Freesat from the BBC and ITV. What is it?



Freesat has Over 140 channels of digital Radio and Television without any contract or monthly charges, and there are more channels to come. All that is necessary is the purchase of the receiving equipment. The BBC and ITV joined together to make available this service as an alternative to Freeview, Cable, and Sky Satellite. It provides sound and pictures that are crystal clear and almost perfect. As you would expect there is also an 8 day on screen programme guide and teletext.

What equipment is necessary ?

Either a set top box in cunjuction with a TV, or a TV with a Free sat receiver built in is required to receive Freesat. Set top boxes are available in normal definition and HD and some include a built in PVR hard drives to record programmes. If you choose to purchase a TV with Freesat built in then you won't need a Freesat set top box. Panasonic is at present the only manufacturer of Freesat televisions. There are two LCD models available, TX32LZD81 and TX37LZD81; and there are three Plasma TV models, TH42PZ81B, TH46PZ81, and TH50PZ81B.

Both Freesat set top boxes and Freesat televisions need a satellite mini dish. An existing sky satellite dish will be enough if it isnt being used to receive sky. Even if it is and it has spare connections on the LNB then it can be used by your sky receiver and Freesat at the same time. You might need to get a satellite installer to upgrade your LNB to one with two or four connections if there aren't any spare ones available, or to run a cable from it to the television. If this isn't feasible then you will have to have an additional mini dish installed. Obviously you will need a dish installing if you don't have an existing one, provided there aren't any obstructions preventing its installation e.g. trees, another building etc.

Which parts of the country can receive Freesat ?

Something like 98% of houses in the UK can receive Freesat - so almost every household can receive Freesat even if they don't get terrestrial freeview.

What types of programme channels are offered ?

Freesat has a great array of News, Sport, Children's channels, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Special Interest, Music, Movies, Regional TV, Dating, Gaming and Shopping as well as Radio. These categories encompass the finest channels from the BBC, ITV and others such as BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, CBeebies, CBBC, BBC News, BBC Parliament, E4, Channel 4, Zone Thriller, Zone Reality, Zone Horror, Zone Romanitica, Aljazera, Pop, Pop Girls, Tiny Pops, Film 4, Overseas Property TV, KiX, CITV, Movies for Men, Movies 4 Men 2, True Movies, True Movies 2, Bubble Hits, B4U, Scuzz, QVC, Price-Drop Tv, Zmusic, Music, JMLand many more. As well as further channels comming in the future.

Is high Definition TV available on Freesat ?

HD channels are available on Freesat free ofany extra charges other than the expense of the HD set top box and a HD Ready television or a Freesat HD Ready TV. The benefit of a high definition picture is an increase in the picture resolution by about five times that of a normal picture resolution giving more lucid and detailed pictures.

There are at present 2 high definition channels available both of which are free of charge, ITV1 and BBC HD with limited programming but more hours available in 2009 and more channels in the future.

If you own a HD Ready TV and don't have Virgin's HD Cable or Sky HD then Freesat offers a means of getting the most from the capabilities of your TV without monthly charges.

Interactive Television at the touch of a button.

At the press of the red button you will have access, via user friendly menus, to news headlines, lottery results, the weather, business news etc.

You can also access the benefits of video based multi-screen interactive television services such as Snooker, Glastonbury, Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Proms, etc. With more events to be had in the future. The red button allows you the choice of viewing events from different cameras and at different camera angles where you decide which one. So you can switch to different snooker tables, or tennis courts, stages, or events when you choose.

Conclusion

Freesat provides an another offering to Cable, Freeview or Sky. If you cant presently receive freeview and dont intend to pay a monthly fee to Sky or Virgin then Freesat will be ideal. Similarly with not much prospect of there being any terrestrial broadcasts of HD then Freesat is the only choice that is free of monthly subsciption. Still before opting for Freesat also look at the free channel options obtainable from Sky, although they don't offer free HD channels.