Loading ...Sorry for the late posting, its been one of them days! Just to let you know that Freesat have confirmed the launch of BET, Zone Horror + 1, Information TV, Kix!, Celebrity Shop and Simply Shopping, which will appear automatically on your Freesat EPG on Friday 8th August as we previously suggested.
In a statement from Freesat regarding the new channels, Emma Scott, Managing Director of Freesat said:
Freesat is committed to providing viewers with the best of free-to-air programming and a diverse choice, with something for everyone. BET is a huge brand name in the US and its style and range of programming will be tremendously popular with viewers in the UK. In addition, a channel like Kix! brings an exciting style of kids TV programming onto the platform.
BET International, Senior Vice President, Michael Armstrong added
We are delighted to be partnering Freesat in what we view as an important process in our distribution strategy. We believe that our exclusive content should be seen by as wide an audience as possible, Freesat delivers a free-to-air solution that fits into our aggressive audience growth plan for the UK.
Update 08/08/08 11:29 - Channels now available for download
August 7th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
That’s good . . The more the merrier as far as I’m concerned. No doubt I’ll spend 95% of my viewing with the BBC, ITV and Ch4 still though . . But it’s good to flick through . .
August 8th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Some of the new channels we’re getting aren’t bad. Last update Zone Horror was ok and Zone reality is watchable (about as much as ITV IMO). Kix is pretty good - Generation1 Transformers!
I thought BET was a gambling channel at first!
August 8th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I am glad to see that the channel choice is continuing to increasing bringing more of a diversity of channels to choose from. I am basically happy with the freesat line-up and always relish more choice. What I would like to know if anyone can help, is what has happened to the +1’s for E4, M4 and F4? It was stated on the freesat website that they would be launching in July, unless I have misread what it said.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I just wish they would cut down on these shopping/bingo style channels which in my opinion are nothing more the tv equivalent to junk mail, and use the bandwith for HD and better quality SD channels.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I am having the same problem as before. The Goodmans HD box will not show new channels on the EPG if they are already listed as non-freesat channels. This means another ‘first install’ which means you loose all the non-freesat channels….thus another manual scan for those.
A real pain having to do this each time ‘new’ freesat channels are released.
Come on Alba !!!!
August 8th, 2008 at 8:39 am
New channels have not appeared in the EPG yet again on my Bush box, I assume I will have to do another complete re install and lose my manual scan channels yet again!.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Lee B: yes….pain in the backside
August 8th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Well, there’s no sign of those new entries on the EPG yet, not even with a manual scan (Foxsat).
August 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Phew, glad I did not do a manual scan this morning then!, maybe when I get home tonight all will be well!….
August 8th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I agree with Phil.
Quality rather than quantity.
I am sure pretty big majority of people will watch BBC. ITV, E4,CH4,M4,CH5& 5 derivatives with + channels.
So Why bother with spam?
Give us more quality SD and more HD and + channels.
My default is still Freeview!!
August 8th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Looks like new channels not yet live then.
Suggest Alba box owners (Bush Goodmans etc) who find auto update did not function after reports of channels going live try disconnecting from mains for a minute (wait 10-15 minutes for updates) as this seems to set software in auto update mode (dont ask me why).
After your box updates if you have any EPG problems of any kind (Possible if you have stored or stored and deleted any FTA channels then only answer is a First Time Install. If you then store any FTA channels all should be well until next batch of new channels arrives.
At least until Alba upgrade the software we have this temporary solution that fixes most problems by doing a First Time Install.
I am rationing myself to a small number of FTA channels.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am
my humax foxsat box updated it self 6 new channels
WOW.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Sorry Guys at Freesat. I remain to be impressed. Apart from the terrestrials (minus Five) and the Channel Four digitals, what have we got? Mostly rubbish. The commitment to “best of” and “diverse” programming rings a bit hollow. Unless “diverse” means “Junk Mail” channels (good choice of words). This drip feeding is doing no one any good, least of all Freesat. And when the drip feeding includes low quality tv such as the recent six channels it hardly inspires confidence. Freesat need to come clean with what’s on offer. We need some additional quality to sell the idea. Otherwise, its just BBC, ITV, Channel Four, Five (maybe) and the Channel Four digitals. At most twenty channels! Nothing wrong with that quality, but lets be honest about it. 20 channels plus radio not 230!
