Big Momma Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Whilst reading through many of the threads, as one does, I saw a mention of someone who uses Freesat and they stated that they manage to receive Channel 4 and More 4 on their Freesat. I use Freeview at home and am able to get these channels but not on my Freesat in the van. I am unable to find the thread again where this was mentioned so would be grateful if contributor could verify that they meant Freesat and not Freeview. I have just come away this evening for a weekend break and although not an ardant TV watcher whilst away it is good to keep up with the news. I must also confess to enjoying programmes like 'Place in the Sun - Home or Away', Channel 4 Friday Evenings and 'A Place in the Sun' Channel 4 on saturday mornings. Thought it would be nice to lay in bed tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee and watch my programme. So, got pitched up and re-tuned my Freesat box but still no mention of Channel 4 or more 4 ? In UK I tune to Astra 28. Grateful if someone could put me out of my misery (and I don't mean taking me down a blind alley and shooting me !). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkclassic Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Hi I just googled freesat and found this brochure http://www.freesat.co.uk/file_uploads/INSTORE_LEAFLET_26.11.08.pdf Hope this helps it does say C4 and More 4 are available. Kevin and Tricia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_n_Suzy Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Hi, What Set Top Box do you use? Have you tried a Rescan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Big Momma - 2009-03-13 10:24 PM So, got pitched up and re-tuned my Freesat box but still no mention of Channel 4 or more 4 ? In UK I tune to Astra 28. Grateful if someone could put me out of my misery (and I don't mean taking me down a blind alley and shooting me !). Are you using a Freesat branded box or a generic FTA box like the Lidl suitcase version? Channel 4's FTA broadcasts are on TP 41, at 10714H, 22000, 5/6. More 4 is on TP 42, at 10729V , 22000, 5/6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Purly as a matter of interest, do Freeview (NOT freeSat) boxes have to be rescanned each time they are used in a dirfferent location ? Or does one scan do the lot ? Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 tonyishuk - 2009-03-14 5:34 PM Purly as a matter of interest, do Freeview (NOT freeSat) boxes have to be rescanned each time they are used in a dirfferent location ? Or does one scan do the lot ? Rgds If you move to an area covered by a diferent transmitter then yes you will need to rescan, and thats where the trouble can start in a digital only area, how to align arial to rescan, couple of members here have posted good reports of using this type of signal finder, eBay item number 250341940585 or similier from maplins, note maplins one may require extra conectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Just got back from weekend away. I was on site when I asked the original question but ran out of credit for my 'dongle' so could not get back on-line so belated thanks for the responses. The Sat Dome, Freesat receiver were all fitted by VanBitz and they told me at that time of purchase (last year)that C4 was not available until 2009. I have re-tuned my box and got 170 Channels but still no C4 or More4. Don't know what I am doing wrong ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 The Sat Dome, Freesat receiver were all fitted by VanBitz and they told me at that time of purchase (last year)that C4 was not available until 2009. I have re-tuned my box and got 170 Channels but still no C4 or More4. Don't know what I am doing wrong ! C4 became FTA last May and is definitely available on the frequencies I gave in an earlier post. Perhaps your receiver is only picking up the SIDs (four digit numbers and not the channel by name). C4's SIDs are 9211 throught to 9216. More 4 is 8340. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Derek, thank you but I am not a technophobe and am lost when you talk about SID's etc. Sorry if this is a stupid question but is there a way for searching manually for a Channel name or frequency ? On my remote for the receiver I van go to the menu and Installation drop down box, it then offers the auto-tune which is the one I have used without success. It also offered an option for 'Software Update' and I tried this but it said that it had 'failed'. OH now reading manuals again in case we have missed something but I am not holding out much hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Just as an update. I have just spent the last hour fiddling with Sat Receiver box (dangerous I know) but changed some settings and then re-tuned. Can see C4 and More 4 listed on channel menu on Astra satelite but cannot receive it ! I need to tune to Astra 28 and C4 and More 4 is not listed under this particular channel list so have given up as a