A new UK digital TV service has just launched - quietly. Freesat, offering 80 channels of digital telly and radio launched on 6th May 2008. We’ve got our hands on a rare receiver and put together a quick Audio Update. We’ll have a more complete look at Freesat in the next show, but here are our initial findings. Go to http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/freesat.html

 

 FrequencyCast Update - Freesat launch May 2008 [8:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Show 26 of FrequencyCast, the UK’s TV and Tech podcast, is online now. Here’s what we cover:

• News Updates: Freeview HD, iPhone price cuts, FreeSat rumours, and the return of Blake’s 7.
• Focus - BBC iPlayer: Carl and Pete explore Auntie Beeb’s catch-up TV service, now available on PC, Mac, Wii and iPhone.
• Virgin Media: A closer look at TV and Internet services offered over cable.
• Eee PC: What’s all the fuss about? We explain why this pint-size PC is causing a stir.
• Your Questions: Surge Protectors, cassette dubbing, Top Up TV cards, cheap MS Office and VoD.

You can download Show 26 direct to your MP3 player, listen online or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast26.html. You can also get us via iTunes.

 

 FrequencyCast UK Show 26 [31:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We’ve just released one of our Audio Guides - this time, discussing the amazing Eee PC from Asus. This is a small sub-notebook that’s powered by Intel, supports wi-fi, has 3 USB ports, and best of all, costs a mere £190.

In this show, Carl and Pete get hands-on with the Asus Eee PC 701, run through the apps, and look at what the machine’s capable of.

For more on the Asus Eee PC, see our ASUS Eee PC page.

Update: We’ve found a 10% off voucher code, that can be used until 28th April 2008 - more here.

 

 Unofficial Guide to the ASUS Eee PC [17:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

No fooling - it’s the first of April, and Show 25 of FrequencyCast has just been released. Here’s what we cover in the latest UK TV and Tech radio show:

• News Updates: The Phorm controversy, National Local Freeview, phones on a plane, backing up your mobile, iTunes TV, and the perils of roaming.
• Focus - Buying a TV: As voted by you… Carl and Pete explore the options for those looking to buy a TV. What type’s right? Is HD the answer? What about the Digital Switchover, and just what are all those connectors on the back. We try to explain all.
• Audio Description: More on the service that transforms TV for the visually-impared.
• Your Questions: We answer your questions on AV senders, DAB+, BT Vision, Virgin on a Media Center, US vs. games releases, wi-fi and Brian The Brain.

You can download Show 25 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast25.html

Enjoy the show? Add a quick iTunes review: Review us.

 

 FrequencyCast Show 25 [31:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We issued a quick audio update on 12th March 2008, exclusive to our blog and RSS subscribers. Here are the notes with the show. 

Three new HD channels coming to Sky HD

• Sky Sports HD 3 , Sky Movies Premiere HD , FX HD – all coming in March / April 2008, only to Sky HD

Broadband deals

We had a text from a listener, Martin, asking about current Broadband deals - here are the links we mentioned in the show:

• Half-price Broadband if you get your phone service from Virgin Mobile. Speeds of up to 20 Meg. Their basic package is £4.50 a month for the first year. Offer ends 30th April 08. Details here
• Free special edition Black BT Home Hub on BT’s Option 1 - only till 31 March. You also get a free BT Vision box. Online deal only until 31 March 2008. BT Broadband offer
• T-Mobile. Their “never pay more than £15 a month” includes a free USB modem from T-Mobile, until the end of March 2008. More at www.t-mobile.co.uk

Sky’s current deal

• For a limited time, when ordered online. 4 of their mixes (well over 200 channels), free broadband and off-peak phone calls, for £19 a month, including free digibox. There’s £15 off Sky TV setup if you take out a Sky Movies or Sky Sport package. Details of the Sky offer

Audio Description

• We mentioned audio descriptiuon, the service that lets the blind or partially-sighted hear a special audio commentary. For details on how to set your Sky or Virgin box to Audio Description, click here for the RNIB guide

iTunes review

• Here’s where we need your help. We’ve had a two-star review, and we’re not happy. We’re not feeling loved. Please put a smile on our face, and give us a review on iTunes: Review FrequencyCast

Share and Enjoy!

 

 FrequencyCast Update 12 Mar 2008 [8:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s the first of March, and Show 24 of FrequencyCast has just been released. Yes - 24 shows… we’ve reached our second birthday. Thanks for being with us for the ride!

