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.
11:47 PM
k davies: A "no signal" message is not connected in any way with whether or not you subscribe to Sky, as its either being caused by your dish having been moved out of alignment, or alternatively a fault having developed on the box.
If you are using a standard Sky box (not a Sky + or Sky +HD type) type, press "services - 4 - 6" and that will take you into the signal strength check screen, any level that might be seen having to be at around 60% + and with the quality the same or even higher, this menu on a Sky+ HD box viewable via the settings menu.
If though you are using a Sky+ box, try swapping the LNB 1&2 inputs over and see if this makes any difference.
Further info dependant on the result of the test.
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12:01 AM
John: Its not necessary to pay a subscription to Sky in order to be able to view what you refer to as Freesat, as you can view most non subscription channels without the viewing card even being inserted into the box. The only reason for the card being to enable you to view the news services appropriate to where you reside, as without the card being inserted the default news is London.
If though you are using a Sky+ box, a subscription "is" necessary if you wish to retain use of the recording and playback side of the box, as otherwise this facility ceases to function.
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10:37 PM
hello!!
get a problem with the sky hd box.
keeps saying initialising.....and nothing happens.
Also keeps saying no signal.
I use the box with no card as a free to air box. its been fine since i got it but only
just had these messages tonight.
I've tried all trouble shooting methods-re boots, re-sets etc but nothing works.
can anyone help??
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10:40 PM
I currently have a sky+ box and dish but am switching to youview box with bt. My sky box is linked to the dish via a cable split to dish input 1 and dish input 2-the youview box just has a single aerial in. Do I need to change the cable running from my dish to the youview box?
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9:06 AM
Amcv:
It is unlikely that your cable from the dish is 'split' as that will not work at all. You probably have 2 separate cables fed down from the dish LNB.
Your Youview box has an aerial input socket - which is for a UHF aerial and not a dish.
You could look at How to install your YouView Box | TalkTalk Help to see how to connect a Youview box.Part 4 shows how to connect an aerial to the box. A dish will not work as Youview does not use a satellite source but a normal TV aerial is used to receive the programmes.
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12:29 PM
Thanks Mike-got the Total support group coming to install an aerial-satellite dish is redundant. Doesn't encourage competition/changing providers!
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1:10 PM
Amcv: I wouldn't remove the dish. Its not doing any harm by just being there, and you might want to return to Sky at some point, use Freesat, or the generic sat. tuners built into many Tier 1 TV manufacturers sets now. You'll only have to pay for it later to be put up again.
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4:00 PM
Save your money, Ditch Sky TV and just watch Freeview and save some real monies. Just think it will mean more monies in your bank . In the past people only had two channels and they survived :)
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5:44 PM
Ayr
I am interested in a sky box how much is it
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carol's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
11:01 AM
Carol Robertson
If you take a subscription to the Sky services, they provide you with the necessary box free of charge. However, you may find some used ones for sale on eBay for example. Or you might consider Freesat that uses your dish but does not require a subscription, boxes are widely available. Prices depend on make/model so a search on Amazon, for example, may reveal what is available. Don't buy a 'cheap' one but go for a more expensive option. Some here suggest a Humax may be a good choice, but I don't have one myself so can't really comment.
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