[Pollywoggle]

OK, I have read as many threads in the freeview, freesat and PVr forums as I can, checked the FAQs but I am still not sure of what I need? I have basic sky (old box and dish working fine), I want to ditch sky and get a freeview box or PVR? I have a single cable from my dish to my sky box. I dont need HDTV at the mo so as I understand it I can get a PVR with freeview on board or a freesat box. I am not sure whether to go the freesat or freeview route and if I go freesat will it work with the single cable I have from my dish now? Also I see that the humax and topfield boxes are well liked so what should I get? I want to cancel sky tommorow and get on with buying a box so what does anyone suggest? Freeview or Freesat? Also, if I got a HDTV box now to save upgrading later would most functions work with a single cable? (Not HDTV obviously)!
Thank you for reading rambling post!

[JayCee]

Do you have a terrestrial aerial?
Do you live in an area than can receive Freeview?...which can only be received via an aerial.

[ronlizpatsimon]

With "Freeview" or "Freesat" you only get the free channels. With Sky I believe that once you have had a year with them, you can opt to discontinue the payments. You continue to receive the free channels. So, if you do not want HD at this time, I can see no point in changing from Sky. If you have or will shortly have an HD TV, then, in order to receive HD you will need an HD receiver. This may be built in to the TV or you have to have either a Sky+ Receiver (with monthly payments) or a "Freesat" HD receiver (say £150). If you wait for a few months another option will be "Freeview" as it expects to provide HD. If you want to be able to record HD, then instead of the £150 HD receiver, you will need a £300 one (currently the only one is the Humax Foxsat HDR). This model does have the facility to record 2 different channels at the same time (watch one channel whilst recording another). To freely do that you need a twin feed from the dish (connected to a quad LNB on the dish - easily exchanged (£20) for your current LNB. Another length of cable will also be needed (£10 for 10 metres). If you stick to your existing cable you do get some restrictions when you want to record two different channels. However the HD channels are just like any other channels, so you can still watch or record one of them. If you decide to go for the "Freeview" option - which uses a traditional yagi terrestial aerial; make sure your neighbours get a good "freeview" picture. Currently the signal strength of Freeview signals is less than that of the normal signals - so you may need a high aerial or one where there is no obstructions in the line of view. Also, not all areas have "freeview" transmissions.

[Pollywoggle]

Ok thanks, that makes it all very clear

[alictait]

However if you stay with Sky on the free package you lose the sky + functionality.

[alictait]

Sorry re read the first post and realised you never had sky +