Freesat and non-freesat box

[RedGill]

This is probable a stupid question, Is there a sat HD box which will allow you to receive Freesat HD and non-freesat. I would like to be able to receive Freesat with 7 day EPG and use a motorised dish to checkout other sats.

 

[PaulR]

Well, certainly the Humax Foxsat HDR fits the bill. And possibly the Foxsat HD as well - Tivu will know as he has both.

 

[Lazarus]

Hello!

Yes, the Foxsat does this very well - a little quirky to get familiar with using it ion both modes and of course there are Recording issues to consider, but I have used both the PVR and non-PVR versions quite happily either with a Motor or with a DisEqC switch, always maintaining one Tuner fixed on 28E.

 

[RedGill]

With Foxsat HD can you record from the USB I ask as I do not see any buttons on the remote for record and playback.

 

[Lazarus]

No, no USB Record: At one time, it was on the list of features for Firmware Upgrade, but that's long since been binned.

 

[RedGill]

Thanks for you help. So its looks like Foxsat HDR is the one, just need to look around for a used one.

 

[rolfw]

Another option is the Technisat Freesat receiver, single tuner and a lot cheaper, but in my opinion better for other sat reception.

 

[RedGill]

I can not find much info on the Technisat Freesat HD the only one I have found info on is the Technisat HDFS which looks like it only has freesat. It looks like the old model had freesat and non-freesat but I maybe wrong. Need to try and get something setup for Xmas.

 

[Lazarus]

Little Grey Cells engaged ............... If you need it for Christmas, does that mean you are expecting family from outside the UK?


If so, tell us their precise needs/wants and we might be able to come up with another solution.

 

[rolfw]

Looks like it's out of production, but it does have a non-Freesat mode.

 

[Lazarus]

Looks like it's out of production, but it does have a non-Freesat mode.

I'm not familiar with the Technisat range, but it is a requirement under the Spec. for Freesat Hardware that a non-Freesat mode must be available. The issue is how user friendly it is! (But suffice it to say that only the Humax and Technisat have afficionados - all the rest have no decent reputation in this respect).

I do wonder what the significance of Christmas might be, though ................

 

[RedGill]

What I'm looking for is a sat box which will receive Freesat with 7 day EPG and non-freesat to work with my motorised dish DisEqC switch, new or used box will do. I think the humax HDR is out of the question due to cost. If somtone knows any old models which will do the job.

 

[Analoguesat]

Avoid the cheap stuff - the Grundigs & stuff like that - ISTR their none Freesat implementation was flaky at best.

 

[Lazarus]

Is it really essential you use only one box? That's always going to require some compromises.

You could use a Freesat box with a dedicated 28E minidish and another generic box with your Motorised kit.

 

[RedGill]

OK if we go down the road of having just one box for Freesat and one for non-freesat, which one's should I be looking at bearing in mind I only have £150 to spend. I would like to be able to record from a USB on the Freesat box.

 

[Analoguesat]

The Skybox F3's are competent little generic receivers, and about 50 quid new.

have a look here:

http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/735-skybox-hd-receivers/

 

[Lazarus]

AFAIK the best box for Freesat with USB Record was the aforementioned Technisat which is no longer available new - but you might be able to pick up a pre-loved one and, even if you get something like the Skybox F3 as the generic box (We have a dedicated sub-Forum for it, as it is so popular!) too, I imagine your Budget would be ample.

 

[rolfw]

Still a couple of new ones via Google search, has two modes, Freesat and Technisat mode, when in Technisat mode, it behaves like any other FTA receiver.