Hi, first time poster here, looking for some advice

I have a HD-ready TV with built in Freeview. What I don't have is any way of recording programs, other than my dusty old VHS. So I'm after a way of digitally recording TV shows, series record, etc I'm also after getting some HD.

So I think my options are either Sky HD or FreeSat, both of which offer HD content now. But I hear that FreeView will be offering HD content over the new few months. I hear that Sky HD boxes can be unreliable and that Sky is only really worth it if you're going to get movies/sport etc, which I won't.

So I guess my question is whether it's worth buying a £250 FreeSat recorder for the HD content, or buying a £100 FreeView recorder and waiting a few months until the HD content comes through.

 Any advice is greatly appreciated :)

 CPZ1138 

 

Oh, one more thing - I can't have cable 

cpz1138:

So I guess my question is whether it's worth buying a £250 FreeSat recorder for the HD content, or buying a £100 FreeView recorder and waiting a few months until the HD content comes through.

Well firstly, Freeview  HD will only initially be available from the Winter Hill(mancs & Liverpool) & Crystal Palace(London) transmitters with four more transmitters due to start transmitting HD in 2010.

Secondly, no current Freeview STB's will be able to receive HD transmissions,so any box you were to to buy now would need to be replaced anyway.

So if you want HD now(albeit with limited content),without subscription then Freesat is your only option at present.

If you can afford it, and I accept that its a cost that everyone does not think is justified, then Sky is the way to go. It can be made cheaper by going for the broadband / telephony / sat bundles as well.

Aside from the sport and movies channels, there are still a  fair number of other HD channels ranging from Nat Geo to SCI FI and FX. I'm not sure what the issues are with the HD box but mine is a great bit of kit. It is stillt he best package out there no matter what others claim. Its whether you think its value for money is the issue.

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skype: kevin.b.yates
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Agree with daveh75. If you haven't got £50 + per month, then Freesat is a good compromise. Content is increasing on HD, but at a glacial pace. I also bought a bluray player/LoveFilm subscription. I heard Apple TV is quite good for films as an alternative. It would be nice to have Sky Sports for the football though.....

Bottom line: affordable HD TV hasn't quite come of age yet 

Just to make a point that Sky HD doesn't have to cost £50+ a month, my package is £36, and I must say I am very happy with the HD content on it.

£36: what does that include? Sky is almost tempting enough, but I need to justify the outlay with the trouser wearer!!

I get all the channels bar movies and sports, any movies I want to watch I already have on bluray long before they are on sky, and you get box office hd anyway. No real interest in the sports.

 

I have everything Variety Pack , Children's Pack , Knowledge Pack , Style & Culture Pack , Music Pack , News & Events Pack , Sky Sports Pack 2 , Sky Sports Pack 1 , Sky Movies Pack 2 , Sky Movies Pack 1 , HD Pack and an extra box. Its having the extra box that makes it worthwhile to be honest as my teenage daughter has friends round and they catch a movie or something. She has a sky+ box which we bought off ebay. we're thinking about upgrading as I can get a new HD box for £10 per month. I currently pay £67

There are 16 HD channels that are not movies or sports or which there are another 11. Factor in also the cost of the equipment over say 12 months. Installation is £30 but everything else is free.

 

I got vouchers in the post from Sky today, they entitle whoever I give them to, free HD box and free standard installation.  Unusually for Sky, this offer is open to existing customers wanting to upgrade as well as new ones.

If anyone is tempted to get Sky HD give me a shout and I'll send you a voucher code, I only have five and they have to be used by 24th December though.

Remember that Freesat will be getting the iPlayer at somepoint too :D cannot wait for that!

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Can't wait for my Nokia N900 :D

jcm6084:

Remember that Freesat will be getting the iPlayer at somepoint too :D cannot wait for that!

Well yes,Beta testing has started for iplayer and should be with us soon,but at the end of the day it's only offering more of the same not any extra content.....

I've got a Sagem Freesat Set top box and haven't looked back since leaving Sky

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