New BBC Freesat Service

Akula

Do you think we will be able to pick it up here?

Is there any card needed?

What spec decoder would you need? Anything that does DVB-S? Or do you need something specific to handle the HD channels?

Mossy Monk

Yes.
No.
Any FTA receiver will get the channels but to get the Freesat EPG and so on you need a new Freesat receiver available in shops across the UK.

watty

You need HD receiver and ideally HD TV for HD channels. Not all Freesat receivers do HD.

MartyM

with no card, etc....how do they make these channels region specific?

BBC Northern Ireland, UTV, etc???

Assuming (using a freesat receiver) all ITV1 regions can be tuned in, i.e. on the EPG, does this not have a knock-on effect for adveristers and adverts on these channels?

Its feasible the majority of people in the north will just watch ITV1 london for example, making UTV specific programing and adverts redundant.

Surely they have some way around this?

Or have I missed the point?

Perhaps you have to set-up initially with a post code to receive the correct EPG?....does this effect ROI viewers in that case??

SteM

MartyM wrote: »

with no card, etc....how do they make these channels region specific?

BBC Northern Ireland, UTV, etc???

Assuming (using a freesat receiver) all ITV1 regions can be tuned in, i.e. on the EPG, does this not have a knock-on effect for adveristers and adverts on these channels?

Its feasible the majority of people in the north will just watch ITV1 london for example, making UTV specific programing and adverts redundant.

Surely they have some way around this?

Or have I missed the point?

Perhaps you have to set-up initially with a post code to receive the correct EPG?....does this effect ROI viewers in that case??

You enter your post code when you set up the receiver, that's sets your local channels/epg. There's nothing to stop you from picking a London or Scottish postcode and entering that if you want to though.

Kotek Besar

SteM wrote: »

You enter your post code when you set up the receiver, that's sets your local channels/epg. There's nothing to stop you from picking a London or Scottish postcode and entering that if you want to though.

Interesting. Can you change the postcode later, or can you only set this once?

big_moe

Yeah you put your postcode in to get the regional channels. The other regions are available through an "other channels" type menu.

And yes, any FTA or FTA hd decoder will do the job but you need a freesat decoder for the epg and you also need the official one to get itv hd.

That humax hd decoder looks the business, anybody going to the uk soon?!!

bk

MartyM wrote: »

with no card, etc....how do they make these channels region specific?

It seems when you turn on the new Freesat Boxes the first time, you enter your postcode, so it tunes in the specific channels for your region.

Of course nothing stopping someone in Dublin entering a postcode for London to get ITV1 London or a postcode for Belfast to get UTV, etc.

SteM

big_moe wrote: »

also need the official one to get itv hd.

That humax hd decoder looks the business, anybody going to the uk soon?!!

I like the look of the epg alright. Will probably pick up one of these when I'm over there in July for the TV in the bedroom.

watty

The other regions are on EPG too. The Postcode just changes 101 to 104 and the S4C/C4 swap (120?)

chris1970

any links to where us paddys can buy freesat hd receivers?

muincav

chris1970 wrote: »

any links to where us paddys can buy freesat hd receivers?

Argos in the North seems to be the easiest-its really not that far for a Freesat reciever. Most people go up North for beer and it wont last as long!
I think I may start bringing down a van load and start flogging them at the boot sales (only joking lads):D

Onikage

Of course you are.

And when is the next boot sale?

Mossy Monk

A day trip to Wales is looking very likely when the Humax is released.

rom

Hopefully they will appear on fleabay

Blaster99

Ok, so this sounds better than sliced bread and a lot better than the current FTA offerings, if www.freesat.co.uk is anything to go by. Is this service from the usual Astra type of satellites used by Sky so it's just a matter of taking an existing Sky dish and plugging in the new receiver or does the dish need to be realigned?

atellyer

No realignment needed. Just plug it in and off you go...:D

paulbds

I am comming over to Wexford later this week and if it's available I am going to buy the Bush (£49 SD set) and try it in my holiday apartment. It will replace my Sky+ box (which just uses a Free sky card)
If it works ok -and I see no no reason why it shouldn't I will then get the PVR version when it is launched later this year
I don't have a HD tv over in Ireland hence the reason for the standard box and as this cheap box has the LNB loopthrough I should also be able to use the Sky box too (although the Sly + box is overkill for my needs in Ireland , it was surplus to requirements at the time)
I will give an update later in the week - providing I can source an SD box in the meantime.
I live in N Wales and freesat boxes were only released for sale Tuesday afternoon. Comet in Llandudno only had the Humax HD version in (which btw has no LNB loopthrough)
If you are planning a day trip to Wales, there is an Argos store in Holyhead and you should be able to check stock levels on line before making the day trip
I think his freesat launch is going to be VERY popular over in Ireland and I can see Sky subs taking a hammering when people realise what they can get for a 1 off payment, especially when the PVR's are available.
My OH would love to be able to get Sky Irl free here in Wales (Yes, I have a paid up sub to Sky Irl and use it in UK) ad she is waiting for the new RTE service to commence but little sign of it at present
Sorry to waffling on.....:), it's late and I have a clinic in Holyhead tomorrow, goodnight
Paul

channelsurfer

paulbds wrote: »

year
I live in N Wales and freesat boxes were only released for sale Tuesday afternoon. Comet in Llandudno only had the Humax HD version in (which btw has no LNB loopthrough)
Paul

what is an LNB loopthroug used for can I ask? which is the best box to get if one was investing in freesat?

syboit

channelsurfer wrote: »

what is an LNB loopthroug used for can I ask? which is the best box to get if one was investing in freesat?

