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'?

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.

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.

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.

wrote:
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.

Also a 'Freesat' box can provide HD, currently just BBC HD but ITV & C4 will
be starting a free HD service within a few months.

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

"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??

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!

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.

"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