Freeview without TV aerial

l0wenna

Hi, I am being a bit thick here...I am at the end of my contract with sky and was looking to save money by having a broadband/phone package and using a freeview box for TV...I have no TV aerial as I have been using sky box and dish....do I need and aerial or can I use my sky dish?

Kurtis_Blue

You will tend to need an external aerial with freeview.
Your Sky box will still receive a lot of channels without a subscription though I would find it pain to use as the program guide still lists all the subscription channels as well.
Personally I would bin/ebay the Sky stb and buy a freesat box and do a straight swap.

macman

You can only get Freeview via an aerial, and usually a rooftop one is required. It'a a terrestial service.
You can't get any Freeview channels via a Sky box. What you will get without a sub are the Sky non-sub channels (Freesat From Sky). This is not the same as Freesat.

Robisere

Hi
You obviously have a PC or laptop, so you will have access to Freeview via that route. There are several ways to do this.

If you live in a strong digital signal area, you can buy something like this,which will fit a USB socket in either a laptop or PC.

https://www.ebuyer.com/113962-hauppauge-wintv-nova-t-dvb-t-digital-freeview-usb-tv-tuner-stick-294

This will be a PCI card (like a Graphics card) for a PC:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peak-DVB-T-Channel-Scheduling-Recording/dp/B0018D8J60/ref=dp_cp_ob_computers_title_0

Both will have programme Guides (EPG's) but the second will have dual tuning (watch one, record another). For both, you will probably need a digital aerial. If you have a PC, I advise the second, or something like it. You will need a LCD or LED flatscreen monitor. There are also devices to stream TV live or recorded from the PC to the TV, like this: -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trekstor-Wireless-Adapter-Accessories-Streamer/dp/B00406RYXQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1330870659&sr=1-3

Take a look at the other products there and I would ask advice from a TV shop. They will be happy to advise you, thinking you will buy from them.

tom717

Robisere wrote: »

Hi
You obviously have a PC or laptop, so you will have access to Freeview via that route. There are several ways to do this.

If you live in a strong digital signal area, you can buy something like this,which will fit a USB socket in either a laptop or PC.

https://www.ebuyer.com/113962-hauppauge-wintv-nova-t-dvb-t-digital-freeview-usb-tv-tuner-stick-294

This will be a PCI card (like a Graphics card) for a PC:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peak-DVB-T-Channel-Scheduling-Recording/dp/B0018D8J60/ref=dp_cp_ob_computers_title_0

Both will have programme Guides (EPG's) but the second will have dual tuning (watch one, record another). For both, you will probably need a digital aerial. If you have a PC, I advise the second, or something like it. You will need a LCD or LED flatscreen monitor. There are also devices to stream TV live or recorded from the PC to the TV, like this: -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trekstor-Wireless-Adapter-Accessories-Streamer/dp/B00406RYXQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1330870659&sr=1-3

Take a look at the other products there and I would ask advice from a TV shop. They will be happy to advise you, thinking you will buy from them.

These still require an aerial. The best option imo is to get a freesat box, they start around £30. Here's one.

penrhyn

OP has a Sky box, no need to spend anything unless the want a PVR.

OP Google Freesat from Sky to see which channels you'll get if you cease to subscribe.

Keith

If the op has a sky hd box, I would try a blue sky card

Mancunian

Keep the sky box and simply favourite the free channels - their are loads! Most Freeview channels are their.

busiscoming2

Sorry to jump in on your thread.
Currently have Virgin, but thinking of Sky. If I bought a Sky box and dish from somewhere like ebay, could I then receive channels like BBC1 ITV Channel 4 & 5 etc for free?

penrhyn

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Sorry to jump in on your thread.
Currently have Virgin, but thinking of Sky. If I bought a Sky box and dish from somewhere like ebay, could I then receive channels like BBC1 ITV Channel 4 & 5 etc for free?

Yes you can, there are some 'free to view channels that are encrypted, to view them on a Sky box you'll need a Freesat from Sky viewing card at a one off cost of around £25.

FYI If you get a Sky + box you won't be able to use the recording function.

neil201

l0wenna wrote: »

Hi, I am being a bit thick here...I am at the end of my contract with sky and was looking to save money by having a broadband/phone package and using a freeview box for TV...I have no TV aerial as I have been using sky box and dish....do I need and aerial or can I use my sky dish?

There's lots of confusing info for the OP on here. Basically if you are happy using the Sky+ receiver then leave as is and you'll get all the free to air channels. You won't be able to record (ie use the Sky+ features).

If you want an uncluttered programme guide which isn't full of subscription channels and the option to record, pause and replay live TV free of charge then get a Freesat receiver (the Humax Foxsat HDR is recommended) see - https://www.freesat.co.uk