Upgrading from Sky to Freesat
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV If you have an existing Sky or fSfS (Freesat from Sky) installation and want to go to upgrade to Freesat, it is a simple process.
First, buy the Freesat box from a Argos, Curry.digital, Comet, John Lewes or your local independent shop:
In the box you will find the Freesat box:
Also included will be a remote control, and this model also comes with a SCART cable, a HDMI cable and a stereo-with-composite cable. Unpack the ones you need:
You old Sky box looks like this:
Unplug the mains first from the Sky box, then pull out the SCART (or SCARTs) and then unscrew the connection to the satellite dish.
Remove the Sky box and fit the Freesat box. Reconnect the satellite cable (take care as to not damage the connection) and then the SCART and finally connect the mains power:
The box will look like this:
The box also contains the manual, which has full installation instructions. Finally fit the batteries into the remote control.
The TV screen first displays the box's logo
The first set-up screen allows you to select the TV type, widescreen mode and resolution:
Next the box checks for the satellite signal:
Then there is a check for updated software:
Then you enter your postcode and the box checks it:
The next step is a scan for channels. This takes about 30 seconds:
And that's it. You can now view channels, like 108 for BBC HD:
Or press the GUIDE button for the EPG:
(Apologies for the photos not being of the top quality)
2:55 PM
douge: Not in the same way as you can with a Sky box "if" this is what you are possibly thinking about, the reason being that Freesat boxes do not have built in modulators.
You can of course purchase a modulator that connects into the Freesat box using a scart lead, it sending an analogue RF signal to a remotely sited TV in exactly the same way as does a Sky boxes RF1/2.
This is a link for the type of modulator referred to. (price could be out of date)
Programmable Universal Modulator : Video Switches : Maplin Electronics
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11:51 AM
Southampton
I have just upgraded my old CRT TV to a Sony Bravia KDL32W5500. Current setup is an old Pace Sky digibox connected to the main TV and to a couple of others in other rooms. I am thinking of ditching Sky and would like to receive HD programmes. I would also like to keep the satellite signal going to the other TVs. Is there a way of doing this through one box or do I need a different solution?
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Vaughan's: mapV's Freeview map terrainV's terrain plot wavesV's frequency data V's Freeview Detailed Coverage
2:52 PM
Vaughan - One option would be to purchase a "Freesat" HD receiver or PVR. You could then keep the Pace SKY box for another location for non subscription use and for the other location get a standard "Freesat" receiver - these are relatively inexpensive from most high street outlets. A replacement quad LNB for the dish - around £10 00 or so and some cabling to the receivers in other locations.
Alternatively you could get yourself a stand alone RF modulator - "Freesat" receivers don't have this option onboard - and distribute the signal in this manner. The first option has the advantage of allowing the reception of different channels in all three locations.
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3:02 PM
Vaughan: Les Nicol just pipped me at the post so to say, however this is a link for a popular type of modulator that I had intended to include in my own reply, the price may be slightly out of date as Maplin had reduced it a while back.
Programmable Universal Modulator : Video Switches : Maplin Electronics
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7:07 AM
Mark Aberfan Aerials:Hi hope someone can help,ive had a sky plus box approx 3 yrs now,all was ok till i told them i didnt want to renew my insurance this yr,now box keeps freezing during progs,box switches itself off while we are viewing and we cannot change channel till we switch off at wall ,checked card and the chip is almost see through and card is very warm,not very applince minded infact wife or son do all tec stuff ,please someone helllllllllp
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3:11 PM
I have a old sky+ box(not HD) I wanted to know if someone i was gonna give it to could use it. They had a freesat(not HD) box which is broke. would they be able to connect mine using their cables or is it different cabling for freesat?
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5:44 PM
matt: A Sky box uses exactly the same input connection from a dish as does Freesat and a card is not required to view Sky's "free to view" channels except for Pick TV(152), and so if the box is working OK then whoever you give it to will be able to couple it up via the usual scart lead and all should be OK.
I would give them your mains lead though!
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6:09 PM
I gather Challenge TV and Pick TV are now free too air, so they'll be available under non Freesat mode.
That means there are only 3 channels that are now on Freeview that aren't on Freesat: Dave, Yesterday, and Quest.
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3:55 PM
I have sky in my living room. I wish to buy a freesat box for the bedroom. Can I just plug it in to the TV and go? I am a disabled pensioner but not old enough to have free installation and cannot afford sky multiroom for a year; so I am looking at alternatives.
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