Photos: Hands-on with freesat
Tags: humax, box, channels, tvs
If you haven't already heard, freesat is the new service from the BBC and ITV designed to bring free digital TV to people who don't live in the Freeview coverage area or people who want more channels and the potential for HD.
freesat is starting small with 80 channels, but it claims that there will be 300 by the end of the year. There's no reason to believe these won't be 220 additional shopping channels trying to flog you some miracle product, unfortunately.
There isn't much HD content at launch, but in the near future we expect ITV HD, Channel 4 HD and maybe one day Five HD to join in. It's possible that there could be free movie and music channels in glorious high definition.
Our first image in our freesat photo extravaganza is the HD Grundig box, which will cost around £150. You'll either need a Sky mini-dish or to pay for installation of a new dish, which will cost around £80. There are no further costs and no subscription fee. Click through for more sneak peeks at the hardware and setups from freesat's launch. -Ian Morris
More freesat from Crave:
What's freesat and how do I get it
See the freesat channel line-up on our forums
freesat: Does the service have what it takes to be a hit?
Update: We've had the first freesat receiver in, so check out our full Humax Foxsat-HD (freesat) review.
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Ian MorrisThu 8 May, 2008 3:16pm
As I understand it, it shouldn't be long before it arrives. But you're right, it's not like they aren't experts in the field or anything!
AnonymousThu 8 May, 2008 4:36pm
i mno it probably doesn't/won't but does/will freesat get sky 1 - i need simpsons!!!
not on channel 4 , i no they have new ones but i have them on dvd (the series sky 1 is on isn't out on dvd yet
Ian MorrisFri 9 May, 2008 2:39pm
No, there will be no Sky 1, because it's one of Sky's "premium" channels.
Sorry!
AnonymousSat 10 May, 2008 11:58pm
Do we really care if we can't get Sky1? I don't . .
AnonymousMon 19 May, 2008 4:23pm
I have a Samsung LE40 LCD television with 1080p. Will I still get HD quality pictures as BBC HD is transmitted in 1080i using a Humax Foxsat-HD reciever?
Simon PunchardTue 20 May, 2008 1:08pm
I note that there is a LNB out port, presumably I can then daisy chain to my sky+ box without needing 2 feeds?
where would one get a relevant cable or the prts to make one up?
ta v much
Ian MorrisTue 20 May, 2008 5:40pm
Anon: Yes, your 1080p TV will display the 1080i HD from the Humax without problems.
Simon: Yes, you should be able to daisy-chain the boxes, as long as you have a quad-LNB. You'll just need a bit of decent coax, and some connectors from Maplin. You'd be best going in and asking them what's needed, but I think it's something like this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&DOY=20m5&ModuleNo=10447&criteria=
Simon PunchardThu 22 May, 2008 7:40am
Good news, thanks! finally someone who thinks about the user's needs rather than just marketing hype!
is this standard across all freesat boxes?
AnonymousTue 17 June, 2008 2:31am
Tried the Grundig HD version and found picture quality vey poor, so poor\that I returned it next day, my Freeview pictures are far superior. Maybe the Humax is better.
Ask questions, share opinions and find answers in the CNET.co.uk forums
6.6
7.9
AnonymousThu 8 May, 2008 9:52am
Can,t believe that Humax missed the boat by not having the PVR version ready at launch.
What a marketing fiasco that was!