FreeSat (not Sky)

milliebear00001

Thanks for all your replies but I am not thinking of going back to Sky, but rather getting the FreeSat service that is provided via the BBC/ITV not-for-profit group. The boxes are sold in electrical retailers like Currys and Argos (who also provide installation). I will keep my free Sky set-up downstairs and just pay for a FreeSat box and connection from my Sky dish to my upstairs. The main advanatge with thi is that their is no lock in for 12 months, and no monthly subscription as with Sky's Multiroom.

I was just wanting to know if anyone knew who would provide a FreeSat box and install for less than the £130 expected from Argos. My local guy wants £165, and Currys are also more expensive. There's no way I'll do the job myself.

d123

Inactive wrote: »

Strange that, my Daughter had a new Sky system fitted in May 2008, that had a single LNB fitted.

I suspect that the OP's dish is older

I have had a quad LNB for at least 6 or 7 years, it was fitted as part of a service call by the engineer from Sky. I didnt have Sky+ at the time either.

Inactive

milliebear00001 wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies but I am not thinking of going back to Sky, but rather getting the FreeSat service that is provided via the BBC/ITV not-for-profit group. The boxes are sold in electrical retailers like Currys and Argos (who also provide installation). I will keep my free Sky set-up downstairs and just pay for a FreeSat box and connection from my Sky dish to my upstairs. The main advanatge with thi is that their is no lock in for 12 months, and no monthly subscription as with Sky's Multiroom.

I was just wanting to know if anyone knew who would provide a FreeSat box and install for less than the £130 expected from Argos. My local guy wants £165, and Currys are also more expensive. There's no way I'll do the job myself.

But a second hand Sky receiver will not be contracted to Sky, nor will you have to pay Sky a penny, it will do almost the same as a Freesat Receiver, in fact it will give more free channels.

macman

Humax Direct will do you a Foxsat HD box for £89. These are refurbs but come with a full 12 month warrranty. If you want the PVR version, then these are also available
http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?ProdRef=10070
By far the best Freesat box on the market. Then just get a local installer to change your LNB and run the cable, should be no more than about £50.

davemurgatroyd

d123 wrote: »

I have had a quad LNB for at least 6 or 7 years, it was fitted as part of a service call by the engineer from Sky. I didnt have Sky+ at the time either.

That is an exeption, virtually all installers will only install a single lnb for a standard install, after all why would they fit a quad at over twice the price when it is not needed.

milliebear00001

Inactive wrote: »

But a second hand Sky receiver will not be contracted to Sky, nor will you have to pay Sky a penny, it will do almost the same as a Freesat Receiver, in fact it will give more free channels.

But I still have to pay somebody to install a quad and cable, source a second hand box (and pay for it) and pay Sky for a card. My local installers want £110 to do quad and cable, so it works out the same or possibly cheaper to have the BBC Freesat installed via Argos for £130?

Not_a_Newbie

milliebear, I have just replaced our single lnb for a quad - bought from ebay for £10 - along with some cable from Screwfix (equally as cheap). Changing the LNB's was ultra easy, as was running the extra cable from the dish.

I too have been looking for a freesat box, there are plenty on ebay for less than what you are currently looking at. Alternaltively, as someone has already suggested (I think), you can also buy a second hand sky box, and use this without a card to receive the freesat channels.

There are plenty of websites that will take you through the process. Just google freesat.

Hope this helps.

Inactive

milliebear00001 wrote: »

But I still have to pay somebody to install a quad and cable, source a second hand box (and pay for it) and pay Sky for a card. My local installers want £110 to do quad and cable, so it works out the same or possibly cheaper to have the BBC Freesat installed via Argos for £130?

You do not have to buy a Sky Card.

Your local installers are very expensive, shop around.

almillar

In either situation you need to get an quad LNB installed and a cable run from the dish into your bedroom - you might be able to work out the route, or an installer can. You should be able to get that done far cheaper than the £130 official Freesat installation cost - this covers putting the dish up! Make sure when getting quotes that you get a quote for the corect work.
Once that's done decide on a Freesat box or an old Sky box. You can get an old Sky box for £10 on eBay or a car boot sale, no card required. Or for £90 you can get a FreesatHD box.

milliebear00001

Inactive wrote: »

You do not have to buy a Sky Card.

Your local installers are very expensive, shop around.

Is it correct that I don't need a card? I thought you couldn't use a Sky box without one? I have only free channels through Sky at the moment but my box still has a card. Does that mean I can take it out abd it'll still work?!