Freesat Or Freeview: What Is The Best Option?

17 Sep Freesat Or Freeview: What Is The Best Option?

The hunt for a new digital TV system does not come without a special set of challenges. Most people get stuck between television services offering free to air channels. The bottom line is that you want to get the most channels, the best clarity, and maximum entertainment during those long, dull days when you want to remain indoors. So, Freesat or Freeview: what is the best option?

Freeview is a terrestrial digital TV service based in the UK that delivers television channels via an aerial. You can receive connectivity through a small set-top box that should be connected to your broadband and aerial if you are interested in using a smart TV. As long as you can make peace with the fact that you need an aerial, this may pose as an enticing choice.

Freesat is, on the other hand, a renowned British free-to-air satellite TV service. It offers a full satellite alternative to using aerials. The range of channels offered is not so different from what the competition provides, and the only difference is that users do not need to subscribe while buying a receiver.

These options have certain things in common. Then again, there are aspects unique to each option that you should know about before making your final choice. In terms of upfront costs, it is cheaper to install a satellite dish. For this option to work, it is imperative that you have upscale viewing equipment, and this can be expensive. With the Freeview connections, a conventional television or regular digital TV, such as an inexpensive, non-recording model, will do.

The greatest difference between these two options is their coverage. Freeview is available to about 98% of the UK, though some areas can only access the Lite package with fewer channels. On the other hand, Freesat has 100% available coverage, and this makes it an ideal option in certain situations.

It is hard to compare which of these options is the best without studying the choices of channels. Freeview offers approximately 70 TV channels with about 20 radio channels and a few stations in high definition. The alternative option offers a fabulous 200 channels, both TV and radio. In case you are using the smart version, you will have access to a range of digital terrestrial catch-up service extras.

Irrespective of the choice you settle for, you will enjoy a decent number of high definition channels as long as your TV is HD-ready. In terms of recording programs, both providers offer the capability of storing program footage. You must, however, first invest in the appropriate kind of television and ensure your equipment can handle program recording tasks.

In a tug of war between Freeview and Freesat, both of them would win. After all, they have unique pros and cons that make each of them ideal for some people and not for others. In case both are great options you can consider, find out whether you have a functioning satellite dish or aerial. This may help you make up your mind and settle for the most cost-effective or convenient choice.