bad job and will have to live without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_n_Suzy Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi, What Derek is saying is that sometimes the system will title the channel with a number rather than a name. So for instance if you scroll up and down on your channel list, and you have a channel called "9211" or "9216" or "8340" then these will be the channels you are missing. If they are not there, you can add the details manually for the channels (as per Dereks post) using a menu something similar to the one pictured below. http://www.christiansat.org.uk/images/4frequency_table266x200.jpg GOOD LUCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul- Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Freesat?? Would they be referring to freesat by sky......or just freesat?? freesat is the bbc itv system Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Well just to confuse(? ) issues, I believe the original post refers to a FTA not Freesat box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hmmmm, What is a FTA ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 The question is have you got a Freesat box? if so it should have the logo at btm of this post. If it is some other box without a card slot(for pay tv) then it is a FTA (free to air) box, the main differance for user is the EPG(electronic programme guide), for freesat this is aimed at UK users and orders channels in a similier way to freeview. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Colin many thanks. Now that you have explained I can confirm that it is a FTA ! Does this mean that I cannot add the channels that I want ? Many thanks to everyone else for your advice, at least you now know for certain that you are dealing with a real dummie when it comes to technical stuff and I really do require Janet & John type instructions and explanations :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi Everyone. Might I offer some information and explanation regarding Freesat,Freeview,Freetoair etc. "Freeview" is the replacement TV service broadcast by both BBC ITV Channel4 Channel 5 and others on terrestial transmitter network and is the replacement for the old analogue service which is being phased out by 2012. Stations receiveable have channel numbers on the remote control up to at least 80 for tv and a load of radio broadcasts as well. All are digital and are free toair unless you watch" topuptv" or Setana Sports for which a subscription is required and a subscription card has to be fitted in the "digibox" "Freesat from Sky" is Sky's digital broadcast services via satellite and requires a dish aerial and a version of what is referred to as Skybox ( skyplus, skyhd etc) All Sky boxes have a viewing card requirement, be it a subscription card for sports, films etc, or usually just to receive the basic channels as per terrestial services. The basic card used to cost 20 pounds, but without it the box didnt work . The card had to be registered with Sky before being "switched on" Subscriptions have to be paid to Sky depending on which additional services you require to view. " Freesat" is a service provided by a BBC/ITV consortium in opposition to Sky using different "Freesat "boxes currently available at around 150 pounds from 4 different outlet chains. John Lewis, Argos, Comet and another one were the only original outlets authorised to sell true "Freesat" approved boxes. Box manufacturers include Humax and others and carry the "Freesat " logo on them Outlets such as Maplins ,Lidl,etc offer "free to air" (no scrambling) digital boxes which can receive non scrambled signals from both Sky and Freesat, and by realigning the dish to other satellites, from continental services also. They also have more expensive boxes which can take viewing cards from continental tv sources (subscription cards and descrambling cards), and some more recent additions such as High Definition tv (including Freesat and continental High definition services) . Non Approved "Freesat "Boxes are available to receive High Definition TV also and the broadcasts come from a satellite in a similar position in the sky as Sky Broadcasts, but have a different Programme Guide to that used by Sky or approved "Freesat" A conventional Sky box will receive "free to Air (non scrambled)" broadcasts from Freesat but has to be manually tuned to different frequencies and settings to do so. However , it may not show channel 4 for example as CH4 but some other 4 digit number. Relevant data for tuning the box can be found on Internet by a Google search for" Lyngsat" and following through to look at Astra2 data. The data then has to be manually entered in to Sky boxes under the set up entries, a job normally done by a Sky engineer, or other knowledgeable person. Sky will not readily agree to do it as they naturally wish you to pay to watch their tv, so a friendly technical whizzkid has to be found. Try a local ham radio or computer whizzkid. According to Sky contract