How do I run Freesat with a Sky box for FREE?

Jonah82

1.) I have a full SKY package and SkyPlus.
My main TV has Freeview built in so how do I access the FreeHD channels?

2.) My second TV has an old Sky box with its original card (Postcode linked to Scotland, because my friend gave it to me rather than the recycle centre. I can receive limited stations with its card installed. BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Sky News(Ch501) and a few others such as Aljeezera News.

How do I get FreeHD on this one as the TV also has Freeview built in?

Jonah

Buzby

You don't.

Freesat from Sky only provides a limited selection of channels, with no HD content (which is chargeable). To get HD you need a Sky HD receiver, and as they only have the Sky Plus HD box capable of this, you need to change your equipment.

To get what you require, you'll need to dispose of your old Sky receiver (and card), purchase a genuine FreeSat HD receiver (NOT Sky), and a satellite dual feed splitter. This will permit both boxes to access the satellite feed simultaneously (if you require this) otherwise, just replace the Sky box with the FreeSat HD kit. This will provide all available non-subscription HD content at no cost.

will-in-estoril

Jonah82 wrote: »

1.) I have a full SKY package and SkyPlus.
My main TV has Freeview built in so how do I access the FreeHD channels?

2.) My second TV has an old Sky box with its original card (Postcode linked to Scotland, because my friend gave it to me rather than the recycle centre. I can receive limited stations with its card installed. BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Sky News(Ch501) and a few others such as Aljeezera News.

How do I get FreeHD on this one as the TV also has Freeview built in?

Jonah

It seems that you have a satellite dish with a quad LNB, that is, with four outputs. At the moment two of the outputs are being used for your Sky+ receiver, and one output for your standard box.

You could upgrade your Sky+ box to a Sky+ HD. However, you would not get ITV1 HD on Sky's electronic programme guide, although it is possible to add it as 'other channels', provided your Sky+HD box has the latest software. The only problem is that not all boxes have the upgrade yet.

The alternatives are a Freesat HD box or a 'proper' HD satellite receiver, such as a Technomate 6800HD. The advantage of Freesat is that you stick your postcode in and your channels are there. It also gives a seven day programme guide. With a Technomate or non Freesat receiver you need to tune the channels in and update them when they change frequency. With these two options Channel 4 HD is not available, as this currently uses $ky's NDS encryption, requiring a Sky+HD box and viewing card. Nor are the few pay channels.

I don't think you need any splitters at all; if you wanted two Sky+ or Sky+HD boxes, you would just need another cable from the 4th output on your LNB.

sandiep

You phone this number, you buy a £20 freesat card from sky. You get all of the same channels for free as you would on a freeview box, with no contract and no payments;

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 £20. 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

From this page here; (very well hidden on sky website!!);
http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/faqs-freesat.aspx#q3

sandiep

Whoops! Ignore above, just noticed the HD bit!!!
But basically, I think that if you're not watching movies and sport all the time, with a top notch telly, there is still little extra the gain from HD. But that's just me.

Anyway, the above will get you the full digital range of channels for virtually free (one off £20).

sandiep

Do 2 seperate people watch the two seperate tv's at the same time?

If no, then you can get one of those signal transfer things that send the signal from the HDsky box to the second telly (you don't need the second sky box at all). But as this only works off the one sky box both tellys will show the same channel at the same time.

Inactive

sandiep wrote: »

You phone this number, you buy a £20 freesat card from sky. You get all of the same channels for free as you would on a freeview box, with no contract and no payments;

Not true.:(

AuntyCat

Inactive wrote: »

Not true.:(

Can anyone advise on a similar query -

My mum has the basic sky package, but wants to stop the monthly comitment & go freeview, the £20 card was looking ideal before the "not true" comment, what do you mean?

She would also like to have Freeview+, as she has seen our Sky+ & likes it. She's gettin quotes of £400 -450 for the box & fitting. That seems a lot to me, any ideas??

Thanks

will-in-estoril

AuntyCat wrote: »

Can anyone advise on a similar query -

My mum has the basic sky package, but wants to stop the monthly comitment & go freeview, the £20 card was looking ideal before the "not true" comment, what do you mean?

She would also like to have Freeview+, as she has seen our Sky+ & likes it. She's gettin quotes of £400 -450 for the box & fitting. That seems a lot to me, any ideas??

Thanks

There are 2 completely separate services:

1. Freeview. This is a digital terrestrial service ie through an aerial.
2. Freesat. This is a digital satellite service ie through a satellite dish.
3. (Freesat from Sky. A digital satellite service which also offers several extra channels to Freesat: FIVER, FIVER +1, FIVE USA, FIVE USA+1, Sky 3, Liverpool FCTV. These extra channels require a viewing card, which may or may not need to be purchased.)

Unfortunately, the terminology is not used accurately, causing confusion. The channels available on Freeview, Freesat and Freesat from Sky are not identical.

A $ky ex-subscriber's card will be able to be used to receive the above extra channels. Therefore, if your Mum stops subscribing she would have absolutely no need to fork out £20 for a new card.

Sky+ is a pay TV service, allowing recording on a hard disk. Your Mum may be able to upgrade her equipment and LNB through $ky, at a subsidised rate.

The Freeview+ service has no subscription, but your Mum would need to buy the equipment outright.

Inactive

Thanks Will, saved me a job.;)

sandiep

will-in-estoril wrote: »

A $ky ex-subscriber's card will be able to be used to receive the above extra channels. Therefore, if your Mum stops subscribing she would have absolutely no need to fork out £20 for a new card.

.

This is not necessarily true. It applies for a certain period, but after that period which i think is 6 months, certain channels may no longer be availalbe. Namely the ITV's, Channel 4 channels and various others. The BBC ones all stay. It's not got a strict 6 month cut off and sometimes co-incides with updates, card replacements etc.