Loading ...In a conversation between James Atkins, Freesat Trade Marketing Manager, and DigitalSpy, Freesat have admitted to problems in the past with product availability and that stock is “now fully available”.
We’ve made comment on here a number of times following readers emailing us experiencing problems obtaining stock, and until now Freesat haven’t really acknowledged that it has been an issue and the reasons why. Stock when Freesat initially launched back in May 2008 was hard to obtain, in both SD and HD formats; then in late 2008 Humax were unable to meet the high demand of the Freesat+ (FOXSAT-HDR) receiver.
Following on from early 2009 until around May 2009, access to standard-definition stock from the only manufacturer (Harvard Group – Grundig, Bush, Goodmans) was difficult due to Harvard not wanting to commit production without firm orders. James Atkins confirms this fact by stating that Freesat didn’t have a commercial involvement in the availability of manufacturers stock at that time;
We were outside of that loop, so a lot of the stock issues were due to retailers not knowing how successful Freesat was going to be and manufacturers not wanting to take a risk in terms of production, [...] There had to be a bit of history in terms of sales for them to order with confidence, safe in the knowledge that the products were going to sell through. So it was very well documented that we were very light on SD and HD boxes, and even a few weeks where we were completely out, which was very frustrating
Read more on this story over at DigitalSpy
August 12th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
So how about a few HD channels now you’ve sorted out availability?
saltydawgQuote
August 13th, 2009 at 11:02 am
One good thing about the new lower BBC HD bitrate.
Recordings will take up less space on hard drives.
Richard CrichtonQuote
August 13th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Richard – why not just record the SD version and save lots of Hard drive space. I really don’t think there is a good spin on reduced HD bitrates, unless it’s for making room for another channel!.
Lee BQuote
August 13th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Lee- ITV1 simulcast perhaps?
I think they want to use the same low bitrate for Freeview and Freesat.
It’s still lots higher than Lux HD though.
Tony HalesQuote
August 13th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I’d like to see what reason the BBC gives, an ITV1 simulcast would be acceptable! Though I don’t think lower bitrates are the way forward.
The BBC shows too variable material to ever look as good as Lux HD even with a higher bitrate.
Could the BBC not switch to DVB-S2 to gain some free bandwidth?
Lee BQuote
August 13th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
People talk about the quality of Luxe TV a lot, and yes, it does look stunning. What has to be realised is that much of what Luxe TV HD show are almost still pictures…there is not a lot of action going on when compared to a football match or a movie.
MJQuote
August 16th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Goodmans HD receivers, after 15months since launch of Freesat – Now at Tesco with a £99.97 price tag.
Les NicolQuote
August 16th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Wow. Tesco are really quick aren’t they. Still every little helps. (ho ho)
I expect they will be cheaper If Asda starts selling them though.
Tony HalesQuote
August 26th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
im thinking of buying a humax foxsat hdr 320gb pvr freesat reeiver.
1/ is there a slot for a sky card so to get a few sky free cannels.
2/ what model should i be looking for if not this one. thanks
colin hallQuote