couple of more things;

The VU gives you an 8 day EPG [electronic program guide]. I know that some other boxes do as well.

The "dream box" made in Germany is the most expensive and supposedly the best unit, but most of the ones you find online are fakes. If you decide to get one of those, go to www dream-multimedia-tv.de/en and choose an official retailer from their list.

I got my "VU" online from a shop in the Netherlands; it was much cheaper than anything I found in the UK.

If anyone wants to know, I'll write out more of my findings.  

Just to go back to mikeymike's question, what happens when Astra 1N takes over.

Will existing satellite dishes need to be re-directed?

Next, when is this to happen? The Wikipedia data is far from clear on this.

Finally, the list of channels that are broadcast (according to Wikipedia again) is not impressive. Hopefully that will change.  

It's not that Astra 1N will replace existing satellites, but will give greater capacity, all the Astra sats are at 28.2E so shouldn't affect dishes, might need fine tuning but not re-positioning, it's a wait and see how the various programmes will be transmitted in the future and from which sat and transponder settings, currently these channels for A1N pt.kingofsat.net/sat-astra1n.php but it'll keep changing

Anyone tried adding A1N to receivers yet?  

Canoeman. There are various satellites spread across the spectrum and they are not all at
28E.

I have Astra 1N reception here from its temporary station at 28East, a good strong signal in this area east of Faro but so far not many channels (see below).

Later this year but most probably 2013 it will go to its intended position at 19E where Astra 1
is parked. A very strong signal (mostly german stations).

I believe that Astra 2E will be launched mid next year and stationed at 28E to replace the existing
Astra 2 satellites a/b/c/d which are heavily overloaded.

Sat List http://www.flysat.com/satlist.php

Astra 1N http://www.flysat.com/astra1n.php

regards
_________________
I try not to go west of Faro. 

I understood that Astra 2E was to replace A1N which as you say will then move to 19E, 2E providing additional capacity to augment a,b etc it's really keeping an eye on Lynsat & King of Sats to keep abreast of changes.

Tune it in tomorrow wonder if C5's other channels will be available?  

There is some info here on Freesat generally
www.satelliteforcarava...hanges.htm

and the Astra 1N
www.satelliteforcarava...newsat.htm  

Starting from scratch in the Algarve ie no aerial, dish, boxes, sky blahdee blah whats the advice you guys can offer please......