Digital 4 Free

Freesat have confirmed that their PVR/Digital Television Recorder named “Freesat+” will be launched in November.

A Humax Freesat+ device has been announced that features a whopping 320GB hard drive which can store up to 80 hours of HD programming, or up to 200 hours of standard definition shows, while the eight day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to scan the Freesat TV schedule and plan your viewing.

The Humax FOXSAT-HDR also has twin Freesat HD tuners which enables you to record one channel whilst watching another. The box will be available Mid-November, and retail around £299. For more information, please look at Humax’s Freesat website.

Freesat also confirmed that it will be “increasing its number of manufacturers and retailers”, and of course it will be “launching more exciting new channels and services every month”.

written by Andrew \\ tags: Freesat, Freesat Plus, HD, HDTV, Humax, PVR, Twin Tuner

Today sees the launch of the BBC and ITV English regions on Freesat, plus ITV2+1 and Pitch TV .

When you retune, if you enter an English postcode when you set up your Freesat box, you will now get the correct BBC One and ITV-1 region in the 101 and 103 positions.

In addition there is now:

• 114 ITV2+1
• 803 Pitch TV
• 950 BBC One London
• 951 BBC One Channel Islands
• 952 BBC One East Midlands
• 953 BBC One East (East)
• 954 BBC One East (West)
• 955 BBC One North West
• 956 BBC One North East and Cumbria
• 957 BBC One Northern Ireland
• 958 BBC One Oxford
• 959 BBC One South East
• 960 BBC One Scotland
• 961 BBC One South
• 962 BBC One South West
• 963 BBC One West Midlands
• 964 BBC One Wales
• 965 BBC One West
• 966 BBC One Yorkshire
• 967 BBC One East Yorkshire and Linconshire
• 968 BBC Two England
• 969 BBC Two Northern Ireland
• 970 BBC Two Scotland
• 971 BBC 2W

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written by Andrew \\ tags: bbc, channels, english regions, firmware, Freesat, itv, regional, regions

I’ve come across this excellent resource for people setting up their own satellite system (guides coming soon!).

This handy little online tool will tell you your latitude/longitude and all the technical info you need to align your dish such as dish elevation and LNB skew.

Head over to www.dishpointer.com to give it a go!

written by Andrew \\ tags: alignment, calculator, dish, elevation, guide, pointer, skew

After the launch of Freesat, we have had a few emails asking what exactly “HD” is. We’ve compiled a guide for you to help you understand.

What is HDTV?

High definition (HD) offers picture quality with four times more detail than standard definition (SD) TV delivering vibrant colour, stunning detail and incredible depth. It’s the ultimate way to watch your favourite movies, TV programmes and sporting events and it’s going to blow you away!

High definition television, or HD TV, is a new standard that delivers higher picture quality and better sound than traditional TV technology. Put simply, older flat screen TVs support current standard definition TV broadcasts, DVD players and games consoles but they can’t reproduce the higher picture quality of the new generation high definition programming.

How Does It Work?

HD TV or high definition television offers the highest picture quality available today. Instead of using the conventional 625 lines to plot a TV picture, HDTV uses 720 or 1080 lines. In addition, the pixels in each of those lines are closer together. This results in a hugely improved picture quality, clarity and colour definition. HD also uses millions more colours than SD TV, increasing the richness and intensity of everything you watch. Most HD programmes and movies are also created with cinema-style surround sound, that you can experience in full with a compatible surround sound system.

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written by Andrew \\ tags: DVI, guide, hd ready, hd set top box, hd tv, HDMI, HDTV, high definition, Sky HD

Panasonic are delighted to be supporting the launch of freesat which marks a major landmark in the development of Digital Television broadcasting in the UK.

The PZ81 Series, available in three screen sizes: TH-42PZ81 (42”), TH-46PZ81 (46”) and TH-50PZ81 (50”) will be available instore from June. These stylish and desirable plasmas boast a host of features to deliver outstanding moving picture resolution and beautiful colour reproduction together with brilliant sound and easy operation, giving viewers the optimum HD viewing experience. A Panasonic HD plasma TV with freesat built-in is a quick and convenient way to view a wide range of channels including brilliant HD programmes from the BBC and ITV, all for free*.
* Following a one-off installation payment, plus the cost of receiving equipment.

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written by Andrew \\ tags: Freesat, hd tv, HDTV, integrated, Panasonic