freeview v freesat

coffeehound

My parents' place has got both and there's a big difference in the number of channels available there -- far more on satellite.

Admittedly a lot are fluff but channels such as Yesterday and Quest often have content worth watching and are only on satellite there.

AndyPK

Where I am Yesterday and Quest are on freeview.

It may depend on area though, or receiption.

I didn't think there was a big difference. And one was not necessary better than the other, just a bit different

[Deleted User]

thrifty_pete wrote: »

I have had the same situation with a friend who ditched Virgin due to the high cost.
My advice & gut instinct was satellite, i.e. Freesat but apparently Channel 4 HD has bailed out of the platform due to high costs. Not sure if it is still on a free Sky platform, but just something to bear in mind if you like Channel 4 and your telly is big enough to benefit from HD!

Channel 4 (104) is available from Freesat from Sky but not the HD version (138) if you don't have a viewing card inserted. If you have a (valid) viewing card inserted but no subscription you do receive Ch4 HD. Of course you lose the recording facilities without paying a monthly subscription to enable them again. An advantage of Freesat from Sky over Freesat using (say) a Humax box is the EPG, the Sky one is so much more usable.

Enterprise_1701C

thrifty_pete wrote: »

Unless you live in a flat or really weak signal area, installing an aerial isn't that difficult. Go up in the loft, screw the aerial to a suitable bit of wood, then dangle the coax out the gap in the eaves above the window of the room with the telly. Drill through the wall / window frame and then Bob's your uncle.

This will only work in a strong signal area. In a weak signal area the aerial really needs to be outside. Don't forget to check what direction other aerials are in before you go into the loft then you only need minor changes to ensure the best signal.

Various materials block the signal to different extents, in several cases we have had customers that would like the aerial in the loft but the signal has been blocked enough that it has had to go outside.

In one instance the signal was so strong the tv was picking up the signal before we plugged it in :eek:

almillar

An advantage of Freesat from Sky over Freesat using (say) a Humax box is the EPG, the Sky one is so much more usable.]

A matter of opinion - and maybe you're comparing to an old Freesat box, but in my opinion, the Sky (HD) guide is slightly more usable. On my Humax Foxsat HDR it was a bit sluggish. FF and RW worked much better on the Foxsat though.

Gers

The Freeview where I live is very limited, Freesat is Freesat. I have both downstairs (in case of either being knocked out during storms etc).

Freesat is my choice as I can especially see BBC channels from other regions if necessary. As an instance... The Great British Menu was shuffled around on BBC Scotland to accommodate Beechgrove Garden, I could switch to BBC England / Wales / NI to watch. Can also watch BBC regional news from where I used to live.

There are loads of unwanted by me channels on Freesat, I just ignore them. Got a Freesat Humax with twin feed both up and downstairs whilst the downstairs Freeview Humax also does twin feeds. I don't need to record six stations at once though. :rotfl: