Cheapo freesat/freeview solution

golddustmedia

Hello all, I live in Devon where the freeview signal is pretty poor. So much that so far I've installed a digital TV aerial, signal booster and tried 2 different freeview boxes. But still the sound will often jump in and out or the signal breaks up.

SO, I've decided on an alternative plan. I object to the high cost of a sky subscription but think the satellite solution is the way to go. Even so I think the £150 for freesat is still rather high.

This weekend I picked up via ebay a Sony sky digibox and dish for about £35. So now it's my intention to do a DIY dish installation and try to get digital telly using the digibox without subscription as a freesat solution. Add to this some cable, connectors and socket for the lounge I reckon the cost to be about £50.

I think it's a pretty good solution if it works. However, having never had a satellite system before I've looked up the basics on siting and tuning in the dish. I'm told I can get most free channels without the need for a card, what extras will the £20 sky card get me that I don't get otherwise?

Plus any other tips for a satellite newbie?

Ta.

haveagoade

You'll need the sky card for C4 C5 I think, as they , although "FREE" they are encrypted, so you'll need a sky card inserted.

You can get a low cost dish alignment signal generator from some satellite online stores or ebay even for £10 ish, which makes things easier, although I have done it by watching the tv and wiggling the dish about.

haveagoade

haveagoade wrote:

You'll need the sky card for C4 C5 I think, as they , although "FREE" they are encrypted, so you'll need a sky card inserted.

You can get a low cost dish alignment signal generator from some satellite online stores or ebay even for £10 ish, which makes things easier, although I have done it by watching the tv and wiggling the dish about.

Try here for some helpfull advice

http://www.satellites.co.uk/

or for specifc sky advice

http://www.satellites.co.uk/php-bin/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=46

Peadar_2

Hi all,

I have recently got Freesat from Sky all in and running for £51.

I went to a local amateur radio rally where there was a trader selling a dish, lnb, box (cable, connectors and rawlbolts thrown in after a bit of haggling) for £30.

The freeview card cost £20 and the rally entrance was £1.

I ran the cable and with the aid of a friend set the dish up in about 20 minutes. It has now been in place for 2 months and works great.
All the angles and elevations are on the internet.


If you are able to climb a ladder and can work a compass you really are in.

Oh and when you activate the card, Sky really do try to get you to sign up to another package. Can't blame them for trying

Aaron

These are occasionally posted to the alt.satellite.tv.europe newsgroup:
http://skydigitalfaq.cjb.net/
http://mjr.towers.org.uk/comp/astefaq.txt

golddustmedia

However, like me, you may be dissappointed to discover you cannot get More 4, E4 or Film Four.

Have decided to sell my digibox and dish to pay for a proper freeview aerial installation.

f1charlie

Can you not get Film Four? According to the Film Four website it should be on Freesat. I haven't looked ... will look later.

Charlie

Aaron

Filmfour is currently visible on all satellite sets, including Freesatfromsky and real freesat (FTA) sets.

golddustmedia

Yet on the https://www.freesatfromsky.com website it doesn't list it?

waster_2

SATCURE is a great site and will email advice to you if you get stuck.

thetope

i wish freesat did E4/more4 instead of millions of crappy shopping and quiz channels my boyfriend is about to cancel his sky sub and i will be bereft without it at his house :( he can't get freeview.