Freesat Set Top Boxes
Freesat was launched on 6th May 2008.
Freesat offers free to air, subscription free UK TV via satellite. It was was designed for those areas of the UK that are unable to receive the UK terrestrial digital service, Freeview.
For a one-off payment you can receive over 150 TV and Radio channels.
And with a Freesat HD set top box, you can receive 15 (correct at time of publishing) high definition (HD) channels.
There are three types of Freesat Set Top Boxes:
- a standard definition Freesat Set Top Box,
- a high definition Freesat HD Set Top Box, available with or without internal hard drive,
- a 4k Freesat HD Set Top Box, available with or without internal hard drive
Official Freesat Set Top Boxes
When we install a Freesat satellite system, we use official Freesat Set Top Boxes. Some UK satellite TV installation companies offer you an Iberosat, Ferguson Ariva or GI Galaxy Innovations satellite receiver, claiming it is a Freesat Set Top Box. These satellite receivers are NOT Freesat Set Top Boxes, but basic “free to air” satellite receivers. These types of receivers will NOT have the Freesat logo, the Freesat Guide, Automatic Channel updates, a full 7 day programme guide, or access to online “on demand” content such as BBC iPlayer.
Standard Definition Freesat Set Top Boxes
Standard Definition Freesat Set Top Boxes have been phased out over recent years, with High Definition Freesat Set Top Boxes taking precedence.
Freesat HD Set Top Boxes
Freesat HD set top boxes offer 15 (correct at time of publishing) HD channels.
HD (high definition) offers higher resolution picture quality, essential for when watching on large screen TVs.
At at 2021, there is only one manufacturer of Freesat HD set top boxes, Manhattan.
Humax ceased production of their popular and highly regarded Freesat HD set top boxes in 2019.
More information :
Manhattan Freesat Set Top Boxes
Freesat 4K Set Top Boxes
In early 2020, Freesat introduced a 4K Freesat Set Top Box.
Although there is no 4k live content available via satellite for Freesat, the 4k options are for pay online services such as Netflix.
Arris manufacture the 4K Set Top Boxes for Freesat, and are currently (as at 2021), the only manufacturer of a Freesat recorder set top box.
More information :
Which Satellite Receiver Do I Need? Which Satellite Box Do I Need? The Best Satellite Receiver for Spain.
The table below allows you to quickly select the best satellite receiver to suit your needs.
A standard satellite receiver | Freesat SD | Freesat HD | Freesat HD PVR | Sky HD Digibox | Sky+HD Digibox | |
Free (FTA) UK Channels | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Free (FTV) UK Channels | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
Sky Subscription | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
BT Sports | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
7 Day EPG / TV guide | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Interactive red button | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Dual tuners | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
Hard drive recorder – PVR | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
High definition | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
Programme Frequency auto update | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
3D TV Compatible | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Digibox software auto update | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Usable/Recommended for other satellites | ✔ |
Non Freesat Mode
The number of channels currently available on the Freesat EPG (electronic programme guide) does not included ALL of the free UK TV channels that are available.
However that does not mean that they are not available on a Freesat receiver.
But it is possible to view this and all the other free to air (FTA) channels by accessing the manual tune or Non Freesat Mode feature on your Freesat set top box.
More information on “non Freesat mode” here
How to Copy and Save Files from Humax Freesat HD FOXSAT-HD-R to an external hard disk
Many people have ask me if it possible to copy files and programmes from a Freesat Humax HD+ receiver (the receiver with a built in hard disk drive) and store them on an external hard disk drive, for storage or playing on a computer.
Well it is possible, to an extent.
Freesat HD Satellite Installations in Spain
We can supply and install satellite dishes, LNB, and Freesat receivers in the Valencia / Costa Blanca North area of Spain, so that you can watch subscription free UK TV in Spain.
See our installation pages at : 110x120cm “1.2m” satellite dish installations and 125x135cm “1.4m” satellite dish installations.
More information?
If you want more information on our satellite TV system, or want to arrange an installation, or a viewing please contact us using the form below :
We respond to emails as soon as possible. If you have not had a reply from us after 24 hours, please check your SPAM folder for a reply.