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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
Saturday, 15 June 2013
D
DAVE
9:22 PM

Hi & thanks for that
Freeview vs freesat has had my head spinning.
Dave G

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DAVE's 2 posts GB flag
Sunday, 16 June 2013
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

12:37 PM

DAVE: No problem! but just to clarify / emphasise that when I mentioned each of the two leads being used for a receiver I was referring to a "Freesat" receiver, as these leads from the dish cannot be used for Freeview (terrestrial) reception.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
I
Iris
5:44 PM

Mark Aberfan Aerials: Is it right that I can cancel my Sky tv and get a freeview card from sky?

link to this comment
Iris's 1 post GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:52 PM

Iris: You just cancel you Sky contract, that is all you have to do.

You can either remove the card, or leave it in your machine if you wish to keep the correct regional news on BBC One and ITV.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Monday, 22 July 2013
B
Bill Fairley
2:46 PM

Mark Aberfan Aerials:

Hi, I need advice on what type of satellite
receiver to buy, here in Germany.
I have been told that a Humax HD receiver is one of the best, is this true or can I just buy any one?.
I would also like to know how I can receive the American Sports channel ESPN America, is that also available on FreeSat?.
Please Help. I would prefer an email answer if possible.

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Bill Fairley's 1 post DE flag
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
D
Don Jensen
7:51 PM

I have read in one of the TV magazines that ALIBI is avaiable on 118. Not on my Freesat box

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Don Jensen's 1 post GB flag
Friday, 2 August 2013
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:37 AM

Bill Fairley - Just in case Mark doesn't pick your post up - The Humax receiver is probably the best to go for in a "Freesat" box. You won't however get ESPN America, which is a subscription channel. As far as reception in Germany is concerned you will need to check the size of dish required as Satellites now employ spot beam transmissions focused on the UK - meaning that you may, dependent on where you are in Germay, see the reuirment for a 90cm or 1 meter dish.

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
Monday, 7 October 2013
W
Will
2:23 PM

Hello guys
I have a sky dish which feeds a downstairs TV and a bedroom TV. We cancelled the subscription some time ago so we just get the normal channels. The LNB on the dish has 4 ports, 2 of which are being used. The 3 kids have TVs for Xbox etc but they are not connected to the dish. In order to get them TV channel access, do I change the LNB for an 8 port one and then just run a wire to each bedroom? And what sort of box would I need to buy? Are all LNBs the same. Maplin sell one for £55. Good or bad? Many thanks for your advice

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Will's 3 posts GB flag
M
MikeB
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

3:06 PM

Will : You already have 2 ports spare - so use one of those for each extra TV (although they will need a Sky/Freesat box as well).

I'd go to Satcure SatCure UK satellite and Freeview information - Maplin are not cheap anyway, but I dont think you'll need the 8 LNB. BTW - Your Sky isn't going to record without a subscription - so the second LNB connected to it is functionally useless - if you want to record, swap it out for a Freesat PVR.

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MikeB's 2,579 posts GB flag
W
Will
3:31 PM
Bushey

Many thanks Mike. Much appreciated. We have a 4 LNB. One TV connected in the bedroom already and one TV downstairs. We need 3 more hence me thinking I need an 8 LNB. Is the LNB easy to fit?

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Will's 3 posts GB flag
Will's: mapW's Freeview map terrainW's terrain plot wavesW's frequency data W's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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