Loading ...One thing thats been clear from the very start is that freesat are intending on launching their service using 60cm dishes, rather than the standard 43cm dishes you see dotted everywhere for Sky TV. We think they’ve done this for the following reasons:
1) It helps differenciate between a Sky TV setup and freesat setup
2) BBC wanted a dish size suitable for all the UK, not just most (some places in northern scotland etc need the larger dish to receive good quality signals)
3) BBC might have got a very good deal on the 60cm dishes
4) freesat are hoping that those unaware think they need a new dish and therefore pay up for an installation they don’t need (assuming freesat make a little profit from the install)
5) With future HD channels launching, do freesat think the load on 43cm dishes will be too much?
6) Kind of associated with number 5, they are just future-proofing the service
We personally think number 1 and 6 are the most likely reasons 
March 18th, 2008 at 12:16 am
as long as i can use my spare sky dish i cant see a problem i will still get the HD box anyway
April 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I’d opt for 2) - the main reason for freesat as I see it is to provide digital TV to areas unable to receive terrestrial digital signals.
It would be sensible to ensure that a quality signal is picked up throughout the UK.
I for one can’t wait for Freesat - I begrudge paying £15 a month to watch the Vicar of Dibley for the 20th time. It’s not the money it’s the feeling that I get in my stomach that I’m being ripped off & can’t do anything about it.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
Do we know which satellite is being used yet?
I knwo that testing seems to be on Astra 2 but I’ve read elsewhere that Freesat which actually be on Eurobird 1.
Do we alos know the co-rodinates of the satellite being used as I’d like to test the field of view from my property to assess the type of installation needed.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:16 am
Al - freesat is using exactly the same broadcasts as Sky, so it will be Astra2 (28.2) and some from Eurobird (28.5). All FTA channels are broadcast from beams on these satellites, just the same as you would receive them on Sky, unless you are refering to the EPG?
April 21st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I don’t have Sky so the sat thing is all a bit new to be. Does the use of 2 satellites mean that I’ll need a twin LNR or will a single one pick up both satellites?
April 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Astra2 and Eurobird are so close togeather, especially from the UK that a single dish aligned correctly will capture both. As long as the dish is pointed at Astra2 (uk), you’ll be fine.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Ok thast good. I planning on getting a 60 or 80 cm dish as soon as I’ve got some advice as to type. I’ve seen a clear plastic dish that looks great but unfortunately the place I’ve seen it doesn’t publish the gain figures for any of their products so its very hard to know whats best.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’m on the Algarve & have a 1.4m prime focus dish with Invacom twin LNB - I get a great signal on Sky but I’m not sure about Freesat.
I know they are going to use Astra 2D - same as Sky but I’ve heard that the footprint will be tightly focused on the UK.
Anyone got any thoughts on this - I need to buy Freesat or Sky HD when I go home in June & I’d rather buy Freesat if I can.
Will the new HD channels on Freesat be broadcast on Sky as well.
Thanks for a great site - more info on Freesat than all the others put together.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Bob - do you presently receive BBC and ITV? If so, unless the freesat receivers are incredibly poor on tuner strength, you’ll receive all channels no problem.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
BBC & ITV come through as very strong signals - so you’ve just cheered me up a lot - think I’ll have a beer
July 1st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I have got humax foxsat freesat not happy bbchd repeats the same old crap on hd 7 days a week you get the odd program in the evening quality in Hd is crap watched football & wimbledon in Hd when I SWITCHED to other normal channels I could not tell the diference that is on BBC HD I T V have not got hd out yet only had it for football so in all it is not worth the expence till they get it wright
July 1st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
some people tell me you have to have a different dish to that of sky Comet say you dont can any one please addvise me would be great full ,as I have said I GET H D but can not tell the difference from normal channels
August 15th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hello Admin.
Just to let you know that you where correct regarding your comments on reception down on the Algarve.
I am using a Humax HD decoder & getting 80% quality & 85% strength - which drops off a bit in the evening but never enough to loose the HD picture which is stunning on my new 46″ Toshiba Regza.
I wonder if the new Humax HD PVR will have an RF output - which is the only thing I miss from Sky.