Changing from Sky+ to Freesat/Freeview

Mom24

Hello. I've just been going through some of the threads discussing this, and wondering if it would work for us. We're in Scotland, have a Sky+ basic subscription package and a box, and only really watch bbc1/2, itv/stv, channel 4, five, e4, cbbc, cbeebies, and film4 (I'm sure we watch a few other channels, but these would be the main ones!). We also mainly record things rather than watching live tv.

What's the best way to continue getting these channels, but lose the hefty monthly fee?

Hubby is pretty handy with cables/wiring/electronic things, so if it's something that we can do ourselves, that would be the best option. Would we need to get a new box (that isn't sky) to keep on using the record/live pause features?

Thanks in advance!

jamespir

just ring up sky and cancel your sky(it should be free if your not in contract ) you will still continue to get all the free channels if you want to record you would have to pay 10.00 a month

placido

Hi

I had a single LNB sky dish and subscribed to the sky sports package so paying about £48 a month. Then scaffolders came along and squashed my dish so I was forced in to making some changes.

I bought a quad dish off ebay and had it installed by a local firm. Then I bought a humax foxsat HDR.

I have never had a sky + receiver so am not able to compare it to the foxsat. But what I can tell you is that the foxsat has blown me away. I cant believe how easy it is to record programmes. It has changed my (viewing) life completely. It is the best £250 I have ever spent on a gadget.

I run sky along with my freesat box but my first choice is always the freesat.

I have cancelled my sports package to help pay for the foxsat. I think it is almost a certainty that I will cancel sky completely within a month. There is always plenty to watch on freesat.

Point I am making is; if you can afford it seriously consider ditching sky and getting the foxsat. It will pay for itself with the money you save on sky subscriptions.

Mom24

Thanks for the replies. jamespir we might go with that first while looking into the humax box. I've seen that recommended on other threads, and we could afford it... and if it meant no more monthly fees...

macman

As above, ditch the Sky sub and watch SKY FTA channels only using the existing box and dish. If you want the SKY+ features (recording/pause etc) then you need a Foxsat HDR box. As you already have Sky+, you must have already have a Quad LNB and twin feed, so it's just a straight swap of the box-nothing else is required-except cancelling your Sky DD.
Pointless paying a Sky sub unless you want the Sports and Movie channels.
The Foxsat should pay for itself in about 6-8 months depending on your current Sky sub.

Mom24

Thanks macman... yes it makes total sense, so I think that's what we'll do!