Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
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.
2:38 PM
Anna sargent
The cable is called shotgun cable or double sky cable, the connectors {F connectors}are a bit smaller than the standard connectors, you wont find them in any of the sheds, you will have to go to an aerial satellite specialist for them. .Tom Fletcher Alpha Aerials Sheffield.
link to this comment |
2:55 PM
Chris
The aerial has to go striate into the humax box, male connection in, then you have an RF lead that has a male/female connection that goes to the TV,scart the humax box to Av 1 input connection on the TV, switch on the humax box,select AV 1 on your TV using your TV remote control, and you should get a menu telling you what to do next. Tom Fletcher Alpha Aerials Sheffield.
link to this comment |
Chris- If you have not tried already, use the 'Default setting' scan instead of a simple auto-tune.
Hope this works.
link to this comment |
LutonFan's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
9:27 PM
I live in the south of the Isle of Man. Currently BBC channels are intermittent.
Also when receiving "normally" the picture keeps freezing & jumping. My installation is all top quality. Any answers to this annoying problem welcomed.
link to this comment |
9:28 PM
Further to last post....this refers to freeview only.
link to this comment |
11:05 PM
Tom Fletcher,
Thanks for your help. So I'm guessing I can't get them on Amazon?
Best wishes
Anna
link to this comment |
Anna: Heres a link for them & there only 30p each Shotgun F-Connector -TRAC - Hope this helps...
link to this comment |
9:03 PM
Hyde
Hi
Thanks for the advice. The problem seemed to be that on the screen it said i was in East Anglia when I am in Cheshire. After going to the default setting it all reloaded and seems to be fine now.
I did buy this from somebody so it mustve been where they lived i guess
Thanks again
Chris
link to this comment |
Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
9:12 AM
So to clarify, if I cancel sky subscription I won't be able to watch Pay per view channels? specifically the big boxing events ?
Many Thanks, great blog..
link to this comment |
10:06 AM
JP - Yes - To watch SKY Sports you are required to to take out an entertainment package. - See Mike Dimmick's reply to Norm's post 14th and 15th March by scrolling back.
link to this comment |