Digital TV Guides

Freesat set-top boxes

Updated: Wednesday 4 April, 2012

By Editorial

If you’re thinking of getting a digital TV service but don’t want to pay a monthly subscription, Freesat may be the answer. You can get over 140 channels and free catch-up BBC TV with a Freesat set-top box.

Freesat (www.freesat.co.uk) is a subscription-free digital TV service that offers an alternative to Freeview. As it is a satellite TV service, Freesat is available to around 98% of homes in the UK. Freesat offers both standard and HD channels via a satellite dish mounted to the outside of your home. As well as a satellite dish, in order to receive Freesat you will need a set-top box or an integrated TV.

Freesat set-top boxes are available from many well-known retailers, including Argos, Currys and Comet, and prices start from around £40.

Or, if you’re considering getting a new TV, getting one with Freesat built-in could save you money compared to buying the two separately. Integrated TVs will be more expensive than a standard Freesat set-top box, and typically cost around £600, though prices vary depending on the manufacturer and the screen size.

Read our set-top box guide below for more information on some recommended Freesat boxes and integrated TVs.

Freesat set-top boxes

When it comes to choosing a Freesat set-top box, there are plenty of standard definition boxes on offer. Here are three that Freesat recommends:

Bush Freesat BFSAT02SD

• Brand - Bush
• Model - BFSAT02SD
• Guide price - From £29
• Available from - Argos, Amazon
• More information - A unique 8-day on-screen guide organises channels into easy-to-use categories, and the box has been designed to be energy efficient, using less than 1 watt when in standby mode.

Goodmans Freesat GFSAT100SD

• Brand - Goodmans
• Model - GFSAT202SD
• Guide price - From £47
• Available from - Comet, Currys, John Lewis, Argos, Maplins
• More information - The Goodmans GFSAT100SD standard definition box brings you all your favourite TV channels with coverage available throughout the UK, without any subscriptions or monthly payments. Also, new channels will be detected automatically by the box, so there’s no need for you to re-tune it. You can choose either a black or silver model, to match your TV.

Grundig Freesat GUFSAT02SD

• Brand - Grundig
• Model - GUFSAT02SD
• Guide price - From £40
• Available from - Comet, Currys, John Lewis, Argos, Maplins
• More information - The well designed remote control and simple on-screen menu system make setting up and using the Grundig Freesat set-top box a doddle. You can plan your viewing with a 7-day electronic programme guide, and single “Favourite Channels” list can be populated with any channels you want.

Freesat integrated TVs

If you’re thinking about getting a new TV anyway, getting an integrated Freesat TV means you’ll only need to make one purchase, and can save money on your energy bills too.

While standard Freesat integrated TVs are slightly cheaper than their PVR counterparts, if your household argues a lot over who gets to watch what, getting a model with a built-in digital recorder could help solve all your problems. Some of Freesat’s recommend TV options are listed below:

Panasonic Viera TX-L37G20B

• Brand - Panasonic
• Model - TX-L37G20B
• Screen size - 37in
• Guide price - From £550
• Available from - Argos, Maplin, Dixons, Tesco, John Lewis, Currys, Comet
• More information - As well as an inbuilt Freesat receiver, you can enjoy internet content on a big screen with a TV from the Viera range. You can also check sports, news, weather and stock information with an easy-to-use web interface that’s built into the TV - simply connect your TV to your broadband.

Panasonic Viera TX-P46G20B

• Brand - Panasonic
• Model - TX-P46G20B
• Screen size - 46in
• Guide price - From £850
• Available from - Argos, Maplin, Dixons, Tesco, John Lewis, Currys, Comet
• More information - The Panasonic TX-P46G20B produces clean, sharp images, even on fast moving content such as sports and action films. The set is wi-fi and Skype ready, offering a host of networking capabilities, making this amazing TV a unique nerve centre for your whole home entertainment system.

Panasonic Viera TX-P50VT20

• Brand - Panasonic
• Model - TX-P50VT20
• Screen size - 50in
• Guide price - From £1,800
• Available from - Argos, Maplin, Dixons, Tesco, John Lewis, Currys, Comet
• More information - The TX-P50VT20 offers the ultimate in home entertainment. It’s both high-definition (HD) and 3D ready, comes with two pairs of 3D glasses, a Freeview and Freesat twin tuner and a range of connected TV features, including Skype, Twitter and Google’s Picasa.

More digital TV options

If you’re unsure of which digital TV service is best for you, use our online price comparison tool to find out more about the other digital TV providers available in your area.

You may find that a package from Sky or Virgin Media is better suited, as subscription TV deals tend to offer a wider selection of channels, as well as the opportunity to bundle your digital TV with your phone and/or broadband.