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Freesat have announced the launch of Freesat+ with the new Humax FOXSAT-HDR, available in UK shops from mid-November 2008. The FOXSAT-HDR is bursting with Freesat+ recording features to capture the incredible colour, sound and crystal clear images of the BBC HD channel and ITV HD red button service.
When launched, the high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV, as well as access an expanding choice of SD TV, radio and interactive channels.
The massive 320GB hard drive can store up to 80 hours of HD programming, or up to 200 hours of standard definition shows, while the eight day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to scan the Freesat TV schedule and plan your viewing. Because the Humax FOXSAT-HDR comes with two digital tuners, two Freesat channels can be recorded at the same time, so you never need miss a thing. And with HD highlights including Strictly Come Dancing, UEFA Champions League, Tonight with Jonathan Ross, England home games, and the FA Cup, there’s plenty you won’t want to miss.
The Humax FOXSAT-HDR guarantees a whole host of advanced recording features for the Freesat+ digital satellite service:
• Series recording – to automatically record all the episodes of your favourite shows
• Radio recording – never miss your favourite radio shows by recording individual shows, or even series record
• Live pause and instant rewind – in case you need to answer the phone or replay that crucial scene
• Schedule tracking – so recordings start and finish on time, even when broadcasters change their schedule
• Split recordings – to record two-part programmes that may have a break in the middle for a news bulletin, such as films
Emma Scott, managing director, freesat, commented:
The launch of Freesat+ with the FOXSAT-HDR is an exciting milestone for us. We’re giving viewers the freedom to enjoy all their favourite standard definition shows, as well as the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, UEFA Champions League, England home games and blockbuster movies in HD whenever and however they want – for no subscription and no extra monthly bills.
Graham North, commercial director, Humax, added:
Humax has developed a reputation for delivering highly functional but easy-to-use digital TV products and we have leveraged this expertise to develop a technologically-advanced digital TV recorder that offers the very best in recording and viewing features for Freesat.
Other features of the Humax FOXSAT-HDR include:
• Advanced digital text and interactive services
• HDMI slot for transmission of amazing high definition pictures and surround sound audio to an HD-ready TV
• Low power consumption – less than 1watt in standby mode and an automatic standby function, so the box shifts to standby mode if inactive
• Parental controls – access codes prevent children watching inappropriate content
• Audio description services for the blind or visually impaired and one-touch subtitles
• Two scart sockets for connecting other equipment such as a DVD recorder
• Dolby digital audio output
• Connecting leads and controls including HDMI cable, scart cable, remote control and batteries included
Freesat+ FOXSAT-HDR will be available to buy from UK retailers from mid-November 2008, priced at around £299 (satellite installation not included). An official release date to follow.
In our recent poll on joinfreesat.co.uk, a massive 87% of 1,315 voters said they would be dropping Sky+ for the new Freesat+ service. That’s an incredibly high figure and much more than we expected.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Hurrah at last we can all dump Sky+ and save ourselves some money in the long term. Mind you Sky are going all out to appear better value and £299 is where Sky was at 8-12 months ago I think. Let’s hope offers and deals are available.
RobQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Great.
A few small pointers however:
Will it be possible to record from non-Freesat (but still free to air) channels? This is really important for me, as there are tons of other free channels, especially when looking at multiple ASTRA satellites (hoping the box can deal with multiple satellites as well)
320Gb, a bit on the small side when HD is taking up. 80h of HD content can be easily filled up especially if you want to store some of the shows (like a BBC concert). Hopefully it is possible to upgrade the drives.
Hopefully the remote control looks better compared to their older boxes, i.e. more 21st century style
WouterQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I think quite a few people have hinted they will be able to sell it at a little less (though not much, judging by the margins). I think you might well find it at £279 pretty swiftly after launch, but it’ll take a very long time to drop below £250.
It’s still £100 cheaper than the office Sky price for a non subscription Sky+ HD, which is buried away in the small print on their site, though of course, if you’re willing to stump up a subscription, you can get that from £75 plus lots of monthly fees.
Manufacturers can’t set a retail price any more, of course, so what they do is make a reasonable estimate, based on the typical trade price (which itself varies), plus a tolerable amount of profit. And then they often quote on a press release like this the upper range – if they quoted towards the lower range of possible prices, it would make it very hard for smaller independents to actually make a profit.
So, certainly some people will be selling at £299, but quite a few will try to shave even just a few quid off. I’d expect to see £279 or maybe even £269 in the sales after Xmas, but I don’t think the margins are yet there for any more substantial drop.
Those hoping for £200 have always been hoping in vain.
Nigel WhitfieldQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Wouter – Will try and find out on the recording non-Freesat issue. I know that Bob from Humax has made a point of saying that this is a Freesat receiver first, so maybe not in the first instance. They are confident that ITV HD on the red button can be recorded, but don’t want to disclose how for competitors to copy.
320gb might be small, but in comparison to Sky’s measly 160gb, it’s a good chunk more. Plus don’t forget that Humax need to built to a budget, 500gb or 1tb would price the unit out of most consumers range and becomes an enthusiasts receiver only then.
