeview - Dave, 5*, 5 USA etc (although it is highly likely that the latter two will join freesat within a year or so.

almillar

It's confusing enough, and I'm being pedantic, but if you want to receive and record high definition subscription free programmes you need FreeviewHD+ or FreesatHD+ - you will not get HD with a non HD Freeview recorder.

ruggedtoast

In my experience Freesat+ works better than Freeview+ as a technology, and you get many more channels on Freesat, but I must say there is more I wanted to watch on Freeview. Dave, Virgin, Viva, Sky 3 were all channels I watched on Freeview, whereas with Freesat we just seem to end up watching the major channels.

Freesat gives you some dreadful movie channels, NHK HD, NME, and a lot of grainy channels of American people cooking / eating things but I cant say I am that taken with it.

almillar

ruggedtoast - I quite like NME, but like all the music channels, the music is spread fairly thin in between adverts. Those rubbish channels you talk about are part of the 'thousands' that Sky boasts about, but we're not paying a subscription to ignore them!
I prefer Freesat too. iPlayer (and others to follow) is an excellent addition, the hardware is good, the guide etc is good, and I think that the channels have more bandwidth in general, giving a better picture. Only thing about the Freeview system that I prefer (ignoring channel choices) is the ability to record the red button stuff. More stuff is available on red button on satellite, but I never really watch stuff live!

mrylandb

This is a very topical for us as we have just given our notice in to SKY.

We were thinking of getting a freesat HDR box and I think there is a HUMAX one which is around £250 (depending on where you look)
Are there any thoughts on what is good hardware wise? We will have the dual feeds, so from a satellite dish perspective, we are covered.

Thanks

macman

Humax Foxsat HDR is the best Freesat PVR by far. Either from Humax Direct if you fancy a refurb, or Richer Sounds. If you already have a Sky dish and a twin feed from the LNB, then nothing more to do than plug it in.