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)
8:58 PM
Finn Sheye: Since the introduction of newer satellites to the SES Astra fleet, (a continuing and ongoing process) UK TV reception in Spain and other European countries has seen either a partial or total loss of signal, dependent on wherever your country of resience and your locus might be. This is due to these newer satellites having improved technolgy with spot beam transmissions focused much more accurately on the UK.( some will also have moveable spot beam capablity allowing for a shift of focus in their global coverage). Whilst the overal footprint - coverage - will effectively still extend to areas of Europe as before, this implies - "where possible"??? - acquiring a much larger antenna (dish). in order to receive satisfactory reception.
It might be that your dish has meved, but I rather suspect that your issues relate to the afore mentioned and also to transpoder and frequency changes where even with a larger dish your receiver may need - again if possible??? - re-configuration. I would seek to get some advice from a local installer where you are - there are ex-pat installers/engineers operating in many areas of Spain that could give advice on what optioons may be available.
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7:23 AM
Linda:- Either your Sky dish has moved (doesn't require much in the way of poor weather or a bracket needing tightened up) for the signal to be lost or you may have some other fault to the receiver or LNB. (the little item on the end of the dish boom arm). These faults (if any of these apply) can be relatively easily sorted out by Sky.
Current TV's have Freeview tuners fitted to them and all thats generally required is a suitably sited TV aerial that connects to your TV.
However in some areas the TV signal may be
limited where a "Relay Transmitter" is involved as they lack the capablity to provide a full range of channels and programs. This can be checked out through a near neighbour if they have Freeview or a local installer.
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7:36 AM
Linda:- If your contract with SKY sees you able to set up recording's and access on demand services and you wish to retain this facility in moving to Freeview you should consider a "You View" receiver that can offer similar facilities bearing in mind that you will not be able to obtain subsciption channels. Alternative subscription services BT Vision with a supplied "You View" receiver and Virgin (in Virgins case only if a cable TV service is available to you in your area).
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4:50 AM
Hi. I am moving house soon. There is an existing sat dish and Sky digibox, TU-DS830 Panasonic, non-HD. The house is 9 years old and I suspect the sat installation is of similar age. Can I just plug in a new Freesat HD box, say HB-1000S, using HDMI into my 1080P Sony TV?
Further, what is the easiest way to get an independent channel switching signal (independent to the first TV set) to a second Sony HD ready TV in the bedroom? I think I am reading I can connect a TV type lead from the HD box to the second TV. Is there some way to make the connection wireless and save having to run a lead around the house?
Many thanks for any help.
Nick
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6:29 PM
Nick Pike, If the sat dish and lnb are working ok then, yes its a straigh swap,
As for a 2nd TV ? There needs to be an aerial output on the Freesat box for you to connect a coax cable to?
You can try a 'Scart Sender' , which are wireless! but they can be temprementel
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9:25 AM
Hi, I have a working sky hd setup, though not paying any subscription to allow recording of programs etc. I have bought a manhattan plaza freesat hd box to replace the sky box, however when i connect the manhattan box there is no signal. I reconnect the sky box and it works fine. Im unsurewhat i need to do to fix this! and advice would be appreciated!
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7:24 AM
Sharon McGaffin, Does the freesat box have 2 or 3 cable connections on the back ?
Some boxes have a third 'port' on the back labled 'lnb out' which is for recording use when you have only 1 cable
This should not be used and may confuse the box?
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9:58 AM
sharon mcgaffin : When you say "no signal" are you referring to what's seen after having connected the coax feed from the dish into the box and powered it up followed by having subsequently set the picture ratio required into the settings box that appeared "before" that of the signal check screen box? if you did and this resulted in the no signal message referred to then "if" your Sky HD system was Sky + disconnect the Manhattan from the mains supply and repeat the procedure using the spare dish feed used by the Sky+ box.
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9:43 PM
Thanks Ian. If I plug the sky box AND the Freesat box to the TV, and select which device from the TV remote, how can I get the dish signal into both boxes. This would save having to swap the dish connector. Is it possible to split the dish signal?
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6:35 PM
BTW, I thought the best way of getting a signal to the second, bedroom TV was to buy a second sat dish and Freesat box, so the TV has it's own separate feed. Does this sound reasonable, or a bit 'over the top'?
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