Freesat - any good?

[Gazza77]

I can't get a digital signal where I live, and the indications are that it will be late 2010 before that changes. I also can't get cable as I'm not in a area that it covers.

I guess that leaves me with 3 options.

1. Sky - but is it worth the cost (I had it until I moved here)
2. Freesat - is this any good?
3. Do nothing - and wonder why the hell I bought a 37" HD ready TV 6 months ago in order to spend the next two years watching 4 channels with a crappy analogue signal.

Thoughts people?

[tigersaw]

You can get freesat installed for £150 from sky, or £75 with a 3 month trial of one of their packages, but you need to cancel the trial subscription long long long before the three months is up else they conveniently forget or remember notice periods or just ignore you.
You can also get a free to air sat system for £40 from B+Q, but not all channels are free to air - i.e ch4 ch5, though that will change.
I bought an HD sat reciever from maplins, trust me the HD broadcasts are amazing, but theres not much out there yet.

[Blue Flame]

I am just about to go onto Freesat after cancelling my SKY contract last month. Been waiting for this piece of kit to come out.

http://www.humaxdigital.com/freesat/...FOXSAT-HDR.asp

All the details on the new Freesat service from BBC / ITV are here.

http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=Home

[G]

I have been seriously considering it......I have had Sky for two years and pay £27 a month....I have my phones internet and everything with them.

Digital in my area just does not work as I live in the bottom of a big hole sorrounded by 40 - 100ft vertical walls of sand lol.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame

I am just about to go onto Freesat after cancelling my SKY contract last month. Been waiting for this piece of kit to come out.

http://www.humaxdigital.com/freesat/...FOXSAT-HDR.asp

Looks quite a good option, would save the cost of buying a DVD recorder which I've been considering too. Wonder how much it will be though?

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by Gazza77

Looks quite a good option, would save the cost of buying a DVD recorder which I've been considering too. Wonder how much it will be though?

£150

Plus you will need a dish and LNB etc, unless you already have it from a previous sky install

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by tigersaw

£150

Plus you will need a dish and LNB etc, unless you already have it from a previous sky install

Some chance. Didn't even have an aerial to pick up analogue until done as part of the renovation!

[Blue Flame]

I belive that a satellite installation will cost in the region of £80 from the likes of comet / curry's.

The price of that box is going to be around £299 on launch according to the info I have.

You can of course get a HD box that doesn't record for about the £130 mark.

[tigersaw]

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/stor...m=null&tm=null

this is the one I looked at - however it doesn't look like the recorder one.

The HD recorder one I have is from Fortec Star - £170 from maplins with dish and fitting kit. Bit tempremental, no 7 day guide (yet), but ok

[Bluepete]

I'm getting that Humax Freesat HD box soon, looks like the best bet for HD without Sky. It gets rave reviews in the home cinema magazines.

Google for the dish, prices as low as £20, but for that it won't be much good. Just remember, if you do your own install, use the best Co-ax wire you can get hold of.

Pete