August 8th, 2008 at 11:36 am
RE: Goodmans HD Box
The new channels have appeared in the epg automatically…but the ch+/- issues still remains….using ch+/- takes you to the adjacent non freesat channel based on where the ‘new’ freesat channel used to be sited in the non FS list.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Bush SD box failed to update.
Mains Powered down for 1 minute.
About 10 minutes later all 6 new channels appeared on CH LIST.
Off to watch “Special Cauldron of fire” at Olympics Opening Stuff.
Good luck.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Will test Bush HD update tonight and report later.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Anyone complaining about the quality of the channels have to realise you’re only going to get what’s FTA on the actual satellite anyway - and most of the that is indeed rubbish. At best you’re going to get the choice from this list - give or take Five, etc appearing in the future.
http://www.uk-satellite-tv.co.uk/freesat.html
You have to remember Freesat is just an EPG (along with some other future services) for the channels already available - they’re not actually responsible for the actual channels themselves.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I bought my Humax box especially for HD content so don’t have any grumbles about the service as such; however, I was interested in some of the Zone Horror output (old Twilight Zone episodes). The trouble is, and I am sure this has been mentioned before, in the Humax’s default setting of 16:9 (for a widescreen telly) the aspect is stretched to fit.
My telly won’t let me change the aspect as it will only go to wide, zoom or smart which all stay on the wrong aspect. It it going to be a bit of a nuisance to have to change the Humax to 5:4 for particular channels.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
For all those who grumble about the channels REMEMBER IT IS FREESAT NOT FEESAT!!!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Many of the channel on that list Steven posted cannot possibly launch - its AT LEAST 2 years out of date and many of them no longer exist (especially the shopping channels)!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
GOODMANS HD BOX: Thinking of buying one….read on…
I would like to think I am a patient person. Prepared to give time for things to develop and improve. I am a huge supporter of freesat but I am at the point of thinking I am being let down here.
These are the current issues with the Alba boxes as I see them:
1) Channel flick and the box fails to communicate /output with the TV. Power off/on required at the mains.
Poor SD picture quality when output at 720 or 1080.
2) Channel flick and the sound goes on all subsequent channels. Power off/on required at the mains.
3) Terrible lip sync on Zone Romantica and to a lesser degree on BBC South West. (BBC London is fine)
4) Adding ‘new’ channels that are already loaded as non freesat - already detailed above. First install required.
5) SPDIF input: Poorly designed - does not hold cable tightly enough - cable can easily fall out.
6) User can not enter a non freesat channel using numeric pad
7) Box, usually shortly after start up, fails to communicate with TV - blank screen - ‘no signal’ from input message displayed on TV. Reset to stand by required.
9) Grainy HD pictures compared to Humax HDCI-2000
My patience is wearing very thin with this box.
Yes, it might be down to this, or it could be that……but 2 weeks ago, I bought a Humax HDCI-2000 off ebay…..purely to see what I was, maybe, missing. Different league. Stable, consistent. AND better picture quality. I admit, I sold it back on ebay within 3 hours because I want the freesat epg.
But it proved that, the freesat concept is great but my Goodmans Box is beta quality. Nothing more and if anybody says that it meets their expectations 100% (as it should) then I am obviously asking too much from a £120 box.
I really want this box to work…..it’s cute….but sorry, I really have had enough of waiting. Would I recommend this box…..no…….Humax all the way…..sorry.
I gather it does not have a LNB loop through, as advertised,…is this my valid reason for a refund from Currys….ummm
August 8th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I have a Goodmans HD box and very happy with it.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I have the Bush HD box and it’s very good (exactly the same as all the other Alba boxes inside!) but unfortunately did not autoupdate with the new channels so did a reinstall, maybe I did not wait long enough.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:56 am
“Denis Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
For all those who grumble about the channels REMEMBER IT IS FREESAT NOT FEESAT!!!”
