Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Yes, but only "sort of".
Freeview is the name of the (BBC-backed) digital TV system that uses hilltop transmitters to rooftop aerials. It is run separately from the "Sky" satellite-to-dish service.
free-to-VIEW is a term for satellite channels that need a viewing card to watch, but not to collect a subscription. free-to-AIR channels are ones that can be received without needing a viewing card or subscription.
The free-to-AIR satelite service backed by the BBC and ITV is called Freesat. The free-to-VIEW service operated by Sky is called fSfS or Freesat from Sky.
As long as you have finished your first year, you can leave Sky when you want.
To do this just give Sky a call and tell them you don't want to subscribe any more.
If you stop subscribing you will be able to watch the hundred or so free-to-air channels listed on free channels list. This service is called Freesat from Sky (fSfS).
Some of the channels on the Freeview service are subscription only on satellite, specifically: 4Music, Challenge, Dave, Dave ja vu, Quest, VIVA and Yesterday . See these links to compare the TV channels on Freesat-from-Sky and Freeview, and to compare radio stations on Freeview and fSfS. Many homes have free satellite and Freeview to get the full range of channels.
You will still need to keep your Sky viewing card. If you stop subscribing on a Sky contract, you can keep using that card to watch 5USA, 5* and PICK TV, the so-called "free-to-view" channels. (All ITV channels are free-to-air).
It is not possible to plug an aerial into a Sky Digibox to receive Freeview channels because the boxes have not been designed this way.
You will continue to get the full Sky EPG listings; you just will not be able to watch subscription channels.
If you want to go for High Definition, HD, you can swap out your Sky box for a Freesat one very easily.
A card is not needed to watch BBC services, but it is needed to get the correct BBC ONE and BBC TWO regions on 101 and 102.
Another option is to disconnect your Sky Digibox altogether and Upgrade from Sky to Freesat - ukfree.tv. If you have an HD-Ready TV and a standard Sky box, this is a good option.
4:26 PM
I have an old SKY box which has been receiving free programming for many years now. Last night the message "no satellite signal is being received" popped up.
there was a strong wind outside and I assumed the dish had moved, and it had. after repairing the old mounting and realigning the dish I still have the message. all the ITV channels are fine but any attempt to view the rest brings back the error. ( the free religion channels are ok too).
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7:00 PM
Kenyon : Go into your boxes signal check menu ("settings - 4 - 6") and note the levels being indicated, as on a standard Sky box the strength should be around 70% and with the quality being at least this figure and never under, if it is, then the dish requires slight alignment, this always usually being in the horizontal (left / right) plane, but though as you have repaired the old mounting then the usual left / right rule will no longer apply.
Please note, that the signal levels seen are not that of the channel you might happen to be viewing, but the default transponder and so applies to all.
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7:17 PM
Hello again, thanks for that, the signal strength is around 50% and quality around 80% (pretty much as good as it has ever been) I have BBC news all the ITV channels and Ch4 plus one but not CH4... :-( and 4 seven it is bizzare.. will have another look tomorrow
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7:34 PM
Kenyon : I also meant to add, check the "F" connector on the LNB to make sure that its not internally contaminated with water etc, as this is liable to cause problems by intermittently shorting out the band switching tone, or the voltages associated with polarity switching, if indeed not the actual signal itself.
All that said, on the assumption that have already tried disconnecting the power from the box for about 30 seconds or so before powering it up again, this being purely for the purpose of reloading the channels into the boxes memory.
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7:50 PM
Thanks again jb,
I have redone the end at the LNB after noticing that it was a bit green. Yes I have done the usual disconnect an power up. Like I say I will play again tomorrow, subject to weather, I have checked again for proper alignment figures which I think should be 142 degrees 24 elevation and 15 degrees slew. it was a bit trial and error in the wind before so hope to get it sorted one way or the other tomorrow
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10:55 PM
Kenyon: OK thanks, although it has to be said that 50% is at the lower end of what is considered as being an acceptable signal strength level, as anything much lower is liable to be bordering near to the boxes threshold level for reception, this always resulting in odd glitches in the picture now and again.
That said, the fact of the quality being so much higher does indicate that all is OK with your alignment, and that the apparent lower than normal signal strength level is purely down to the boxes less than enthusiastic level measuring system, as this varies from brand to brand..
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4:19 PM
Crediton
I am planning to swap my old TV for a flat screen TV. I am currently subscribed to a SKY package comprising TV, telephone and broadband. TV areal blew down years ago (no loss as very poor reception due to "valley" location), therefore satellite dish with SKY. Checked Freeview reception and it seems my postcode will not cover me -- EX17 4BS. Reading your comments about satellite dish TV channel availability it looks like I will be able to receive those "free to view" channels if I end my subscription to SKY (which I can do -- with one month's notice -- apparently). Or should I opt for your suggestion:
Another option is to disconnect your Sky Digibox altogether and upgrade from Sky to Freesat - ukfree.tv. If you have an HD-Ready TV and a standard Sky box, this is a good option.
Many thanks Suzette Hawkins
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Suzette's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
6:56 PM
JB38 All seems sorted now. it must have been an alignment issue, just wasn't quite there. a bit of a tweek and hey presto. That said my signal strength is still just over 50% but as I seem to remember it was never much more than that before .
Thanks for your assistance.
Regards
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7:58 PM
Kenyon : Good news then!!, and as far as the 50% signal level is concerned, if you have previously been enjoying glitch free reception at that level, then there is no reason to suppose that you will not continue doing so, because I am quite sure that if a higher level was possible, you would have noticed this at some point during your alignment exercise.
Thanks for the update.
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8:57 PM
Suzette: The choice is yours, but of course most people want to record and watch at their leisure, so the Freesat option is a good one (and yes, Freeview isn't really an option for you). A Humax Freesat PVR is currently £179 http://www.johnlewis.com/…2135 , and is the one we recommend at work. Since Sky will charge you £10 a month to record, its basically paid for itself in 18 months.
Since that box has both scart and hdmi connections, you could swap it out right now, without changing your TV.
When you do want to change your TV, my advice would be to measure the width of your existing TV, and its depth - you will be surprised at just how big it is. If its a 28-32in deep TV, then your a 40-42in TV (remember the new TV will be much thinner, and will be pushed back still further). As for distance, try this guide - What size TV should I buy? - Which? Technology - it agrees with what I've always said, about three times the size of the screen away from the TV is where you should be.
You should have Freeview HD as standard, and I'd go for one of the major brands (Panasonic, Samsung, Sony or LG) - they do good stuff! Expect to pay around £299 for a basic 40in Buy Samsung UE40H5000 LED HD 1080p TV, 40" with Freeview HD | John Lewis - the more you pay, generally the more equipment (like smart and wifi) you get (the very decent LG42 580 is £379), and around the £450-500 mark you'll go up to the mid level, which has a better picture. The Samsung 40 6400 is excellent value at £449 currently.
Some TV's will have Freesat tuners, but I'm seeing a fair number with generic sat tuners (Sony and LG) - so you will get the channels, but you'll have to hunt around for them.
A great way to compare TV's is to go to a proper shop (not a supermarket or a catalogue), ask questions, and ask them to put on some film credits. They are black, white and they move. A great test for the black/white levels and how well it handles movement - which is what your paying for. Hope you get something thats perfect for you.
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