Mistry Sky box

vikramrkin

Hi,

Recently I moved to a new property. I found that a Sky box was lying around, with a card in it (must be from the previous tenant). I just pluged it in and connected to the TV. To my surprise, I am getting all the 200+ free channels from Sky.

What does this mean? The previous tenant has not yet cancelled the service? Or just because the box is there, it means that I will get all the free channels? Is it legal to watch it if it is in someone else's name?

Thanks
Vikram

gjchester

vikramrkin wrote: »

Hi,

Recently I moved to a new property. I found that a Sky box was lying around, with a card in it (must be from the previous tenant). I just pluged it in and connected to the TV. To my surprise, I am getting all the 200+ free channels from Sky.

What does this mean? The previous tenant has not yet cancelled the service? Or just because the box is there, it means that I will get all the free channels? Is it legal to watch it if it is in someone else's name?

Thanks
Vikram

Sky send "kill codes" over Sky one. Sky boxes auto tune to Sky one when in standby, so what probably has happened is the prior user turned it off then called Sky and it's missed the kill signals. They tend to send a lot as a the cancellation occurs then less frequently, as they assume it's been deactivated and have other codes to send to other cards.

It's probably going to work for the foreseable future but if the card has a yellow house on the blue background then it will die soon as Sky are changing the cards to new ones. If it's not that card but the newer one with the SKY name/ logo on it it will probably work a good while longer, Sky change the cards every few years to ensure the systems is not hacked.

It's not really in someones name they cancelled the service, it's just the card hasn't recieved the kill codes. Still would likely count as theft of service if they fund you out, so do go ordering any pay per view events or connecting it to the phone line.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

To be honest, you won't lose many channels even if/when they do cancel the card.
The card only gives you Sky3, FIVER, FIVEUS and a couple of others.

vikramrkin

Phantom_Flan_Flinger wrote: »

To be honest, you won't lose many channels even if/when they do cancel the card.
The card only gives you Sky3, FIVER, FIVEUS and a couple of others.

Does it mean that anyone can simply buy a sky box (I have seen pleanty of them on sale at ebay) and start using it as a free view box??

I think I am lucky to get this :j... long live my previous tenant

Vikram

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

vikramrkin wrote: »

Does it mean that anyone can simply buy a sky box (I have seen pleanty of them on sale at ebay) and start using it as a free view box??

Yeah they can, though the proper term for what you're getting is freesatfromsky.

gjchester

vikramrkin wrote: »

I think I am lucky to get this :j... long live my previous tenant

My Parents had the same, they got 2 years from it (including sports and movies) and it was enough to make them decide not to get sky when it expired as they never watched much of it..

vikramrkin

Phantom_Flan_Flinger wrote: »

Yeah they can, though the proper term for what you're getting is freesatfromsky.

But freesatfromsky require a card that is specific to the person who books it, right? How can ppl sell it on ebay then? Also, freesatfromsky charges £50 for house moves, why is that required?

sunil1234

vikramrkin wrote: »

But freesatfromsky require a card that is specific to the person who books it, right? How can ppl sell it on ebay then? Also, freesatfromsky charges £50 for house moves, why is that required?

1) they are just selling old cards more than likely

2) their charge for relocating the equipment

gjchester

vikramrkin wrote: »

But freesatfromsky require a card that is specific to the person who books it, right? How can ppl sell it on ebay then? Also, freesatfromsky charges £50 for house moves, why is that required?

£50 installation is pretty much Sky's standard charge regardless of what they have to install. They won't send out boxes to self install so you need to pay the installer, even if they just deliver it and hook it up.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

vikramrkin wrote: »

But freesatfromsky require a card that is specific to the person who books it, right?

A card isn't necessary for the box. You'll only lose a few channels if you remove the card or once it expires.