hi, this maybe abit of a naive q. but I have just moved into a place with a dish. I did have a cheap Lidl receiver but had not used it before. I linked it up to the dish and received channels which I think was from Astra?? I just want to know if I buy a Freesat PVR will I be able to pick up the channels with a minor adjustment to the LNR or is it in a completely different direction it needs to point. Also with that receiver can I receive Astra/ Hotbird channels?

If you can recieve english language channels then no change should be required for a freesat box. Freesat is just an epg the channels are the same.

To be sure check the signal strength you get from 11427 H 27500 2/3 (might say 11426 or 11428 make sure you get the horizontal transponder). This is freesat home transponder (Eurobird 1) that transmits the epg.

The UK channels come from the Astra2 and Eurobird 1 satellites located at 28 degrees east, like 'graham' said that's the satellite you are pointing at now if you are getting all the English channels.
European TV comes from the Astra 1 satellite at 19 degrees east and Eutelsat Hotbird satellite at 13 degrees east, you need another dish pointing in another direction, your lidl box would be ok for these satellites

Thanks, will I need a sat. finder? If I buy a box (poss ebay) do I have to ensure it has the horizontal transponder?

Tell us a few of the channels you are getting now on the 'lidl' box, we can then tell you what satellite you are getting, the bigger the list the better because from the channels you name will also give us a little idea of how good a signal you are getting there. all the satellite receivers on the market 'do' all frequencies and polarizations (H and V) but some are dedicated receivers (i.e Sky or Freesat) and some are dedicated Free to Air receivers (like your lidl box)

sorry to be vague but the receiver got sold as I used the TVs own freeview, so I couldnt tell you the channels

It is almost certain that your dish is pointing the correct way for Freesat which is the same satellites as Sky. The only possible change you may need to make if you get a PVR is to fit a multi LNB if you want to record more than one channel at the same time.

If it's a 'oval' shaped sky dish then it's ok for the Freesat channels