Freeview though a Sky box

neas

Hi all,

We've just moved flat and the reception is appauling for freeview... but theres a sky dish and connections already in the flat (two coax looking cables left).

Am i right in assuming if i get a sky box and plug in the cables myself I can still view freeview channels even if i dont have a sky card?

Next step, will be finding an old sky box somenoe doesnt need

Thanks,

Neas

deejayen

You could just get hold of a "Generic" FTA [Free To Air] satellite rxer to pick up the channels on 28E [where the "Sky" disc is pointing] but you will not get some of the channels that are present on freeview but you will get a lot that are not on freeview -- Dave

Inactive

neas wrote: »

Am i right in assuming if i get a sky box and plug in the cables myself I can still view freeview channels even if i dont have a sky card?

You cannot view all Freeview channels on a Sky Receiver, you can watch some Freeview channels without a card.


You may need a better aerial to get Freeview at your new location.

wonka

You won't get the Freeview channels, as their line-up is different.

But you could get Sky's free to air / free to view channels if you can get hold of an old sky box. You will still need a card for a lot of the channels - Sky sell these for a one-off £20 fee (no subscription needed).

Or alternatively, you could start using the Freesat service, which is entirely free, you just need to buy a Freesat box for this, no need to adjust your dish.

MX5huggy

If you have 2 connections from the dish you can get a freesat + HD box which does all the fancy pause, rewind, record stuff in HD qualiy (on a few channels).

Inactive

MX5huggy wrote: »

If you have 2 connections from the dish you can get a freesat + HD box which does all the fancy pause, rewind, record stuff in HD qualiy (on a few channels).

A " few " channels, you do mean one part time channel ( BBC ) added to a rare red button event on ITV..

vshears

It does look like the previous occupier had SKY+ as there seems to be 2 feeds from the dish. However if you are considering a freesat + HD it is worth checking that both coax cables have F connectors and that one does not have a standard aerial connector on it as that may mean it was feeding a second TV in say the bedroom rather than being a second feed from the dish.

You could pick up a new FreeSat receiver for has little as £40 from say Maplin, however this may not currently receive channels such as channel 5 and SKY 3, for them you would need a old SKY box with the £20 one off payment card. If you want HD you can pick up a FreeSat HD receiver for about £140 from say Comet and if you do have the 2 feeds and want the SKY+ type features and HD that will cost about £300.

Vic

Inactive

vshears wrote: »

You could pick up a new FreeSat receiver for has little as £40 from say Maplin, however this may not currently receive channels such as channel 5 and SKY 3, for them you would need a old SKY box with the £20 one off payment card. If you want HD you can pick up a FreeSat HD receiver for about £140 from say Comet and if you do have the 2 feeds and want the SKY+ type features and HD that will cost about £300.

Vic

Maplin do not sell " Freesat " receivers for £40, they sell FTA ( Free to Air ) receivers for that.

Any " Freesat " receiver will pick up channel 5.

neas

For 70 quid I could get a sky box and the card and all installed etc + 4months worth of entertainment packages..

I'd need to cancel entertainment packages.

If i went manual route your saying i'd need to get:

1. £20 sky card
2. 2nd hand £30 sky box =Total cost £50 plus... it might not work

or 2. Buy a £40 freesat box.

To me not alot more in it to have the brand new sky box and have engineer install it etc.


I could buy either old box or freesat box and the cables are damaged or not attached to dish (its ontop of flats)

vshears

Inactive wrote: »

Maplin do not sell " Freesat " receivers for £40, they sell FTA ( Free to Air ) receivers for that.

Any " Freesat " receiver will pick up channel 5.

Inactive is quite correct here

I mistyped, sorry. What Maplin sell are free-to-air satellite receivers, however I did correctly point out the limitation of these receivers as opposed to proper FreeSat or SKY receiver with a card.

Vic

deejayen

Channel 5 is FTA so any sat rxer will get it ok BUT you won't get Fiver & Five USA or Sky 3 at the moment -- Dave