Sky Q and old Sky+HD Box

howlsatthemoon

Hi Folks,

I have just had Sky Q installed and was wondering if I can still use my old Sky+HD box for the free to air programs? I have had a look on the internet and it seems I would need a hybrid LNB to connect HD box to the dish but I cannot seem to find any mention about being able to view the free to air channels. Also if it is not possible to use the old Sky+HD box would a freesat box work? Thanks.

neilmcl

You 'll only be able to use your old box if they installed a new hybrid Sky Q LNB on to your dish, if it's a standard Sky Q LNB then your old box wont work. A quick way to find out is to simply hook up your old box and see if it works.

If it is working you'll get the free to air channels but you won't be able to used any of the recording facilities.

[Deleted User]

howlsatthemoon wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I have just had Sky Q installed and was wondering if I can still use my old Sky+HD box for the free to air programs? I have had a look on the internet and it seems I would need a hybrid LNB to connect HD box to the dish but I cannot seem to find any mention about being able to view the free to air channels. Also if it is not possible to use the old Sky+HD box would a freesat box work? Thanks.

You would need the hybrid LNB for sure and don't forget you'd also need a cable from the LNB through your wall to connect it. You'd only need one cable rather than the shotgun/double cable as you wouldn't be able to record on the HD+ box but would get (almost) all of the free to air channels. If buying a recordable sat box then you'd need the shotgun/double cable.

howlsatthemoon

Thanks for replies, I already have a cable going to the room (had one of those magic eye things) that was disconnected from the old HD box when Sky Q was installed, would be able to use that cable but before I bought the Hybrid LNB was just making sure HD box would work not bothered about recording things just didn't want tv sitting there as an ornament.

googler

howlsatthemoon wrote: »

Thanks for replies, I already have a cable going to the room (had one of those magic eye things) that was disconnected from the old HD box when Sky Q was installed, would be able to use that cable but before I bought the Hybrid LNB was just making sure HD box would work not bothered about recording things just didn't want tv sitting there as an ornament.

Just get a Sky Q Mini Box, it communicates wirelessly with the main box, and you can watch everything that's recorded on the main box as well as all the satellite channels including FTA.

neilmcl

googler wrote: »

Just get a Sky Q Mini Box, it communicates wirelessly with the main box, and you can watch everything that's recorded on the main box as well as all the satellite channels including FTA.

At a cost though.

neilmcl

howlsatthemoon wrote: »

Thanks for replies, I already have a cable going to the room (had one of those magic eye things) that was disconnected from the old HD box when Sky Q was installed, would be able to use that cable but before I bought the Hybrid LNB was just making sure HD box would work not bothered about recording things just didn't want tv sitting there as an ornament.

So the simple thing is to connect the box and see for yourself if you need one or not.