There are up to 250 channels broadcasting for free from the same satellite used by Sky TV.
This means any dish pointing in the same direction will pick up these channels, free of charge.
There are up to 250 channels broadcasting for free from the same satellite used by Sky TV.
This means any dish pointing in the same direction will pick up these channels, free of charge.
The channels include BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, BBC News 24 and its two children’s channel. Channel 4, E4, Film 4 and ITV and its kids channel are also free as are a huge range of other news and international channels.
To receive them, all you need is a regular satellite dish and a box, or decoder.
There are two options for decoders in the Republic and three for those who have a UK address - ie anyone in northern Ireland.
Option 1
UK address (northern Ireland)
If you are a Sky TV customer already and you have a postal address in the UK you can get a special viewing card for £25.
This gives you access to the 250 channels for five years and the advantage is it will work with the Sky Plus box, something you cannot do with the options in the Republic.
For more information: Sky website freesat section
Option 2
If you’re not a Sky TV customer, then you’ll need to buy a dish and a freesat box – that’ll cost you about €200 and a one off installation cost for the package.
http://www.techradar.com/news/television/freeview-vs-freesat-vs-freesat-from-sky-358782
Freesat in the Republic option 1
2. If you don’t have satellite TV set up in your home already, all you need to do is get a dish and a freesat box from your local TV shop. Expect to pay around €200 for this, or if you already have a dish installed around €150. You might get a box cheaper on eBay, but you’ll still need a professional to install your dish. (DIY is possible, but it can takes hours tweeking the angle of the dish to get it aligned correctly for decent reception.)
Remember you will also need a terrestrial aerial because for the Irish channels are not on satellite.
If you are going for freesat, it’s worth knowing there are two types of boxes – one is called freesat and comes with about 50-60 channels and 140 radio stations. It comes with an electronic programme guide.
3. Freesat in the Republic option 2
The other is known as a ‘free-to-air’ box which is slightly cheaper but doesn’t have a programme-guide already built in. It means you can tune your favourite channels in to your preferred station numbers.
If you want to record programmes make sure you get a box that does that.
Freesat boxes
There is a variety of Freesat-compatible hardware to choose from. A traditional set-top box will cost around €140, while Freesat+ digital recorders like the DMR-XS350
HD DVD Recorder. You can record two channels at once and pause/rewind live TV.
Freesat and Freesat+ can also be found built-in to some of the latest HD TVs, including the LG 32LF7700 and Sony's Bravia KDL-40Z5800.
Read more: http://www.techradar.com/news/television/freeview-vs-freesat-vs-freesat-from-sky-358782#ixzz0zh0NpUID
John McEnteggart, of Digitaltv.ie in Meath says the demand for freesat has rocketed in the recession. “We have a huge amount of customersin Dublin, more UPC than Sky. I think that’s because Sky are doing anything to keep their customers whereas UPC don’t seem to care about losing them.
“I have one customer in Dublin – a mother with older children who are still living at home who was spending €200 a month on UPC and she switched to free sat and she’s very happy.
___________________________________________________________
