Appy
Posts: 72
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 18:19:55
What is the best?
Should I get rid of Sky and buy a new digi tv with freeview? Or, shall I keep sky but cancel my subscription and just watch the freeview channels through the sky box?
We don't watch a lot of tv.
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BoringBear
Posts: 6237
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 18:28:55
Just come back from lunch with my family. I thought I was sorted, but youngest son reckons go for Sky minimum package - free broadband, cheap telephone rental and calls, all the free channels plus the Sky ones. I'm paying £15.99 pm just for broadband alone - he reckons it's a no-brainer. Sometimes you can have too much choice  . Something to investigate (again) next week. |
gloucester
Posts: 3790
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 18:33:10
What is the best?
Should I get rid of Sky and buy a new digi tv with freeview? Or, shall I keep sky but cancel my subscription and just watch the freeview channels through the sky box?
We don't watch a lot of tv.
You won't get the "Freeview" channels through the Sky box - you'll get the Freesat ones. Check it out here. Channel 5 appears to be still missing looking at that though it appears on other listings but otherwise you'll get more channels via Freesat than via Freeview.
It also depends whether your TV needs replacing - if not you could always get a cheap Freeview box for around £15... |
gloucester
Posts: 3790
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 18:37:41
Just come back from lunch with my family. I thought I was sorted, but youngest son reckons go for Sky minimum package - free broadband, cheap telephone rental and calls, all the free channels plus the Sky ones. I'm paying £15.99 pm just for broadband alone - he reckons it's a no-brainer. Sometimes you can have too much choice . Something to investigate (again) next week.
Free Broadband only covers 70% of the country so check your postcode comes up with it. Some significant small towns are excluded not just country areas. My father can't get it in Oswestry. |
BoringBear
Posts: 6237
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 18:37:45
Ummm, also I don't like the way Sky treats radio programmes. I think I'll stick to Plan A: a freesat TV and a HUMAX Foxsat box. There's something about Sky makes me want to puke.
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Appy
Posts: 72
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 19:48:35
To be honest, I can download anything I want to watch anyway. Maybe we don't even need a tv at all?
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Appy
Posts: 72
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 19:50:12
What is the best?
Should I get rid of Sky and buy a new digi tv with freeview? Or, shall I keep sky but cancel my subscription and just watch the freeview channels through the sky box?
We don't watch a lot of tv.
You won't get the "Freeview" channels through the Sky box - you'll get the Freesat ones. Check it out here. Channel 5 appears to be still missing looking at that though it appears on other listings but otherwise you'll get more channels via Freesat than via Freeview.
It also depends whether your TV needs replacing - if not you could always get a cheap Freeview box for around £15...
It's an old tv, still works ok though. I looked at the link Gloucester, thanks, and we just about only ever watch those freestat ones so I think for now, I'll cancel the sub, can't wait to phone and tell them (!) then see how we get on. |
dandelionO725
Posts: 6
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Posted At: 21/06/2009 21:55:36
Just seen your post from the 14th. Presume your new TV with Freesat is a panasonic as far as i am aware they are the only company supplying sets with freesat and to receive that you need a dish, the sky one is ok.With the TV you have freesat which gives you a miriad of tv and radio channels. Then there is DVB which gives you all the freeview channels and then analogue.With your Sky box you should be able to record any channel whilst watching another.I have a Humax PVR on which allows me to do that.
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Den Boy
Posts: 481
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Posted At: 22/06/2009 16:23:22
Sky might tempt me if they offered a simple package of, Discovery channel, National Geographic and the channel that covers the Test matches for a sensible fee. I refuse to pay for a load of dross that I would never watch plus it would stick in my craw to do business with Murdoch.
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Uncle Mo
Posts: 394
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Posted At: 23/06/2009 02:52:17
Our new Panasonic TV receives, Analogue, Freeview, Freesat and Other Satellites press the AV button and Cable from Virgin. It uses a motorised dish, not Sky.
Freesat comes from Astra 2 and Eurobird Satellites, our TV can also receive non Freesat programmes, from other satellites, for which the dish has to change position.
A satellite receiver in another room controls the dish. All clever stuff.
Unc' Mo
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Appy
Posts: 72
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Posted At: 23/06/2009 06:38:48
I've taken the plunge and told Sky I am cancelling my sub. Will see what I get through the box without the sub then decide. Might get one of those tv's you mention Uncle Mo.
