News archive to 23.3.2009
Posted 23.3.09
BBC HD extends hours
More and more HD
BBC HD is now broadcasting more hours per day. Weekday schedules now begin at 4pm with children's programmes. One of the few UK channels wholly in HD, BBC HD is a mix of programmes from the whole of the BBC's output. Drama and films have recently dropped the on-screen logo, the so-called "DOG" following protests from viewers. The DOG is still in place on many documentaries, ostensibly to reinforce brand identity, but in reality it is a piracy prevention measure. See what's on in the BBC HD schedule.
Posted 12.3.09 ITV HD now can be received on Sky
Available on updated Sky HD boxes
Previously exclusive to Freesat, ITV HD can be added manually to Sky HD receivers. This new facility is limited to the few HD boxes which received the new EPG this week (see below). It can't be added unless you have a receiver with the new programme guide. Recording is not available, nor are there any programme details. ITV HD is currently only showing programmes for a few hours per week, the rest of the time a test card. It's not known if this technical update has been done with the agreement of ITV, or whether it is part of a plan to destablise Freesat. The £49 HD box offer may be part of the same strategy to undermine the emerging rival to Sky. ITV HD may be oficially added to Sky's line up at some point in the future.
To add ITV HD manually, go to the 'Add Channels' menu in 'Services' and use the following settings: Frequency: 11.427 Polarity: H FEC: 2/3 Symbol rate: 27500, add channel '10510'. View via the 'Other Channels' menu.
Posted 12.3.09 
New Sky HD Electronic Programme GuideMajor update to the EPG
This week, 38,000 Sky HD subscribers received the re-designed EPG. Amongst the many new features are an optional mini-TV screen on the TV Guide and the ability to view "now, next and later" programme information for shows on any channel for the next 12 hours without needing to interrupt the programme being watched. Recordings may be set up without visiting the Planner screen and episodes of recorded series are "stacked" to make finding them easier. The software was delivered automatically to more recent Thomson HD Sky boxes overnight on 10th. March. Only receivers with version number 4E300E were updated. Remaining HD boxes will have the new EPG over the coming weeks. Standard Sky receivers and non- HD Sky boxes will probably not receive the new guide, owing to memory limitations.
Posted 12.3.09 New French Film Channel on Sky
Channel 839
A new French film channel Cinémoi is now available on Sky, broadcasting classic and contemporary subtitled French films and documentaries. Cinémoi will be available for free every night until April 6 on Sky channel 839. After this date, the channel will be available for a subscription fee of £7.99 a month or £100 GBP/year.
Posted 18.2.09 Sky HD receivers recalled
90,000 Pace Sky+ HD boxes faulty.
A fault has been identified in a large number of Pace Sky+ HD receivers sold in the last few months. Neither Sky nor Pace will not reveal exactly what is wrong, but have embarked on a phased recall and replacement. The affected models are 9F3001, 9F3002, 9F3003 and 9F3004. To see if you have one of these models, go to the 'services' menu on your Sky handset, press 'system setup', then 'system details' . Look under 'version number'. Contact your installer if you have one of these versions. There is an indication that affected models show 'no signal' when changing channel and have intermittent loss of response to handset commands. Sky will give all affected customers three months’ free subscription to the HD pack (worth £29.25) when the box is replaced.
Posted 12.2.09 Sky £49.00 HD offer.
Unbeatable offer but with a number of conditions attached.
We've been asked by a number of customers why we can't match the Sky offer of a HD receiver for £49.00. The reasons are quite simple. The receiver has to be:
- installed by a Sky engineer at a UK address
- connected to a UK phone line for one year.
Posted 12.2.09
Sky card swap out this April
Sky cards will be replaced from April 2009 onwards. The new-look cards (white in colour) will be sent out to Sky subscription customers. The swap-over process is easy, just replace the new card and the process will be automatic. There will be an on-screen prompt. Old cards will cease to work after a period of time, presently unknown. Existing Freesat From Sky cards (those that just unlock C5, Sky Three, Five US and Fiver) have an uncertain future. It's not clear whether Sky will continue selling and supporting them. Many Britons in Spain who bought from mainland European Sky agents will lose their channels when their existing cards are switched off, even if the agent is still in business. Many agents have been closed down in the past 24 months. Our business is securely UK- based and will not be affected.
Posted 11.2.09
Freesat Foxsat PVR now in stock
The long- awaited Freesat recording receiver has arrived.
The receiver is Freesat's equivalent to the Sky+ PVR (personal video recorder). Humax HD receivers are outstandingly good for fringe reception, outperforming any Sky receiver by a long way in Spain. Freesat, as its name suggests is free to view on all channels, there is no need to have a card activated or pay a subscription.
The full specification:
Freesat HD and SD channel recording
Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
Record 2 channels at the same time
Receive HDTV signals (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG-2)
Under 1W power consumption in standby
HDMI-digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, Composite or Scart
Easy installation and operation
Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
DVB-S2 and DVB-S compatible
Ethernet Support (for future use)
Full colour high resolution electronic programme guide
Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
Automatic software upgrade via satellite
Upscaling Standard Definition channels
Audio description / One touch subtitle
Massive 320GB HDD
Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 380 x 55 x 252 mm
Weight: 3.1 kg
See current price
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