BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
As subject:-

http://www.freesat.co.uk/home.php

--
Mark

Can somebody explain what are the advantages of 'Freesat' over a Sky
digibox.

Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the 'Freesat'
channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which Freesat will NOT
receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is used).

The Sky EPG is perfectly satisfactory and works on all channels. What EPG is
proposed for 'Freesat'?

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On Dec 3, 8:49 am, "Malcolm H" wrote:

Can somebody explain what are the advantages of 'Freesat' over a Sky
digibox.

Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the 'Freesat'
channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which Freesat will NOT
receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is used).

The Sky EPG is perfectly satisfactory and works on all channels. What EPG is
proposed for 'Freesat'?

A 7 day EPG, and what's significant is that BBC/ITV Freesat will
enable a PVR that can be set from a 7 day EPG. That can't be provided
by Sky without a subscription.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On 3 Dec, 09:40, Mark Carver wrote:
On Dec 3, 8:49 am, "Malcolm H" wrote:

Can somebody explain what are the advantages of 'Freesat' over a Sky
digibox.

Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the 'Freesat'
channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which Freesat will NOT
receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is used).

The Sky EPG is perfectly satisfactory and works on all channels. What EPG is
proposed for 'Freesat'?

A 7 day EPG, and what's significant is that BBC/ITV Freesat will
enable a PVR that can be set from a 7 day EPG. That can't be provided
by Sky without a subscription.

What you're trying to say is correct (i.e. currently you need to pay
money to Sky to get PVR functionality on their service) - but of
course that _could_ be provided by Sky for "free" - it will be
interesting to see just how much Sky want to hurt Freesat. Sky "giving
away" PVR functionality would make Freesat irrelevant for many
consumers.

Cheers,
David.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In message
,
" writes
What you're trying to say is correct (i.e. currently you need to pay
money to Sky to get PVR functionality on their service) - but of
course that _could_ be provided by Sky for "free" - it will be
interesting to see just how much Sky want to hurt Freesat. Sky "giving
away" PVR functionality would make Freesat irrelevant for many
consumers.
I've just had Sky+ installed for £49. I was told it was a promotion
for us in the Whitehaven area, no installation fee and no monthly £10
subscription. I'll be keeping a close eye on my bank statements.
--
Clive.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.digital-tv Malcolm H wrote:
: Can somebody explain what are the advantages of 'Freesat' over a Sky
: digibox.

The main advantage is, I think, going to be easy HD channel availability.
Unless buying off the likes of eBay it is hard to get a Sky-HD STB without
a Sky - and Sky HD at £10/month extra - subscription.

Also PVR features will be offered by Freesat without either subscribing to
Sky (for "free" Sky+) or paying Sky £10/month

Finally currently all the cheap satellite system installations involve
subscribing to Sky.

On the downside NOT all channels currently on Freeview will be on Freesat.

: Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the 'Freesat'
: channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which Freesat will NOT
: receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is used).

This is true - the PVR features are extra as noted before.


: The Sky EPG is perfectly satisfactory and works on all channels. What EPG is
: proposed for 'Freesat'?

A totally separate one broadcast off the (almost co-located) Eurobird
satellite. It is reported to be more modern (16:9 for example) than the
Sky EPG - but Sky are also reported to be working on theirs!

Note that while the EPG data will be from Eurobird all the current FTA
channels will stay where they are - except some will want to move to Astra
2D - which is more tightly focussed on the UK

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
On Dec 3, 8:49 am, "Malcolm H" wrote:

Can somebody explain what are the advantages of 'Freesat' over a Sky
digibox.

Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the 'Freesat'
channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which Freesat will NOT
receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is used).

The Sky EPG is perfectly satisfactory and works on all channels. What EPG
is
proposed for 'Freesat'?

A 7 day EPG, and what's significant is that BBC/ITV Freesat will
enable a PVR that can be set from a 7 day EPG. That can't be provided
by Sky without a subscription.

It is also significant that all 200+ free TV channels and 90+ free radio
channels can be recorded from the Sky EPG with the Sky+ PVR. Sky+ costs £10
per month if there is no programme subscription.

Will the proposed BBC/ITV Freesat EPG system allow ALL channels to be
recorded to a PVR? - and what about Channel 4 and Five??

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.tv.sky Malcolm H wrote:

: Will the proposed BBC/ITV Freesat EPG system allow ALL channels to be
: recorded to a PVR? - and what about Channel 4 and Five??

Unclear! Freesat is charging channels for EPG inclusion (at rates lower than
Sky but higher than many people expected!) so not all might pay.

