Why is SKY Changing its viewing card?

bladeguard

Is this just a Sky ploy stop its disgruntled ex subscribers from using thier boxes that they paid Sky for in good faith or can we take for granted that the SKY+ SKY boxes will all work as freeview boxes withouts skys new white card? Which probably changes all the channel reciever security algorithms?

Thanks

bladeguard

Apparently they are called NDS cards

jamesb1239

Sky have to change their viewing cards every 5 years in their contract with NDS (the people who provide the encryption), basically anyone with a valid subscription will receive a new card but all those using it for Free to View viewing with an old card will lose their viewing. Also its a bad time to go abroad as whenever the cards change the bars over there lose their sky until they can manage to get a new one (as sky dont allow subscribers out of the uk!)

hope this helps

richardc1983

So abroad they are using it illegally?

bladeguard

And from what i have read everyone is going to have to do this who does not subscribe:

Q: I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?

A: All you need to gain access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a Freesat from Sky viewing card, which costs just £19.57. If you’d like to access the interactive services available, you’ll also need a working phone line. To purchase a viewing card please phone Sky on 08448 244 400.

bladeguard

how does this affect the PVR Foxsat boxes will they not work either.

Fifer

I didn't know about this and I'm not sure if it affects me. We have a Sky box left by the previous owner of the house which we occasionally use for FTA channels and especially to watch BBC or ITV programmes from different regions (for example, cheapskate STV didn't show the series of Lewis just finished, so we watched it on ITV London on the Sky box).

Am I right in thinking that the card only enables Sky 3, Fiver and a few other FTV channels (which we never watch) and I don't really need a new card for the FTA stuff?

2520years

Fifer wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that the card only enables Sky 3, Fiver and a few other FTV channels (which we never watch) and I don't really need a new card for the FTA stuff?

The freeview box has Sky Sports News, which the Sky box doesn't provide. The Sky box has some other channels but they're nothing to write home about. As you can see, most are available on Freeview anyway...

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Fifer

2520years wrote: »

The freeview box has Sky Sports News, which the Sky box doesn't provide. The Sky box has some other channels but they're nothing to write home about. As you can see, most are available on Freeview anyway...

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[/FONT]

I maybe didn't phrase my question too well. I'm aware of the differences between Freeview (we have two Freeview TVs, two Freeview PVRs and a Freeview DVD recorder ) and Freeview from Sky (we have a Sky box but no subscription).

What I'm wondering is, will my Sky box still get the FTA satellite channels if my card expires and will I only lose the FTV (Fiver, Sky 3 and a few others). Or will I lose more channels?

2520years

Fifer wrote: »

I maybe didn't phrase my question too well. I'm aware of the differences between Freeview (we have two Freeview TVs, two Freeview PVRs and a Freeview DVD recorder ) and Freeview from Sky (we have a Sky box but no subscription).

What I'm wondering is, will my Sky box still get the FTA satellite channels if my card expires and will I only lose the FTV (Fiver, Sky 3 and a few others). Or will I lose more channels?

Sorry. Yes, it will effectively become a digital decoder. If your TV is Digital anyway you won't need your box. Either way, you won't need your viewing card.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

bladeguard wrote: »

how does this affect the PVR Foxsat boxes will they not work either.

You won't be affected as it's not a SKY box.