News BBC Trust finally approves Freesat

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/04/30/BBC_Trust_finally_approves_Freesat/

 

Mmmm, sexeh.

But there's no prices on the hardware yet or even estimates.

Will current free to air satellite boxes work or not?

 

ah back when spooks was good :<

 

What an old spooks picture!

 

So you get the benefits of high-bandwidth sattelite freeview and all the free-to-air channels?

Noice.

 

I dunno why DVB is so great. It's mainly to free up the airwaves for more licensing money in my opinion.

Everyone who I've spoke to says reception is poor, and i stuggle to get a good picture, at least with good old analogue, you may get a fuzzy picture and sound. But if a digital signal degrades you get a unwatchable, unlistenable mess. I only live 2miles away from the antenna

Hopefully though the satellite service could sort this current mess out.

Rant over

 

I didn't realise the figure was as high as 25% of the country not being able to get a decent signal. I would have put it much lower, mainly those living in remote rural locations, such as the Scottish Highlands and islands.

I wouldn't have included Suffolk as one of those areas - if you're having trouble getting a decent signal when you're only 2 miles from the transmitter, I'd take a look at your aerial.


In related news, the BBC Trust also gave to go-ahead for an internet-based on-demand video service. License payers will be able to get programmes for free for up to 7 days after the broadcast date, non-license payers (read: Johnny Foreigner) will have to wait, and will also have to pay to watch programmes.

 

Where are you in Suffolk? All my mates from there have fine signal... Norfolk/Suffolk tends to have great reception because its so flat here!

I'm more than 2miles from the broadcasting mast and I get perfect 85% strength signal. Maybe you just have a old/broken aerial?

 

Well more than likely true. I'll have to check my aerial out. I just don't see what's so great about digital that's all.

 

I would bet its your aerial unless you live in a big dip or surrounded by lots of tall buildings.

The fuss:

normal tv: 5 channels (if you can count a fuzzy channel 5)
digital tv: more than 30 channels + intereactive tv + digital radio stations

 

Still only 5 channels worth watching!

 

Depends what type of programs you like... I think e4 & bbc three are great and more4 has some interesting stuff on sometimes.