C4 and C5 are the main problems! To go FTA they will have to move to Astra 2D
to get the tight UK beam - and that is (almost?) full. C4 have said that they
do not plan to renew their Sky encryption contract (but that lasts until
Autumn 2008). C5 have said nothing about going FTA - but they also "support"
Freesat!

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

Brian McIlwrath wrote:
In uk.tech.tv.sky Malcolm H wrote:

Will the proposed BBC/ITV Freesat EPG system allow ALL channels to be
recorded to a PVR? - and what about Channel 4 and Five??

Unclear! Freesat is charging channels for EPG inclusion (at rates
lower than Sky but higher than many people expected!) so not all
might pay.

C4 and C5 are the main problems! To go FTA they will have to move to
Astra 2D to get the tight UK beam - and that is (almost?) full. C4
have said that they do not plan to renew their Sky encryption
contract (but that lasts until Autumn 2008). C5 have said nothing
about going FTA - but they also "support" Freesat!

Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4 goes
FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Malcolm H" wrote in message
...
It is also significant that all 200+ free TV channels and 90+ free radio
channels can be recorded from the Sky EPG with the Sky+ PVR. Sky+ costs
£10 per month if there is no programme subscription.

If the dish is disconnected a Sky+ box won't play back. That's a bummer.

Bill

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In article bd51c7df-fbe6-4c3a-8de7-
,
wrote:
- it will be
interesting to see just how much Sky want to hurt Freesat. Sky "giving
away" PVR functionality would make Freesat irrelevant for many
consumers.

Not necessarily. Don't you have to take out a subscription to $ky, even
if you discontinue it later, to get one of their boxes in the first
place? Isn't Freesat a one-off expense versus a continuing subscription?

Rod.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In article bd51c7df-fbe6-4c3a-8de7-3af9eb8adbe0
@f3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com, says...

What you're trying to say is correct (i.e. currently you need to pay
money to Sky to get PVR functionality on their service) - but of
course that _could_ be provided by Sky for "free" - it will be
interesting to see just how much Sky want to hurt Freesat. Sky "giving
away" PVR functionality would make Freesat irrelevant for many
consumers.

I doubt Sky would be handing out free HD boxes though...


--
Conor

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In article , Brian McIlwrath says...

On the downside NOT all channels currently on Freeview will be on Freesat.

I could see that changing with the horrendous charges Sky make for
putting a channel on their EPG.

--
Conor

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On Dec 3, 10:48 am, "Clive." wrote:

I've just had Sky+ installed for £49. I was told it was a promotion
for us in the Whitehaven area, no installation fee and no monthly £10
subscription. I'll be keeping a close eye on my bank statements.

If the deal was no ongoing subscription of any kind, why on earth
should they need your bank account details ?

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On Dec 3, 10:58 am, Brian McIlwrath wrote:

Note that while the EPG data will be from Eurobird all the current FTA
channels will stay where they are - except some will want to move to Astra
2D - which is more tightly focussed on the UK

AIUI some of the EPG/SI data will have to be carried on the Astra
birds, otherwise how would single tuner receivers keep tabs on the
data if they spent extended periods tuned to Astra ?

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In message
,
Mark Carver writes
If the deal was no ongoing subscription of any kind, why on earth
should they need your bank account details ?
I'm already with Sky, I'm just going to keep an eye on my statements to
make sure they don't charge me for the + part, £10pm?
--
Clive.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.tv.sky Adrian A wrote:

: Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4 goes
: FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

Given that the BBC HD channel has a Dog I wouldn't hold out too much
hope! The only possible hope is that C4HD will be a simulcast (like Sky One)
of HD material and (much!) upscaled SD.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.tv.sky Conor wrote:
:
: I could see that changing with the horrendous charges Sky make for
: putting a channel on their EPG.

The Freesat EPG charges are a *LOT* more than people expected and about half
Skys!!! Also it is not an either/or situation. Channels will definitely stay
on Sky for the 8 million potential viewers. It is Freesat that may lose out!

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.tv.sky Roderick Stewart wrote:

: Not necessarily. Don't you have to take out a subscription to $ky, even
: if you discontinue it later, to get one of their boxes in the first
: place? Isn't Freesat a one-off expense versus a continuing subscription?

Sky will charge a premium both for the STB and installation - but they
*DO* sell without subscription!

It is very easy to pick up a Sky, Sky+ or even Sky-HD STB on the likes of
eBay with no such excess charges.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Malcolm H" wrote in message
...

