Freesat question

[Tabitha]

If you already have a Sky dish in operation, does Freesat require its own cable which runs to the TV from the dish?

Do you wish to continue using your existing Sky box as well as a new Freesat box? If so, then yes, you need an additional cable - you will also need a new widget to sit on the arm attached to your dish. The widget is called an LNB (low-noise blocker) but to run two set-top boxes you will need a 'dual LNB' that is capable of feeding two different boxes simultaneously.

Every satellite set-top-box requires its own connection to the dish, as the box needs to send tuning instructions to the LNB attached to the dish as well as receiving signals from it.

[Tabitha]

Thanks for that Chris.
We will be staying with Sky but I was thinking about adding Freesat to the other 2 tv's in the house. Looks like a no no then for Freesat or my house and loft will be like spaghetti junction

[Callumpy]

We recently had a satellite dish fitted cause we had a new TV with freesat built in. Then a week later decided we wanted freesat in our bedrooms, but we needed a couple of extra wires fitting to the dish, so we havnt bothered with it yet

Originally Posted by Callumpy

We recently had a satellite dish fitted cause we had a new TV with freesat built in. Then a week later decided we wanted freesat in our bedrooms, but we needed a couple of extra wires fitting to the dish, so we havnt bothered with it yet

Ooooh have you got the Panasonic? I so want one of those - is it any good?

[Callumpy]

Originally Posted by Chris

Ooooh have you got the Panasonic? I so want one of those - is it any good?

Its awesome

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by Chris

Do you wish to continue using your existing Sky box as well as a new Freesat box? If so, then yes, you need an additional cable - you will also need a new widget to sit on the arm attached to your dish. The widget is called an LNB (low-noise blocker) but to run two set-top boxes you will need a 'dual LNB' that is capable of feeding two different boxes simultaneously.

Every satellite set-top-box requires its own connection to the dish, as the box needs to send tuning instructions to the LNB attached to the dish as well as receiving signals from it.

So if you've not got a $ky box can you use the same LNB and cables for the freestat box?

[Callumpy]

Originally Posted by harmitage

So if you've not got a $ky box can you use the same LNB and cables for the freestat box?

Yes

Here is the Panasonic we have: Link

It has a socket for LNB on the back and one for a normal aerial. There is also a Ethernet port for future use, no idea what the use is.

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by Callumpy

Yes

Here is the Panasonic we have: Link

It has a socket for LNB on the back and one for a normal aerial. There is also a Ethernet port for future use, no idea what the use is.

That future proofs me a bit then in case I fall out with VM

Nice looking tele. What's the normal aerial point for? Is it freeview as well as freesat or is just to receive analogue signals while it can?

[Callumpy]

Originally Posted by harmitage

That future proofs me a bit then in case I fall out with VM

Nice looking tele. What's the normal aerial point for? Is it freeview as well as freesat or is just to receive analogue signals while it can?

All 3, DVB (Freeview), Freesat and analogue

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by Callumpy

All 3, DVB (Freeview), Freesat and analogue

Very good. That is future proofing.

Originally Posted by Callumpy

Yes

Here is the Panasonic we have: Link

It has a socket for LNB on the back and one for a normal aerial. There is also a Ethernet port for future use, no idea what the use is.

Ethernet is Freesat's master stroke. They have insisted on an ethernet connection as part of the spec for all equipment that carries the Freesat logo. Its purpose is to allow broadcasters to design interactive content that can take advantage of a broadband return path over the internet.

The BBC are working on a version of the iPlayer that will load into the STB (or the TV itself, if its Freesat integrated like your Panny) and let you download, and possibly stream, the same content you currently access on the iPlayer via your PC.

[danielf]

Freesat is starting to look more and more attractive. I'm just waiting for more HD content to become available to justify ditching my 1 year old freeview PVR, and having a wok installed

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by danielf

Freesat is starting to look more and more attractive. I'm just waiting for more HD content to become available to justify ditching my 1 year old freeview PVR, and having a wok installed

Quite apt at the Chinese New Year.

[Callumpy]

Originally Posted by Chris

Ethernet is Freesat's master stroke. They have insisted on an ethernet connection as part of the spec for all equipment that carries the Freesat logo. Its purpose is to allow broadcasters to design interactive content that can take advantage of a broadband return path over the internet.

The BBC are working on a version of the iPlayer that will load into the STB (or the TV itself, if its Freesat integrated like your Panny) and let you download, and possibly stream, the same content you currently access on the iPlayer via your PC.

Sounds pretty cool, hopefully they will do this.

Originally Posted by danielf

Freesat is starting to look more and more attractive. I'm just waiting for more HD content to become available to justify ditching my 1 year old freeview PVR, and having a wok installed

The only problem at the moment is that some of the channels available on freeview arent on freesat and vice versa. Its ok if you have both cause you can just change from one to the other for certain channels. But apparently most of the freeview channels will soon be on freesat.