FREESAT ?

[bmcecosse]

Anyone on here use Freesat for TV ? Keen to hear experiences!

[PSL184]

Yes we have it but the limited number of channels available here means we still have a sky subscription too....

[Gareth]

We've got Freesat - can't get a TV signal at all here without satellite.

BBC HD is good, but picture quality is great for most things. The HD 'red button' service from ITV can be a bit flakey - often out of synch with the picture, but most of our TV is BBC anyway. Miss not having Dave, sadly.

We have a Humax PVR box and being able to record two channels while watching a recorded programme (only works if the channels are on different multiplexes) is a brilliant thing. Being able to pause live tv and in certain cases REWIND live TV without recording it first... (surely that is just the stuff of dreams, but I'm sure it's done it) is fantastic.

So. Yeah. FreeSAT. Like satellite. But Free. What more could you want?

The reason I got FreeSat was basically because it is free. When we moved into the new house I found that, being nestled in a hollow, the TV picture was non-existant, and I didn't want to pay for sky. There was already a dish (although I had the LNB replaced for a quad version, and wired it up to another room, too) so I just had to buy the boxes. From no TV to TV in one easy, subscription-free movement.

[billlobban]

Freesat c'mon Roy how do you find the time to watch TV. I thought all your waking hours were spent on here or other forums

[bmcecosse]

That's exactly the point! Our main TV is Sky - and SWMBO commands the programs - none of which I want to see. Although - she did go for a couple of hours today and i now know how to make cast iron and wrought iron - and how to build myself an Eiffel Tower should I want to!! I am fed up trying to get Freeview to work for more than 5 minutes on another set - in my 'den'. So - was wondering about a Freesat receiver. Thanks for replies so far! Here come the Qs - if I buy a Freesat box - and plug it into my SKY dish and lnb - will it work ? If so - then presumably I can pick up an 'ebay' SKY dish and lnb - and use that - if I get the alignment right ? Or - is the Freesat stuff transmitted from a different satellite - needing a very different dish and/or lnb ?? It's all a mystery to me - I'm only a Radio Amateur - not qualified in TV at all!

[MarkyB]

Do a search on Google for "sky Magic eye" as you are already paying for Sky.

[bmcecosse]

Hmmm - looked at that, and thanks for the link - but it needs co-ax run to the other TV - and it's a long way away from the main TV ! Really wouldn't be practical. In any case - does it mean I could watch one sky program on my set while SWMBO watches a different program on the main tv ?

Crikey - my 19,000 post - and it's not even about Minors!

[crossword]

Roy,
A few years ago I bought a portasble freesat system from Maplin for approx 70 pounds. Mainly for use when caravanning where reception can be very variable , my theory being if you can see the sky you can get a satellite picture. This has proved to be the case . In Scotland you may need a slightly larger dish as you will be towards the edge of the satellite's footprint .
I suggest you Google " satellite for caravans " , one of the first results ( Satellite tv at home and abroad ) Will probably tell you all you need to know .

Good luck Andy

[linearaudio]

No problems involved in setting the dish up- as long as you can see the picture while you do it! I ran the television on an extension lead on the back lawn, pointing upwards so I could see the signal level scale change from the top of the ladder! Used a magnetised needle in a saucer of water as a compass!

You've been quick knocking up that last 900 posts- I wonder what percentage were about the disc/drum saga

[rv8]

roy- do you know GM1PGL?

[bmcecosse]

Thanks for the replies - will follow these ideas up. But was hoping to simply use a SKY dish and lnb - anyone know if that will work ? Sorry - don't know that call sign - I'm G7 ALL (ok - GM7 ALL when in Scotland!) - but my car reg is G7 ALL !!

[moggyadventurer]

Hi BMCE,

Just put one up this weekend, great picture. And i am no expert!!

I had issues getting a digital signal, hence the need for a satellite and receiver.

I got mine from screwfix - 39.99 all in (dish, receiver, lnb, wall bracket, wire etc.) Only thing missing was a signal finder - cheap off ebay. This is the standard definition only - Our neighbour has hd box and the service is quite poor currently.

I don't know if there is a screwfix up your way but delivery is cheap.

I think offer ends today!!

[bmcecosse]

Thanks for that - good to hear.Yes we do have Screw up here in the wild and wooly northlands - but likely you are able to use the smaller 43cm dish - and I think I need the 60cm dish. Anyway - if I've missed the 'offer' - I'll just need to wait for the next one! BTW - My TR7 came from Oswestry.

[les]

Make THEM an offer Roy!

[bmcecosse]

I may well do les!! Just trying to find out if a 43 cm dish will do up here!