Nigel – Yep, expect a launch between £289 and £299, with a possible small drop after Christmas, but certainly not before. Cannot see the margin allowing much more than this, as you’ve said.
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Presumably a twin LNB will be required for the + recording?
RogerQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Great news. £299 sounds like a great deal of money, especially when compared to Sky’s £75 Sky+ HD offer. However, when you drill down to the details it may not be that expensive after all.
A quick look at Sky’s current offer (that runs out on 31/10 by the way) and you can see that to upgrade to HD will cost a one-off payment of £105. You then pay an additional £10 per month ON TOP of any current subscription you have. This means a monthly cost of between £27 and a whopping £57 depending on whether you have Sports/Movies and how many “Mixes” you have.
The £27 level gives you a comparable HD offering to Freesat with BBC HD and Channel 4 HD (plus something called Luxe TV HD whatever that is?!). Of course with Freesat you don’t get Channel 4 in HD (yet) but do get ITV HD so it’s a fair-ish comparison. Comparing this entry level Sky+HD package with Freesat+ HD, the new Humax box will be paid for in just 7 months. After that you’re quids in!
I must point out that this is worked out with just a few scribbles on the back on an envelope so hopefully I’ve got my figures correct! Feel free to put me right…
Of course, Sky have the big advantage of lots more HD channels than Freesat … IF you’re willing to pay for them! (The lack of HD channels is Freesat’s biggest problem, if you ask me) I still think that even at £299, Freesat+ HD is a better (and vastly cheaper) long term prospect.
For the record, I currently have Sky+ SD and plan to switch to Freesat+ HD when I can afford the nice HD telly to go with it! All donations gratefully accepted
Andy ClaytonQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I’m off to my local electrical store this weekend to see if I can pre order & pay a deposit. Bet these will shift like hot cakes before Xmas. Hope Humax don’t have any supply problems. P.S. anyone want to buy a 4 month old Bush HD box !!
MarkLQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
No Componet output ?! Can you record channels not in the EPG ?
DaveQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
What about diseqc 1.2 for muti sat usage ?
DaveQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
80 Hours HD programming? BBC HD recordings on my PC using a Skystar HD pci card come in at about 7.5 GBytes per hour. That’s only 42 hours, half the bit rate I am getting. That doesn’t add up.
David HQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I have the same question as Roger: will a twin LNB be necessary?
eklektofonicQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Yes, two ports from the LNB and two cables will be needed, as with any other satellite PVR receiver. Best bet is to get a quad LNB, as they are generally more often used and therefore cheaper, plus allows you room for expansion in the future.
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
£289 still is alot of money for such a small hard drive, hopefully it will be upgradeable.I am pretty certain you will need twin lnb but you can get these for £10 off a certain auction site and fit it yourself, I did , and it’s very easy to do.
Simon BainbridgeQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
A quick search on google brings back a few results.
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Wouter and Admin – Bob has earlier confirmed that this receiver will be able to record in both modes. What he indicated you won’t be able to do is to set up recording in both modes simultaneously. ie: when in Freesat mode it’s a Freesat PVR when in standard mode it’s an iCord. The receiver will also be as the standard box and the iCord in that it retains the diseqc software allowing it to be motorized and tracking to other Satellites. My uderstanding is that it wlill also be able to archive to an external HDD via a USB 2.0 port.
Les NicolQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I agree with David H’s comments ,,,and I strongly disagree with your website statement that states “When launched, the high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV”.
Those with DVB-S tuner cards for the PC have been doing this for some time now.
I dont suppose the PC market is captured in the “Freesat” take-up figures either but I’m one of those numbers.
Sky is dead,, long live freesat !!
ByngoQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Thanks Les, I was sure Bob had mentioned it, but couldn’t find it
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Thanks Lee, although now I’m slightly worrying. Obviously I would not like to switch between freesat/icord mode many times a day, assuming that in icord mode, the EPG for freesat get’s ‘lost’. Hopefully we will see a review soon of this puppy. can’t wait.
WouterQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Bare in mind though that a lot of the FTA channels available on Astra2/Eurobird will eventually be on the Freesat EPG. That should reduce the problem of switching between the two. Obviously doesn’t make things easier for alternative satellites or those channels not wishing to join Freesat’s EPG!
I’ve been asking for a review model…no joy yet!
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Well that’s certainly brightened up my day!
Pete CullenQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
@5:
One port and one cable should be sufficient to record just one channel at a time. If that is enough it should work for you with one cable.
davidQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Byngo i can see your point but what your doing isn’t using an official freesat system endorsed by freesat. As this is the kind of the unofficial official freesat site.i think admin play by certain rules to keep said party’s sweet.
lukeQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
luke – The actual sentence is part of the Freesat statement provided to us, it’s not been wrote by us
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Wouter – The Humax is set up firstly to take advantage of the “Freesat” EPG which is feature packed and able to take the range of impending interactive services and therefore as Sky non standard but an advance on the Sky offering. In FTA mode the EPG is of a European “Standard” more widely adopted by FTA box manufacturers and often tailored by manufacturers in there respective receiver offerings but basically presenting in a similar fashion on your TV screen. As a consequence it makes for configuration issues when it comes to recording what is effectively two EPG’s,
Les NicolQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
£150 is the most I would pay.
DenisQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hope you’ve voted for that option in the poll then?
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hurray!
Carl PageQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Anyone know if recorded shows can be copied off the machine, used on a PC, burnt to DVD etc? Is there any pesky DRM or daft proprietary format to worry about?
Carl PageQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Looks like it could be time to break out the coax and a twin/quad LNB. Only thing to worry about is..
Can it record Freesat and non-Freesat channels in the same session? I have a horrible feeling it won’t, but we’ll see..
StevenQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
This discusson prompts me to ask a question about the current HUMAX HD box.
When I do a manual tune to pick up a specific channel, or scan for non Freesat channels I am asked to ‘save’ the result but if I do this I loose all my Freesat channels and have to rescan to get them bacl again !!
Is this correct, or am I doing something wrong?
peterhbQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
That’s just what I have been waiting for a HD HDR freesat system, I will be waiting anxiously for one of these in Nov, I currently have the HD Humax box linked up to a 42 inch Phillips Cineous TV and that works great in HD,(even better than my previous Panasonic plasma Viera !) and with more ITV HD programmes in the offering it can only get better .
I will not pay a monthly charge to sky but am happy with the initial one off payment for the unit .
PS Steve- I have a Quad LNB now attached to my sky dish to enable many options for the future .
Chris 2Quote
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
In my capacity as “person who commissions reviews for Personal Computer World” I’m also on the list for review kit; but whether that will appear before kit actually gets into distribution is anybody’s guess.
Denis may only want to pay £150, but I fear he’ll be waiting a very long time. Bits of what’s in the Humax really do qualify as extremely new technology.
Nigel WhitfieldQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
brilliant ! been waiting months for this baby ! cancelled the sky+ and only have setanta for the scottish footi,so my plan is to use this box and then plug the cables back into the sky box to watch the rangers games .sorted ! paid out thousands to sky for toooo long !
big alQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Great news from Freesat, hope Humax can deliver the goods before Christmas
Bert AllsopQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Is that right that a pvr needs two cable feeds? So for two pvr’s and two sat. receivers i need a octo lnb?
PAGQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Steven – I thought I had set this out in my postings 15 and 24. You have to be in either FTA mode or Freesat mode you will not be able to mix and match,
Les NicolQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
For anyone thinking that 320GB is not that much in storage capacity if you were to compare this with the SKY HD plus box you willf ind that their 320GB HDD is custom partitioned with 140GB allocated to SKY anytime and not available to the end user eg: you only have available approximately 160GB
Les NicolQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Lets not compare it to Sky HD. Lets compare to all the new Freeview+ recorders which are appearing at the moment (soley to record SD content) with HDD sizes between 250GB and 500GB.
Personally, I’d like bigger than 320GB and I dare say I’ll get what I want before too long. Remember this is just the very first of a long line of Freesat+ boxes.
What I WON’T be doing is waiting until they hit the 150 quid mark. I couldn’t anyway – I’m only planning on living another 50 years or so!
Glen McFarlaneQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Thanks Les.. I must get in the habit of reading all the previous posts properly before commenting . .
320GB has to be plenty of capacity, surely? Unless there’s time to watch TV 24 hours a day or use it as a semi-permanant storage facility. No idea of total record time but must be more than 200 hours in SD? That’s over 9 days continuous viewing.
If watching 4 hours a day average that’s about 50 days worth of recording playback with the dish unplugged . . WOW!
StevenQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
PAG, for two PVRs and two receivers, you need either an Octo, or you need something called a multiswitch, which starts to get a bit complicated. For a quick summary of this (it’s a key difference between satellite and terrestrial), try this article:
http://www.nigelwhitfield.com/v2/article.php?id=50
Nigel WhitfieldQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
how many channels & what channels do you with it
hubstarQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Thankyou for your reply(link) Nigel. It has been very helpful.
PAGQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
great news,£299 and two cables ready and waiting.
jack bartonQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
hubstar – Not sure what your post was exactly meant to mean, but a list of channels can be found here, http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/freesat-channels.
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I’m salivating for this box. I have triple quads on three satelites cabled in to two diseqs and even got the hdmi cable ready to plug in via a remote hdmi switch. So my question is how can I preorder the baby? I scan the net every day and the local shops won’t take an order?
supermartQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Your best bet is just waiting for whom releases first, as those that are accepting pre-orders are not able to guarantee anything, just that they will have stock at some point in the future.
adminQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply. Looks like I will wait for a publish date and take a days holiday to avoid disapointment as I expect these to sell faster than hot-cakes.
