Getting Sky TV/Phone/Bband installed in a few weeks. Can I get Freesat as well ?

stephenliverpool1

I'm getting Sky TV/Phone/Bband installed in a few weeks.

One of my bedrooms cannot get a good signal from our aerial. The other bedroom gets a really good signal and we get Freeview in that room.

The 2 bedrooms and my lounge all share the same aerial connection. For the lounge we use VM V+ and so rarely use the aerial other than for Ceefax stuff. The Sky+ HD box will replace the VM V+ box.

I was wondering if I could get a Sky Freesat box for the other bedroom and how much would that cost. Would the Sky engineer fit that box at no extra charge ? or can I do it myself ? I also assume the dish will allow more than one box to connect to it ?

Please advise.

Many thanks.

spike7451

stephenliverpool1 wrote: »

I'm getting Sky TV/Phone/Bband installed in a few weeks.

One of my bedrooms cannot get a good signal from our aerial. The other bedroom gets a really good signal and we get Freeview in that room.

The 2 bedrooms and my lounge all share the same aerial connection. For the lounge we use VM V+ and so rarely use the aerial other than for Ceefax stuff. The Sky+ HD box will replace the VM V+ box.

I was wondering if I could get a Sky Freesat box for the other bedroom and how much would that cost. Would the Sky engineer fit that box at no extra charge ? or can I do it myself ? I also assume the dish will allow more than one box to connect to it ?

Please advise.

Many thanks.

Sky wont install a feed for a freesat box unless you buy it from them.The LNB on the dish has 4 connection ports on it so if you're only getting the Sky+HD,then the'll be 2 spare ports.
You could install it yourself or bung the installer £20 to run a cable 'off the books' as it wouldn't be on his job sheet unless you're going to pay Sky extra to install & fit the freesat alongside the HD.

Moneymaker

If you want to connect a Freesat PVR, make sure you get two cables (or a twin) run to the other room.

stephenliverpool1

Moneymaker wrote: »

If you want to connect a Freesat PVR, make sure you get two cables (or a twin) run to the other room.

Thanks for this.

My parents had their Sky box upgraded to Sky+ HD last year. Their old Sky box is many years old but they were allowed to keep it. I presume that I could use this old box for Freesat in the bedroom ? Am I correct ?

I don't need PVR yet as I have got a good deal with Sky for the next 12 months. After 12 months, I may get a PVR box.

Sky have advised me that they will be providing me with a gesture of good will due to a few problems that I had with my order with them. I'm going to try for Sky Sports for 12 months and, if I don't get that, I will try for free Phone line rental for 12 months. If I am not offered either of these, I will then try for a new Freesat box and install in my bedroom. No idea whether I will be given any of these but it is worth a go.

Moneymaker

The old Sky box will provide free to air channels only. If you insert an expired subscription card (or buy a FreesatFromSky card for £25) then it will display a few additional programmes as per "FreesatFromSky".

almillar

As above, you're talking about FreesatFromSky, not FreeSat, which is a different platform (which uses the same satellite!).
Use the old box (you'll only need one feed as the box won't record) in the bedroom. You don't need a card, and you'll get all the unencrypted channels. An old card that is still active, or the £25 one above, will get you the FreeSatFromSky channels (google it!). Sky don't make a Freesat box BTW.

stephenliverpool1

Just one other question.

I may be looking to get a motor installed on the dish after my Sky contract ends (NOTE : I know this will cost me money). If I so this, will the old sky box (without a card) be able to pick up other non-sky satellite Freesat channels ?

Kurtis_Blue

stephenliverpool1 wrote: »

Just one other question.

I may be looking to get a motor installed on the dish after my Sky contract ends (NOTE : I know this will cost me money). If I so this, will the old sky box (without a card) be able to pick up other non-sky satellite Freesat channels ?

No point putting a motor on a mini dish, it would be an engineering achievement but the dish is too small to pick up anything other than Astra 28 ad the Sky box wouldt be able to drive it, you need to carry out some basic research.

http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/attachments/forum216/25102d1256162222-diseqcinstall.pdf.att