What's The Difference Between..

kah22

I'm buying a new television, dumping Sky and running with FreeSat. I have a Sky+ box.

So can anyone tell me what's the difference between. Televisions advertised as 'Freeview HD Television' and a 'HD Ready TV 1080p.'

Am I correct in assuming that irrespective of what tv I buy if I want FreeSat it will be linked to some sort of box ie FreeSat is not built in.

An obvious follow on would be going for FreeSat what other pieces of gear will I need?

I'm quite content with a 32 inch tv.

As always many thanks for your replies.

Kevin

AdamBrunt

AFAIK "Freeview HD Television" is the same as a "HD Ready TV 1080p" but with a FreeviewHD box built in whereas an "HD ready TV 1080p" will only have a Freeview box built in (ie you won't be able to get any of the Freeview HD channels even though the TV is HD ready).

IIRC you can get TVs with Freesat built in but usually the TV will need to be linked to an external box (though a Sky+ box will do).

yorkie98

At present, there are very few HDtVs which have the Freeview HD capability built in so although you have a 1080p hdtv the built in tuner will only display Standard Definition (SD) channels. To avail of HD broadcasts, you will need to attach a set-top box of some kind, either a SKY HD, Freesat HD or Freeview HD.

If you are looking for a TV which has Freesat HD built in as opposed to Freeview HD there are some TVs made by Panasonic with Freesat HD built in, one such model is the TX-32LZD81.

ukcarper

I have a Panasonic TV with built in freesat HD but you will need more equipment if you want to record. I use a DVD recorder connected to my old skybox but I think the most convenient solution is to use something like a humax freesat+ box which would be a straight swap for your sky+ box. If you cancel your sky subscription you will still get a similar line up of channels to freesat but not exactly the same but the recording facility will not work unless you pay sky £10 a month.

Frankl

I bought a Sagem Freesat receiver last November. The first one failed after ten minutes - took it back to the retailer.
The second one failed after twenty minutes - took it back to the retailer and obtained a refund.
Tried a different retailer for the same box - this has just failed after 6 months. Now waiting until Sagem can find the time to replace it - after one week I have not been very successful.
BEWARE

almillar

All advice above is correct. FreeviewHD TV means you've got a FreeviewHD tuner built in. 1080p HD ready means that you've got a full HD screen that is ready to display whatever HD equipment you have to plug in. Sky+ is not HD of course. For Freesat, you need the same kit as Sky. Same dish pointing the same way, and 1 cable from the dish for each channel you want to watch/record at the same time. ie viewing box = 1 cable, Sky+, FreeSat+ = 2 cables to be able to watch/record at same time. You cannot split satellite cables.

patman99

'HD Ready' normally only appears on TVs with a 720p resolution. 1080i/p sets are marked 'Full HD'.
As each region switches off analouge, Freeview HD will become available. This will carry the same channels as Freesat HD but at 1080P25 instead of 1080i (basically, the system switches quickly between frames, showing the even numbered lines from frame 1, then the odd-numbered lines from frame 2 and so-on. What you actually get is 2 540-line images which are switched quick-enough to fool the brain into believing you are viewing a full 1080-line image), the 'P' system shows the whole 1080 lines and is displayed in the same manner as old analouge TV.

almillar

Just to clarify on patman99's post, and the system is a bit messy, the full HD sets he refers to should really say full HD READY. The ready part has to go on the end unless the TV has something HD built in, ie a FreeviewHD, FreesatHD tuner or even a Blu Ray player.
HD Ready is a standardised term agreed in the industry, and to be allowed to display that sticker the set must have at least 720 lines top to bottom, and at least one HDMI port. That is all that HD ready means. Plenty of sets will have been sold as Full HD (sounds good doesn't it?!) only for people to be disappointed to find that it could refer to simply a 1080i screen, or that they'll need an extra box to get HD content.

interbear

Interesting thread.

I have a Sky HD box in the bedroom on a Sky multiroom sub which costs me £10.25 per month. I'm pondering getting rid of the Sky HD box and replacing it with a Freesat HD box (Humax) to avoid the monthly fee whilst retaining record facilities. Is it as simple as taking the Sky HD box out and replacing it with the Freesat HD box ie. connecting the 2 satellite cables into the Freesat HD box?

Niv

interbear wrote: »

Interesting thread.

I have a Sky HD box in the bedroom on a Sky multiroom sub which costs me £10.25 per month. I'm pondering getting rid of the Sky HD box and replacing it with a Freesat HD box (Humax) to avoid the monthly fee whilst retaining record facilities. Is it as simple as taking the Sky HD box out and replacing it with the Freesat HD box ie. connecting the 2 satellite cables into the Freesat HD box?

Not quite, you have to plug the Freesat HD box into the mains also

Niv

baz_chaz

Niv wrote: »

Not quite, you have to plug the Freesat HD box into the mains also

Niv

and plug in a scart lead as well I think :rotfl:

I've finally decided to dump Sky+ as being overpriced for what we watch and am hopefully getting the Humax Foxsat HD this week :j so I'm hoping the swap over is as easy as it sounds :think: