Free Sky or Freesat? Advice needed

Pelagonium

We have decided to stop paying for Sky tv. The question is – which is better – just cancel subscription and get the free channels or change to Freesat? We need to keep the satellite aerial and want to record and use catch-up. The Sky box is the old model not the Q version. Any advice out there?

DCFC79

Pelagonium wrote: »

We have decided to stop paying for Sky tv. The question is – which is better – just cancel subscription and get the free channels or change to Freesat? We need to keep the satellite aerial and want to record and use catch-up. The Sky box is the old model not the Q version. Any advice out there?

Well have you compared the channels ?

If you want to record and use catchup then maybe Freesat is the option.
You miht get a record option from Sky for a fee, speak to Sky.

neilmcl

Pelagonium wrote: »

We have decided to stop paying for Sky tv. The question is – which is better – just cancel subscription and get the free channels or change to Freesat? We need to keep the satellite aerial and want to record and use catch-up. The Sky box is the old model not the Q version. Any advice out there?

If you want to record then, as suggested, Freesat is the only option on that front as the recording facility on your old sky+ box will become redundant. Personally though, if you have an aerial then it maybe better to get a secondhand BT Youview+ box as the Humax Freesat recorders can be expensive.

Neil_Jones

Your Sky box would just become a chunky FTA receiver. No recording (unless you pay Sky £10 a month) and no catch-up. Don't expect to get access to the stuff on your planner either.

Pelagonium

Okay, thanks. Looks like we’ll be checking out Freesat.

Robisere

Check out various Humax STB's here:
https://uk.humaxdigital.com/product-category/hd-tv-receiver/

I have the HDR-1100S and love it, but if you don't want Freesat and would be happy with Freeview, a cheaper option would be any Freeview, Freeview+ or Freeview Play box from the options listed. Alternatively, a YouView box. Or just use a roof aerial to get Freeview.

Taking Freesat using your dish, may mean buying and fitting a new LNB.
https://www.freesat.co.uk/help/using-your-existing-satellite-dish/

EDIT: I just spotted this at less than £50:
https://www.johnlewis.com/manhattan-sx-freesat-hd-digital-receiver/p3549223

No idea how good it is, but it beats the price I paid for the Humax 1100S. Not happy!

nickcc

Robisere wrote: »

Check out various Humax STB's here:
https://uk.humaxdigital.com/product-category/hd-tv-receiver/

I have the HDR-1100S and love it, but if you don't want Freesat and would be happy with Freeview, a cheaper option would be any Freeview, Freeview+ or Freeview Play box from the options listed. Alternatively, a YouView box. Or just use a roof aerial to get Freeview.

Taking Freesat using your dish, may mean buying and fitting a new LNB.
https://www.freesat.co.uk/help/using-your-existing-satellite-dish/

EDIT: I just spotted this at less than £50:
https://www.johnlewis.com/manhattan-sx-freesat-hd-digital-receiver/p3549223

No idea how good it is, but it beats the price I paid for the Humax 1100S. Not happy!

The 1100s is a recorder so not really comparable. I paid £150 each for two recon 1100s 500gb boxes. My other new 1100s 1tb box cost app £220 a couple of years ago.

Peter999_2

Another recommendation here for the Humax 1100S. I got one about a year and a half ago for £69 from cash convertors and it's great. The only thing is that Freesat have lost CH4 HD and the All 4 catchup which is annoying.


In my experience there is nothing out there as good as a Humax at the moment.

nickcc

Peter999 wrote: »

Another recommendation here for the Humax 1100S. I got one about a year and a half ago for £69 from cash convertors and it's great. The only thing is that Freesat have lost CH4 HD and the All 4 catchup which is annoying.


In my experience there is nothing out there as good as a Humax at the moment.

Also channel 5 on catch up is now MY 5 which caused uproar in our house as you can no longer get Fireman Sam on catch-up.

Garyswork2

May be a bit late to check, but does your TV take a USB hard drive as these are great for recording and pausing live TV. Ideal if you ditch your SKY box.

nickcc

Garyswork2 wrote: »

May be a bit late to check, but does your TV take a USB hard drive as these are great for recording and pausing live TV. Ideal if you ditch your SKY box.

Incidentally a certain model of the early Sky + box can be converted so it records once you've ended your Sky subscription unlike the later model.