.
supermartQuote
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
We currently watch our main TV from Sky + HD (basic sub + HD charge) into a 42 Samsung plasma. Although the HD channels are superb (well 12 of the 26 that are available to us) we are also a little surprised and pleased at the very good quality of the majority of the SD channels. We considered the HDMI Lead expensive at the time (£50) but are now convinced that it is largely responsible for the quality transfer.
Two things I’m looking forward to seeing (comparing really) is the, Upscaling of SDTV to HD on the Humax PVR (something not available on Sky + HD) and is all the 320GB HDD for your own use.
Sky + HD does what it says and it does it well. The EPG and all its facilities for us have literally changed the way we watch TV. Probably should add when we watch TV. But if we can have a PVR box that allows me more or less the same recording facilities (this will have to be proved by hands on usage) Upscaling of SD to better than I currently get and some HD channels without subscription then a rethink is on the cards.
David LeekQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 12:36 am
lookslike it has got component out, and avi transfer thru usb, nice if this is at least the final product:
http://www.humaxdigital.co.uk/global/products/product_stb_satellite_icordhd.asp
AlQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Admin – Yes I have voted. Thanks for reminder.
Although I would not go back to Sky the problem with a price of £299 is that former Sky customers like myself you can have Sky+ with HD for much less than this and the difference in cost would cover a few months subscription.
Hopefully demand will reduce cost of new Freesat box over time
DenisQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 7:15 am
There are couple of aspects regarding the receiver that require clarity and these are:- I am assuming that Channel capacity will be the same as the iCord 5000 channel storage capability presumably representing a total count between Freesat and FTA. Secondly will this boxes setup sotware allow the user to partition or will it have fixed pre partitioned space for photo – - data transfer as with the Humax iCord. Bearing in mind the the considerable price difference in the receivers makes me feel that the latter may have been left out hopefully Bob maybe albe to clarify this before release.
Les NicolQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 9:12 am
The back panel of the Humax is not the same as the iCord, and it doesn’t have component outputs. I peeked round the back to check when I saw the pre-production units in Amsterdam. And Bob from Humax has confirmed there’s no component out, too.
Nigel WhitfieldQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Looks like we have two Al’s – yup I’m not the one above but the one who’s been around a long time.
Anyway, to business, I’m going to await to see full specification then wait until a month or so after launch to see if there are any reported problems.
Its ok jumping in on release, but sometimes you can become a beta tester and looking at past problems suffered by some boxes I’d rather wait on and take stock before throwing £300 or so at something that might not be working properly or fully or to the quality I want. A What HiFi review and good reports around the net will keep me happy on the latter front and subject to spec, may trigger a purchase. Alternatively, I may chase the Panny.
AlQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Nigel – If anyone is requiring additional component out they could opt for a Freesat “Slingbox” or “Dongle” – It’s an American device but there is a UK version.
Les NicolQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Peterhb – you do not lose all your freesat channels when you do a manual scan,you just need to switch back to freesat mode from non freesat mode.press menu,select settings and scroll down to stb mode,pressing left or right on the controller switches between freesat and non freesat mode
IanQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
rip off price. don’t they know there is the mother of all recessions on. probably make it for £100 or less. Fed up being ripped off but this is rip off Britain so what else can one expect.
richard crichtonQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Given the component costs, and the development, the current price is probably about the lowest price they can sell it for it, and make a profit, actually.
And it’s actually cheaper than the equivalent European model (the iCord); so much for “rip off Britain”, eh?
Nigel WhitfieldQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Ian,
Thanks for the help on this issue.
I’ll give it a try and report back
peterhbQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
David Leek,
I have made the same observation.
I splashed out on a good quality HDMI cable to connect my Humax Foxsat HD box to the TV (Philips).I find that the SD programs vieweed this way are amuch better quality then the signal direct from the TV tuner.
I reckon they are about mid way between SD and the HD feed
peterhbQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Peterhb – that’s not necessarily the HDMI cable. My external box is far superior than my built-in tuner and I’ve only a SCART cable connecting mine!
Glen McFarlaneQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Does it come with ethernet connector? I guess it must being a Freesat specification.
Juan PabloQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Just visited the website. It does have it and 2 USB ports.
I just wish it could stream content from my NAS. At least display the pictures from the NAS.
Juan PabloQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
BBC HD ~6 hours a day
ITV HD ~? hours a day (your guess is as good as mine)
plus the odd bit of HD sport
As Nigel Whitfield is harping on about the price again, here’s a reminder of what you get for ~£299:
~unique selling point
Record one Freesat programme whilst watching another.
And at that point my list of UNIQUE features came to an abrupt end. So the question is, is there really that many schedule clashes and lack of opportunity to watch programmes at other times that it would be ~£299 well spent?
My answer is “no”.
And to clarify – I’m not saying the box is not worth ~£299, I’m not saying that Humax are over-pricing their product, I’m not saying that there isn’t a market for it out there. What I am saying is that there are people like me who won’t pay the price being touted when it is so obviously short of features that would make it an attractive proposition.
Just because you develop a product and stick a “fair” price on it, it doesn’t mean that the product is going to have much appeal. I believe there is a mass market to be exploited, I’m just of the view that “Freesat / Humax” are not going to exploit it with their current product being sold at the proposed price point.