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
On Dec 3, 8:49 am, "Malcolm H" wrote:

Will the proposed BBC/ITV Freesat EPG system allow ALL channels to be
recorded to a PVR? - and what about Channel 4 and Five??

Take a look at the recent threads over on digitalspy. Someone has a
pre-production STBs

--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.tv.sky Michael Chare wrote:

: Take a look at the recent threads over on digitalspy. Someone has a
: pre-production STBs

Yes - and he believes that the presence of Channel 4 and Five (and all
the other C4 channels) on his pre-production EPG means that they will be
present on the real one at launch!

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
On Dec 3, 10:58 am, Brian McIlwrath wrote:

Note that while the EPG data will be from Eurobird all the current FTA
channels will stay where they are - except some will want to move to
Astra
2D - which is more tightly focussed on the UK

AIUI some of the EPG/SI data will have to be carried on the Astra
birds, otherwise how would single tuner receivers keep tabs on the
data if they spent extended periods tuned to Astra ?


I would have thought most domestic installations would not be able to tell
whether a signal was being received from 28.2E or 28.5E (apart from any
idenifiers that may be trasmitted or internal tables)

AIUI only PVRs with a 'Freesat' label will be able to use the 7day EPG which
will come from Eurobird. The 7 day EPG data will not be in a channel's
broadcast stream as it is for German stations such as RTL.

Presumably though each channel's broadcast stream will include the
interactive stuff in MHEG format.

--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Brian McIlwrath" wrote in message
...


Finally currently all the cheap satellite system installations involve
subscribing to Sky.

On the downside NOT all channels currently on Freeview will be on Freesat.

: Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the 'Freesat'
: channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which Freesat will NOT
: receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is used).


Sorry I get the satellite broadcasts without a subcription.
On both a Sky box and a NON- Sky box, NOW!

This web site says I need a new box for this service, a real let down.

Regards
David

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Clive." wrote in message
...
In message
,
Mark Carver writes
If the deal was no ongoing subscription of any kind, why on earth
should they need your bank account details ?
I'm already with Sky, I'm just going to keep an eye on my statements
to make sure they don't charge me for the + part, £10pm?
--
Clive.

As an additional safeguard, you could instruct your bank to cancel all
direct debits in favour of Sky Digital. There is no reason why they
could object to the cancellation, provided you owe them nothing.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.digital-tv Michael Chare wrote:
:
: AIUI some of the EPG/SI data will have to be carried on the Astra
: birds, otherwise how would single tuner receivers keep tabs on the
: data if they spent extended periods tuned to Astra ?

On Sky the EPG is on a separate transponder (like Freesat will be) but each
chnanel (or rather transponder) also carries limited data for the Sky
"Search and Scan" functionality - it is to be seen if Freesat also has its
own version of this.

: I would have thought most domestic installations would not be able to tell
: whether a signal was being received from 28.2E or 28.5E (apart from any
: idenifiers that may be trasmitted or internal tables)

They cannot! To a domestic receiver Eurobird and the Astra satellites are
co-located.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.digital-tv Bob Lucas wrote:
: As an additional safeguard, you could instruct your bank to cancel all
: direct debits in favour of Sky Digital. There is no reason why they
: could object to the cancellation, provided you owe them nothing.

That's drastic! Many people accuse Sky of many things - but impropriety
in finance is not one. They will always refund any accidental overpayment.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Brian McIlwrath" wrote in message
...
In uk.tech.digital-tv Michael Chare
wrote:

Sky "Search and Scan" functionality

What does that do?

--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

In uk.tech.digital-tv Michael Chare wrote:
:
: Sky "Search and Scan" functionality

: What does that do?

On any channel - and without changing to the EPG - any use of the arrow keys
on the remote brings up an overlay which can be used to see what is coming
up in the current channel (or any other) for about 8 hours ahead.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

Brian McIlwrath wrote:
In uk.tech.tv.sky Adrian A wrote:

Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4
goes FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

Given that the BBC HD channel has a Dog I wouldn't hold out too much
hope! The only possible hope is that C4HD will be a simulcast (like
Sky One) of HD material and (much!) upscaled SD.

I was wondering if BBC HD still had a DOG after its official start at the
weekend.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

David wrote:
"Brian McIlwrath" wrote in message
...


Finally currently all the cheap satellite system installations
involve subscribing to Sky.

On the downside NOT all channels currently on Freeview will be on
Freesat.
Without any subscription the Sky box will receive all of the
'Freesat' channels PLUS Ch.4, Ch5, and other FTV channels which
Freesat will NOT receive (assuming, of course, that a FTV card is
used).


