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Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD

What to do if you want to stop subscribing to Sky+HD but do wish to record/pause/play free HD television.

What to do if you want to stop subscribing to Sky+HD but do wis
published on UK Free TV

You might get a glossy magazine every month, but what do Sky really think of your custom?

"Give me a f**king name on a direct debit and it's mine for life,"
- Sam Chisholm, former boss of BSkyB.


Perhaps you responded to an offer like the one blow that promised a gratis Sky+HD box (for new customers taking their first Sky+HD package) with free standard set-up



But you were so excited with the thought of a £50 M&S voucher that you didn't think to follow each of the little daggers and little stars to quite read all the terms and conditions:



So, your twelve months of commitment are over and, for reasons of budget (or politics) you have decided you want to keep all the features of Sky+ - live pause, high definition, extended electronic programme guide, series record, and recording two programmes at once whilst you watch another - but don't want to fork out every month on top of your TV Licence - and you still get hundreds of free TV channels

Here's what you can do.

First you need to buy a Freesat+HD box. There are many on the market, and can be bought from Argos, Currys DIGITAL, John Lewis, Comet and online at Amazon, as well as other stores.

When you use a Freesat+HD box NO SUBSCRIPTION HAS TO BE PAID. NONE. NOT A PENNY TO ANYONE.

Installing

This will take no more than ten minutes. First you will need to disconnect the Sky+HD box mains from the wall socket.

Then you will need to disconnect the cables from the back of the Sky+HD box.

Pull out the mains power connection (1), carefully unscrew the satellite dish links (2) and (3), and then take out the HDMI lead (4) to your HDTV. If you have an "surround sound" amplifier, you may also have a digital audio connection (5).

Remove the Sky+HD box and put the Freesat+HD box back in the same position.



Then reconnect the cables: the mains power cable (1) - but not to the wall just yet, screw the two satellite dish links (2) and (3) and connect the HDMI cable (4) to your HDTV. If you had one, reconnect the digital audio connection (5).

If you have an Ethernet router, you can connect it to the Freesat+HD box at this point (5).

With everything in place, turn on the mains power and power up the Freesat+HD box.

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:



And that's it.

Help with Free satellite?
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau1
Can I receive UK TV in Ghana?2
What is a CA module?3
My box says "No Satellite signal being received"4
Is there any way I can get free channels via satellite and have the kind of hard5
In this section
Freesat adds a plethora of new channels in time for Christmas including channel 1
A tale of a two Freesat boxes2
Yesterday, Drama and Really joining Freesat this month3
PBS America joins Freesat for Halloween4
Fixing the Freesat Freetime internet connection problem5
Satellite TV operators FRANSAT, TIVUSAT and our Freesat launch FreeTV Alliance 6

Comments
Friday, 10 June 2011
P
Penny
4:26 PM

Thanks, another question, i have freeview hd on my telly built in, can i buy some sort of box that can record, pause and rewind. Ive looked at freeview boxes but i dont need the channels as i already have them on the telly

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Penny's 4 posts GB flag
M
Mike Dimmick
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:39 PM

Penny: the recorder needs internal tuners so that it can record channels other than whatever you're currently watching. Analogue VCRs had their own tuners as well.

In practice the recorder cannot record what's being displayed by the TV, because they don't contain video compression technology. They record the raw compressed bitstream coming off-air or from the cable, then pass that through the decoder when you play back. Raw uncompressed recording would take way too much space.

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Mike Dimmick's 2,486 posts GB flag
P
Penny
5:03 PM

ok i didnt understand all that but im presuming that means i need to get a freeview box that records for it to work then

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Penny's 4 posts GB flag
Monday, 13 June 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:38 PM

Penny: Yes, you need a Freeview+ or Freeview+HD box.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
P
Penny
8:11 AM
Reading

Thanks, any recommendations on a limited budget. Ive been looking but there are so many to choose from.

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Penny's 4 posts GB flag
Penny's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
M
Mark Aberfan Aerials
5:27 PM

Hi Penny,

If you on a limited budget there is only one choice & that is the Bush freeesat+ box that costs £160 from Argos, it is the best value freesat+ box on the market.
You will find more info at this web address.

Buy Bush 250GB Freesat HD Digital TV Recorder - Black at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Digital boxes and services.


I hope this is of help to you.

Mark Aberfan Aerials

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Mark Aberfan Aerials's 2 posts GB flag
Mark Aberfan Aerials
sentiment_satisfiedGold

5:41 PM

Hi Penny,

Sorry, my suggestion is a freesat+ box & not a freeview+ box, my mistake as this thread is originaly about satellite, The hitachi freeview+ box is good value at £90 at argos but if you can stretch to a bit more the Humax pvr 9150 £130 at argos is a very good box.

I hope this is more helpful to you.

Mark Aberfan Aerials

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Mark Aberfan Aerials's 1,059 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
J
Jerry
6:29 AM

I am going to join the world of freesat and I am confused, if I buy this below will I need to purchase the freesat box as well?

Panasonic DMR-BS780EBK 250GB HDD Blu-Ray Recorder with Twin Freesat HD Tuners

Many thanks

Jerry

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Jerry's 2 posts GB flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

7:33 AM

Jerry - No,- It has as it says twin "Freesat" tuners that allow you to record two different channels whilst watching another. You can also record to the Blue ray built in recorder. You will need twin feeds from the dish LNB as you would from any other "Freesat"or SKY HD plus receivers.

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
J
John
10:57 AM

A few friends, and I, got our equipment from this site

HUMAX UK Direct Sales Website

Everyone has been pleased with the manager's specials and the service is excellent (LU72TS)

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John's 2 posts GB flag
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