I believe its like the old rf loopthrough on vcr's. You can take the existing wire going to your sky/sky+ box put it into your freesat box first and then cable up another wire to continue onto your sky box.

Mayo Exile

Does anyone have a Freesat box up and running yet in RoI? Popped into Argos in Newry yesterday. No printed catalogue updates, posters or other advertisement blurb visible to say it had been launched.

Zaphod

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUMAX-FREESAT-HD-FOXSAT-SATELLITE-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ300222676902QQihZ020QQcategoryZ96970QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

TheDriver

paulbds wrote: »

I think his freesat launch is going to be VERY popular over in Ireland and I can see Sky subs taking a hammering when people realise what they can get for a 1 off payment, especially when the PVR's are available.
My OH would love to be able to get Sky Irl free here in Wales (Yes, I have a paid up sub to Sky Irl and use it in UK) ad she is waiting for the new RTE service to commence but little sign of it at present
Sorry to waffling on.....:), it's late and I have a clinic in Holyhead tomorrow, goodnight
Paul

I'd like to think sky will get a hammering but way too many people in IRL think sky is the bees knees, couldn't be bothered getting rte from elsewhere and simply don't know what else is out there. COupled with free installation and 20 euro a month versus one off free of 300 euro, sky initally sounds better particuarly when money might be tight for one big spend.
Most people on Sky don't realise UTV etc are all for the taking on other channels ffs!

SteM

Mayo Exile wrote: »

Does anyone have a Freesat box up and running yet in RoI? Popped into Argos in Newry yesterday. No printed catalogue updates, posters or other advertisement blurb visible to say it had been launched.

Reading on the DS forums, they seem rarer than hens teeth. Especially the Humax.

Mayo Exile

Indeed. None available on the Argos UK website at the moment.

paulbds

UPDATE - -No chance of a cheap Bush box prio to my coming over.
I bought the Humax box and will bring it over next week. The Comet store had a delivery of 2 and they now have 1 left!
Paul

Greenman

paulbds wrote: »

UPDATE - -No chance of a cheap Bush box prio to my coming over.
I bought the Humax box and will bring it over next week. The Comet store had a delivery of 2 and they now have 1 left!
Paul

Tell us how you get on with it.

AyJay

As far as I can make out, the only retailers in NI wil be Currys and Argos (at least until some independents get them in).

I called into the Currys store in Bangor and they said that they had only found out about Freesat last week, won't be getting any stock in until later in the month, and that there were only 1000 units available for the intial rollout for the entire Currys chain in the UK so they will probably only be getting 2 or 3 of them (Humax only to begin with)

Reports over on DS suggest that Argos won't be getting any into their warehouse until 11th May with them being distributed to the branch network within 2 to 3 days after that.

AyJay

Greenman

Saw this video on the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7386103.stm

AyJay

Ok folks, a couple of posters over on DS have reported being able to pick up Humax boxes in Currys (Belfast High Street and Newry) and also that the Argos store in The Quays Newry has stock of the Bush STB (doesn't say if SD or HD) but that they can't sell them yet!!!

AyJay

Blaster99

What are the benefits with a Freesat HD box over a standard FTA HD box? It seems everything is FTA now anyways.

AyJay

Blaster99, the Freesat HD box has a seven day EPG, whereas most standard FTA HD boxes just have now and next. The freesat offering also has red button interactive services. A standard FTA box should be able to tune in the BBCi interactive channels. The freesat box also receives any ITV HD content (apparently if a program on ITV is available in HD you get a prompt on screen to press one of the coloured buttons to watch the HD feed) It isn't an actual separate channel yet but probably will be later in the year.

If you wait a while, there will be a Humax HD PVR for freesat too - current estimates are July but nothing definite yet. There is also talk that Alba will be producing a PVR but no timescale.

AyJay

gazzer

I bought a BUSH freeeview box up in Sainsburys last month. It was only £25 so I figured if it didnt work it wasnt that much money down the drain.

Anyway I connected it to the tv in my bedroom (no NTL box there) and just put a wire coat hanger in the connection socket on the Freeview Box. When I did a scan of the channels nothing happened. If I connected the Freeview box to my tv downstairs and then connected a wire from the freeview box to my NTL box would I get any channels?

I havnt done this yet as I have a DVD recorder, a DVD player, an X-BOX, a media hard drive, A sky box and NTL basic cable to my TV so dont want to disrupt the finely tuned connection system I have.. However I will be moving house in a about a month and am cancelling sky so will only have basic NTL.