Sorry I get the satellite broadcasts without a subcription.
On both a Sky box and a NON- Sky box, NOW!

This web site says I need a new box for this service, a real let down.

You will only need a new box if you want the Freesat EPG.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On 03/12/2007 in message
Adrian A wrote:

Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4 goes
FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

What's wrong with dogs?

--
Jeff Gaines Damerham Hampshire UK
Indecision is the key to flexibility

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

Jeff Gaines wrote:
On 03/12/2007 in message
Adrian A wrote:

Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4
goes FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

What's wrong with dogs?

Is that a rhetorical question?

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Brian McIlwrath" wrote in message
...
In uk.tech.digital-tv Michael Chare
wrote:
:
: Sky "Search and Scan" functionality

: What does that do?

On any channel - and without changing to the EPG - any use of the arrow
keys
on the remote brings up an overlay which can be used to see what is
coming
up in the current channel (or any other) for about 8 hours ahead.


I suppose the more channels there are the more difficult that gets because
of the bandwidth usage!

--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On Dec 3, 3:05 pm, "Michael Chare"
wrote:
"Mark Carver" wrote in message

AIUI some of the EPG/SI data will have to be carried on the Astra
birds, otherwise how would single tuner receivers keep tabs on the
data if they spent extended periods tuned to Astra ?

I would have thought most domestic installations would not be able to tell
whether a signal was being received from 28.2E or 28.5E (apart from any
idenifiers that may be trasmitted or internal tables)

Indeed, however you didn't quite grasp my point, but Brian answered it
really, with his comparaison pointing out the main bulk of Sky's EPG
data is carried on a separate t/p, so much the same situation exists
for Sky's platform, but that seems to work OK.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On 03/12/2007 in message
Adrian A wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:
On 03/12/2007 in message
Adrian A wrote:

Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4
goes FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

What's wrong with dogs?

Is that a rhetorical question?

Not at all. I am a bit confused as to whether you are referring to man's
best friend or Anna Ford.

--
Jeff Gaines Damerham Hampshire UK
There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.
(Ken Olson, president Digital Equipment, 1977)

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

Jeff Gaines wrote:
On 03/12/2007 in message
Adrian A wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:
On 03/12/2007 in message
Adrian A wrote:

Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope
C4 goes FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

What's wrong with dogs?

Is that a rhetorical question?

Not at all. I am a bit confused as to whether you are referring to
man's best friend or Anna Ford.

No, I was refering to Digital Onscreen Graphics which I, among others, find
really annoying.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Clive." wrote in message
...
In message
, Mark
Carver writes
If the deal was no ongoing subscription of any kind, why on earth
should they need your bank account details ?
I'm already with Sky, I'm just going to keep an eye on my statements to
make sure they don't charge me for the + part, £10pm?



that's different - sky haven't charged a sky+ subscription to subscribers
for months.
it's if you dont subscribe at all that the sky+ won't work.


--
Gareth.

That fly... is your magic wand.
http://www.last.fm/user/dsbmusic/

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
On Dec 3, 3:05 pm, "Michael Chare"
wrote:
"Mark Carver" wrote in message

AIUI some of the EPG/SI data will have to be carried on the Astra
birds, otherwise how would single tuner receivers keep tabs on the
data if they spent extended periods tuned to Astra ?

I would have thought most domestic installations would not be able to
tell
whether a signal was being received from 28.2E or 28.5E (apart from any
idenifiers that may be trasmitted or internal tables)

Indeed, however you didn't quite grasp my point,

Yes, I thought that might be the case when I wrote the post, and it has
been explained to me now!

--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Brian McIlwrath" wrote in message
...
In uk.tech.tv.sky Adrian A wrote:

: Since five re-introduced dogs I'm not bothered about them, I hope C4
goes
: FTA soon and their HD channel is DOG free.

Given that the BBC HD channel has a Dog I wouldn't hold out too much
hope! The only possible hope is that C4HD will be a simulcast (like Sky
One)
of HD material and (much!) upscaled SD.




all tv is upscaled to hd resolution if you own a HDTV - regardless of what
method you use to watch.



--
Gareth.

That fly... is your magic wand.
http://www.last.fm/user/dsbmusic/

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On 03/12/2007 in message Adrian A
wrote:

No, I was refering to Digital Onscreen Graphics which I, among others,
find really annoying.

Ah, light has dawned :-)

They are annoying, I didn't know that was what they are called.

--
Jeff Gaines Damerham Hampshire UK
If you ever find something you like buy a lifetime supply because they
will stop making it