FreeView?

[NinjaNanna]

ive got a tv tuner and capture card in my computer, can i just run a dish through that, or will it not decode?

No totally different technology, though you can buy appropriate Sattelite Capture Cards for your PC if that's your thing

[MacD]

If this is true (and I have no reason to doubt), than why haven't people been told this and why is the current satellite platform being rolled out if it is going to be superceded in reasonably short order?

The people have been told this, right from the initial launch. The Freeview website also has information about the coverage of the terrestrial service which is meant to be available from early 2008.

The satellite service covers the whole country, while the terrestrial service will only cover major centres and surrounding areas, as is true in many places for the current analogue signal. The terrestrial signal will offer HD-quality signals also.

Freeview is not a subscription service, so the signal is "free", but there are set-up costs in terms of the receiver equipment, just the same as with analogue TV (ie: you have to buy a digital receiver at present - future TVs will have digital tuners built-in) and either a satellite dish or appropriate aerial for the terrestrial service (remember all the moaning when people had to buy UHF aerials when that was introduced).

All analogue signals will be phased out over the next decade (not just state TV, free-market TV will also switch at the same time). Australia will also phase out analogue broadcasting around 2010-12.

Unless you have reception issues, or live outside a major centre, it's probably not worth going with the satellite service at present. Wait for the terrestrial digital service next year.

SKY will also be offering HDTV at some stage in the next year or two, but current subscribers will have to upgrade their receivers (and possibly satellite dishes) including the SKY PVRs that people have paid $500 for the privilege of renting.

[Cynic]

Dish, LNB and Cabling (installed) $200 +gst
Freeview Endsorsed Satellite Reciever $400
Generic Satellite Rx $300
RF splitter $50 (only require if more than 1 sattelite rx)

Audio Video Switch (if insuficient inputs on Entertainment System) $30-$200
.

Wow, for that sort of cash a guy could just get out more.....

[Hitcher]

SKY will also be offering HDTV at some stage in the next year or two, but current subscribers will have to upgrade their receivers (and possibly satellite dishes) including the SKY PVRs that people have paid $500 for the privilege of renting.

What is a PVR?

[FlangMasterJ]

Just an update. Me and my flatmate had a call from SKY yesterday with a deal we couldn't turn down. $49 setup with the next two months free.

[NinjaNanna]

What is a PVR?

Personal Video Recorder - basically a VHS on steriods but instead of using tapes it has a hard drive built in.

Coolest thing about them is they let you continuously record, which means you can pause Live TV, go to the loo, come back and start watching again, also means you can fastforward through commercial breaks.