Also. Will these new HD freesat boxes that are coming out require a satellite dish? I would love to get ITV and BBC HD but refuse to pay the huge fee to Sky for it?

Thanks

Mossy Monk

gazzer wrote: »

Will these new HD freesat boxes that are coming out require a satellite dish?

Yes, they require a satellite dish.

Kotek Besar

gazzer wrote: »

I bought a BUSH freeeview box up in Sainsburys last month. It was only £25 so I figured if it didnt work it wasnt that much money down the drain.

Anyway I connected it to the tv in my bedroom (no NTL box there) and just put a wire coat hanger in the connection socket on the Freeview Box. When I did a scan of the channels nothing happened. If I connected the Freeview box to my tv downstairs and then connected a wire from the freeview box to my NTL box would I get any channels?

You are asking in the wrong section, but anyway. I think you'll need a terristrial aerial a lot more powerful than a wire coat hanger. And even then, depending on where you are in Ireland, you might get nothing.

But you may be lucky. For example, I've heard some in Wexford can get Freeview signals from Wales. Those in the border counties of the Republic should get Freeview signals from NI.

AyJay

Gazzer, the freeview box is for receiving digital signals through a standard television aerial (DTT). If you are able to get a signal from Divis, Brougher Mountain or Limavady (the three transmitters up north) then you might be able to get freeview. Alternatively, some people can get freeview from the transmitters in Wales. Best bet is to check the Terrestrial forum

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=56

I don't know how the NTL box operates so I don't know if you can connect your freeview box to it but I would suspect not.

The freesat boxes are for receiving digital satellite signals so yes, you will need a dish.

AyJay

ok Mossy Monk & benefia beat me to it - must improve my typing speed

gazzer

Cheers for the replies guys.

Have to get my hands on a HD freesat box so. Anybody know how many HD channels will be available on the box?

DigiDec

At present only BBC HD with ITV HD to follow soon via the red button.

paulbds

UPDATE RE Humax Freesat Box

Arrived in Wexford last night. Although my TV was HD Ready - it has a DVI slot and no HDMI. Therefore I will continue to use my existing $ky "Freesat" system until I upgrade my TV. I see no point using the SCART output as it will give me no benefit.

Therefore I am unable to report any progress and I wil l return the Box to Comet next week on my return. However, If anyone wishes to purchase the box (unopened) from me, the I am happy to sell, at cost (£150/Euro 190).
I am in Wexford Town until Friday 16th May
pm me if interested and I will give you my mobile no

Paul
(GW4AMZ)

byte

You can get a HDMI-DVI lead or adapter. Only difference between the two is that DVI doesn't carry audio.

IrishHomer

byte wrote: »

You can get a HDMI-DVI lead or adapter. Only difference between the two is that DVI doesn't carry audio.

Ye i 2nd that, can be bought in any tv shop for few quid.

therecklessone

AyJay wrote: »

If you wait a while, there will be a Humax HD PVR for freesat too - current estimates are July but nothing definite yet. There is also talk that Alba will be producing a PVR but no timescale.

Does anyone know if these boxes will have USB output so I can archive anything I record?

chris1970

I'll Take That Paul In Galway Sent Pm

Greenman

therecklessone wrote: »

Does anyone know if these boxes will have USB output so I can archive anything I record?

Yes no archive facility as per http://www.humaxdigital.com/freesat/support.asp
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What is the USB port for?
The USB connection is used for Software updates in the factory or Service Centre; customers will receive all new software updates will be broadcast OTA (Over the Air) automatically

[/FONT]

evilivor

Do I take it that someone like me who was thinking of buying a FTA setup would now be better off holding my fire until we see how this Freesat thingy shakes out for Ireland? Particularly with HD PVRs on the way later in the year.

I have cable (UPC - Cork) –at the moment so not desperate to change yet -

DMC

Indeed, hold fire for now.

yfaykya

Does freesat work by a card or do I have to have STB? I was hoping to add a card to my existing mythtv box and use that. I assume I can piggyback on my Sky cable to the dish?

Thanks,

Y.

Tony

DMC wrote: »

Indeed, hold fire for now.

Hold fire by all means but it may be months before these boxes become available here. I don't know a single Uk wholesaler that has any stock yet.

givecredit

I bought the Humax foxsat hd receiver on Saturday. Online. (Well kind of) The boxes are not quoted on his site. He only had 3 in stock, I had bought the last one. But three more came into stock again today. If someone is interested, it might be worth giving him a call or email. I should have mine on Thursday. Check the link below:

http://www.southernsatellite.co.uk/


I see the box is quoted on his site.

Tony

apologies my info incorrect

http://www.sateuropa.co.uk/product_overview.asp?id=1875&catid=1&subcat=29

evilivor

Tony wrote: »

Hold fire by all means but it may be months before these boxes become available here. I don't know a single Uk wholesaler that has any stock yet.

I was going to pop into John Lewis when I'm in London next week and check availability. HD DVR would be worth waiting for though.