No offence Denis but I think we’re all getting a bit tired of this quote now.
People have the right to expect more from public broadcasting so shouldn’t be critised for expecting them to deliver better quality or for critising Freesat to make them realise what’s we’re all expecting. Its only through voicing opinions on what we want that we might get more than we are getting at the moment.
The BBC Trust and those who fund Freesat have to start to realise that its not a minority venture but the future of public UK tv, and with that in mind, have to start funding it as such. Sky has its place but under its feet is not mine!
August 9th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Al - Fair point but I do think people’s expectations are somewhat unrealistic. I wonder if some of those that are making these requests actually look at the programmes on BBC, Channel 4 etc. There are more than enough quality programmes on Freesat to keep the average viewer more than satisfied. In fact I have to record a number of programmes on my separate freeview box most evenings as there is too much to watch with overlapping programmes.
I accept that there are those with minority tastes that may find the channels limited but they are in the minority.
I suppose it is all down to personal taste. I should consider myself lucky that I don’t have problems with the content and enjoy my each evenings viewing.
August 9th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
After several attempts at switching off for 10 minutes and a complete first time installation on my Goodmans HD box, 5 of the 6 new channels appear on the EPG but Zone Horror + 1 reinstalled as non freesat
August 9th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Colebox Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I bought my Humax box especially for HD content so don’t have any grumbles about the service as such; however, I was interested in some of the Zone Horror output (old Twilight Zone episodes). The trouble is, and I am sure this has been mentioned before, in the Humax’s default setting of 16:9 (for a widescreen telly) the aspect is stretched to fit.
My telly won’t let me change the aspect as it will only go to wide, zoom or smart which all stay on the wrong aspect. It it going to be a bit of a nuisance to have to change the Humax to 5:4 for particular channels.
=======================================================
You can adjust the way the box outputs 4:3 channels over the HDMI cable (and possibly the SCARTs as well) by cycling through the options with the ‘Wide’ button
August 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
As usual R.T.F.M.
If your new to this there is alot to take in, I know it’s happening to me.
My Humax box worked 100% after initial instalation. (Lucky Me)
BBC HD is Brilliant, (It’s why I bought it) Other main channels look good to me.
My only Gripe is that my PhilipsTV will not pass the Audio from the HDMI to the TV Coax SPDIF out.
This works with my Freeview PVR.
I gather its a HDCP issue, but BBC HD allowed this on Friday night.
Had I known this I would not have bought any box without both optical and Coax SPDIF audio out. (Manufacturers Take note)
I can cope for now, but a new TV will create a problem unless it has the Digital Audio input/outputs I need separate from HDMI which in this instant is useless to me for audio. (Choices Limited again)
I will Never buy another AV product that does not have both digital audio options as it only leads to early obselecance and frustration.
They dont mention these issues in the large print, do they?
Gripe over, nice first try Humax, Chris
August 10th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
chrislayeruk . . Very interested indeed to hear what you say . .Just had a good look at Wikipedia to learn more about HDCP.. The whole copy protection thing is nuts and actually quite controlling especially for ‘normal’ users like you or I. I understand the need to protect material, but those wishing to copy for reasons other than for home consumption will find a way anyway?
I’ve used an optical ’splitter’ before to feed the SPDIF to two i/p’s . . Would that help?
August 10th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Just found this . .
http://www.andertons.co.uk/acatalog/info_MIDICO2.html?utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=Froogle
Converts optical SPDIF to coax and vice-versa . . £32.99
November 8th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
hi just bought the grundig hd freesat box today having moved into a newish house, having plugged the sat dish cable in and got the signal screen up (which said signal was 90%) its hanging on the “waiting for software download” part. i rang grundig, they said it takes between 15-45 min’s but it still hasn’t done anything and i have tried turning it on and off after 50 mins and tried again. Anybody else had issues with this? or have any ideas? would be very grateful!