BBC/ITV Freesat Inches Closer to Market

taung

BBC/ITV Freesat receiver boxes (and installation service) are now appearing on the Argos (UK) website here. They are not available for purchase yet 'though. Here's the specification of the High Definition receiver box (€190);

# Digitally interactive.

# Digital text.

# LNB in/LNB out.

# Digital video broadcasting (DVB) subtitles available.

# Auto setup.

# Auto detection of new channels.

# Auto scan for new channels.

# Now and next electronic programme guide.

# 7 days electronic programme guide.

# 2 SCART sockets.

# SCART lead included.

# HDMI output socket.

# Upsacles to 1080i.

# Remote control.

# Batteries required for remote 2xAAA, included.

# Size (H)4.2, (W)25.7, (D)16.5cm.

# Weight 0.825kg.

# Access all freesat digital channels and radio stations.

# Audio description (broadcast mix) dependent.

# Fully interactive with LAN port for connection to broadband, for faster return path when accessing Freesat digital interactive services.

# Stunning high definition programmes, subsciption free.

watty

Now all we need is Argos to sell real HDTVs.

channelsurfer

watty are they worth a trip up to newry to buy in argos or should i wait and see will sky reduce their HD box in response?

coffee to go

Tell me this - Do you need two LNB feeds for HD (like for a PVR)? Or is the 'LNB in & LNB out' just a passthrough for a slave receiver?

Cheers!

taung

It's just a pass-through.....

taung

It's interesting to see that all these boxes have LAN connectivity e.g.;

Fully interactive with LAN port for connection to broadband, for faster return path when accessing Freesat digital interactive services.

....and it will be even more interesting to see what these interactive services will be.....

...and, a questions arises; what is the other "return" path? Satellite Upload path???;)

5h4mr0(k

I wonder if they'll limit LAN port connectivity according to the IP address....

Tony

It definitely will not be satellite return path with present equipment.

taung wrote: »

...and, a questions arises; what is the other "return" path? Satellite Upload path???;)

Mossy Monk

watty wrote: »

Now all we need is Argos to sell real HDTVs.

If Freesat will only ge going to 1080i then 1080p is not necessary for viewing.

homer911

Looks like May 6th is confirmed as launch day:

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/6th-may-confirmed

givecredit

Taken from Wotsat.com:

"All Freesat products will have a built-in Ethernet port to allow for hybrid services like iPlayer, Wotsat.com has learned.

Our source confirmed rumours that the secretive free satellite TV platform will launch on May 6, although we can't officially tell you that until...May 6.

Two high definition TV channels will be on-air at launch - BBC HD and ITV HD - with more HD channels launching later this year - hopefully that means Channel 4 and Five.

Hi-def viewers will have to wait until July for a twin-tuner PVR, as there will only be a single-tuner 'zapper' HD box at launch.

However, Panasonic will have four integrated digital satellite TVs at launch with different screen sizes, and a fifth will arrive in the autumn.

Our final tidbit for now is that Alba Group will be producing Freesat kit under three brand names: Bush, Alba and Grundig.

You can expect more rumours to hit the forums before Freesat launches, as staff from John Lewis and Comet will be undergoing their Spring training in the next fortnight, and it's the annual conference of retailers' organisation Retra.

And if you're wondering just how tightly Freesat is holding its cards - not even Digital UK has been briefed yet, and that's the body which is supposed to coordinate Britain's digital switchover."

TheDriver

It means a lot for Ireland, apart from our rte channels, you will be able to have all the uk channels free (as is currently the case) but with a bells and whistles programme guide etc included, a high definition box and a sky+ equivalent with no subscription. It means a lot for people who no longer want to be robbed by sky

watty

All these channels work in Donegal, West Cork, Kerry just as well as in Dundee or Cornwall.

Freesat:
+ No Manual Tuning needed
+ Full Program Guide
+ Interactive text & features
+ Decent user interface
- Unlikely to have Diseq / motor

FTA generic receiver
- Needs manually tuned, can lose channels
- Only Now & Next
- No text or interactive except Teletext (very little now)
- Some have terrible user Iinterfaces
+ All have basic Diseqc, most have motor control

Dman001

Any way you could have both this and Sky+?

atellyer

But why would you need both. Surely one would do...:)

TheDriver

Because sky+ costs rakes of cash a year whereas this doesn't cost a penny.