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Beeline
Posts: 475
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Posted At: 23/06/2009 11:46:30
Re the Humax box, it allows you to rec ord two separate chanels whilst watching a previous recorded programme, very useful.
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Beeline
Posts: 475
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Posted At: 23/06/2009 11:46:47
Re the Humax box, it allows you to rec ord two separate chanels whilst watching a previous recorded programme, very useful.
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gloucester
Posts: 3790
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Posted At: 23/06/2009 18:23:36
I've taken the plunge and told Sky I am cancelling my sub. Will see what I get through the box without the sub then decide.
Can't you just take out the card? That should show you what can and cannot be obtained |
Appy
Posts: 72
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Posted At: 24/06/2009 09:11:17
I've taken the plunge and told Sky I am cancelling my sub. Will see what I get through the box without the sub then decide.
Can't you just take out the card? That should show you what can and cannot be obtained
I don't know Gloucester, I'm not really up on all this digi stuff yet.  I will do it now and report back.
Edit: well it seems I get all the BBC, ITV and Ch 4 programmes and to be honest that's enough for us. I know where I can download anything else if I really want it. 
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Cassiopea
Posts: 1923
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Posted At: 25/06/2009 09:17:38
I've taken the plunge and told Sky I am cancelling my sub. Will see what I get through the box without the sub then decide.
Can't you just take out the card? That should show you what can and cannot be obtained
I don't know Gloucester, I'm not really up on all this digi stuff yet. I will do it now and report back.
Edit: well it seems I get all the BBC, ITV and Ch 4 programmes and to be honest that's enough for us. I know where I can download anything else if I really want it.
I watched all the non paid for Sky channels after I cancelled Sky and there are about 60 or more.
The best thing to do is check on all the ones tha you want to watch them add them to your favourites. Then when you switch on go straight to your favourites (blue button) which will list all the channels you can obtain. of course there are a few shopping channles you may not want. You can get about 5 music channels all BBC Channels all ITV channels, E4, Channel Five, Fiver, Five USA Film Four More 4 about four more film channels etc. Makes you wonder why you paid for Sky! Freeview has about the same including all the main channels but with the addition of Dave and Virgin 1. Not so many music channels on Freeview either.
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harrycool
Posts: 6863
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Posted At: 27/06/2009 16:48:29
Re the Humax box, it allows you to record two separate chanels whilst watching a previous recorded programme, very useful.
Has anyone heard of a recording device that offers more than two channels (presumably with more than two tuners)? Does the Humax require more than one aerial or with a dish aerial, two LNB's.
I'm dreading the advent of digital later this year in the North West. I get superb reception on analogue and I have two analogue VHS recorders plus a Daewoo DVD/VHS recorder (ideal for transferring non-copyright protected video from one medium to another).
I've still got a Sky Digibox retained after cancelling the subscription (I think they were hoping I'd go back to Sky). I tend to watch FiveUSA because I'm hooked on the CSI series, Numbers and The Mentalist. The only real nuisance is the commercial breaks which include trailers on FiveUSA - they seem to last forever. In fact I'm able to watch another programme during the commercials/trailers. |
Cassiopea
Posts: 1923
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Posted At: 27/06/2009 17:42:03
Humax PVR9300T 320Gb Freeview Recorder | Freeview Recorder
Haven't looked at this one but apparently you can record two and watch a third but not record three unfortunately. Alternatively you can record two on most freeview hardrives and then click over to the freeview on you TV rather than through the box and watch a third channel there. I will try and google some more info.
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Sandgrounder2494
Posts: 2972
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Posted At: 27/06/2009 20:55:31
I have the earlier version of Humax, the 9200T which has the smaller hard drive which I have updated the firmware and software to the latest version via the website. Humax My old DVD player packed in last year so replaced it with a Cheap DVD Recorder which has Freeview. TV is a JVC CRT 36inch which does not have Freeview so when I'm recording two programs which prevents me from watching a third I now use the Freeview on the DVD. Also download a lot of the music programmes off the hard drive, especially those shown by the BBC, onto the computer and convert the .ts files to DivX for playing back on my Archos PVR. The Aerial coax comes into the DVD player first, then the Humax and finally the TV and the picture quality etc. on everything is good.  |
