Great Cheapest Freeview Box Hunt

ianfao

I don't know if anyone has asked this before, but I have an old sky box, but no dish installed.

Can I use the sky box to get the freeview channels?  ???

Thanks

I tried to do this a few weeks ago but had no joy other than getting a clearer picture on my terrestial channels.

bazsal

Do you have a link for this one? Its not on the woolworths website.

Also technical question for anyone that might be able to help.

I am thinking of getting one of these for the in laws for xmas. Their telly has 2 scarts, but their video only 1. I'll need to get one of those leads that allow you to connect extra scarts to equipment in order to connect the box to the video (as well as having the TV connected to it)

Are there are any obvious drawbacks to this? Presumably it will still allow them to tape things off freeview etc?

SaleHunter

Here's another tip, if anyone used to subscribe to either OnDigital or ITV Digital and still have the receiver box then you can use it to get Freeview.

I dug my old Pioneer box out from the loft a few months ago and hooked it up to an analogue ariel (which is in our loft rather than on the roof) and we get a cracking picture on all terrestrial and Freeview channels.

wibble_2

Do you have a link for this one? Its not on the woolworths website.

Yes when I saw it being discussed on digitalspy I tried to find it on the Woolies site but it isn't listed.

This is the page on the Echostar web site but it seem to be describing the non-PLUS version

http://www.echostar-int.com/b2c/us/product/receiver/t101fta/default.asp

There's a bit more info (but again the non-PLUS version) here:

http://rich-jtg.port5.com/spec.html

And one of several long running threads about the T101 at digitalspy here:

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=137572

I don't know what the best solution would be for your 1-socket VCR. Recording shouldn't be a problem because the T101 has two scart sockets, but when you want to playback a tape you may have to switch the output from the VCR between the freeview box and the other scart socket on the TV ... or something!

m00nie

I have just cancelled my ntl service and was looking into freeview. I tried the link which mentioned using the old cable line but it doesn't work. Can anyone explain it again please?  Also, I still seem to be receiving  terrestrial channels but assume ntl will collect the box at some stage, although they said nothing about it when I cancelled. Does anyone know if this is what happens as Sky customers seem to get to keep the box but I've otherwise with ntl?  Thanks

You dont need the box to pick up the channels, just the main input lead that comes from outside.

Plug this lead into your tv ariel socket( you will need an adapter) and re tune your telly. channels vary what you get, we use it in one of the rooms and get 1 2 3 4 5. sky one. tcm, a music channel.

itgirlinuk

I got the Echostar "Plus" last week from Woolworths and it works fine. Only thing is I needed to get an extra scart cable to connect the freeview to the video.

Travelqueen

Just to reiterate a previous post.. this site has a list of all boxes, a description of whether they are top up TV compatible etc, plus a price listing with supplier.

Hopefully that might help with the confusion that I know I feel at the moment!

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeviewreceivers.html

TQ

sausage

Back to basics here am afraid...

Would LOVE to buy a freeview box for my bloke this xmas, but not sure if we have recpetion here?!
Have been on the postcode checker-thing, but have been told it doesn't get updated....?

How can I find out whether I can receive it or not?!

Help!!!

LD

I have just bought 3 BT badged Netgems (returns) on e-bay here is a independent review. some have sold for as little as £24!

Crystal_Tips_4

Found a Panasonic TU-CT20 Freeview box for £29.99 at a shop near me, called Hyperfi, in Barking - [url][/url]http://www.hyperfi.co.uk/8726Page6.pdf[url][/url]
I don't know if they do mail order, so this info might only be useful if you live in East London/Essex and can physically go there, but check out the site anyway.