Mossy Monk

atellyer wrote: »

But why would you need both. Surely one would do...:)

Does your Sky+ record ITV and the extra BBC channels?

DMC

I'll be waiting for the HD PVR in July, made by Humax, with DiSEqC.

watty

On a Quad LNB, yes you can have Sky+ or SkyHD and the FreeSat UK HD PVR.

You WOULD want both:
Freesat: Can't view/record Sky Pay TV.
Sky: Can't record "other channels". Most of the Main UK broadcasters' channels are not on Sky EPG.

atellyer

You're absolutely right. What was I thinking.:o

bk

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Does your Sky+ record ITV and the extra BBC channels?

With the extra competition, I wouldn't be surprised if the "other" channels (probably not ITV) get added to the Sky EPG to try and stem the flow of people to the new service.

Mossy Monk

Is that likely though? Freesat will not be sold in this country.

TheDriver

Freesat will filter in quickly enough, bet a lot of the uk chains (currys etc) will have them for sale here, the way you can get stuff from Maplin that isn't for sale here. Theres a guy in digitalspy that got sold a HD box in Currys by accident and all working great so it seems its all ready to go!

Personnally, I think its great as am sick of rescanning on the fta box everytime pids change or dealing with crap epgs

petronius

Lookin forward to the launch -
I notice that Channel 4 is unscrambled (without sound) will they be on it
I also hope the RTE-Disapora TV station will be on this platform by next paddys day

musa

taung wrote: »

BBC/ITV Freesat receiver boxes (and installation service) are now appearing on the Argos (UK) website here. They are not available for purchase yet 'though. Here's the specification of the High Definition receiver box (€190);

Are people sure they understand the implications of terms like,Upscaling,HD ready ,Full HD,Not to mention LCD Plasma and DLP TV sets.?
May need a look at before we run out,spending on the next available gismo?Just a thought ,is the Argos Freesat box full HD or only upscaling?

IT Loser

TheDriver wrote: »

Because sky+ costs rakes of cash a year whereas this doesn't cost a penny.

SKY+ doesn't cost a dime. Just a one off connection fee.

channelsurfer

IT Loser wrote: »

SKY+ doesn't cost a dime. Just a one off connection fee.

to use sky+ it costs a minimum of 20 euro per month which is 240 euro per year. once you stop subscribing to sky you cant use sky+ functions.... so sky+ is not free.

Firetrap

How much of the country would this cover? Do you have to be on the east coast or will it work in the midlands or the west?

Dman001

atellyer wrote: »

But why would you need both. Surely one would do...:)

Sky One has Prison Break and Lost (sometimes before RTE 2) and there are lots of other American shows on stations on Sky. Would I have to change the LNB to have a regular Sky box and this box?

GerardKeating

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Is that likely though? Freesat will not be sold in this country.

It will be sold, maybe not "offically", but people will sell it.

Foggy43

Firetrap wrote: »

How much of the country would this cover? Do you have to be on the east coast or will it work in the midlands or the west?

All we know in the UK is 'Only 2% of households will be outside the satellite spacecraft's footprint.' Can't tell you much more than that.

watty

Firetrap wrote: »

How much of the country would this cover? Do you have to be on the east coast or will it work in the midlands or the west?

About 100% of people that can see the sky to south East about 22 degrees elevation.

Same signals as is picked up from Malin to Skellig and Achill to Bray today. It's just a new set of receivers and software.

spockety

Mossy Monk wrote: »

If Freesat will only ge going to 1080i then 1080p is not necessary for viewing.

Eh, if there are 1080i channels available on Freesat, then anything other than a 1920x1080 panel will not display them as god intended..

podgeandrodge

sorry if this is a silly question but what is the difference between the freesat service and using a HD FTA box currently?

TheDriver

electronic programme guide providing you are talkign about a freesat HD box.

Tomk1

Dman001 wrote: »

Sky One has Prison Break and Lost (sometimes before RTE 2) and there are lots of other American shows on stations on Sky. Would I have to change the LNB to have a regular Sky box and this box?

ITV has DEXTER

I do have one question, could they limit scramble transmissions to FREEVIEW, so you need the new box and then limit for England ??

