Upgrading from Sky to Freesat
Brian Butterworth 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)
3:37 PM
Bacup
I want to change a Sky+ box for a Foxsat HDR recorder but don't know what to do about the Aerial connection and the RF output conections can you advise
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Bob's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage
4:20 PM
Bob: As far as the dish is concerned there isn't really any problem with doing what you suggest, as the two "F" connectors that were used on the Sky+ box work in exactly the same way in the Foxsat recorder.
The only problem that you will experience is if you are using the Sky boxes RF output to feed a TV in another room as the Foxsat does not have a modulator, and if you still wish to use this facility it will have to be done by other means, such as a "Digi-sender" plugged into the Foxsats scart socket, or an external modulator connected the same way, this latter device acting in exactly the same way as does the Sky boxes modulator.
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11:13 AM
Mark Aberfan Aerials:
i live in an area with no signal through a normal aerial and no aerial! i do, however have a satalite dish on my house with a lead coming in and i wonder can i buy a free sat box and get tv?
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2:09 PM
sam: If it's an oval-shaped mesh dish, it's probably set up for the digital satellite services targetted at the UK. If it's older than 2001, it could be aimed at the Astra 1 cluster of satellites that was used for analogue signals before 1998 (these were switched off in 2001).
If it is the right dish, you can just plug in a Freesat box and it should work.
A dish can always be moved to point at a different cluster, and some viewers - particularly in northern Scotland - were recommended to get larger dishes or fully circular ones, so this isn't a sure-fire test of being able to just plug in and go. You can adjust the dish yourself with the help of tools like UKSatelliteHelp.co.uk - Satellite Dish Alignment / Setup Calculator 2.0 , but you may need a meter for best results.
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4:16 PM
"The only problem that you will experience is if you are using the Sky boxes RF output to feed a TV in another room as the Foxsat does not have a modulator, and if you still wish to use this facility it will have to be done by other means, such as a "Digi-sender" plugged into the Foxsats scart socket, or an external modulator connected the same way, this latter device acting in exactly the same way as does the Sky boxes modulator."
Or he could change the LNB on his dish for either a quad or octo one, and run a number of additional Freesat recorders or boxes. This would be even better than a video sender.
I've yet to encounter a video sender that actually works jb38.
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7:06 PM
i have just had freesat installed the tv man said to get tv working in another room will need another box but dont want to pay all that for another box is there a cheaper way to recieve it in another room
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8:14 PM
Folkestone
Suggest you get a digital video sender (5.4 Ghz.
Suggest you get a Digital Video Sender (5.4 Ghz. version) from Maplins about £50/70. Go to Maplins website. It has excellent reviews. Is totally wireless, so no extra cables running thru house, which you would get if you upgrade your sat dish to 4 LNB's as Peter suggested.
good luck
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David's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
wendy fulford: You can get Freesat boxes for as little as £30 and you can watch whatever channel you like on the other set, not just the one showing in the "main room" as with a video sender.
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9:46 AM
I currently have sky multiroom, but was thinking of buying a tv for the kitchen. However, I do not want to pay anymore to sky and would prefer a freesat. Is it possible to run both together or do i need a separate satellite?I want to watch separate programs in the kitchen to what are being viewed elsewhere in the house.
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