Want to ditch MySky HD. What's the "best" Freeview decoder out there currently?

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Want to ditch MySky HD. What's the "best" Freeview decoder out there currently?

wasssupppp

43 posts

Geek

#208331 7-Feb-2017 11:31

Hi all, I'm a total noob when it comes to Freeview. Been looking at some Panasonic models but not sure what's best. After something that "just works" like a MySky decoder. Not bothered too much with additional features as I have a Roku for that but TVNZ on Demand could be good as it's not available on Roku. Cheers!

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87 posts

Master Geek

#1716445 7-Feb-2017 11:39

I have exactly the same situation. Most important consideration for me would be to have HD picture. Will be interested to see replies :)

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turb

847 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1716449 7-Feb-2017 11:56

Are you both in a terrestrial Freeview area?
Only terrestrial Freeview is in HD, and you will need a different device depending on whether you are planning to use satellite or terrestrial.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

wasssupppp

43 posts

Geek

#1716463 7-Feb-2017 12:23

Yes, I have a UHF aerial installed and can get the HD signal on my TV but obviously I'm after a decoder so I can record etc.

Wyvern

87 posts

Master Geek

#1716473 7-Feb-2017 12:52

I did the address checker on the Freeview site and it said I should be getting Freeview Plus or MyFreeview Plus. I am in Raumati Beach and I can see an old UHF aerial on the roof - I would struggle to believe we were not able to get Terrestrial and therefore HD but perhaps I need to get an installer to assist.

turb

847 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1716479 7-Feb-2017 13:02

Wyvern:
I did the address checker on the Freeview site and it said I should be getting Freeview Plus or MyFreeview Plus. I am in Raumati Beach and I can see an old UHF aerial on the roof - I would struggle to believe we were not able to get Terrestrial and therefore HD but perhaps I need to get an installer to assist.

Does your TV have built-in Freeview by any chance? Then you'd be able to check without spending any money.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

Wyvern

87 posts

Master Geek

#1716481 7-Feb-2017 13:04

Good call! Yeah I think it might actually.... just not sure if the UHF aerial is actually properly wired into the lounge but I'll check tonight. Thanks for your help!

Spirax

45 posts

Geek

#1716483 7-Feb-2017 13:11

In my experience Raumati has a very flaky TV reception. I believe the transponder is in Waikenae

erik

57 posts

Master Geek

#1716498 7-Feb-2017 13:31

Wyvern:

Good call! Yeah I think it might actually.... just not sure if the UHF aerial is actually properly wired into the lounge but I'll check tonight. Thanks for your help!

Do you know the make, model and age of your TV? If it's a reasonably modern smart-tv (around 5 years old tops), there is a very good chance it actually has the Freeview decoder already. My Samsung 40" "smart" tv (it's dumb as dirt though) is from 2012 and has Freeview HD without the need of any decoder.

Which is exactly why I said Bye Bye Sky (MySky + Movies + Sport) and hello to Netflix and an additional 100 bucks in my wallet every month.

Edit: Can't type :P

Pumpedd

1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1716499 7-Feb-2017 13:31

Wyvern:

I did the address checker on the Freeview site and it said I should be getting Freeview Plus or MyFreeview Plus. I am in Raumati Beach and I can see an old UHF aerial on the roof - I would struggle to believe we were not able to get Terrestrial and therefore HD but perhaps I need to get an installer to assist.

Hi,

I am in Raumati Beach and get a good enough signal but I did have to get some aerial guys in to put on a booster thing. It would pay to get in some aerial guys to do a check..sometimes even raising the aerial helps. My last place in Raumati South I couldnt use freeview terrestrial so paid for the sky basic package.

BTW Panasonic is probably the best but it is still very average compared to the mysky decoder. NZ has a very poor choice of freeview appliances. See other threads here.

ben28

171 posts

Master Geek

#1716508 7-Feb-2017 13:40

If HD is important but you cant get Freeview terrestrial, then one option is to stay with Sky , and pay $18 month for the Freeview channels only. You'd also need to pay the rental of the mysky though so another $15 I think.