I can't see any reason for RTE joining this apart from an easy way to go digital.

construct06

ya, when rte goes digital we will have 2 set top boxes to contend with. one for freesat and one for rte...

givecredit

construct06 wrote: »

ya, when rte goes digital we will have 2 set top boxes to contend with. one for freesat and one for rte...

Im sure there will be a set top box that will do both DTT mpeg2 and 4 and Freesat available by then.

taung

This baby Technisat Multymedia TS-1 in combination with this baby Neotion MPGE-4 CAM will already get you MPEG-4 DTT and Freesat in one box. All that is missing with this setup would be the Freesat EPG, I'm sure it won't be long before Technisat will be updating their software for this EPG.

emul

I am actually looking at replacing one of my FTA receivers.It is worthwhile buying the Technisat or other equivalent as I'd like one box for Freeview and FTA can purchase them from http://www.sateuropa.co.uk/product_overview.asp?id=1513&catid=1&subcat=1 for €154. CAM for about €60.

However this doesn't have HDMI output which leads me to ask about a FTA / Freeview / HD all in one box?

Thoughts?

Eoin

podgeandrodge

TheDriver wrote: »

electronic programme guide providing you are talkign about a freesat HD box.

So Freesat is just what is available now with the addition of a better EPG? That's it?

watty

Pretty much. Plus some text and "red button" interactive stuff. An alternative to a Sky Digibox.

taung

emul wrote: »

I am actually looking at replacing one of my FTA receivers.It is worthwhile buying the Technisat or other equivalent as I'd like one box for Freeview and FTA can purchase them from http://www.sateuropa.co.uk/product_overview.asp?id=1513&catid=1&subcat=1 for €154. CAM for about €60.

However this doesn't have HDMI output which leads me to ask about a FTA / Freeview / HD all in one box?

Thoughts?

Eoin

For HD you'd need to invest a significantly larger sum of €€€ :eek:. This Technomate, coming in around the €350 mark, would do everything expect the EPG and interactive stuff.

byte

DMC wrote: »

I'll be waiting for the HD PVR in July, made by Humax, with DiSEqC.

Yup, I'd say this one would be the best one to go for. Personally not a fan of Alba hardware.

watty

July + HD PVR HUMAX, ++

Denethor

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a Freesat stb but the only problem is some FTA channels are apparently missing from the EPG such as Sky News etc. maybe they'll join eventually

Mossy Monk

Will the EPG not have the ability of adding channels manually? If not then it is no better than Sky's system.

corcaigh07

think im not finished with my lidl box, such a good product for 80 quid. one thing, you only need 1 lnb for freesat if your not getting a PVR?(dvd recorder will do fine thank you!) could then use lidl box for living room and freesat for the sitting room provided a cheap box eventally comes around(unlikely?)

Gadgie

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Will the EPG not have the ability of adding channels manually? If not then it is no better than Sky's system.

I'm hoping you'll be able to add your own channels and re-arrange the EPG to suit yourself. Or at least that the lower half of the EPG will be reserved for pre-programmed channels and you'll be allowed to add other channels to the upper half.

One of the receivers mentions DiSEqC capabilities so it seems plausible that you'll be allowed to add other channels.

Of course if Freesat weren't being so secretive about things then we'd already know the answer.

Tony

This would be a nice feature but I doubt it will be available.

Gadgie wrote: »

I'm hoping you'll be able to add your own channels and re-arrange the EPG to suit yourself. Or at least that the lower half of the EPG will be reserved for pre-programmed channels and you'll be allowed to add other channels to the upper half.

One of the receivers mentions DiSEqC capabilities so it seems plausible that you'll be allowed to add other channels.

Of course if Freesat weren't being so secretive about things then we'd already know the answer.

syboit

corcaigh07 wrote: »

think im not finished with my lidl box, such a good product for 80 quid. one thing, you only need 1 lnb for freesat if your not getting a PVR?(dvd recorder will do fine thank you!) could then use lidl box for living room and freesat for the sitting room provided a cheap box eventally comes around(unlikely?)

according to this , http://avzombie.com/blog/2008/04/29/freesat-hi-def-system-prices-revealed/, £120 for a hd-receiver, if we can get those for €150 that wouldnt be too bad I think.