Sky dish to receive FreeSat?

johnwatkins · 09-02-2012, 13:11

Hi Everyone, first posting from a newbie! I couldn't see an existing thread for this question, apologies if I messed up!

My sister lives about 2 miles from the Crystal Palace mast. I'd like to know whether she can use an existing Sky dish to get FreeSat, or should she use an aerial for Freeview from the Palace signal? On analogue she has been using a length of coax (only) to get amazingly good pictures!
She does not subscribe to BSkyB. I am also looking at getting her a digital tv between now and end of March.

What are my options on the dish/aerial please

Cheers, John

cbram1970 · 09-02-2012, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwatkins

Hi Everyone, first posting from a newbie! I couldn't see an existing thread for this question, apologies if I messed up!

My sister lives about 2 miles from the Crystal Palace mast. I'd like to know whether she can use an existing Sky dish to get FreeSat, or should she use an aerial for Freeview from the Palace signal? On analogue she has been using a length of coax (only) to get amazingly good pictures!
She does not subscribe to BSkyB. I am also looking at getting her a digital tv between now and end of March.

What are my options on the dish/aerial please

Cheers, John

Yes it is possible to use a SKY dish for Freesat, all you will need is a Freesat decoder. Samsung have a good Freesat box http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/t.../SMT-S7800/XEU

If you want to go down the Freeview route then this is an option http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/t...x/BD-DT7800/XU

johnwatkins · 09-02-2012, 13:48

Hi Cbram, Thanks for that. I was using Which to make a choice of tv. Looking at a 32" Panasonic or a Samsung presumably if they have built-in FreeSat decoder that would do the trick

ProDave · 09-02-2012, 13:49

If you are getting a new digital tv, then it will have freeview built in.

So your simplest option is a set top aerial as you get such a strong signal.

Buy one that looks like a small tv aerial on a stand and doesn't need power. Avoid weird looking things that need a mains power connection, they are very often rubbish.

johnwatkins · 09-02-2012, 13:56

Thankyou Dave, it does sound the practical option and we can lose the horrid dish on the wall!
I am a very happy new user, amazed at all the fast responses!

John

chrisjr · 09-02-2012, 13:57

Just to clarify. The programme services that are common to Sky and Freesat are exactly the same transmission from the satellite. So if a dish could receive Sky it will receive Freesat equally as well.

The Humax Foxsat receiver gets good reviews and seems to be recommended in the Fresat sub forum on DS quite a lot.

http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/produ...foxsathdr.aspx

One thing. If you get the recorder version of the Humax you ideally need two feeds from the dish to make full use of it's abilities. However it can be used in single feed mode with a few compromises over what combination of channels you can record and watch at the same time.

As for Freeview then you may find a digital TV works OK, though a set top aerial might work a bit better than a length of coax (get one that resembles a small outdoor aerial). Again the Humax Fox T2 PVR is often recommended on DS. It records the Freeview HD channels as well.

http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/produ..._hdrfoxt2.aspx

If you plan on getting a new telly to go with either of the above then look for one with Freeview HD built in. NB A TV having HD Ready or Full HD logos on it does not necessarily mean it receives Freeview HD. It must have the Freeview HD logo on it for that.

Sony and Panasonic are generally regarded as the top line makers with makes like LG and Samsung a bit further down the ladder and the supermarket specials way down at the bottom.

spiney2 · 09-02-2012, 23:32

only 2 miles away from the uk's most powerful tv transmitter, you can probably do fine with just a screwdriver inserted into aerial socket (butt plug antenna) ...... there should be no difficulty .......

