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Upgrading from Sky to Freesat

It takes less than five minutes to replace an existing satellite box with a Freesat one.

It takes less than five minutes to replace an existing satellit
published on UK Free TV

If you have an existing Sky or fSfS (Freesat from Sky) installation and want to go to upgrade to Freesat, it is a simple process.

First, buy the Freesat box from a Argos, Curry.digital, Comet, John Lewes or your local independent shop:



In the box you will find the Freesat box:



Also included will be a remote control, and this model also comes with a SCART cable, a HDMI cable and a stereo-with-composite cable. Unpack the ones you need:



You old Sky box looks like this:



Unplug the mains first from the Sky box, then pull out the SCART (or SCARTs) and then unscrew the connection to the satellite dish.



Remove the Sky box and fit the Freesat box. Reconnect the satellite cable (take care as to not damage the connection) and then the SCART and finally connect the mains power:



The box will look like this:



The box also contains the manual, which has full installation instructions. Finally fit the batteries into the remote control.



The TV screen first displays the box's logo



The first set-up screen allows you to select the TV type, widescreen mode and resolution:



Next the box checks for the satellite signal:



Then there is a check for updated software:



Then you enter your postcode and the box checks it:



The next step is a scan for channels. This takes about 30 seconds:



And that's it. You can now view channels, like 108 for BBC HD:



Or press the GUIDE button for the EPG:



(Apologies for the photos not being of the top quality)



Help with Free satellite?
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau1
Can I receive UK TV in Ghana?2
What is a CA module?3
My box says "No Satellite signal being received"4
Is there any way I can get free channels via satellite and have the kind of hard5
In this section
Freesat adds a plethora of new channels in time for Christmas including channel 1
A tale of a two Freesat boxes2
Yesterday, Drama and Really joining Freesat this month3
PBS America joins Freesat for Halloween4
Fixing the Freesat Freetime internet connection problem5
Satellite TV operators FRANSAT, TIVUSAT and our Freesat launch FreeTV Alliance 6

Comments
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
J
jim IOW
7:14 PM

Hi
I have a mobile home on the IOW and we have freeview with the tv but it is terrible freezing etc. I have attached a booster but no go. - can anyone recommend a 'portable' outfit for freesat - happy to pay for a decent box but I know nothing about portable dishes, what kind, what I should pay etc. any advice would be great.thanks

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jim IOW's 2 posts GB flag
Mark A.
sentiment_satisfiedGold

7:47 PM

I got http://www.maplin.co.uk/camping-and-caravanning-satellite-suitcase-system-217921
from
Maplins in Brighton 5 years ago.
The dish is only plastic and not metal so can move in high winds, but not too heavy for a caravan or tent.
Price has now gone up to £100 for the dish, LNB, cable and satellite receiver box.
jim IOW:
Search Google, and check that it will work of a 12v battery if you don't have 240v mains.
You can get cheaper dishes and receiver box separate for less money.

This was a pre-freesat box, so only has a now and next program guide and not a 7 day TV guide. (RH163LB)

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Mark A.'s 374 posts GB flag
Mark A.
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:07 PM
Haywards Heath

jim IOW:
PS.
My box also dose NOT support the high-defination stations.
So do a Google search for "Mobile Satellite Systems".

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Mark A.'s 374 posts GB flag
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
lesnicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

9:47 PM

Jim IOW - Recommendation assuming your mobile home is on a fixed site with mains power:- Triax TD 54CM dish, Small Patio Stand (fixed to a suitable concrete slab) or other stable fixing. "Freesat" receiver of your choice there are several models (both SD and HD) to choose from with a range of manufacturers available from retailers and multiples on the high street and online. They start at £29.99 and upwards. Camping and caravan 12 volt kits are also available as others have posted but may less suited to a fixed mobile home if this is your main residence or where you spend extended periods of time at.

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lesnicol's 991 posts GB flag
lesnicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

9:55 PM

Jim IOW - P.S.> You would be well advised to check that satellite reception is OK from your locus prior to purchasing any items required.

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lesnicol's 991 posts GB flag
lesnicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

10:00 PM

Jim IOW see this Web site:- Satellite for caravans. (Satellite TV at home and abroad)

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lesnicol's 991 posts GB flag
Saturday, 2 July 2011
P
PJ
2:35 PM

Area SE166SE
Had enough of sky
am going along the lines of freesat
am i right in saying need double cable
for freesat hdr from sky dish
have Sky+ downstairs ordinary sky upstairs
(multiroom)
if so could you please tell me type of cable
needed
many thanks in advance

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PJ's 1 post EU flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

5:26 PM

P.J. If you have SKY + downstairs then it's a straight swop over of your existing receiver for the "Freesat" HDR box as illustrated above. The LNB - that's the item on the end of the dish boom arm will likely have four output's, with a twin satellite cable connected to two of these ports and then routed to your downstairs SKY+ plus box. As your giving up SKY I assume Multi-Room as well then you will need individual cable runs of WF100 satellite cable from the two unused ports at the dish to where ever you are locating the two SKY boxes which you can use without subscription but may have to have non subscription card(s) for one off at £25.00 each. - might not be necessary but you need to check I'm not a subscriber or "Rupert Fan" myself so perhaps someone can add a little more clarity on this to my post.
For cable and bits and bob's - cable terminations etc - check out at "Satcure's" online web page.

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

5:36 PM

P.J. - Just to add the HDR re-placing the down stairs SKY receiver will come with an HDMI cable - this can be used in place of the SCART cable if you have a suitable port on your TV - the SCART can still be used if your TV doesn't have an HDMI port located downstairs - I presume in your lounge,.

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
J
jim IOW
11:01 AM

jim IOW: Thanks for the advice all, appreciated. I'm going over this weekend to sort it out.

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jim IOW's 2 posts GB flag
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