Clueless when it comes to Sky

altyfc

Hi everyone from backward Cumbria...

We have TVs here but I have never tried Freeview or Sky or anything like that before - and consequently know absolutely nothing about it. We're just still on the 4 basic channels (can't get Channel 5) and cannot get Freeview (digital switchover is happening in our region between April & June, 2009).

I'm finding it all a bit of a minefield, so maybe someone here could help...

The primary thing we would like to do is get Cbeebies for the kids.

If we can get extras like movies, sports or nature type programmes at minimal extra cost, then would consider that also, but I'm so confused by the apparent myriad of options. We probably don't at this stage want to be tied to a hefty monthly fee.

Would like to have Cbeebies on the main telly in the house, but if we can have everything we get across all TVs in the house (currently 3, but there could one day be a 4th), then that would be a bonus.

Don't even know if we need a different TV... the main one we have is pretty old Philipps one (not flat screen).

Thanks for any help you can offer. Sorry I'm so ignorant on the subject!!

altyfc

Would really appreciate any advice... thanks!

bubblesbonbon

You are right in that Sky mixes and phone/broadband/tv deals can seem like a minefield so here is some advice on the first part of your question regarding just getting digital TV

If you do not live in a cable (Virgin/NTL/Telewest) area then you have two basic choices – Freeview (uses an aerial) or Sky (uses a smallish dish) and both need a set top box to decode the transmissions. (Some new TV’s have a Freeview capability built in)

Taking Freeview first, you will need to check to make sure you are in a reception area by putting your Post Code in the “coverage check” here http://www.freeview.co.uk/

If that seems OK then take a look at your aerial. Old smaller types usually won’t work too well although some people are lucky. If you install the kit yourself it will cost you around £25 for the box and £40 for a good aerial. It would be better to have a professional rigger do the job since they should check the aerial lead as well but the cost will go up to nearer £100 or even more. You can check the range of channels from the above site.

As far as Sky is concerned, firstly look at their Freeview equivalent called (wait for it) Freestat. The total cost for this, including installation is £150 and the channel coverage is more or less the same as Freeview. You can upgrade to the subscription services later if you wish. Details here http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/

The other alternative from Sky are their subscription services which are packages or mixes that you can choose according to your tastes. These start at £16 per month for a single package (Kids for example) but you still get the basic Freestat choice as well. These packages are here http://mysky.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/skyproducts/skytv/pricesandpackages

The trade off if you go this route is that the box is free and you pay just £30 for a Sky guy to install it.

There are means to broadcast Sky to other TV’s in other rooms but you will only be able to watch the same channel as the main telly. (These devices are called wireless video senders)

Sky will sell you a package called Multiroom for an extra tenner a month that will work for different channels on another telly.

Tried to keep this simple so may have got a few things wrong but lastly remember that you can haggle when you ring Sky and they often offer incentives like M&S vouchers etc. so make out that you are still deciding on which digital route to take.

Best of luck.

Nile

Hello bubblesbonbon

Your post should be very helpful to altyfc.:T

Kind Regards

Nile

bubblesbonbon

Meant to add that if you reckon that stunning scenery, friendly locals and good beer are backward then try going to Weston-super-Mare on a wet Saturday night in November. Even the dogs walk around back to back!

altyfc

A little backward, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love it here!

Thanks for all the help. You explained it well...

The one thing I'm not sure about... can you get CBeebies with Freesat?

Also, can you have Freesat in multiple rooms? (And if so, is that free or is there an extra charge for that?)

If the answer to these first two questions is 'yes', then I think I'm inclined to go down the £150 route. It might be paying a bit more in the short-term but it's probably sufficient for our needs. The main thing I want is to get CBeebies for the children. Naturally, I would like football, etc. as well, but whether I could do justice to the cost is perhaps debatable...

Thanks again for all your help!

bubblesbonbon

Hi again

You can get the kiddies Cbeebies, CBBC, CITV, POP and TinyPop with Freestat.

As far as multiple room viewing goes I believe that you can connect an additional telly to the Sky box using normal aerial cable but you will only be able to watch the same channel as the main telly.
The other single channel option is to use a digi-sender thingy that transmits wirelessly around the house. I use one but it is very prone to interference from wireless networks and above all to microwave ovens when cooking. If your house has thick walls, these can pose problems as well.

The Sky multiroom will cost you £10 per month per room plus £49 for each set top box

There is a very good guide here to Sky that explains these things in more detail. http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/satellite.html

By the way, I have just found this M.S.E. board that discusses a Dixons Freestat offer for £75 but it would seem that the offer is often sold out but worth checking regularly.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=574266

All the best

altyfc

Thanks for all this ... really helpful indeed.

Does Dixons Freesat give the same programmes as Freesat from Sky? From what I've read, I'm wondering if it gives more limited coverage.

Also, Freesat with Sky... that includes everything that Freeview offers... is that right? (not that we can get Freeview here... just curious)

bubblesbonbon

I believe that the Dixons deal is Freestat in all but name with the addition of a 6 month trial for two subscription packages (Variety and Knowledge).
I think that the idea behind the deal is to tempt people into carrying on with a £16 subscription package after 6 months but if you don't pay, the Sky service will revert to it's non subscription default which is basically Freestat.

Freestat has over 200 channels(including radio) whereas Freeview has about a quarter of that. Mind you a lot of these you would not want to watch anyway.

There are one or two "minor"channels that Freeview has that Freestat won't give you (I think UKTV Homes & Style is one) but one the whole Sky is in my opinion, a better all rounder.

At the risk of giving you information overload, be aware that if you want to record off of Sky or Freeview you won't be able to watch something else at the same time apart from what you have at the moment from your television's tuner...

...Unless you buy some special kit (the brilliant Sky+ box for example) but that's another story.

vix2000

Can you use sky + with freesat? I thought you had to pay.

kayleigh_notts

Bubblesbonbon you have a pm from me i really really hope you can help