For example – a HD PVR outputting via scart to a DVD recorder, what a crock. I look forward to the explanation of how the HD feed is compressed to fit onto a dvd or why you would have a dvd recorder and be recording onto the PVR when you had a dvd recorder and a HD tv, given the multitude of HD tv’s have inbuilt Freeview tuners that effectively allow you to watch another channel.
The bottom line here is that people will be buying a particular convenience – but, forgive me for saying, more discerning buyers will wait until the product gives value for money. And yes, I’m ignoring people who would be replacing Sky+ because they are in a different market.
You will have seen that I made some passing observations at the top on my post about HD content – how much of that do people actually watch each day?
Essentially, we’ve been lumbered with a specialist Freesat HD PVR with no hope of a Freesat SD version, all for the sake of a relatively miniscule amount of HD programming. Yipee, don’t you love those market researchers and product developers.
John_MQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
USPs? You forgot IPTV capabilities, and the ethernet connectivity, none of which you’ll find on comparable boxes.
Remember, people aren’t necessarily buying based on the exact amount of HD that’s broadcast now, but on the fact that it will certainly increase, and why buy a cheap PVR for SD only and then replace it when there’s more HD, and not be able to record whatever you want in HD right now?
Yes, of course people would like it to be cheaper; and some people might want there to be more HD, or for iPlayer to be available right now. And if that’s you, then wait until the price does come down.
Given that a lot of the SD PVR chipsets out there don’t actually support the feature set likely to be needed for things like iPlayer, or would need a fair chunk of ancillary components needed to do it (most SD PVR SoCs don’t have H.264, for exampe), then I’m not convinced that an SD unit with all that functionality would have been substantially cheaper.
They could perhaps have bashed out a cheaper unit, with MPEG2 only, using something like the EMMA2 that’s in their SD Freeview PVRs. But how would that have played with people if they bought it and found out it couldn’t actually do stuff like iPlayer later, and had to upgrade?
Outside the re-badged economies of scale (Vestel, rebadged as Wharfedale, and loads of other Freeview brands), PVRs with upscaling, large hard drives and so on for Freeview aren’t that cheap – look at the Topfield 5810 and the Humax 9300. And despite being pretty good boxes, those both use fairly old technology at heart (EMMA2); and they don’t have the development costs of a brand new platform, either. Compared to those, you’re getting HD recording for not an awful lot more cash, frankly, with the Foxsat.
And, as I’ve said to someone else, the amount of HD has exactly what bearing on the cost of making the kit? None. Whether there’s 6 or 60 hours of HD available to record each day, it costs the same to develop the product and bring it to market.
I really would love it if the box was cheaper; more people would buy, Freesat would become more popular, and we’d all wander round with flowers in our hair kissing strangers.
But complaining about the recession, or the amount of HD still doesn’t alter the fundamental economics – and that’s why I’ll point that out when people say “it’s too expensive; it’s a rip off”
Nigel WhitfieldQuote
October 24th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
@John_M
Whilst its true there’s not a vast amount of HD programming at the moment, market research has shown that the vast majority of people buy into Freesat for Free HD not SD, so as someone wanting an SD PVR, you’re probably in a minority:
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/freesat-reaches-100000-sales-since-launch#comments
That said, I do agree the box is missing something fundamental and for me its the ability to record Freeview as well. It might be a Freesat box, but who is really going to spend all that money only to then have to buy another PVR for Freeview and have another box under the tv. Freesat was originally conceived as an alternative to Freeview but in the vast majority of homes which can receive both, its far more likely to be used as supplemental and that requires something that can record from both.
Al (Original)Quote
October 25th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Humm. All these people going on about the price and lack of HD content !! It’s new technology for the UK free to air market. At launch the HD freesat boxes were around £130 to £150, so what if Humax PVR is £299. I think it’s great value. If you want new tech dig in your pocket, if not….My dad still has a VCR & 19 inch telly thingy which i’m not sure if it still has valves in it. He can’t understand all the flap about HD (His eyes are no longer HD too !). Everyone has the choice, pay your money for cutting edge or shut up. Since freesat is still in it’s early days I say good luck to any manufacturer who invests into this exciting new platform. As for anyone who expects a freesat PVR for £150 .. grow up! Give you an example – get the latest high tech mobile phone on a 18 month contract for free or buying the same phone out of contract will cost you £££ – just like SKY. Happy days are here at long last!
marklQuote
October 25th, 2008 at 7:43 am
For those complaining about the cost of this box at £299 the Humax iCord is around £170. more than the Freesat version and as I already pointed out in an earlier post you will have full use of the 320 GB HDD which you don’t get with a Sky plus box. It will be interesting to catch a Dr Dish or Satellite Superstore review of the Freesat box where performance and build quality will also be assessed.
Les NicolQuote
October 25th, 2008 at 8:27 am
What annoys me the most, is where is a standard Freesat PVR?
Not all of us, can afford LCD and Plasma televisions at £300+, so have no need for a HD PVR.
