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.
snowflake: Please do "Method 1" and/or "Method 3" on My Freeview box has no EPG, is blank on FIVE, ITV3, ITV4, ITV2+1, has no sound or the channel line up is wrong | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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1:44 AM
That has puzzled me for a long time (Although i know channel five can be tuned in Manually)
Why do people have to use SKY TVs Plastic cards in order to receive Channel five in the normal lists as well as fiver and Five US etc?
I also wondered, if someone gets a card from Sky TV do the details get put into the BBC Data Base, just as if you were buying a New TV?
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Michael: Channel 5 was once owned by RTL and they entered into a contract to provide "soft" encryption for FIVE, FIVER and FIVEUSA (as they were then).
When switchover started, FIVE got a slot on a BBC Astra "2D" multiplex so that it could provide the public service facility on Freesat.
For this reason, the existing contract for Channel 5 (all ad regions), 5* and 5USA still use "soft encryption" and require the non-subscription card.
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2:01 PM
snowflake: You may be in a region where the local ITV1 service, and the Channel 5 ad region, are encrypted. The viewing card is required to decrypt it. Also, the postcode that the card was registered with is used to determine which version to store. Make sure the viewing card is still in the box and that it's making good contact.
I believe Briantist intended to link to What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice which goes into more detail.
If that process doesn't work, you may need to buy a new viewing card from Sky.
Alternatively you can use Other Channels to tune into any ITV1 regional variant or the unencrypted version of Channel 5. See Astra 2A / Astra 2B / Astra 2D / Eurobird 1 (28.2°E) - All transmissions - frequencies - KingOfSat or Eurobird 1 & Astra 2A/2B/2D at 28.2°E - LyngSat for the tuning details.
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U: European cable TV systems are not my strong point (I only know about fibre-optic!) but I'm guessing it's Ireland again?
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4:02 PM
my subscribtion with sky run out a few months ago after being with them for 3 years my son has a free view box conected to the sky dish, sky have cut the signal so i can now not recive no channels at all not even on my sons freeview box can sky do this?
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8:40 PM
Briantist,yes you are correct.In the early 80s,a Canadian company tendered to provide a cable tv service for Cork city.After conducting signal tests,it was deemed that signals from the Presclly transmitter in Pembrokeshire were of sufficent strength on a mountain top in Co. Waterford.A cable 100kms in length was used to relay signals to Cork.30,000 connections were made,villages and towns en route also availed of the service.Microwave relays replaced cable later.Upc cable has taken over most cable tv systems.Microwave relay was used in rural areas.Upc also offers microwave relays,Skys only competitor in Southern Ireland.
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10:45 AM
The posters are already up in some Irish pubs giving details of sports which will be on the big screen from broadcasterrs other than sky.The pub can afford these at reasonable prices.If any hireling from Sky is calling,introduce ypurself,you may get a pint on the house but then you will be advised to leave the premises if you dont have proof of Irish broadcasting licence,also vat paid up to date for all business done in Ireland.
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7:09 AM
I have LCD tv which used to ask for my CA module whenever i want to watch digital station that had been stored on its system. I just want to know would this CA module grant me access to watch digital Tv, if yes what are the condition as the name stipulated as conditional Access?
Then am sure the process would required using Dish or something related, anyway you must have understand my curiosity kindly shed more light as i like to used the ca module if i could get one .
thanks
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