What are my free tv options

Thomasag81 · 16-08-2014, 07:41

Hi

I have a sony Bravia 50w656A and currently have Sky. I'm fed up with sky as it's expensive £25 a month and I get very little use out of it - only documentaries and kids tv. I have an aerial but the cable has been cut but my tv has a satellite input. Will the tv be able to receive free tv through this?
Are there any freeview tv services that will allow you to subscribe to the tv packages mentioned above that don't need an aerial, ie through a satellite or through the internet?
I could go with bt who provide my internet and phone but I'm pretty sure it requires an aerial.
Thanks in advance

-GONZO- · 16-08-2014, 07:50

You could always go with Freesat http://www.freesat.co.uk/
All you'd need is the box to use with your dish. I'd recommend a HDR-1000s.

call100 · 16-08-2014, 08:40

I believe that if you cancel Sky you are still left with over a hundred channels on Freesat from Sky.
Not sure if you can use the recording facilities on the Sky box though. Someone else can confirm that.
SEE HERE

victorslot · 16-08-2014, 08:43

It looks as though your TV has a satellite tuner in it so connecting it to the dish should enable you to get all the free channels available. The brief look I had doesn't mention Freesat though so if it isn't Freesat compatible you won't get the EPG. Why not just take one of the feeds to your Sky box and connect it to the TV and see what you get.

Also check out the Sony website and you may find that there is an update tot the software so you can connect to on demand services such as Netflix.

Nigel Goodwin · 16-08-2014, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorslot

The brief look I had doesn't mention Freesat though so if it isn't Freesat compatible you won't get the EPG.

It's NOT a Freesat TV, it's a non-UK function intended for European FTA satellite use.

However, while the 'older' ones wouldn't auto-tune Astra 28.2E, the current ones do - and you get the same free channels as Freesat or Sky (which are the same) - but with no EPG worth mentioning, and not in any specific order.

Why not simply cancel Sky and carry on using the Sky box for free? - that way you still get the proper EPG.

Nigel Goodwin · 16-08-2014, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by call100

I believe that if you cancel Sky you are still left with over a hundred channels on Freesat from Sky.

A LOT more than that

Quote:

Not sure if you can use the recording facilities on the Sky box though. Someone else can confirm that.

No, recording is a subscription function.

bobcar · 16-08-2014, 09:07

What Sky box did you have before? If you had Sky+ (if you didn't why not?) then you will probably miss the PVR functions of the box and the best thing to do would be to get a Freesat box as a direct replacement.

mac2708 · 16-08-2014, 10:33

Take the card out of the Sky box and see what channels you get - you may be surprised and they'll all still be available with the EPG if/when you cancel.
List of free channels at 28E
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_at_28%C2%B0E

call100 · 16-08-2014, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

A LOT more than that

Unless it's more than 200 my description was accurate...

If it's more than that - God help him!!

It's a mute point really as the vast proportion of them are unwatchable...

Nigel Goodwin · 16-08-2014, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by call100

Unless it's more than 200 my description was accurate...

I 'think' it's something like 340-360?

call100 · 16-08-2014, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

I 'think' it's something like 340-360?

I'll believe you.

......I don't really watch any of them consistently. I only watch what we've recorded and that is getting less and less.
I'd rather download a movie for watching in general than suffer the vast majority of dross on TV. Or, find something better via the web.

Nigel Goodwin · 16-08-2014, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by call100

I'll believe you.

....

Try auto-tuning a FTA satellite box or TV

call100 · 16-08-2014, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Try auto-tuning a FTA satellite box or TV

I'm going to have to check the tuning at the Caravan when I go down again....We don't get even get to 100 channels...

Nigel Goodwin · 16-08-2014, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by call100

I'm going to have to check the tuning at the Caravan when I go down again....We don't get even get to 100 channels...

What are you using?.

call100 · 17-08-2014, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

What are you using?.

I can't remember which box it is.....I haven't been down yet this year...It's rarely used when we are there to be honest...I'll see if I can find the paperwork anywhere.