I already have a Humax PVR for Freeview, and it would of been nice to have the chance to use one for Freesat, but somewhere the powers that be, have forgotten the ordinary punter in the street, who want to watch FTA programming, with a PVR that is affordable.
I am all for having HD available equipment, but surely there should be a choice, i for one, am not paying £300 for a PVR to do what my Freeview one does for half the price.
If there are SD and HD versions of the standard boxes, then considering the ratio of HD channels to SD channels, why is there no SD version of Freeview+?
StevenQuote
October 25th, 2008 at 8:30 am
What annoys me the most, is where is a standard Freesat PVR?
Not all of us, can afford LCD and Plasma televisions at £300+, so have no need for a HD PVR.
I already have a Humax PVR for Freeview, and it would of been nice to have the chance to use one for Freesat, but somewhere the powers that be, have forgotten the ordinary punter in the street, who want to watch FTA programming, with a PVR that is affordable.
I am all for having HD available equipment, but surely there should be a choice, i for one, am not paying £300 for a PVR to do what my Freeview one does for half the price.
If there are SD and HD versions of the standard boxes, then considering the ratio of HD channels to SD channels, why is there no SD version of Freesat+?
StevenQuote
October 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Nigel – the only rear port missing is the “component out” – not sure whether it has both rear and front USB ports as in the iCord Dr Dish review. It describes the front port which is under the front flap as for inputing Photos MP3 and Data. As its Linux based it can be user customized – This is possibly where the price hike is between both receivers as I note in my previous post (65)
Les NicolQuote
October 25th, 2008 at 10:40 am
@Steven,
I think it will follow, eventually but the reason for the HD PVR launch I explained above:
“Whilst its true there’s not a vast amount of HD programming at the moment, market research has shown that the vast majority of people buy into Freesat for Free HD not SD, so as someone wanting an SD PVR, you’re probably in a minority:
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/freesat-reaches-100000-sales-since-launch#comments”
Also, just because you watch SD at the moment, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a HD box as it receives SD also. Consider it an investment for the future.
At some point you’re going to change your tv (TV’s last on average 5 years, longer if you’re lucky), but what this does mean is you’re probably going to buy a new tv within the lifetime of the box and all new TV’s are rapidly becoming HD ready or Full HD. Buying an SD box then a HD box is far more expensive than buying a HD box in the 1st place with the future in mind.
Al (Original)Quote
October 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am
‘If there are SD and HD versions of the standard boxes, then considering the ratio of HD channels to SD channels, why is there no SD version of Freesat+?’
There is. It’s the Humax FOXSAT-HDR which records SD and comes with the facility to record HD at no extra cost…
digitalQuote
October 25th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
@Nigel Whitfield
I don’t believe you actually read my post – I never mentioned “recession”.
Also, you missed the point about USPs – the point, that I had tried to make clear, was that I was listing the USPs that actually had value to me. All that other stuff you’ve mentioned is nice. But take the iPlayer example you’ve listed. That relies on external technologies that, by and large, need to be paid for. An interesting fact that was recently published is that nearly 1 million broadband users are are close to, or actually, maxing out their download limit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7684322.stm
I agree with what you say about the HD content having no bearing on the cost of the box – but that wasn’t a point I was making either.
I note your confession of how you would treat strangers, LOL
And to finish – I have been at pains to make clear that I’m not saying the HD PVR is too expensive or a rip-off. If you want to spend the ~£299 for what it gives you, then great.
——————
@Al (Original)
Thanks for the info.
Also, the feature you mention is the sort of thing I think is missing from the box when its being pitched at ~£299
——————
@markl
Play nice.
——————
@Les Nicol
I do read your posts, there’s no need to repeat yourself, LOL
——————
@Al (Original) (post 71)
I can’t believe that you are telling me that Freesat have reached 100,000 sales and then you tell Steven to consider that buying a HD box is an investment in the future! In one fell swoop the Freesat HD world moved on with the introduction of the DH PVR and made all the other boxes “old hat” – didn’t it? 
I suppose those 100,000 are now upset they didn’t wait a wee while to jump onboard with HD PVR. Though maybe that 100,000 aren’t bothered about PVR, LOL.
——————
@digital
ROFL
John_MQuote
October 26th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Great news about release date,I have been quoted a price of £349 but they have already taken deposits on the 20 that they have been allocated.