Here’s what we cover in today’s show:

• News Updates: An end to the High Def DVD format wars, BBC on the iPhone, the US strike’s over, we discover more about podcast listening, and we say hello to the 21st Century KITT.
• Focus - Digital Radio: After DAB has had a really rough couple of months, Carl and Pete pick up the pieces, look at some DAB technology, ask whether the future is Net radio, and read through listener’s texts and mails on digital radio.
• Neuros OSD: A new piece of kit - a gadget that converts your video, streams your content and acts as a PVR.
• Your Questions: Listeners questions on wireless V+ box connections, Freeview Series Link, video on a whiteboard, TV in other rooms, HDMI cables and Freeview in hilly areas.

You can download Show 24 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast24.html

Enjoy the show? Add a quick iTunes review: Review us.

 

 FrequencyCast Show 24 [31:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A quick update from the FrequencyCast team. We’re between shows, but given this week’s news about national DAB in the UK, and the emails we’re getting, we thought we’d release a quick update.

In this 7 minute audio update, Carl and Pete discuss this week’s news about DAB radio, and the imminent departure of GCap’s national radio stations Planet Rock and theJazz, and ask for your thoughts on the future of digital radio in the UK.

Listen using the buttons below, or from www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html

 

 FrequencyCast Update 13 Feb 2008 [7:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s the first of the month, and Show 23 of FrequencyCast has just been released to the world. FrequencyCast Show 23 covers a whole bunch of TV and tech topics, including:

• News Updates: An update on the HD DVD format wars, some BT Vision news, two national radio stations departing DAB, the iPhone software update, plus ITV4 and Top Up TV News.
• Focus - Classic Technology: Again, we listened to the online votes for show topics, and this time around, as requested, Carl and Pete go back in time to see what TV, Computers, Phones and the ‘Net looked like twenty years ago.
• HD in the UK: A quick summary of what’s on offer HD-wise, from the big guys - Sky and Virgin.
• Squirrels: It’s our own fault - 12% of you wanted us to discuss… squirrels. You only have yourselves to blame!
• Your Questions: Listeners questions on Wireless headphones, the Skypephone, FreeSat, mobile podcasting and the digital switch.

You can download Show 23 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast23.html

 

 FrequencyCast Show 23 [32:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Happy New Year FrequencyCasters!

To welcome in the New Year, and to give you something to make that hangover even worse… we’ve just released a new FrequencyCast.

FrequencyCast Show 22, our first TV and Tech podcast of 2008, covers the following topics:

• News Updates: Updates planned to Freeview Playback, two new HD channels, news of two new DAB radios, delays to Channel 4’s DAB service, free films from BT and a patch to the Home Hub.
• TV accessories: Carl and Pete look at a wide range of accessories available to enhance your TV viewing, including flashy remotes, AV sender, surround sound, Apple TV, TV-B-Gone, SCART switchers and surge protectors.
• SatNav New Stuff: A quick look at one of the new TomTom devices - take a listen to what’s on offer from today’s satnav devices.
• Your Questions: Listeners questions on iPod Jailbreaking, Freeview Playback, FreeSat, DVD connectivity and Ex-pats TV.

You can download Show 22 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast22.html

Spread the word! Do you post regularly to any forums? Do you have a blog or website? Do you have techy friends that might want to give us a listen? Pass on the address - www.frequencycast.co.uk.

Show notes:
After you’ve listened to the show, please have a read through the show notes for more information on what we’ve covered in the show. The show notes are at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast22.html

 

 FrequencyCast Show 22 [32:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Just to let you know… a new episode of FrequencyCast , the UK’s online TV and Tech radio show, has just been released.

FrequencyCast Show 21, released on the 1st of December, covers the following topics:

• News Updates: Plans for a Freeview expansion and HD on Freeview, Sky’s having a Freeview picnic, an update on the US writer’s strikes, plus news of some Top Up TV changes, 4oD’s free player and some mobile Hoff.
• Archive Your Media: Carl and Pete explore how to get your audio cassettes, 7″ singles, VHS cassettes and photos safely archived digitally - something to keep you busy over Christmas.
• Two phones: We look more closely at the phone that offers free calls, plus we don’t review Apple’s iPhone.
• Other goodies: A wi-fi gadget that vibrates at 40,000, plus you can get your hands on the Knight Industries 2000.
• Your Questions: Broadband on trains, wi-fi broadband, DAB+ radios, on-demand TV, plus HomeSight and XDA Orbit fixes.

You can download Show 21 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast21.html

 

 FrequencyCast Show 21 [28:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A new episode of FrequencyCast, the UK’s online TV and Tech radio show, has just been released ready for your listening pleasure.

