Nov
10
- Chris Braund
- 10/Nov/2008 10:06
The Freesat platform is taking off quickly within the UK with new products and channels been launched. With the digital switch over set to start early next year, many viewers in the UK still need to make the switch from analogue to digital.
Making the decision of which box to buy is now made easier with Humax releasing the first PVR box. The box supports both high definition and standard definition content and can be used to record 2 channels whilst watching a third. The box has a HDMI, Composite and SCART connection making sure it will connect to any television that you have. Like many other Freesat boxes, it has a SP/DIF output for optical sound output and an ethernet connector for future use. The Humax HDR comes with a whopping great 320GB hard disk drive, enough to store a large quantity of your favourite programs in standard definition or even high definition. The box is set to be released in the middle of this month, priced at about £300.
Another box manufacturer have finally build a Freesat box. The french company, Metronic have released a Freesat box which is only currently available through Maplin electronics for £149.99. This freesat box has HDTV compatibility offering 1080i and 720p television. The box also offers the oppurtunity to connect up USB 2.0 devices to offer recording facilities. The box also incorporates the ability to play mp3 files and view photo files, allowing you to share memories with family and friends without huddling everybody around a computer. The box can carry High Definition signals over both a HDMI and Composite connection. The box carries an Ethernet socket as well as a SP/DIF to ensure for compatibility.
After waiting such a long time, channel Five is finally going to make it's appearance on Freesat on November 18th. Channel Five has not been available until now as there has been an encryption block on the channel on satellite, meaning that it has not been available for free to air satellite viewers along with Freesat viewers, as the channel has required a Sky decryption card.
There has been some major movement in the way of advertising Freesat with Panasonic making a commercial advertisement for their TV with built-in Freesat decoder. The televisions are available with either LCD or Plasma technology and are available in a range of screen sizes from 32" all the way up to a humongous 50".
If you would like any further information on Freesat, please view our site.