Well here we are in February and the year is ticking by. Has it been fairly mild down in this part of Spain this winter? It seems so to me and it also seems that although writing this in mid January that Spring is well on the way. My small lawn is "moving"; we have an array of spring flowers out and, in my mind, one of the most beautiful sites in Spain is here - the almond blossom. However, we may not be over the winter yet and maybe I will get a shock soon!! - did you read that the entire Spanish Kiwi crop has been wiped out by severe prolonged frosts further up north?
TV news ............. My "pet" subject of the last few months - FREESAT - still has no official launch date (spring 2008 is the only time frame) and no channel list (over 200 channels but no specifics). The MD was announced last year and she is the ex MD of FREEVIEW - now I think FREEVIEW is great and I also thought the launch and ongoing service went well so if management is any indication of service then FREESAT should be A1!!! One snippet of technical information has been released (but still no "meat") is that all FREESAT boxes will have to be tested and comply with the spec laid down by "digital UK TV". At least we know that all FREESAT receiver boxes will have to comply with a minimum standard. Also it has been announced that the first boxes will be made by Humax, Panasonic, Sagem and Alba. Significantly, none of these make boxes for the SKY satellite system - Panasonic did originally but no longer do. The manufacturer's list also says to me "the first two are quality and the second two are price" - that may be unfair, but it would be good to have some price led boxes with some quality specification led units. Lastly on FREESAT I understand that Channel 4 still has not found a way out of its SKY contract to join FREESAT and channel 5 is notably quiet - will they be on FREESAT at launch and will they remain on SKY?
Channel 4 have launched a simulcast broadcast in HD for all you HD viewers - SKY 140. Now would they do that if they were about to leave? Luxe TV has also launched an HD channel on 286 (284 normal transmission). It's about "luxury" - real estate, sport, leisure, hotels, food, beauty, fashion and cars.
Are you SKY+ owners aware that you can upgrade your hard drives - particularly you original SKY+ owners with 20hr recording drives? Drives up to 120hrs are available and this mod, although not SKY approved, does work and was highlighted in a Guardian article a while ago.
Decent wireless home cinema is on the way. Frequencies have been released especially for this and although there are some wireless units around, they use a frequency not best suited - the new frequencies will allow A1 Dolby quality surround sound with no wires!!!
Lastly, we had so many calls over the Christmas period - can you get me this channel - can you stop fade out at 10pm - how about BBC2, 3 and 4 - etc. Nearly all these were from 1.35m dish owners. There is a reasonable solution - upgrade to a 1.45m using the same location and bracket as the 1.35. It's not so badly priced, no great upheaval work and works very well. It's not perfect or as good as the 1.9m dish, but it is a vast improvement over the 1.35m. Call us for details - as you may for any other TV information, including site surveys for UK TV reception on about-to-be-purchased properties - don't buy, then find out UK TV is impossible!!!
Article sponsored by RAINBOW SATELLITES who cover the whole of the MURCIA region. Contact Alan or Matt for free friendly advise - 686 358 475 or email rainbowsats@terra.es . Also look at our website www.rainbowsats.com for some basic UK TV in Spain information.