Show 20 of FrequencyCast, released on the 1st of November, covers the following topics:

• News Updates: The UK digital switchover is upon us, news of two new Slingbox products, Dave’s a hit, and a UK phone firm’s just launched a mobile phone that offers totally free Skype calls over the ‘net.
• DVD Recorders: Carl and Pete look at the advantages of recording to DVD, what to look for in a new DVD recorder, and explore the various DVD recording formats.
• New BT Home Hub: BT’s soft-launched a new version of their Broadband and wi-fi router - we take a look at the Home Hub v1.5 changes, and what the new BT Fon service has to offer.
• Your Questions: DVD connections, TomTom settings, energy-saving bulbs, Sky in other rooms, and mobile phone acronyms.

You can download Show 20 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast20.html

Our RSS feed is http://feeds.feedburner.com/frequencycast

 

 FrequencyCast Show 20 [31:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Another FrequencyCast has just rolled off the press - you can now download Show 19 of FrequencyCast, the UK’s online TV and Tech radio show. In Show 19, released on the 1st of October, here’s what Carl and Pete discuss:

• News Updates: - A busy month for Freeview viewers, Apple news, Tiscali TV expands, an HD and VoD update, cashback for your old mobile, and a lightsabre for your Wii
• On Demand TV: We look at the various services offering TV programmes and films without having to wait for the schedule - We look at Virgin Media, BT Vision, Tiscali TV and Sky.
• Energy Meters: We review the Efergy meter that keeps a check on how much electricity your home’s using - displaying your consumption in pounds and pence, plus your CO2 consumption. Scary stuff.
• New Media Player: We look at the iAudio D2 , a tiny gadget with touchscreen, DAB radio, FM, photos, recorder and MP3.
• Your questions: Archiving video cassettes, streaming media, sat nav on mobiles, controlling TV volume with BT Vision, and how to turn off unneeded gadgets.

You can download Show 19 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast19.html.
After you’ve listened to the show, please have a read through the show notes - for details of getting cash for your old mobile, 5% off the iAudio, and details of the energy saving products we focus on in this show. View show notes

 

 FrequencyCast Show 19: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We’ve today launched our first “FrequencyCast Update”. This is a short show providing our listeners with a quick update between shows.

The update, recorded on Sunday the 16th, is a 4 minute catch-up on what’s happened since we launched Show 18 at the start of the month. Carl and Pete run down some news headlines, look at feedback since the last show, and discuss what’s coming in the next full-length show. The show will be ‘pushed’ to subscribers of our audio feed, or you can listen to or download the update from www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html

We’d be interested to hear if you like the idea of more frequent show updates like this - please let us know via ‘comments’ to this entry.

FrequencyCast Show 18, the latest edition of the UK TV and Tech Radio Show has just just been released. Here’s what the show’s hosts Carl and Pete uncover:

• Focus on TV on your PC: Ways to watch and record TV on your PC - the devices and software needed to use your computer as a TV.
• News: Top Up TV Anytime price drop, Setanta Sports Freeview boxes, XDA Orbit update, the new Nokia E90 is out, and important news for Tokyo’s deaf.
• New toys - Feast your ears on an amazing little remote-controlled helicopter, the demented wasp.
• Your questions - An update on a USB cassette deck for your PC, S-video, Virgin’s online TV content and a broadband update.

You can listen to show 18 online, view the show notes, or download this new show direct to your MP3 player from http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast18.html

Spread the word? You’re a fan of FrequencyCast, right? Well, we’re keen to spread the word to get some extra listeners - how can we do this? Any suggestions? We’d love to hear your views on how we could get a little publicity.

Carl, Pete and the FrequencyCast team

 

 FrequencyCast Show 18 [26:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s the first of August, and time for the latest FrequencyCast Podcast. Here’s what’s in show number 17, now online. In this latest show, here’s what Carl and Pete explore:

• Focus on Broadband: In this show’s Focus section, we look at how to choose a provider, how to get it installed, and some broadband extras.
• News: The fight for your football viewing, 10 new DAB stations coming in 2008, BBC’s iPlayer, some new digital TV channels, and the demise of an old friend.
• New gear - Podcasting kits and rapping ringtones.
• Your questions - BBC FreeSat, broadband distance problems, Revo digital radios, BT Vision and the death of Net radio.

You can listen to show 17 online, or download it to your MP3 player from www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast17.html.

We’d like your votes on what you’d like to hear us cover in the next show. Please vote at www.frequencycast.co.uk

Share and enjoy!

Carl, Pete and the FrequencyCast team

FrequencyCast Show number seventeen features:

• Sporting news - BT Vision Sport launches, and Sky and Virgin are fighting for your Footy viewing
• Channel 4 DAB - 10 channels of national digital radio on the way.
• FOCUS: Broadband: How to choose a provider, how to get it installed, and some broadband extras.
• New gear - Podcasting kits and rapping ringtones

You can listen to show 17 online, or download it to your MP3 player from http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast17.html

 

 FrequencyCast Show 17 [31:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download