Wyvern

87 posts

Master Geek

#1716540 7-Feb-2017 14:24

erik:

Wyvern:

Good call! Yeah I think it might actually.... just not sure if the UHF aerial is actually properly wired into the lounge but I'll check tonight. Thanks for your help!

Do you know the make, model and age of your TV? If it's a reasonably modern smart-tv (around 5 years old tops), there is a very good chance it actually has the Freeview decoder already. My Samsung 40" "smart" tv (it's dumb as dirt though) is from 2012 and has Freeview HD without the need of any decoder.

Which is exactly why I said Bye Bye Sky (MySky + Movies + Sport) and hello to Netflix and an additional 100 bucks in my wallet every month.

Edit: Can't type :P

Its a 50in Samsung UA50JU6400SXNZ - looks like it does have Freeview :)

dimsim

733 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1716542 7-Feb-2017 14:26

erik:

Wyvern:

Good call! Yeah I think it might actually.... just not sure if the UHF aerial is actually properly wired into the lounge but I'll check tonight. Thanks for your help!

Do you know the make, model and age of your TV? If it's a reasonably modern smart-tv (around 5 years old tops), there is a very good chance it actually has the Freeview decoder already. My Samsung 40" "smart" tv (it's dumb as dirt though) is from 2012 and has Freeview HD without the need of any decoder.

Which is exactly why I said Bye Bye Sky (MySky + Movies + Sport) and hello to Netflix and an additional 100 bucks in my wallet every month.

Edit: Can't type :P

Id like to do the same but what id struggle with is how to replace SkySport...

Wyvern

87 posts

Master Geek

#1716544 7-Feb-2017 14:26

ben28:

If HD is important but you cant get Freeview terrestrial, then one option is to stay with Sky , and pay $18 month for the Freeview channels only. You'd also need to pay the rental of the mysky though so another $15 I think.

Didn't know you could do that - might consider that too... we paid for the box outright years ago so no extra rental cost, however, we do pay that outdated $10 a month for HD ticket, so $28 a month for the Freeview channels and use of MySky still feels like a kick in the teeth from sky.

Wyvern

87 posts

Master Geek

#1716545 7-Feb-2017 14:28

dimsim:

erik:

Wyvern:

Good call! Yeah I think it might actually.... just not sure if the UHF aerial is actually properly wired into the lounge but I'll check tonight. Thanks for your help!

Do you know the make, model and age of your TV? If it's a reasonably modern smart-tv (around 5 years old tops), there is a very good chance it actually has the Freeview decoder already. My Samsung 40" "smart" tv (it's dumb as dirt though) is from 2012 and has Freeview HD without the need of any decoder.

Which is exactly why I said Bye Bye Sky (MySky + Movies + Sport) and hello to Netflix and an additional 100 bucks in my wallet every month.

Edit: Can't type :P

Id like to do the same but what id struggle with is how to replace SkySport...

Exactly the same here - I love my sport - but I think I'll stump up for fan pass as required.. or maybe even the recurring monthly option at $56 a month. Seems better that the $90 it is now - and I don't have to endure that painful Mysky UI

trig42

5374 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1716546 7-Feb-2017 14:29

Wyvern:

ben28:

If HD is important but you cant get Freeview terrestrial, then one option is to stay with Sky , and pay $18 month for the Freeview channels only. You'd also need to pay the rental of the mysky though so another $15 I think.

Didn't know you could do that - might consider that too... we paid for the box outright years ago so no extra rental cost, however, we do pay that outdated $10 a month for HD ticket, so $28 a month for the Freeview channels and use of MySky still feels like a kick in the teeth from sky.

You shouldn't have to pay for the HD ticket for the Freeview HD channels (1,2,3). Pretty sure they were HD on (the black) MySky without the ticket. The Silver MySky has no HD.

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