16-08-2014, 07:41	#1
Thomasag81 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1	What are my free tv options Hi I have a sony Bravia 50w656A and currently have Sky. I'm fed up with sky as it's expensive £25 a month and I get very little use out of it - only documentaries and kids tv. I have an aerial but the cable has been cut but my tv has a satellite input. Will the tv be able to receive free tv through this? Are there any freeview tv services that will allow you to subscribe to the tv packages mentioned above that don't need an aerial, ie through a satellite or through the internet? I could go with bt who provide my internet and phone but I'm pretty sure it requires an aerial. Thanks in advance

16-08-2014, 15:36	#11
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin I 'think' it's something like 340-360? I'll believe you.......I don't really watch any of them consistently. I only watch what we've recorded and that is getting less and less. I'd rather download a movie for watching in general than suffer the vast majority of dross on TV. Or, find something better via the web.

16-08-2014, 16:11	#12
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by call100 I'll believe you..... Try auto-tuning a FTA satellite box or TV

16-08-2014, 07:50	#2
-GONZO- Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 8,954	You could always go with Freesat http://www.freesat.co.uk/ All you'd need is the box to use with your dish. I'd recommend a HDR-1000s.

16-08-2014, 08:40	#3
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	I believe that if you cancel Sky you are still left with over a hundred channels on Freesat from Sky. Not sure if you can use the recording facilities on the Sky box though. Someone else can confirm that. SEE HERE

16-08-2014, 08:43	#4
victorslot Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 533	It looks as though your TV has a satellite tuner in it so connecting it to the dish should enable you to get all the free channels available. The brief look I had doesn't mention Freesat though so if it isn't Freesat compatible you won't get the EPG. Why not just take one of the feeds to your Sky box and connect it to the TV and see what you get. Also check out the Sony website and you may find that there is an update tot the software so you can connect to on demand services such as Netflix.

16-08-2014, 08:59	#5
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by victorslot The brief look I had doesn't mention Freesat though so if it isn't Freesat compatible you won't get the EPG. It's NOT a Freesat TV, it's a non-UK function intended for European FTA satellite use. However, while the 'older' ones wouldn't auto-tune Astra 28.2E, the current ones do - and you get the same free channels as Freesat or Sky (which are the same) - but with no EPG worth mentioning, and not in any specific order. Why not simply cancel Sky and carry on using the Sky box for free? - that way you still get the proper EPG.

16-08-2014, 09:00	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by call100 I believe that if you cancel Sky you are still left with over a hundred channels on Freesat from Sky. A LOT more than that Quote: Not sure if you can use the recording facilities on the Sky box though. Someone else can confirm that. No, recording is a subscription function.

16-08-2014, 09:07	#7
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	What Sky box did you have before? If you had Sky+ (if you didn't why not?) then you will probably miss the PVR functions of the box and the best thing to do would be to get a Freesat box as a direct replacement.

16-08-2014, 10:33	#8
mac2708 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,196	Take the card out of the Sky box and see what channels you get - you may be surprised and they'll all still be available with the EPG if/when you cancel. List of free channels at 28E http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_at_28%C2%B0E

16-08-2014, 14:58	#9
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin A LOT more than that Unless it's more than 200 my description was accurate... If it's more than that - God help him!! It's a mute point really as the vast proportion of them are unwatchable...

16-08-2014, 14:59	#10
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by call100 Unless it's more than 200 my description was accurate... I 'think' it's something like 340-360?

16-08-2014, 17:12	#13
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin Try auto-tuning a FTA satellite box or TV I'm going to have to check the tuning at the Caravan when I go down again....We don't get even get to 100 channels...

16-08-2014, 20:43	#14
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by call100 I'm going to have to check the tuning at the Caravan when I go down again....We don't get even get to 100 channels... What are you using?.

17-08-2014, 00:55	#15
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin What are you using?. I can't remember which box it is.....I haven't been down yet this year...It's rarely used when we are there to be honest...I'll see if I can find the paperwork anywhere.

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What are my free tv options