Freeview or Freesat

As long as you get a good strong signal, I'd stick with freeview; more, and better channels.

Apologies but theTV I am thinking of buying is a Panasonic 37ET5B

I thought there were more channels on Freesat than Freeview, that is one of the reasons I thought about switching

Info on Freesat channels here (150 inc BBC HD, BBC One HD, ITV 1 HD, 4 HD and NHK World HD, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player + radio) and Freeview here (50 channels and 4 in HD). In our experience, Freesat also gives you a slightly crisper picture.

Because my dish moved in stormy weather in Feb, I've had a few weeks of freeview instead of freesat.  I found the freeview PQ to be much weaker than freesat, however my freesat is being upscaled by my Denon 3312, whereas the the freeview was processed by my tv (Sony bravia 40w4500).

"more channels" isn't really the reason to chose one over the other - the additional channels are likely to be marginal ones, teleshopping, phone-in s*x channels and the like. Take a look at the channels and see if there is actually one or two extra that will seal the deal for you.  I like "Yesterday" on freeview (a history channel); my mother in law loves UMP (a classic bollywood channel) on freesat.  The fifth HD channel on freesat is NKH World HD - so that won't be of much interest unless you're Japanese or have a particular interest in watching documentaries about the Gardens of Kyoto with a weirdly disjointed Japanese/American narration.

There's more channels on Freesat than Freeview, but there is a few channels on Freeview that are hidden behind Skys paywall so not available on Freesat (Yesterday, Pick TV, Quest, Dave) if they're important to you.

I have both, but if i could only have one or the other i'd pick Freesat everytime.

Freesat's PQ is marginally better, it has potential for growth/adding more channels because it isn't bandwidth deprived like Freeview.

Freesat also has more red button/interactive streams than Freeview (though they maybe cut as part of BBCs cost cutting/to fall in line with FV), all BBC/ITV regions are available (which is handy for me being a Londoner living in the N.E who likes access to regional programming).

Freesat will also be gettiing the the 24 SD/HD Olympic streams, which aren't possible on FV because of it's bandwidth constraints...

Which reminds me...

Tesco have a good deal atm. A Manhattan Plaza HD-S + Freesat install bundle for £90

http://www.tesco.com/direct/manhattan-plaza-hd-s-freesat-hd-installation-bundle/731-1041.prd?skuId=731-1041&pageLevel=

The Manhattan isn't a PVR but you're essentially getting it free, since the install would usually cost that alone. It would make an ideal second box for another room, and when the installer turns up, i'm sure they'd fit a Quad LNB and extra cabling for a PVR into another room for a nominal fee...

Take care when relying on Freeview signal strength information.

I live in an area which has a published maximum signal strength and the TV also normally displays 10/10 for signal strength and signal quality. However there are several big trees nearby on a direct line of sight to the transmitter and when the trees are in leaf, and when it's raining or blowing, I lose the picture altogether and for a few seconds and all that is displayed is a black screen. This is not like pixellation that is experienced on poor signal strength, it's a total loss of picture. Annoying, but nothing I can do about it.

If you are interested in the Olympics be aware that the BBC will be showing 24 additional HD channels on Freesat during the games.

Also if you like ClassicFM radio you will find it on Freesat but not on Freeview.

Andrew