[mythtv-users] DVB-S Card for mythtv in the UK
Andy Burns
fedora at adslpipe.co.uk
Fri Aug 3 14:32:35 UTC 2007
On 03/08/2007 14:38, Mike Perkins wrote:
> I think what you are talking about is called Freesat.
Just to clarify ...
several years ago the BBC proposed a service called freesat, they own
the TM on this service, but have really dragged their feet in
implementing it, and refused to licence the name to SKY.
Then as a little spoiler, SKY came along with a service called
"FreesatfromSKY" which of course they don't discourage anyone from
referring to as just as "freesat".
Also the BBC were slow off the mark and they appear not to own the
freesat.co.uk or freesat.com domains either!
> You do need a
> card, I think it's a one-off cost of £20 or so from Sky. It's their
> satellite,
Actually Sky do not own *any* satellites, the ones in question are owned
by Astra.
The BBC, ITV, and SKY all rent transponders from astra, the only
stranglehold SKY has over they system is the EPG, if broadcasters want
to appear in the EPG they have to pay, if they don't pay then currently
their channels would only be visble to those who know the
frequency/polarisation/FEC combination.
The BBC freesat system when it arrives (next year?) will have it's own
EPG so loosening SKY's stranglehold (unless you're a sports fan)
> so they charge, even for the free-to-air channels. And thus
> you will need a CAM to put it in. The free-to-air stuff is still
> encoded, but not encrypted like the pay-to-view stuff. That's why you
> need the card.
No, sorry you're wrong there too.
Most "free" channels are FTA and do not need any form of CAM, card or
subscription,
http://www.vowles-home.demon.co.uk/Sat/SkyFTA.htm
A handful of "free" channels are FTV therfore do need a CAM and card,
but no subscription
http://www.vowles-home.demon.co.uk/Sat/SkyFTV.htm
Some of the "free" channels available on terestrial freeview are in-fact
pay channels on SKY, and then there are the SKY channels themselves
these all require a CAM, card and subscription.
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