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Freesat - Digital Satellite TV Without Subscription
What is the BBC's and ITV's Freesat ?
Freesat is an additional means of getting digital tv and radio by means of a one off payment, and then it is subscription free forever and without a contract. It's a service that is provided by the BBC and ITV and offers more than 140 TV and radio channels of fantastic programmes in crystal clear digital sound and picture quality, and should not to be confused with Freesat from Sky. Additionally there are going to be extra channels added over the next few months. There is also an 8 day on-screen programme guide, to make choosing programmes easier, and there is advanced teletext.
How do you receive Freesat ?
Either a set top box in conjunction with a TV, or a television with a Free sat receiver built in is necessary to receive Freesat. Set top boxes are available in standard definition and HD and some contain a built in PVR hard drives to record programmes. If you choose to buy 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.
If you already have an existing sky mini dish on your house then you will be able to connect your Freesat set top box or Freesat television to it provided you aren't using it for sky or there is a spare connection on the LNB. If there isn't a spare connection on the LNB then a satellite installer will be able to upgrade it to one with either two or four connectors. If this isn't feasible then you will have to have another dish installed. Obviously if you don't already have a satellite dish then you will need to purchase one and pay for it to be fitted as long as there aren't any obstructions such as trees preventing this.
Which regions of the country can receive Freesat ?
Free sat is already available for nearly all household in the UK. Roughly 98% of households can receive a signal so it is virtually certain that even if you reside in an region that can't get terrestrial Freeview you will be able to receive Freesat.
What channels are available ?
All of the finest channels from the BBC and ITV are available for the entire family including News, Entertainment, Sport, Lifestyle, Children, Special Interests, Music, Movies, Radio, Shopping and Regional TV, Dating and Gaming. The channels offered include CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament, Channel 4, E4, ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, Zone Reality, Zone Thriller, Zone Romanitica, Zone Horror, CITV, Tiny Pops, Pop, Pop Girls, Aljazera, KiX, Overseas Property TV, Film 4, True Movies, True Movies 2, Movies 4 Men 2, B4U Music, Bubble Hits, Scuzz, QVC, Price-Drop TV, Zmusic, QVCetc. Additional to these there will be more channels available shortly.
Is high Definition TV available on Freesat ?
HD channels are available on Freesat free ofany extra charges other than the expense of the high definition set top box and a HD Ready television or a Freesat HD Ready TV. The benefit of a HD image is an increase in the picture resolution by about five times that of a standard picture resolution giving more vivid and detailed pictures.
At Present there are two HD TV channels on Freesat - BBC HD and ITV1. Both of these channels offer high definition programmes for a percentage of the time each day but the number of hours will increase during 2009.
If you possess a HD Ready television and you haven't subscribed to Virgin's HD cable service or Sky HD , and you don't plan to, it follows that Freesat represents a logical option otherwise the extra expense of your high quality HD television is pointless.
Interactive TV at the press of a button.
By just a push of the red button you can see the most recent news headlines, business news, lottery results, the weather, or find out if your favourite team has won. All of this information is available through user friendly menus.
You can also access the benefits of video based multi-screen interactive television services such as the Proms, Snooker, Wimbledon, Glastonbury, the Olympics, etc. With more events offered in the future. The red button allows you the choice of viewing events from different cameras and at different camera angles where you select which one. So you can switch to different snooker tables, or tennis courts, stages, or events when you choose.
Conclusion
With freeview still not to be had in all areas of the country Freesat is an ideal choice that doesn't require a monthly payment or contract. The only other alternative is the free channel option from Sky however that doesn't boast any free HD channels. If you don't intend to pay a monthly fee and you want to receive high definition then Freesat is almost certainly the only option for the next few years.
About the Author For almost 20 years Armadeus Cornelius has built a wealth of knowledge in the electrical sector. For more details on high definition TV go to HD Ready TV. If you want to know more about Freesat then go to Freesat TVs
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