FTA vs Freesat?
Q) Can you explain the differences and what would be the best between the FTE S93 and the Manhattan Plaza DS-100?
A)Both units are very good but suit slightly different purposes. I should clarify initially that both units are mains powered only so if you need, or would like 12v, neither unit is best! That aside, the FTE 93 is a free-to-air (FTA) unit so this means that it doesn’t have a TV guide, just a channel list. Program information is limited to Now and Next which literally means what is on now and what is coming on next. Channels lists can be updated via USB and we have the most up to date channel list on our website. The option with this box is that you can edit the channel list yourself so if your favourite channel is Five, then you can have “channel 1” as Five instead of BBC1. FTA units are also capable at looking at any satellite which is handy if you speak a second language, or are merely just interested in seeing what’s out there. Another benefit of being able to look at other satellites is that if you are travelling on the fringes of Astra 2 reception or beyond, you can swap to another satellite and pick up some major news stations to at least have something to watch in English that keeps you up to date with current events.
The Manhattan Plaza is a Freesat receiver which is a platform controlled by the BBC and ITV and gives you access to their full 7 day TV guide and bouquet of channels . There are less freesat channels because not all broadcasters can afford or want to pay the BBC to appear within the freesat listings although an argument could be made on the quality of those channels. Freesat control all channel updates and they are automatically updated on your box so you don’t need to worry about doing that yourself but you cannot edit the channel list like you can with a FTA receiver. Freesat receivers are capable of looking at other satellites but do it very clumsily, although the Manhattans are currently ‘best in class’ at doing this.
Both receivers are very similar in size but FTA receivers can often be picked up in much smaller sizes (like the S21).
How to pick the correct Satellite dish?
Q) We are considering following the Eastern French Border - Belgium, Luxenbourg and maybe just touching a little bit of Germany. We usually keep moving on every few days so I require something easily set and packed away - can you help?
A) The short answer is yes, the regions you mentioned all fall within the scope of our 64 or 65cm satellite dish kits which prove popular year after year.
For a slightly more in depth answer in how to pick a satellite dish, take a look at the first in our series of travel guides.
