Appreciate your comment kegnkiwi. I understand what your saying but like so many things we purchase it's a case of pros and cons. I'm still very new to the world or satellite receivers. I have dumped Sky and been left with a dish. Reception with an aerial, in my area is poor. and so the obvious choice seemed to go with Freesat. Initially I considered the dedicated Freesat or Humax boxes. Humax don't do a 4K device and Freesat boxes, which apparently are Aris, get poor reviews. In my younger days I remember a couple of my wealthier friends having satellite dishes and on further investigation found there is still a considerable market in the world of satellite Tv. I wanted a receiver that was not only 4K but also capable of recording several channels at once. There are quite a few devices that are 4K but with standard tuners there didn't seem to be much option for multi channel recording with out switches and other devices. The main option was to go with FBC tuners and a Unicable ii LNB. The VU+ devices are expensive and the Gigablue came in at a similar budget to a Freesat box.
As we purchase computers, cameras, phones, Tv's etc: we are more likely to regret purchasing the under featured device than an item that is over featured and phones are a great example of this. My son in law has a £1400 Samsung phone that does little more than my £200 Xiaomi. In two years time his phone will be old technology, in ten years time my Gigablue will probably still be going strong.
Earlier on in this forum I pointed out other interests I have include computers and phones. Computers I started building back in the eighties and, more recently, I have been installing alternative Android software on phones. Both these devices create challenges similar to those I am now embarking on with satellite receivers but with online articles and help from members of this forum its a new venture I am looking forward.
Since starting on this learning curve I've noticed there is another satellite Astra 19.2 and so down the line may get the twin LNB adapter and have a play with that but I'll worry about that later and get the Gigablue up and running first.
The other good news about going the receiver route and taken out a new broadband contract is that I shall save £700 over the coming eighteen months and probably have more fun as well.
