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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
Thursday, 31 January 2013
A
Anne
11:39 PM

Thanks for that, we have two feeds, perhaps we need more practice at it, we just are not technology literate

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Anne's 2 posts GB flag
Friday, 1 February 2013
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

12:24 AM

Anne: It would be of assistance if you indicated the model number of the box in question, but if it is a Freesat twin tuner PVR then you can record one programme whilst watching another or record two programmes at the same time whilst viewing one that's already been recorded.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
D
David
2:13 PM

I have a 12volt free sat box that I bought from Maplin which works OK works OK except that when powered off (disconnected from supply) and then plugged in again in the caravan I have to retune all the channels and also favourite channels.
The Sagem that I have in the house does bot do this when power is switched off and it runs on a transformer, so I think I will get another one for the Caravan.

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David's 1 post GB flag
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
F
frances henry
3:13 PM

Hi i had a sky plus subscription which i have now cancelled. I bought a freesat recorder but there are 2 leads from the satelite dish going into the skyplus box an there is only space for one lead on the freesat recorder. Do i need an adapter to change the 2 leads into one?
Many thanks
frances

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frances henry's 4 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

3:30 PM

frances henry: You can use any one of the two leads from the dish as both are technically identical.

Just out of interest though, what model of Freesat recorder are you referring to?

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
F
frances henry
4:29 PM

Thanks jb38, its a panasonic, but both the leads from the sky dish are screw in type, the one on the freesat box is a push in?

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frances henry's 4 posts GB flag
M
Mazbar
sentiment_satisfiedGold

4:42 PM

frances henry: no satellite connection will be push in all satellite receivers use f connectors freeview use aerial plugs that are plug in are you sure it is freesat

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Mazbar's 384 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:50 PM

frances henry: Push in (coax plug) connectors are not used for Satellite purposes as devices used to connect to a Satellite dish always use "F" type connectors, are you sure that the box you have isnt a "Freeview" type that uses a normal aerial? as what you have said strongly suggests that it is.

This can be checked if you supply the model number.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:52 PM

Mazbar: Clash not intended, as I just noticed that you had replied stating similar to myself.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
F
frances henry
6:18 PM

Its a panasonic DMR-HW100EBK HD Digital TV recorder. It says on box 'freeview +HD'. Have i bought the wrong box or is there some way i can use it? Really appreciate your help; thank you

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frances henry's 4 posts GB flag
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