Completely new to this... Help please

[RamsFan]

Hi,

As the title says i'm completely new to the Satellite TV world. I have been a user of Freeview (Top Up TV) for a while now.

I am thinking about getting the Fortec Passion HD Receiver from Maplins. (Maplin > HD Satellite Free-To-Air Kit)

This would give me the whole setup i require, as not having Satellite disc, etc.

Few questions i have would be, will this work fine with the new FreeSat channels to be launched within the net few weeks/months?

And, currently being on Top Up Tv, i have a subscription to Setanta Sports. This only gives me 1 channel that runs from 12pm till 3am everyday. I see they have a service on Satellite for the same price i pay on Top Up Tv, and satellite receives more channels. Would i then be able to subscribe to Setanta through Satellite using the above system?

Thanks for your help in advance

RamsFan

[Robbo]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

To be able to watch setanta on Satellite, it is currently necessary to have a Sky viewing card.

The box you mention does not accept a sky viewing card without the additional hassle of programming and installing an additional CAM module, you would still need a Sky digibox to keep the card alive.

The easiest way to view channels encrypted by Sky is using a Sky digibox, with of course a Sky viewing card.

The Sky pay Once watch forever deal would probably more up your street, It was about £75 from Argos last time I checked.

Robbo

[Analoguesat]

Originally Posted by RamsFan

I am thinking about getting the Fortec Passion HD Receiver from Maplins. (Maplin > HD Satellite Free-To-Air Kit)

This would give me the whole setup i require, as not having Satellite disc, etc.

Few questions i have would be, will this work fine with the new FreeSat channels to be launched within the net few weeks/months?

Yes it will work with the Freesat channels (which will be basically the same fta channels that are available now but with a new epg structure)

BUT you wont get the full 7 or 14 day programme guide which will be available to Freesat boxes - you will only get now & next info.

[RamsFan]

Thanks for the very quick reply.

Thats a shame about Setanta, i read somewhere recently that Setanta want to get into the FreeSat business making the channels available. And i have mixed replies about being able to subscribe to Setanta through Satellite without Sky subscription.

Also is that package worth it? Price wise, and what i would get for it?

[Analoguesat]

For the same money as you pay for one channel on DTT you get all of them on satellite.

[RamsFan]

Ok then, thanks.

Would it be worth waiting until the Freesat service is launched, and buy a receiver, dish, etc then? Or would this be good enough to last?

[Robbo]

The choice is yours whether you wait for Freesat.

If your priority is Setanta the only way to watch it via satellite at present is via a Sky card and a suitable box. I don't think you need a Sky subscription, just a viewing card, like the Freesat from Sky one, or an ex subs card. I'm sure Sentanta would tell you what you needed.

I don't know if Setanta is going to be on Freesat, wait and see I suppose.

[RamsFan]

Ok thanks.

I'm going to order the Fortecstar Passion later tonight, after reading some reviews on it. Seems pretty decent for the price, and for my first ever Satellite setup.

Thanks again everyone.