A lot of people are asking which system to get, Freesat, Freesat from Sky (I call it FreeSky to avoid confusion) or Freeview. My answer is if you can get Freesat then get that one.
I’ll tell you why:
Freeview has no HD.
FreeSky is awful to use as the EPG is set in stone, so you can’t delete the channels which need subscription. Zapping is nearly impossible (it’s a bit better if you mark all free channels as your favourites), and you need to remember which channels were free and which not since there is no indication whatsoever on this. The digiboxes are made for Sky subscription. Period. Using them for the free channels is impairing your TV experience.
Freesat has exclusively ITV HD (but no Ch4 HD) plus all the main channels. You can record channels with a PVR receiver. You can use any FTA set top box you want (except for ITV HD which must be a Freesat receiver). You can shuffle things around, add or delete channels, move your dish to another satellite and see what’s on in Europe. You’ve got more freedom and joy with Freesat.
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May 31st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
MY Freeview Every time a Vehicle goes past (Picture Breaks Up)
Rotating Aerial Very high Up
Question if its the answer to Digital WHY??? have BBC purchased Satellite
Transponders?
Answer because Freeview or Free to Air (Aerial) Does not Work its the
same as when BBC started.
To many, Trees, Buildings, Hills, Cranes Metal Frames etc etc
FreeSky I will Skip
And Yes I knew FREESAT would come It’s the only thing that “WORKS”
October 21st, 2008 at 8:35 am
Freeview have now announced plans for HD channels starting from 2009 for certain areas, eventually rolling out to the whole country.
It will coincide with the switchover.
So that will mean a new HD PVR for freeview to be released.
Freesat from sky isn’t so good because of the EPG
Freesat is good because of two HD channels and more coming, although channel 5 still not on there yet.
However, many channels that are free on sky may not be going to freesat at all.
On the plus side, the humax freesat PVR will be released before xmas this year
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I have a non-Sky digital receiver (it is a Force Series 5) which I have to tune manually. I have tuned it to all the Freesat channels that I want and until about a week ago I was able to receive all the Channel 4 channels (E4, More 3 and Film 4)
Quite suddenly they all disappeared although all the other Freesat channels are still there. Could anyone tell me, please, if Sky or Freesat have changed any parameters relating the Channel 4 and its sister channels.
When Channel 4 and Film 4 were receivable on my setup I had the following parameters:
C4: Frequency: 10714H PID: 9211 VPID: 2311
Film 4: 10714H 9220 2346
E4: Frequency:10729V PID: 8305 VPID: 2328
More4: 10729V 8340 2363
The strange thing is that if I select one of these channels, although there is no longer picture or sound, the programme information is displayed for a few moments at the bottom of the screen along with an indication of how long the programme has been running and what the next programme will be.
Has anyone any idea what the problem is? This all happened about a fortnight ago and seems to have coincided with the launch of Channel 5
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
For some reason my e-mail address and name have become corrupted. My name is Chris – not Chrs
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
If anyone knows the frequencies for CH 4 much appriciated as they are not published anywhere
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Have a look at http://www.satcodx2.com/0282/eng/
December 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Alan
I think I have the answer to my last question – how to add a HD recorder box to an existing Freesky system. Existing dish will work, but need to upgrade the LNB to a quad and install a second and twin-core wire down to the TV location? In which case I’ll get a pro installer after Christmas!
Thanks
Chris
December 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Thinking about buying a freesat box the next time I visit home, could anybody advise me if I would receiving any stations with this box in Sweden and what kind of aerial I would require
I am receiving sky television
Peter
April 12th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
A technical question – and possible a dumb one. I have a freeview aerial on my motorhome and a TV incorporating a Freeview receiver. If I stick a satellite on the motorhome and link that to my Freeview TV – does that make it like Freesat? Could I then receive Freeview/Sat abroad?
Thankyou.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Colin:
No, Freeview and Freesat are not compatible. For a satellite dish you need a satellite receiver, you cannot use a Freeview receiver. If you want satellite tv, the dish always needs to point at the satellite, i.e. when you move around with your motorhome you’ll need to re-align the dish.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
We have freeview and an old ex sky rental box via which we watch only the free channels and we have a five year old free to view card which still seems to work.
Is there available a comparative list of channel availability please on which one can see at a glance which channels are on freeview, which on freesat, which are free to air, and which are free to view (with a viewing card).
A simple numerical list with channel names and tick boxes for availability on the four differing set ups would make it that much easier for many of us to make an informed choice of which system(s) to use to get the best possible choice of channels.
Many thanks,
Rich
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
You can find a full list of free channels at http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/United-Kingdom.html
There is a free recording guide at http://freesat-box.org/Freesat-recording-guide.php
Freesat.co.uk have their own channel listings
July 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
We have a Pioneer Television Digital HD we bought it from the previous owner of this house, 12 months ago. We have the Sky Box but the Sky Card only lasted for 3 months, we have not purchased another card. we have seen the advertisements for purchasing a Sky card as a one of payment. As we do not have a Sky card at present we cannot record anything. We are Pensioners and think all the Sky offers are very expensive. We would welcome any advise you could offer us.
August 9th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
freesat is good more channels les religion channels
April 7th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
You may want to reinvestigate Freeview HD now
I can not wait for the world cup now… I am one of the lucky ones that can receive Freeview HD now (Liverpool). Watching it on the new Panasonic plasma whitch has built-in freesat hd as well as freeview hd
August 10th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I am thinking of taking my caravan to europe next year and would love to keep intouch with UK tv, i am lead to believe that i can use a FREESAT box with a 66cm dish is this true. If not can you please advise me as to what is required(what options are available) i would hate to think i was buying something that does not work.
many thanks.
August 12th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
dave langley: ANY digital satellite receiver will allow you to receive the FREE TO AIR channels.
Freesat receivers are basically free to air receivers with a fancy EPG (programme guide). A Sky box with no viewing card will also get you the SAME FTA channels.
The further south in Europe you do the bigger the dish required for the FTA channels…in parts of Italy and Spain a 2.4m dish is required..even on those not all FTA UK TV channels are available all day.
You will find that moving out of France and your reception of the FTA UK TV hcannel on your 66cm dish starts to fade….
But you will be able to receive something on the dish – maybe BBC News and Sky news and one or two others…
August 27th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Freesat vs FreeSky vs Freeview
Posted by: Alan in Freesat
This statement is now out of date and is misleading.
Freeview has more HD channels than Freesat. I get BBC HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD on Freeview whereas FreeSat has only BBC and ITV HD.
August 27th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Freesat also has Luxe HD….so I think Freesat and Freeview have the same number!
And Freesatfromsky also has C4 HD and Five HD.
The main articale was written oner 2 years ago!!