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.
4:58 PM
Gateshead
ON Freeview from the aerial all I get are mosaic pictures.Arial engineer would not fit new aerial,he says I am in one of the worst areas in the country for digital TV recption.This was two years ago.So I got Freesat and Panasonics top range Blueray Digital recorder with two Sat connections.But I miss Freeview,is there any way I can get it alongside what I have got.
Thank You
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Arthur's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Arthur McParland: I have no idea why you were told you are in a bad Freeview reception area, as you can get a perfect service from the Chatton transmitter, as long as you use a rooftop aerial.
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4:30 PM
Hove
Hi, I'm lost! We live in Lansdowne Street, Hove. BN31FR. Analogue signal has always been terrible. We all use Sky satellite (4 flats) as not cabled area but one flat is rented and owner wants to keep options open. The building is being refurbished and aerials all have to come off for repairs - is it worth putting them back up? They are about 10 years plus old. Will reception be improved after march 2012 switch-over? or would we need a more modern aerial? I've been put in charge of refurb and need to make decisions. Hope someone can help. Plus for analogue signal which is best direction to point aerial. Thanks you. Best wishes Lynn
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Lynn's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
5:56 PM
Lynn Forbes: The reception should improve tremendously on March 21st, and the analogue signal will no longer exist then. As this location is only at 2 miles away from the transmitter I would be inclined to scrap the existing 10 years old aerials and replace them with DMlog periodics (as seen in the link) these being of strong construction as well as having a low wind resistance, excellent for this type of situation.
It might also be worth replacing the co-ax down leads at the same time, just in case dampness has crept in over the years.
By the way the aerials being "Vertically" mounted at pointing towards the transmitter at 94 degrees.
Online TV FM DAB Aerial sales
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9:10 AM
Hove
Lynn Forbes:Hi jb38. Thanks for your help I'm a lot happier now! One last thing - would one aerial be sufficient for 4 flats our would we need 2? I won't feel like such an idiot when talking with installers! 2 of us want to do the lot but waiting for a reply from the others. Thanks again. Best wishes Lynn
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Lynn's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
11:02 AM
Lynn Forbes: Well when you referred to "aerials" and "them" I assumed that the previous set up involved four individual aerials, however there doesn't necessarily have to be, as one is suffice if a 4 way splitter distribution amplifier was fitted in the loft, this way being less costly and just as effective.
Although the aerial installers will know this, but the only Freeview channel out of the six that's presently operating that will give a rough idea of what like the reception will be next March is Mux Ch48, the channel that is presently used for BBC4 / CBeebies / BBC Parliament, this transmitter being on higher power than the rest although still well under what it will be next March. (according to Ofcoms listings)
By the way, meant to previously mention that although the analogue signal will cease to exist come next March, it is received from exactly the same direction as Freeview. (Ch48 th)
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1:46 PM
Hove
Hi again, thank you again you are a star! We are going for 2 aerial roof packs (from the link you sent me) as one flat has 2 floors and 2 connections so 5 in total not 4. Plus gives an option for the rest of us to add. Current set up is 2 working aerials both ancient!(+ one in bits!)only one flat uses it at all occasionally as the have a Polish satellite. The builder is confident they can do the work so may be cheaper than outside installers quotes if I order - plus can be done while scaffolding up. Is it your company the link? Still will order - you deserve it for all your help. Didn't mean to put analogue when asked about direction but thanks for that too. All Best Lynn
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Lynn's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
1:48 PM
Hove
me again! Let me know if there is a better option than the "roof packs" but we are on a bit of a budget with all this work underway
Cheers Lynn
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Lynn's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
9:40 PM
Lynn Forbes: I am not really 100% sure what you mean by roof packs, is it the Chimney installation kits seen which use a Log 40 aerial? if it is then that's fine except that only one kit would be required to feed into a distribution amplifier, or alternatively one kit plus an extra Log 40, as it could be mounted on the same pole as the other aerial, of course suitably spaced downwards (or upwards) from it. (about 600mm)
Although if it is only two aerials that you are thinking about then what is the plan for feeding two aerials into four flats?(one having two points) as you shouldn't really loop aerial sockets from one to another in the same way as is done with electrical power sockets, as although in many cases this arrangement might work OK, however its not always guaranteed to depending on what someone in another room might be plugging into the socket, as using the same lead for more than one device automatically means less signal to each, and when dealing with Freeview signals that's the last thing you want.
That said, in the flat that has two floors you might get away with looping, but even in that case its still far better to use a simple two way powered splitter feeding the two outlets, as this is guaranteed not to cause problems.
Its because of this type of potential problem that I suggested a distribution amp / splitter from one aerial.
By the way, although being an engineer I am not really connected to the company in the link, but just recommend them as they, like myself, are inclined to favour log aerials and offer a good selection of them.
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2:33 PM
Hove
To jb38: seems like the more info I get the more confused I am!!! Have ordered on phone from the link - and got more info I don't really understand!!! Hopefully when stuff arrives we can figure out what to do with it!? But really good guys and said I can call back for help. Thanks again for all your help. Hopefully I can now get back to my normal work to pay for all this!
Thanks again - you really are a star! (didn't feel like a total moron when I spoke to them!) All Best Lynn
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Lynn's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage