Digital Satellite Explained
1) Sky Digital
This is available as a subsidised UK subscription package
through Sky or ourselves to receive the many pay channels
currently available.
Std Sky Receiver: Receives several hundred channels
depending on subscription payable.
Sky Plus Receiver: As above with built in hard drive (PVR)
to allow pause, rewind and recordings.
Sky Plus HD Receiver: Same features as above with High
Definition viewing.
2) Sky Freesat
Available for a one off payment, includes Std Sky receiver and
free Sky Freesat card to receive approx 200 channels. No need to
subscribe, no need to connect to telephone etc.
3) Freesat from BBC / ITV
This service is broadcast from the same satellites as Sky
digital, available for a one off payment.
No card is required, no subscription etc, because this service
is broadcast from a satellite it means most people can receive
it. Ideal for people who are unable to use a Freeview box due to
their location.
4) European Satellite
Available from many other satellites (19 East, 13 East etc),
several hundred European channels can be received from the UK in
various languages, some are scrambled and need a subscription
from the broadcaster, many others are free. A larger satellite
dish will be required and a European type satellite
receivers.
When digital was first proposed even the most experienced dealers
were scratching their heads in dismay, however we will try to
explain.
Providing a universal LNB (9.75 / 10.600ghz) is fitted at the
end of the dish and pointed at a satellite most digital
receivers including Sky digiboxes will receive free to air channels.
As a general rule more than half of the digital broadcasts from
other satellites will be scrambled. There are various encryption
methods used, IE: Viacess, Irdetto, Conax, Seca etc, each one
requiring a subscription card payable to the relevant
broadcaster.
This is similar to Sky analogue using Videocrypt decoders then
using a subscription card to obtain the channels required.
What does all this mean?
It sounds complicated and life would be easier if they all used
one system but unfortunately they don't.
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