ITV4 is avaliable online or free to air via Astra satellite at 28.2E, you can use a freesat box to pick this up. Also I've heard there is likely to be a new pay tv operator working via satellite, yet to see how they intend to sell services, maybe Eurosport might be an affordable option via this route too.
My complaint about Freeview Light was a side issue really. I'm complaining that (approximately) 10% of the population, like me, who receive TV via local relay stations only get the minimal Freeview service because the regulator did not require the commercial channels to provide the extra channels in our areas. They decided that they wouldn't make money doing that so they didn't, but the regulator could have told them to.
I know the argument is that the licence fee doesn't go to commercial channels and that everybody gets the same public service, but I still need to buy a licence even if I don't ever watch the BBC. As far as I'm concerned, we should all get the same service. If they used that argument, the Highlands wouldn't have a telephone service because it cost too much to deliver one up there.
I don't want to pay extra to get a dish put up and buy a Freesat box when I have a perfectly good dual-tuner Freeview recorder.
Ref: Eurosport
The picture quality is ok, it's not quite as nice as the broadcast picture, but efforts have been made to improve the quality of the feeds lately, so the HD feeds for example look ok on a laptop, although being on the internet it's always subject to whatever conditions you experience on the internet.
They have a vod feature but it's not satisfactory, it only has a select few events and again they're often without commentary. Otherwise there is no record or watch later option.
There must be some way to record the stream and replay it later even if Eurosport don't provide it. I'll ask around ...
British Eurosport and BE 2 are a core part of the basic subscription package with Virgin Media. If you're in a cabled area, get it.
I think that there is very little chance of cable ever making it to places like this, except via the telephone system when BT finally pull their finger out and start putting fibre optic telephone cables in everywhere.
I was very unimpressed by the picture quality of my sister's Virgin Media system. As soon as any fast action took place, the picture broke up into blocks. Swirling flames and bubbling water were a joke - just a mush.
Sorry Colin, I missed this.
Yes, quality is fine, I think. I've watched the HD feed full screen now and again, although when our wifi plays up I go to standard, which is a bit fuzzy.
On Demand depends on the host broadcasters, I think. I remember with the Giro, Eurosport were allowed by their deal to show picture only, not picture and commentary - I've not bothered with it since, if I miss it live, I watch one of the highlight programmes, which are frequent enough.
I've not renewed my subscription, due to needing to tighten belts a bit lately - I'd still recommend it though.
Thanks. I reckon I have enough bandwidth to use the HD stream. As long as I don't have to watch the cycling in a small window, I'll be happy. I'll try a one month trial subscription and see how that goes. A subscription to Eurosport Player would make a good Christmas or birthday present so if I enjoy my trial, I'll ask for one next year.
... the sky ppl see the old dish and think he will want sky ...
just tell why pay for it when i get it free ..simples