Anybody out there know where I can order one up from ?
chris williamsQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Hi
I wonder if anyone can help me please…you might be able to save my bacon
We are still using terrestial but live in a lousy reception area…we do not want Sky and cannot get Freeview
So…I want to install Freesat…
OR … if possible …Freesat HD …
OR…if possible…Freesat HDR
Background
We live in an old /lovely house
at moment we have terrestial aerial on big chimney stack at one end of house…
the Freesat dish will also go there as it faces south east…which I think is good?
currently we have a single aerial lead from aerial …
that co-ax lead goes under some roof tiles…(took ages to do) ..
then into loft space…
from there it is amplified and then into splitter …
the co-ax cables then go down (via wall cavities etc!)…to 6 outlets in rooms
What we need
We want to get Freesat of Freesat HD in 4 of those rooms
We want to be able to watch different channels in each room at same time
we also want to be able to watch one channel in say sitting room whilst recording another channel there
we do not want to run cabling all over house..inside or out
Questions…please!
the ideal for us would be
run one cable from dish on chimney…route it under roof tiles…into Freesat giant box! (I call it that but they must do this on blocks of flats??) + splitter (similar to terrestial one now) …then down to TV outlets…via existing co-ax cables
if needs be…we would be happy to run several cables from dish into loft….
would those cables then go into a Freesat giant box+ splitter …from which I can use existing co-ax cables?
or do we run cables from dish …into loft…into just a splitter…then co-ax down to all TV points…THEN put freesat or Freesat + boxes or TVs at each point?
we cannot replace the existing co-ax in walls etc…installed at great trouble
THANKS!
I am very happy if anyone wants to email me…grharrison@btinternet.com
Regards
Graham
Graham HarrisonQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Quad or quattro LNB, four coaxials into loft, multiswitch (Vision V75 508A will take quad or quattro and provide 8 independent feeds and also add in terrestrial signal, FM and DAB), insert each of the present coaxials into multiswitch outlets, fit http://www.screwfix.com/prods/73677/Electrical/TV-Range/Sockets/Screened-Quadplexed-Module or similar to existing coaxial outlets. It would be best if there were two to the room which will house the Freesat PVR.
digitalQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Forgot to say that if you’ve a spare coaxial back up to the loft then you can take outputs from boxes and send them back up to the loft for redistribution with the ‘Return’ socket on http://www.screwfix.com/prods/31909/Electrical/TV-Range/Sockets/Labgear-Screened-Socket-Quadruplexed-Return
digitalQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Graham – Going along with “Digital” but as you say you live in a lovely old house and if you’ve got a clear line of site from your property you might want to consider locating your dish on a ground patio stand – much easier for maintaining and cost when you are not on contract to the likes of Sky. You can still adopt the advice given by “Digital” for routing to other rooms. I am really thinking about our changing weather .situation here in th UK and perhaps saving you some cash in the long run should wind conditions knock your dish off. Something to think about?
Les NicolQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Thanks very much Digital and Les…
that is all good advice …
it is stuff that I will take with me to retailer etc!!
regards
Graham
Graham HarrisonQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Digital
can you please tell me…I know I am thick…
1) is there no way I can install a sort of ‘master’ Freesat receiver in loft…and allow that to route signal down to TVs in rooms without Freesat in rooms?…
I would have thought that would be the way it is done in say block of flats?
2) I will need to cable as you suggest and then put Freesat boxes or Freesat TVs plus Freesat PVR …in each room?
3) what will be the advantage please re your post 76?
4) if I only have one co-ax outlet in the room where we site the PVR…what will that mean in practice?
Thanks
Regards
Graham
Graham HarrisonQuote
October 28th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Fingers crossed the programme start/end signals supplied by the broadcasters aren’t as much of a shambles as they are on Freeview+
Missed starts and ends are rife, at least the Humax freesat PVR will be able to ‘pad’ recordings and use series link too.
TefQuote
October 29th, 2008 at 12:19 am
@ Graham
1) Can’t see how you can. How would you change channels/set timers? Systems in flats simply supply the ‘signal’ for a box to interpret.Others may know different…
2) A Freesat ‘receiver’ of whatever flavour in each room. Unless you have one box and then send that feed around the house using the return I mention in post 76. But all viewers would need to watch the same programme.
3) You play a DVD in one room and it can be watched in another. You play back a recorded programme on a Freesat or Freeview PVR in one room and it can be watched elsewhere (assuming each device can output a suitable signal or will accept something that will provide such a signal).
4) Limited recording options. Possible to record two programmes at the same time but only if they share the same frequency and polarity.
digitalQuote
October 29th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Digital
brilliant…thanks…
my last question…
in (4) above…
if I only have one co-ax into a room where PVR and Freesat TV will be located…would I be able to WATCH one channel on TV and record another channel onto PVR at same time?
your answer implies that I could not RECORD say two programmes at once…but could I record one and watch one at same time like with VCR…if there was a Freesat tuner in TV and another Freesat tuner in the PVR
thanks..you have been really helpful!
Regard
Graham
Graham HarrisonQuote
October 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
One coaxial means that only one LNB is connected to the PVR or TV and one LNB can only ‘look at’ one set of channels at a time.
AIUI the Humax PVR will allow you record two programmes, or record one and watch one, as long as they’re both available on the frequency and polarisation that the LNB is looking at.
You would do record + record or record + watch on the Humax box as that’s where the one feed would be ‘plugged in’. The TV would not have a feed as the only one available would be attached to the PVR and the PVR, again AIUI, doesn’t have a loop-through to allow the freesat signal to be passed to the TV.
