BBC/ITV Freesat Inches Closer to Market

taung · 25-04-2008 09:21AM #1

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 · 25-04-2008 10:34AM

Now all we need is Argos to sell real HDTVs.

channelsurfer · 25-04-2008 10:52AM

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 · 25-04-2008 10:53AM

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 · 25-04-2008 10:55AM

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

taung · 25-04-2008 11:01AM

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 · 25-04-2008 12:28PM

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

Tony · 25-04-2008 12:32PM

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 · 25-04-2008 01:26PM

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 · 25-04-2008 02:01PM

Looks like May 6th is confirmed as launch day:

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

givecredit · 25-04-2008 06:31PM

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 · 25-04-2008 06:57PM

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 · 25-04-2008 10:11PM

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 · 25-04-2008 11:16PM

Any way you could have both this and Sky+?

atellyer · 25-04-2008 11:55PM

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

TheDriver · 26-04-2008 12:46AM

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

Mossy Monk · 26-04-2008 02:19AM

atellyer wrote: »

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

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

DMC · 26-04-2008 08:24AM

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

watty · 26-04-2008 08:43AM

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 · 26-04-2008 10:28AM

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

bk · 26-04-2008 12:00PM

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 · 26-04-2008 12:12PM

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

TheDriver · 26-04-2008 03:30PM

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 · 26-04-2008 05:11PM

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 · 26-04-2008 06:09PM

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 · 26-04-2008 06:26PM

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 · 26-04-2008 06:59PM

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 · 26-04-2008 08:16PM

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 · 26-04-2008 08:27PM

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 · 26-04-2008 08:30PM

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 · 26-04-2008 08:43PM

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.

BBC/ITV Freesat Inches Closer to Market

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