Freesat versus freeview

jc bamford

If I replace my old freeview box with a Freesat HD box will I avoid having having to re tune every time channels switch frequencies?

excollier

Yes, you will avoid the retune, Freesat channels update automatically, as long as you have a Freesat receiver, not a generic fta receiver (which will also receive the same channels)

steveon

Freesat are nice but not every channel is a member of the freesat gudie so you have to switch between 2 modes to get the freesat and non freesat channels which is a shame...however it will fix and retune and add any new channels that are part of the freesat guide.

paultf

Some boxes differ when it comes to handling non-freesat channels.

On an Echostar you have to press maybe 4/5 buttons to get to the freesat channels.

On a Manhatton both freesat and non-freesat channels can be set up on a 'favourites' button. So easily accessible.

Did I see some posts before that the Humax is more customisable and that freesat/non-freesat channels can be accessed through one menu?

With the auto-tuning, freesat is great for that. For example for the Olympics recently BBC automatically added 24 extra channels to the EPG on a freesat box.

With freesat you will still have to do software upgrades. Depends on the box, some are done over-the-air. Some via a USB stick.

excollier

The Humax Foxsat HDR is very customisable with a bit of added software, and any channel from the non-Freesat list can be added to the Freesat epg for fast channel changing (among other advantages)

Capt'n Midnight

steveon wrote: »

Freesat are nice but not every channel is a member of the freesat gudie so you have to switch between 2 modes to get the freesat and non freesat channels which is a shame.

This is a real shame.

For a simple firmware upgrade they could attract a lot of Irish customers by providing a 'one box does almost all' solution ( additional hardware necessary )

muincav

excollier wrote: »

Yes, you will avoid the retune, Freesat channels update automatically, as long as you have a Freesat receiver, not a generic fta receiver (which will also receive the same channels)

All Freesat except Humax boxes, which can just be easlily re tuned and are a very good box..

excollier

I have a Humax Freesat+ HDR, automatic update, non freesat channels added to Freesat epg for easy channel change. BBC i-player. Streaming recordings to home network and internet Got to be the best Freesat product out there

watty

Sky news being a notable FTA non-Freesat channel I believe

Most others are niche/phone in or shopping to bulk up sky

NIMAN

I am a Humax owner, can anyone tell me how I add Sky News to my EPG?

jc bamford

Thanks to all the above. Freesat seems to be the way to go. Looks like I could get a good HD box for €100

ftakeith

NIMAN wrote: »

I am a Humax owner, can anyone tell me how I add Sky News to my EPG?

sky news is terrible

bbc news, euronews, CNN and Al Jazeera English are much better than sky news

pick tv is also terrible

freesat and saorview is great value for an once off fee for the vast majority of the irish tv public the just want the basic uk/irish PSB tv channels

excollier

NIMAN wrote: »

I am a Humax owner, can anyone tell me how I add Sky News to my EPG?

Only possible on the Humax HDR with some modded firmware.

NIMAN

I lost interest in getting Sky News anyway, had it for many many years and I actually realise I never want to see Kay Burley again!

Rippy

excollier wrote: »

I have a Humax Freesat+ HDR, automatic update, non freesat channels added to Freesat epg for easy channel change. BBC i-player. Streaming recordings to home network and internet Got to be the best Freesat product out there

Are you managing to get iplayer with a ROI IP address? Or is there some way of using a proxy server on the Humax?

excollier

Because I can't get broaband through my Eircom landline I use wireless broadband, and they are based in Derry (happy days)

dellWlan

jc bamford wrote: »

If I replace my old freeview box with a Freesat HD box will I avoid having having to re tune every time channels switch frequencies?

First just to state the blindingly obvious you'll have to change more than the box if changing from freeview to freesat.

Also as ASO has already happened retuning should become a thing of the past. For the most part anyway, and to my mind it's not really that time consuming. If that's the main reason for switching it may no longer be an issue.

As stated earlier you will have the problem of non freesat channels having to be added separately. And could have to manually retune these in future.

And if your transmitter is carrying the full freeview channel selection there are channels that you can't get on freesat at all such as Dave.