terms, Sky boxes can only be used in UK, and are supposed to be permanently connected to a Phone line. To initiate the "switchon" of the card initially, this is done over air, and if the box is taken abroad the card might be switched off. Lastly, other ways to view tv is via computer card or USB computer stick in conjunction with terrestial services (Freeview) and a laptop computer In view of all these complications, I wonder why we want to take TV with us in our vans. Perhaps a good book (Sky for dummies? ) might make good bedtime reading. tonyg3nwl Ham radio enthusiast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Very many thanks for the comprehensive explanation, I certainly understand the difference between the type of boxes and what they provide. We went to Cambridge recently and did not even turn the satelite tv on ! However, tis sometimes nice if you have to stay in due to bad weather to watch a bit of telly - especially Place In The Sun (If you can get it) :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 tonyg3nwl - 2009-03-16 11:23 PM Hi Everyone. Might I offer some information and explanation regarding Freesat,Freeview,Freetoair etc. Just a few points. * A Sky box can pick up all the main terrestrial channels, without subscription or viewing card. * The phone line requirement is for the first 12 months of the contract only. You can if you want pay a £25 fee when you first subscribe to avoid needing a phone line. * There is no way that Sky can tell you're using your box abroad - unless someone tells them, so it won't get switched off. * Freesat boxes start at about £55. It's the HD versions that cost £150. * Maplin sell official Freesat boxes. * Freesat don't broadcast channels. It is just an interface (EPG) between broadcast and user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 To answer a PM I received from tonyg3nwl. I don't see the point of PMs if we're here to share knowledge!! * Maplins sell official Freesat branded Humax and Metronic boxes. * When Freesat launched both SD boxes at about £50 and HD versions at £150 were available. * Freesat from Sky is free. You only need to buy a box and viewing card, which are both 'hardware'. There is no ongoing charges. You need to buy a Freesat box to get Freesat!! * Freesat From Sky was around for years before Freesat launched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Big Momma - 2009-03-16 9:49 PM Colin many thanks. Now that you have explained I can confirm that it is a FTA ! Does this mean that I cannot add the channels that I want ? I can see no reason why you shouldn't recieve all the non HD freesat channels (plus any other FTA channels) but as mention above may be 'hiding' under a 'differant' name, it may be you need to do a complete reset and wipe out stored channels and rescan, but I'm not 100% familier with your particlier model, the other vague possbility is you have hit max channels that can be stored for your model, if so you need to 'declutter' the channel list and make sure you only search FTA if the option is there(even then you can get subs only channels listed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 The bottom line is, is if you're going to Spain or Italy etc. and you want UK TV, you're better off with a Sky box and a viewing card rather than Freesat/generic FTA boxes. Apart from BBC 1/2/3/4 all the other terrestrial channels are much easier to get via Sky encrypted versions on wider European footprints. There is one exception. With a generic FTA box you can pick up the BBCi streams on a dish as small as 35cm. Quite handy when there are major events being broadcast by the BBC as the 'red button' streams are broadcast FTA on a pan European beam. However, with a Sky box you need to be able to tune into BBC1 or 2 channel in order to get the red button!! With a FTA box you can tune the streams in directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Going to Spain this Summer, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona and back via Biarritz. Did not anticipate watching very much TV, maybe catch up with News or something. Will let you know how I get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 colin - 2009-03-14 7:45 PM tonyishuk - 2009-03-14 5:34 PM Purly as a matter of interest, do Freeview (NOT freeSat) boxes have to be rescanned each time they are used in a dirfferent location ? Or does one scan do the lot ? Rgds If you move to an area covered by a diferent transmitter then yes you will need to rescan, and thats where the trouble can start in a digital only area, how to align arial to rescan, couple of members here have posted good reports of using this type of signal finder, eBay item number 250341940585 or similier from maplins, note maplins one may require extra conectors. Thanks for the reply. Slightly O/T Do UK freeview boxes (and digital TVs) work in France or do you need a "French" freeview box? Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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