Cheapest freesat receiver is £30, for many more channels. You could have both!

niall campbell · 10-02-2012, 18:33

or you can use a sky box without a subscription

I prefer my picture quality through a dish

gemma-the-husky · 10-02-2012, 19:17

freesat and sky share the same satellite, so a dish works with either. you can with limitations split the signal and use both at the same time, but it is not ideal.

there are rather more channels on freesat, and more plus 1 channels.

we have both but tend to use freeview most of the time, now

09-02-2012, 13:11	#1
johnwatkins Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 11	Sky dish to receive FreeSat? Hi Everyone, first posting from a newbie! I couldn't see an existing thread for this question, apologies if I messed up! My sister lives about 2 miles from the Crystal Palace mast. I'd like to know whether she can use an existing Sky dish to get FreeSat, or should she use an aerial for Freeview from the Palace signal? On analogue she has been using a length of coax (only) to get amazingly good pictures! She does not subscribe to BSkyB. I am also looking at getting her a digital tv between now and end of March. What are my options on the dish/aerial please Cheers, John

09-02-2012, 13:26	#2
cbram1970 Guest Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 398	Quote: Originally Posted by johnwatkins Hi Everyone, first posting from a newbie! I couldn't see an existing thread for this question, apologies if I messed up! My sister lives about 2 miles from the Crystal Palace mast. I'd like to know whether she can use an existing Sky dish to get FreeSat, or should she use an aerial for Freeview from the Palace signal? On analogue she has been using a length of coax (only) to get amazingly good pictures! She does not subscribe to BSkyB. I am also looking at getting her a digital tv between now and end of March. What are my options on the dish/aerial please Cheers, John Yes it is possible to use a SKY dish for Freesat, all you will need is a Freesat decoder. Samsung have a good Freesat box http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/t.../SMT-S7800/XEU If you want to go down the Freeview route then this is an option http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/t...x/BD-DT7800/XU

09-02-2012, 13:48	#3
johnwatkins Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 11	Hi Cbram, Thanks for that. I was using Which to make a choice of tv. Looking at a 32" Panasonic or a Samsung presumably if they have built-in FreeSat decoder that would do the trick

09-02-2012, 13:49	#4
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Posts: 11,307	If you are getting a new digital tv, then it will have freeview built in. So your simplest option is a set top aerial as you get such a strong signal. Buy one that looks like a small tv aerial on a stand and doesn't need power. Avoid weird looking things that need a mains power connection, they are very often rubbish.

09-02-2012, 13:56	#5
johnwatkins Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 11	Thankyou Dave, it does sound the practical option and we can lose the horrid dish on the wall! I am a very happy new user, amazed at all the fast responses! John

09-02-2012, 13:57	#6
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Just to clarify. The programme services that are common to Sky and Freesat are exactly the same transmission from the satellite. So if a dish could receive Sky it will receive Freesat equally as well. The Humax Foxsat receiver gets good reviews and seems to be recommended in the Fresat sub forum on DS quite a lot. http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/produ...foxsathdr.aspx One thing. If you get the recorder version of the Humax you ideally need two feeds from the dish to make full use of it's abilities. However it can be used in single feed mode with a few compromises over what combination of channels you can record and watch at the same time. As for Freeview then you may find a digital TV works OK, though a set top aerial might work a bit better than a length of coax (get one that resembles a small outdoor aerial). Again the Humax Fox T2 PVR is often recommended on DS. It records the Freeview HD channels as well. http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/produ..._hdrfoxt2.aspx If you plan on getting a new telly to go with either of the above then look for one with Freeview HD built in. NB A TV having HD Ready or Full HD logos on it does not necessarily mean it receives Freeview HD. It must have the Freeview HD logo on it for that. Sony and Panasonic are generally regarded as the top line makers with makes like LG and Samsung a bit further down the ladder and the supermarket specials way down at the bottom.

09-02-2012, 23:32	#7
spiney2 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24,123	only 2 miles away from the uk's most powerful tv transmitter, you can probably do fine with just a screwdriver inserted into aerial socket (butt plug antenna) ...... there should be no difficulty ....... Cheapest freesat receiver is £30, for many more channels. You could have both!

10-02-2012, 18:33	#8
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	or you can use a sky box without a subscription I prefer my picture quality through a dish

10-02-2012, 19:17	#9
gemma-the-husky Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 17,858	freesat and sky share the same satellite, so a dish works with either. you can with limitations split the signal and use both at the same time, but it is not ideal. there are rather more channels on freesat, and more plus 1 channels. we have both but tend to use freeview most of the time, now

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Sky dish to receive FreeSat?