Bargains at Aldi

[Cubbington]

Check out the Aldi website for a £60 portable satellite dish, and caravan security devices. http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/58_6007.htm

 

[Tram]

Does anyone know if this satellite system works with the new service recently launched by the BBC and ITV?

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Yes it is a Freesat system and will recieve the majority of channels available on terrestrial freeview with the exception of the CH5 channels until later this year.

There are also a lot of channels available that you will not find on Freeview or FreeSatfromSky as well

I use two Freesat systems at home and one in the van when required.

If you want to recieve the HD services you will require an HD receiver and TV.

 

[EmmanuelMuldoon]

Yes it is a Freesat system and will recieve the majority of channels available on terrestrial freeview with the exception of the CH5 channels until later this year.

There are also a lot of channels available that you will not find on Freeview or FreeSatfromSky as well

I use two Freesat systems at home and one in the van when required.

If you want to recieve the HD services you will require an HD receiver and TV.

Since the BBC/ITV launched the "new" "Freesat" system on May 6th, the word "Freesat" ought to be reserved for the new type of receivers (currently only available from Comet/Currys/John Lewis & Argos).

The receivers from Aldi/Maplin/Lidl & other Satellite equipment suppliers (that have been around for quite some time), are FTA receivers. (FTA= Free to Air).

Both the Freesat and FTA receivers receive EXACTLY the same program channel signals from the 28.2E satellite (commonly, but erroneously, known as the Sky satellite). The only significant difference is that the "Freesat" ones also "automatically" tune into another transponder from 28.2 that provides a 7 day EPG that is integrated with the program channels; whereas the FTA ones can only display "now & next" (if the channel chooses to send the data!). The Freesat receivers have also been designed so that you automatically get your correct regional program.(FTA ones have all variations available for you to choose at will).

The designers of the "Freesat" specification have also done their best to provide a "plug & play" product to suit the less technically minded. FTA receivers vary considerably in their ease of use.

This all applies to both Standard Definition (SD) and HD ones with, currently, one exception; ITV HD can only be viewed on a Freesat HD receiver, not a FTA HD one; but it is anticipated this will change in the not too distant future.

 

[scot_374309176]

hi jeff we recentlty bought the satallite system that was on offer at lidls having paid 65 pounds me and my wife thought great what a bargian however on our recent camping trip i made the dish up according to the manual pointing in the right direction turnend on the t.v nothing tried all weekend getting angry by this point any way got back home and got my son to set it up again nothing the dish was plastic my son said you have as much chance getting aliens than getting a picture with it took it back and got full refund be careful if you are going to get one from aldi make sure the dish is metal ..... scot

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Scot

We have the plastic dish and it works as well as the metal ones we have at home.

Either you had a fault or you were unlucky setting up, there is a knack to it and it can take a while first time, always better if you can find someone who has one to help set up the first time.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Chris

FTA recievers have been known as such for a long time and as you say the only real difference in the new services is the programme guide.

I would say "freesat" belongs as a term to any kit or service that is FTA.

I can not see how the ITV HD service can be restricted as there is no encryption by definition on any FTA channels.

It all makes SKY look a bit more than expensive though, doesn't it?

 

[Tram]

Since the BBC/ITV launched the "new" "Freesat" system on May 6th, the word "Freesat" ought to be reserved for the new type of receivers (currently only available from Comet/Currys/John Lewis & Argos).

The receivers from Aldi/Maplin/Lidl & other Satellite equipment suppliers (that have been around for quite some time), are FTA receivers. (FTA= Free to Air).

Both the Freesat and FTA receivers receive EXACTLY the same program channel signals from the 28.2E satellite (commonly, but erroneously, known as the Sky satellite). The only significant difference is that the "Freesat" ones also "automatically" tune into another transponder from 28.2 that provides a 7 day EPG that is integrated with the program channels; whereas the FTA ones can only display "now & next" (if the channel chooses to send the data!). The Freesat receivers have also been designed so that you automatically get your correct regional program.(FTA ones have all variations available for you to choose at will).

The designers of the "Freesat" specification have also done their best to provide a "plug & play" product to suit the less technically minded. FTA receivers vary considerably in their ease of use.

This all applies to both Standard Definition (SD) and HD ones with, currently, one exception; ITV HD can only be viewed on a Freesat HD receiver, not a FTA HD one; but it is anticipated this will change in the not too distant future.

That was very thought provoking but I lost it a bit there Chris,

Are you saying don't buy from Aldi er al?

 

[EmmanuelMuldoon]

Jeremy

Whilst I agree with you that the term "Freesat" ought to mean the "general" receiving of FTA signals, now that the "new" BBC/ITV service is using the word for their system receivers,(with a similarily named logo), I now think that it ought to be reserved for such boxes.

It would have been better, IMHO, for them to have chosen a different word to use, but they did'nt.

Thats why I commented as I did.

On the ITV HD issue, at present it is only a test transmission, and they have chosen to use a non standard data stream, so it can only easilly be viewed by pressing a specific button on a "Freesat" HD box whilst you are watching ITV (SD); a logo appears to prompt you to switch.

So almost all FTA HD receivers can't view it (there has been a report in the last few days that the Fortec Passion HD box can show it).

Again, whilst I agree with you that it ought to be a full unencrypted (FTA) signal, ITV have chosen to do it this way at present.

But remember, as the "Freesat" receivers have only just been launched, they are still in the "shakedown" phase (with over the air updates continuing), so things are changing, and in a few months time there will be differences (eg the regional variations are restricted at the moment, and won't be fully inplemented on these boxes for a few more weeks).

Tram

I was not advising for or against the Lidl/Aldi receivers, just pointing out the differences between "Freesat" & "FTA" boxes. I have two FTA receivers (neither of them Lidl/Aldi as it happens), and I get on with them well. Forum reports show that some people think the Lidl/Aldi/Maplin boxes are great, others prefer different makes. I don't need 7 day EPG, so probably won't get a "Freesat" one. But a lot of people really like that feature, so for them, a "Freesat" one would probably be best.

Be aware that some outlets of these are trying to insist (illegally?) that you have to purchase the

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Ditto Chris's last remark - we have an FTA box at home working absolutely fine on a Sky dish and LNB.

 

[Legsmaniac_374344731]

In my opinion, the Aldi/Lidl/Netto setup is no different to the Maplins system which I tried and hated. I took it back and got my money back.

As for it being a bargain, you can get a sky box and dish off ebay far cheaper and the standard house dishes are far better than the small portable dishes supplied by the likes of Aldi.