Yes, I do understand that, but what is the difference in the signals? The point I'm making is, they are both digital, so is it the decoding process that is different or something else?

That's exactly what I was trying to find out. It wasn't that BRYNIT's answer was wrong, I simply couldn't understand why.

So my understanding now is, if I want to use Freesat, even though my TV is Freeview capable, I will still need an external decoder for the system to work.

I hope at last, I've got it right!

Thanks to you both.

Just to clarify a little, we come under the London area, though right on the fringe and Channel 5 reception has been nothing short of appalling, to the point on many occasions, it is not watch-able. We are known to be in a weak signal area. And yes, I've tried aerial amplifiers and high gain aerials, but it makes little difference.

As I'm sure you will all know, London is the last region to switch to digital and I was pondering whether to go the satellite route, as just maybe (almost certainly), I would get a much better reception.

The site where the dish would go has clear line of site to the satellite, with no large trees and suchlike in the way. From what I've been reading, the only "interference" I may suffer, is due to certain weather conditions - rain in particular.

The great unknown for me, is whether when the area finally switches to digital, the terrestrial signal will be better and in a sense, I'm reluctant to wait to find out (that maybe) it's not and then it becomes a mad rush to get a dish and install it.

I was however hoping, not to have yet another box to be able to receive the signal. Sadly, that has (with all your help) proven not to be the case.