Sky+ to freeview???

Dizzy65

Hi

I am moving house in 1 week and am considering getting rid of my sky+ subscription when I do.

I don't have the movie or sports channels at the moment. I do have about 40 channels on my favourites list but I mainly just watch recorded tv from 6-7 channels, predominately those that are on freeview anyway. I record the odd program from living, sky1 and discovery but I think I can live without them - I have love film so I can always get them later.

The house I am moving to does not have a dish so I'm thinking freeview may be best.

Other than general comments that would be welcome, my questions are:

What is the service like (picture quality/weather interference etc)? I am going to be in Hanslope, a village just north of Milton Keynes which has a "strong chance of receiving all channels" if that assists.

What box should I get or are they all the same? I do want one that records but I'm not bothered about HD.

Thanks in advance.

penrhyn

It may not have a dish, but does it have an aerial.
Aerials are more expensive to install than dishes.

almillar

Dizzy - we can't give you advice on here about reception at your specific property - you've checked the website and got good general advice, but if you want to know better, ask your neightbours, they'll know best. And of course, as above, you need to make sure you've got a working aerial! If you're not bothered about HD, buy a Humax freeview recorder (other brands are decent, cheapo brands can have glitchy software or cheapo remotes).

Dizzy65

Thank you both.

In respect of the aerial, I am assuming it has one because it does not have cable, nor does it have a dish.

I'm not specifically looking for reception in my area but thought I may as well say where I am in case somebody is from there. I think, generally speaking, if it says I can probably get all channels then it is probably quite a good reception area. However, what is reception like in an area like this?

Kind regards

almillar

If someone down the road says it's good for them, it could still be awful for you. Another clue about reception is to look at the houses around you, to see if they have an aerial, and whether it's got an extra post to get it up higher, if reception is difficult, and you'd have to do the same. And if you're moving house, do check for an aerial before you move in - installing an aerial will be part of a long list of 'To-Do's...

Dizzy65

Thank you.

I've now cancelled my sky subscription and we're going to try freeview. If it doesn't work, we'll be going back to sky because they will install the dish and provide the box for free.

almillar

Dizzy - no they won't - it'll cost £240 in subscription costs to get that 'free' installation and box. Aerial installation could be had for £100.