Since being made redundant from work I am constantly on the look out to save money, and I realised that I am spending alot of money on my TV package, bearing in mind that with Bee around I am rarely getting time to watch TV. I record things, don't get time to watch them and then just delete them.
Money literally down the drain hey?
So when I got an email from Mumsnet Blog Network about the opportunity to review a Humax 500GB Freesat+ with <freetime> box, I literally jumped at the chance as it sounded ideal!
"Hello. We're freesat. We believe you shouldn't have to pay a monthly subscription to watch and listen to 180 channels of the best comedy, drama, sport, lifestyle, music and news. We offer free HD services from ITV, the BBC and Channel 4; freesat+ to record pause and rewind, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand5; and all subscription free.
Freesat launched <freetime> last Autumn which includes a Roll Back TV Guide that allows you to watch programmes you've missed from the previous seven days across 21 channels, a new showcase section providing top TV picks chosen daily by Freesat's reviewers, on-demand services and enhanced recordings.
Freesat is a subscription free service and Freesat+ boxes are available to buy from a range of retailers – RRP from £226."
Sounds great! And if I manage to save some money in the process then bonus!
I was so excited to learn that I had been picked and within a couple of days the box arrived.
And soon after the engineers arrived to install it. Installing it was simple as we already had an old sky dish outside, so it was just a matter of running some cables from the dish to the box. Setting up the box was straightforward too, the engineers did it for me before they left to ensure it was all working fine. The only issue was that it need to be connected to the internet. With my router being on the other side of the room, the cable sent with the box was not long enough. However, extra cable only costs a few extra pound and easily available.
You can only watch on demand through the box if you are connected to the internet. At the moment I have not connected it as you can easily get on demand on your laptops/PCs etc.
So what do you get with Freesat and is it worth ditching your existing provider?
Freesat has over 180 TV and radio channels which include 6 HD channels. And it is all subscription free; you just pay a one off for the box. One of the reasons I got a TV package was so that I could record programmes, or pause them if I suddenly had a dirty nappy to change, and watch then when I was free. With freesat this is all possible, but without the monthly cost.
Freesat is so simple to use. When you start the box it takes you straight to the home page where you can scroll to see what is on 'now and next'.
Recording is simple, with a straightforward touch of the record button. You also get the option to record just that one programme or the whole series.
And if you connect the box to the internet, along with on demand, you also get You tube.
Oh and if you are into Islam and asian channels, Islam Channel and Sony Sab is available on Freesat.
Sadly I am slightly addicted to some programmes that are on channels which are not available with freesat; so I won't be cancelling my current subscription just yet. However, if you are happy with the channels available on Freesat, and you do have a wide choice, then Freesat is ideal!
I am certainly pleased with having it and it will be used as an extra box in the bedroom once we have moved house and Bee has her own room.
Do you like the look of Freesat? Well if so then this offer may take your fancy!
Humax are offering via Muslim Mummy an exclusive discount code to purchase a 500GB Humax Freesat+ box for £199, a saving of £30. Just enter the code: FT30 when ordering.
“I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network Research Panel, a group of parent
bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for
Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and
retain full editorial integrityâ€.
You should try a dreambox. Get every channel, and for free. All your Asian ones, sports, documentary, kids, movies. Etc etc. And all you need is a sky dish / internet connection.