Freesat - worth waiting?

I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?

In message ,
wrote
I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?


It depends if the faults on the boxes can be fixed by a
software/firmware upgrade or not. It appears that a least one fault on
the Bush/Goodmans/Grundig SD boxes cannot be fixed in this way. There
are also some outstanding issues with the Humax HD boxes which may, or
may not, be fixed.

Consider also if your TV hasn't got HDMI inputs you will not be able to
see HD content from a Freest box.

If you are that worried just wait a while.

--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

wrote in message
...
I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?
You could always install a DVBS/S2 card in a PC as a cheaper alternative.
Many already watching the Freesat SD & HD in this way - see www.gbpvr.com
Advantage - you can record. I don't think there are any Freesat PVR's out
yet.
Disadvantage - No EPG (yet), and no Mheg. People have got round the EPG
problem by using soemthing like the Radio Times XML downloadable listings -
but this does cost £10 a year.
If you get an S2 card you should be set for any future changes, as the
software can easily be updated...

Alan wrote:


Consider also if your TV hasn't got HDMI inputs you will not be able
to see HD content from a Freest box.

If you are that worried just wait a while.


Is this true?
I was hoping I could output the HD through component as my AV amp does not
have HDMI.

In message , Des
wrote
Alan wrote:


Consider also if your TV hasn't got HDMI inputs you will not be able
to see HD content from a Freest box.

If you are that worried just wait a while.


Is this true?

The Humax box did allow HD via component but it appears that Freesat
rapped their knuckles in a big way and in the last firmware update the
facility was removed. HD is only available via HDMI on a Freesat box
(other free to air boxes may be different). I believe the issue is to
do with copy protection and the broadcasters are setting the copy
protection on all HD content.

It may be worth reading the Digital Spy Freesat forums. In amongst a lot
of rubbish there is some good information.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/f...play.php?f=142

I was hoping I could output the HD through component as my AV amp does not
have HDMI.

Could you feed the video directly to a TV with HDMI and the audio via
the AV amplifier? I don't currently have a HD capable TV but I do have
Dolby Digital on the BBC HD via my AV surround sound amp. I have the
audio connected from my Humax HD box via the SPDIF connections.

[Enhanced audio (surround sound) on the HD channels may only be on HDMI
and SPDIF].

--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:12:35 +0100, wrote:

I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?

Thanks for the advice. I'm about to buy a new TV with HDMI and it
seemed a good time to get the freesat box.
Since we get a good terrestrial signal I think I will wait a while.

wrote in message
...
I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?





recording boxes - an equivalent to a sky + box will appear - i think they
are well worth waiting for.
once you get used to that kind of system, using a vcr or dvd recorder - or
watching adverts, suddenly seems very quaint.



--
Gareth.

that fly...... is your magic wand....

"Alan" wrote in message
...
In message , Des
wrote
Alan wrote:


Consider also if your TV hasn't got HDMI inputs you will not be able
to see HD content from a Freest box.

If you are that worried just wait a while.


Is this true?

The Humax box did allow HD via component but it appears that Freesat
rapped their knuckles in a big way and in the last firmware update the
facility was removed.

Which means it can be hacked!

HD is only available via HDMI on a Freesat box (other free to air boxes
may be different). I believe the issue is to do with copy protection and
the broadcasters are setting the copy protection on all HD content.

It may be worth reading the Digital Spy Freesat forums. In amongst a lot
of rubbish there is some good information.

"Alan" wrote in message
...
In message ,
wrote
I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?


It depends if the faults on the boxes can be fixed by a software/firmware
upgrade or not. It appears that a least one fault on the
Bush/Goodmans/Grundig SD boxes cannot be fixed in this way.

Which fault is that?

I am attracted to the idea of Freesat, and have looked at the Humax
box.
If I get this installed now, will I lose out on any likely
improvements/developments, say over the next year or two?
or to put it another way,
Will the Humax be upgradeable for any predicted changes in the
short/medium term?


It depends if the faults on the boxes can be fixed by a software/firmware
upgrade or not. It appears that a least one fault on the
Bush/Goodmans/Grundig SD boxes cannot be fixed in this way. There are also
some outstanding issues with the Humax HD boxes which may, or may not, be
fixed.

Exactly what faults are you saying the Humax box has?

Peter Crosland