Freesat from Sky in 2024

[Yorks+Traveller]

We have for many years used a SD Sky box and Freesat from Sky card coupled to an old-style SD CRT TV in our motorhome (we also have a full Sky subscription with an HD box at home).  We use the satellite broadcasts in preference to Freeview as there is no need to re-tune when on the move in the UK and when overseas on holiday.

With the discontinuance broadcast of satellite BBC SD channels the time has come to upgrade the motorhome TV to an Avtex TV which can receive HD channels, has an in-built satellite decoder and Freeview.

Is there any advantage in also getting a second-hand HD Sky box to use with our existing Freesat by Sky card rather than just using the in-built Freesat tuner in the TV?

Does the Freesat by Sky card still give the advantage of extra channels?  If not, the only advantage would be the familiar programme guide, familiarity with the controls and ease of use.

Thoughts and any motorhome/caravan experience appreciated.

[GD1 · Accepted solution]

@Yorks+Traveller  Little point in getting a seperate box as just about about all the Freesat from Sky channels are available without a card on Freesat.

[Exiled-in-HH]

Very few TVs support Freesat, just LG TVs and possibly Sony TVs and older Samsung TVs🤔

Also there are FTA sat channels that don't support Freesat😉

[Mark39]

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@Exiled-in-HH wrote:

Very few TVs support Freesat, just LG TVs and possibly Sony TVs and older Samsung TVs🤔

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...and Panasonic.

[Exiled-in-HH]

@Mark39 is that older or current Panasonic TVs?

[Mark39]

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@Exiled-in-HH wrote:

@Mark39 is that older or current Panasonic TVs?

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My most recent Panny, about 2 years old, supports satellite. Looks like at least some of the current range do too.

[GD1]

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@Mark39 wrote:

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@Exiled-in-HH wrote:

@Mark39 is that older or current Panasonic TVs?

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My most recent Panny, about 2 years old, supports satellite. Looks like at least some of the current range do too.

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Same with the new range of Samsungs, 

[nigea99]

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@Mark39 wrote:

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@Exiled-in-HH wrote:

@Mark39 is that older or current Panasonic TVs?

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My most recent Panny, about 2 years old, supports satellite. Looks like at least some of the current range do too.

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There is subtle thing  to note here

Many Panasonic TVs have had Satellite inputs for quite a few years ( I have had several over the years including 2 OLED ones currently) but IIRC they stopped 'Freesat' specific features a few years ago (i.e. in built Freesat    auto tuning & EPG)

My previous LED Panasonic had specific Freesat support (although I didn't use it)

My  newer OLEDS support Satellite (using a 'Universal LNB as used by SKY +/HD) & will let you tune into the Freesat channels but is less Freesat specific  &  I am not sure about EPG functionality - I can't test at the moment as my motorised dish signal  gets blocked by tree foilage for Astra 28 at this time of year 

So you may be able to tune & watch live but functionality may be a little limited

(A quick look at the e-manual it looks like you can also use an external USB HDD for recording  via Staellite but due to lack of EPG may need to set times manually) 

This may be the same for other TV manufacturers

[Yorks+Traveller]

Thanks for everyone's input.  The Avtex range of TV's are specially designed for use in motorhomes and caravans and work on 12v/24v/240v.  They come with in-built Freesat and Freeview decoders.

[Exiled-in-HH]

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@Mark39 wrote:

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@Exiled-in-HH wrote:

@Mark39 is that older or current Panasonic TVs?

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My most recent Panny, about 2 years old, supports satellite. Looks like at least some of the current range do too.

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Supporting sat and supporting Freesat are completely different things🤔

In the past Samsung TVs did support Freesat, but I believe current Samsung TVs only support FTA sat and not Freesat😉

[Exiled-in-HH]

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@Yorks+Traveller wrote:

Thanks for everyone's input.  The Avtex range of TV's are specially designed for use in motorhomes and caravans and work on 12v/24v/240v.  They come with in-built Freesat and Freeview decoders.

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As there is no such thing as Freeview or Freesat tuners ... they are DTT tuners and DSat tuners.🤔

TVs only support Freeview and Freesat if they comply with specific Freeview and Freesat specification😉

[Yorks+Traveller]

Thanks for the correction.  I'm not very technical hence my misunderstanding of the terminology that should have been used.