It may be useful to you if you had a look at Digitalspy at http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=142
Satcure at http://www.satcure.co.uk/index.html sells all the bits you would want and there’s a lot of information and advice on there too.
digitalQuote
October 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I enquired in a Department Store in Taunton, Somerset yesterday who has the Humax Foxsat for sale if they had any information about the PVR version. A lot of customer enquiry had been received but availability, hopefully before Xmas and maybe before the end of November. (Price £319. tbc)
David LeekQuote
October 31st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Digital
many thanks…
I am now nearly at point of taking the plunge…looking fwd to it
Regards
Graham
Graham HarrisonQuote
November 5th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
any new news on the actual release date and price, all the links go no where
vikkiQuote
November 6th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Freesat is an absolute must for most people and with freesat plus on the way , things cant get much better ,
All we need now is for itv & bbc to pull off the sky platform , Poeple have been robbed for too long , This would surely be a massive blow .
I look forward to the plunge !…
mr smithQuote
November 7th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
If you get a TV with built in Freesat like the new Panasonic’s, and you combined it with the new Humax box would you have 3 connections from the LNB and be able to watch one channel and record two others at the same time?
ShaunQuote
November 9th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
November 17th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
WHEN WHEN WHEN????? and WHERE
AnnieQuote
November 18th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
mid november was 15/16th, now 18th and five is on board. freesat needs to meet it’s deadlines or it will lose it’s credibility…. more!
supermartQuote
November 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
how about freesat on the continent. Sky is eary to receieve-will it be the same for freesat. and please tell me when their boxes will be available-they are doing this on purpose
TonyQuote
November 19th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
20th and not even a firm date yet
supermartQuote
November 20th, 2008 at 8:26 am
This is a joke. I’ve been sold on this for several months. I’ve done my research on the kit. I’m ready to cancel my Sky+ subscription. BUT…no one has any stock of this. Its all down to “available soon”.
What’s the problem? I’ve got money, you know. Is my money not good enough or something. Sort it out Freesat & Humax.
The Duke Of HunsletQuote
November 20th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Don’t worry Duke, there has just been a product delay, which can and does happen. Availability is expected late next week.
adminQuote
November 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Not long now, Duke.
Launch is Saturday 22nd…..allegedly.
PhlangePhaceQuote
November 20th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Not allegedly, we’ve reported it here
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/freesat-available-from-this-weekend
adminQuote
November 20th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Oooops,
sorry, got directed to this thread from google and didn’t notice it was an ‘old’ thread that had been superseded by the announcement you linked to.
Mind you, the feedback on that thread implies certain stores are reporting the units may not be available on Saturday after all….
so I suppose my ‘allegedly’ comment may still be apt
PhlangePhaceQuote
November 20th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Yep, allegedly in that retailers might not have stock, but officially in that Freesat have officially announced this. Sure somewhere will have a few available this weekend
adminQuote
November 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
These units are sold out everywhere ! so the demand is overwhelming & i cant wait to get one.
The knightQuote
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
Argos now say they have some – meanwhile my Dixons order has been cancelled by Dixons due to lack of supply. Given that Dixons is now an ‘online only’ seller you would think that stock control would be a key part of their business and they wouldn’t mess people around like this. With retail facing a crisis I think we can all agree that by this time next year the management of dixons will be living under waterloo bridge and performing handjobs on passing businessmen in exchange for scraps of food.
The Duke Of HunsletQuote
December 24th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
i have sky with just the free chanles on . do you got all these on freesat+
richardQuote
December 25th, 2008 at 10:20 am
well i was going to get one but every were out of stock
richardQuote
January 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
February 1st, 2009 at 12:02 pm
hi
this may sound like a daft question but why can’t the freesat dish be in installed in the loft like the terrestrial aerials due to the fact i live in private residential block and satellite dishes are not permitted.
ian – birminghamQuote
February 1st, 2009 at 12:54 pm
A satellite dish needs “line of sight”, without it, you won’t pick up a reception.
adminQuote
February 5th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
can anyone advise. Our set up at present is sd tv with sky+ box, this is in our living room. The kitchen and 3 bedrooms are linked to sky and we can watch sky in these rooms but only the same channel as in living room. We have at present in the kitchen and 1 of the bedrooms sony freeview tv’s but cannot access any other channel on a regular basis other than bbc1 and itv. My question is if we get a new tv and get the humax foxsat-hdr box is there anyway to set it up so that the kitchen and bedrooms view freesat and are able to watch any channel from it. Or would it be cheaper to upgrade the loft aerial for freeview (so that kitchen and bedrooms can utilise that) and leave the freesat for the livingroom? Sorry for going on and I hope that you understand me!
funkyladyQuote
February 7th, 2009 at 9:21 am
thanks for the reply but to just confuse things i do understand that line of sight is required but since asking the question i have been informed from a friend in the telecommunications industry that it is possible to site the dish in the loft using a special LNB but if this is correct then why is no information available.
i can understand sky not informing people due to the amature installation procedures that prevent access to loft spaces and every excuse to use their new battery drills to deface the exterior of your house.
also what is the prefered ariel cable is 75 ohm coaxial ok?
ian – birminghamQuote