Freesat

[Likvid]

Freesat will use Eurobird which covers the whole of Europe and even northern parts of Africa.

This has been welcoming news for ppl wishing to receive BBC/ITV on small dishes across Europe.

So goodbye to big dishes soon.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by Likvid

Freesat will use Eurobird which covers the whole of Europe and even northern parts of Africa.

This has been welcoming news for ppl wishing to receive BBC/ITV on small dishes across Europe.

So goodbye to big dishes soon.

I'm afraid not Likvid. It will still be using Astra 2D.
Apparently the only addition to Eurobird will be the EPG data.

So say Hello again, to big dishes.

[michael-maule]

you spotted me! Eurobird is on the same line as the Astra group then (28°2 E)?

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by michael-maule

you spotted me! Eurobird is on the same line as the Astra group then (28°2 E)?

Eurobird 1 is at 28.5E, so close enough for 'normal' sized dishes to pick them both up at the same time. None of the frequencies overlap. Sky use both 28.2E and 28.5E.

[lincsat]

The 1st Phase of Freesat will only be available through Curries, Comet and John Lewis. The 2nd Phase (after 6 months) should also be available through "Retra" independent retailers.

There's no guarantee that the £180 freesat boxes will include HD, I've heard there will be a SD box and a (more expensive) HD box. If Ch4 is onboard, there's a good chance that any FTA box will pick up the service, you will likely need a proprietary box to pick up the EPG service however.

[Analoguesat]

Originally Posted by Likvid

Freesat will use Eurobird which covers the whole of Europe and even northern parts of Africa.

This has been welcoming news for ppl wishing to receive BBC/ITV on small dishes across Europe.

So goodbye to big dishes soon.

I wouldnt start dismantling you BUD's yet Likvid ...

WHY does this old chestnut keep coming up?? BBC Freesat will NOT magically be switching all the BBC & ITV channels to Eurobird 1 - if for no other reason theres simply theres simply insufficient capacity on EB 1.

At the current time BBC & ITV use around 9 Astra 2D transponders. By my reckoning theres 3 or 4 tp's free on EB1, and even if they are wideband tp's you are NOT going to fit all the channels into them. There is also the case both the BBC & ITV have long term transmission contracts with SES, and both only went fta as they were able to offer "restricted" coverage areas thanks to being carried on 2D.

All this EB1 speculation is the result of 1 incredibly badly written piece of prose on one site which read a Freesatpress release and totally misinterpreted it.

The Freesat EPG will be carried on EB1 - in fact the first engineering tests are already there. they are on one of the Arqiva tp's.

[rd100]

I have had two freesat HD PVRs which i have been testing which are beta units they are a philips and a humax i know a lot about the freesat system as i work for arqiva and the department in arqiva that deals which freesat in just the next floor down from our field broadcast office,

I can also tell you this freesat units SD only and HD PVRS and kits (self install guide, receiver, dish lnbf, cables) are already made and ready to hit the shelf and are in store in a warehouse,

Come on Guys you don't think the store E.G Argos or Curry's calls them up two weeks before launch and orders 40000 unit manufacturing does not work like that the units have and still are being made in Asia and are / had to be shipped to the UK this all takes time

Also by the way i have also seen a finished self installed kit with user guide and twin tuner HD pvr in finished packaging with BBC HD ITV HD FIVE HD plastered all over it,

Also freesat want all the main UK channels and hd versions that will be fta on freesat on a uk spot beam by the summer time dont ask me how they are going to do this maybe ASTRA will move one of their other birds to 28.2 east

[michael-maule]

that all sounds very interesting and encouraging Andrew. Good to get an inside view. A self-installed HD FTA box is just what I need. Can't wait.

[staffo]

The Freesat web site does say that the boxes will be HD ready and that there will be a BBC, ITV & hopefully a Channel 4 HD program before the end of the year. So thats a good start.

[madrat]

So the proposed launch of Spring 2008 is a no go then?