Leave Sky and go to Freesat - Any good?

sunflowersuffolk

Thanks for all your input, it's really helpful. Having poor broadband speed limits our options. We do have an aerial on the roof.

My husband is not so bothered about recording programmes as me. He watches Youtube a lot on laptop. In fact he's currently talking of not watching TV so much at all and doing other things instead. Whether that frame of mind will last we'll see - I have my doubts

I may now just get the Humax HDR for my room, and see how it goes. I wanted to check before I bought anything, if there was one machine much better than others, that could cover multiple rooms. I need to decide now between the 500 and 1000. Is it just that the 1000 can store a lot more programmes than the 500?

Cornucopia

If you have an aerial, then a Freeview/Youview box might be an alternative.

If you plan to record HD programs then the 1TB box is preferable.

sunflowersuffolk

Actually reading reviews, Humax do seem to have quite a few problems.

I am now reading up about the Freeview or Youview options. I checked on the Youview site and it said we are not suitable, as our speed is 1.5 Mbps. Our area is meant to be upgraded this year.

I am not bothered about HD programmes. My TV is rather ancient. I suppose one other option is a new TV with built in freeview? Getting a bit expensive.

System

If freeview is an option then look here:

https://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/refurbished.html

Very good value for money and is supplied by Humax so should have no problems with the box

codger

We exited from Sky some time ago and haven't looked back. However: we do have a fast fibre broadband connection, so that's helpful. None of our TVs are younger than 10, and therefore not smart in any way.

We *never* purchase anything at full retail where it's possible to buy the identical item at a reduced price from its manufacturer. This applies to all the technology we have, audio, video, computing, etc.

Our Humax units -- we have three of them -- were bought direct from Humax itself as 'refurbished' models. Here's the link to current stock (and prices):

https://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/refurbished.html

Buying refurbished (from the manufacturer, NOT some third-party agent) means the manufacturer's 12-month warranty applies just as much as it does to a product bought at full RRP. Over years of purchasing, we've never, ever, had a problem with a "refurbished" product from any manufacturer.

We have 3 x Humax Freeview HD HDR1800Ts with 320GB memory each. We've never seen the need for any storage volume greater than that; at no time has any unit been more than one-third full. This model is available, with 12-month warranty, from Humax at £89, refurbished.

Humax sell a wifi-dongle add-on but we wouldn't recommend it: it doesn't work that brilliantly, and the price is downright silly. In your case, if internet speed is poor, then any kind of 'streaming' provision may be out.

However: it may be worth checking that out by purchasing a NOW TV stick with a couple of months' Entertainment pack provision. NOW is a stripped-down non-subscription Sky TV, with Sky 1, Sky Atlantic (which is actually the American channel, HBO) and Sky Arts plus sundry minor channels

There are umpteen online sales outlets for this product but if you purchase via Amazon then you need to tread carefully: not all Amazon sellers are reliable. We would recommend you go here:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8245324

and purchase in-store at Argos (hopefully, there's one near to you?) because £14.99 isn't a major expenditure and Argos is (in our experience) excellent at returning stuff.

If things don't work out, return the goods within 30 days of purchase to the Argos store and get your money back. If things do work out -- and connecting up the NOW stick is simplicity itself -- then you should be good to go with any streaming / catch-up services.

Brexit_Fan

codger wrote: »

and Argos is (in our experience) excellent at returning stuff.

If things don't work out, return the goods within 30 days of purchase to the Argos store and get your money back.

Argos are often terrible these days when it comes to returning items.

They state "The item should be unused, in its original packaging and in a re-sellable condition"

You might be lucky and get someone who gives you a refund, but there are numerous tales on here and elsewhere where Argos staff refuse to exchange an item once the seal on the box is broken.

codger

Never been a problem we've ever encountered with a bricks-and-mortar retailer.

That's because our understanding is, if you buy it, then you've seen it, and if you've seen it, you can't very well take it back later just because you don't like it.

That, to us, seems entirely different to the situation under Distance Selling regs, where you buy without seeing, and therefore a 30-day return period may be available from the retailer concerned.

We have never attempted to return to Argos something purchased in an Argos store merely because we didn't like it. We have only returned a product that was faulty. That's only happened two or three times these past 20 or more years. And each time, the Argos store has refunded there and then.

We have, however, returned a product to John Lewis that was bought as an online purchase and did not match our expectations during a fortnight's use (a camera, taken on holiday.) John Lewis allowed 30 days 'product experience' before returning. I don't know if Argos does the same with online purchases.

My suggestion to the OP was to spend £14.99 on the NOW TV stick and see if it worked with her Internet service. If it didn't, then take it back on the basis that it had failed to work. Unless the OP was advised at the time of purchase of a minimum Internet speed requirement for product functionality -- and such seems highly unlikely -- then a return should be forthcoming.

If, however, and in view of your note, the OP has any qualms about bricks-and-mortar purchase, then best to go for a distance sale purchase from a supplier like Amazon or John Lewis or whichever retailer offers a 30-day 'no fault' return.

Brexit_Fan

codger wrote: »

My suggestion to the OP was to spend £14.99 on the NOW TV stick and see if it worked with her Internet service. If it didn't, then take it back on the basis that it had failed to work. Unless the OP was advised at the time of purchase of a minimum Internet speed requirement for product functionality -- and such seems highly unlikely -- then a return should be forthcoming.

As I understand it, Argos would be within their rights to refuse a refund as the item was used, and the onus is on the purchaser to make sure it meets their requirements, i.e. that their Internet speed was fast enough.

I have read of cases of where people have been refused a refund at one Argos store, and have gone and tried others, and eventually been successful - it does seem dependent on whether the assistant is having a good day or not!:)

[Deleted User]

sunflowersuffolk wrote: »

. I need to decide now between the 500 and 1000. Is it just that the 1000 can store a lot more programmes than the 500?

Yes the difference is just how much you can record. Purely the hard disk size changes between the 2 versions.

sunflowersuffolk

Thanks all, and for more possibilities to investigate. I am looking at Now TV stick and it says you need a compatible TV with HDMI - which mine doesn't have, just scart (told you it was old!) I am also considering a new cheapish TV.

I see they do the Now TV stick in John Lewis for £19.99 with Voice Search & 2 Month Entertainment Pass, so that is fine. (have to cancel auto renew though) I could then return if it doesn't work.