Second Generatin FTV Cards

modrover

Mea Culpa if this question has been asked before but it is a very simple question,

1) Will my second generation card (house on it) continue to work after the Xmas deadline. it works perfectly fine with all channels ITV-CH4-Ch5 coming through.
2) To be on the safe side should I take out the new card (£23.50)
3) I notice that WEST-SAT who I purchased the solus card from are uncontactable on the Internet, site is down.

Thanks in advance.
PS I have also contacted the BBC for clarification of this issue, will advise if I receive a reply.

SEAMUSD

as far as I am aware all non subscription second generation cards will continue to work until the 31st of December 2005

modrover

Thanks, SeamusD

Greenman

as far as I am aware all non subscription second generation cards will continue to work until the 31st of December 2005

How do you know this?

SEAMUSD

because they told me, OKILY DOKILY

Greenman

Thanks but what dose OKILY DOKILY mean?

SEAMUSD

it means OK

modrover

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

The BBC's digital TV services are free to view. In the past in order to receive
BBC programmes from Digital Satellite, a viewing card was needed. This was
issued free of charge to UK residents on request who did not have Sky
subscriptions, they where not supplied by the BBC, but are issued centrally on
behalf of the non-subscription broadcasters.

However the BBC is now using the Astra 2D satellite which has a more targeted
footprint, allowing the BBC to limit broadcasting to the UK. This will remove
the need to encrypt our channels for copyright purposes, which means our
services will become unencrypted or 'in the clear' and there will no longer be a
need to use a free-to-view access card. The BBC's eight digital television
channels will be available on BSkyB boxes.

As our services are now available without a viewing card, the BBC has stopped
funding 'free-to-view' cards. Viewers wishing receive the commercially funded
public service channels without paying a subscription will be able to get a new
card. We understand the cost will be £20 +VAT. These cards will last until
BSkyB carry out another card swap out programme or for at least 2 years if the
next swap out is sooner than that. If you want to take advantage of this new
arrangement, please call 08700 541 800.

On a more personal note I recently found myself in a similar situation to
yourself. I came by Sky equipment in a new residence and by simply connecting
the dish to the box and box to the tv I was able to get all the BBC channels and
more besides but not ITV, Channel 4 or Five. This was all without having any
card what so ever. I did however recently order a new Solus card on the number
above and was charged £23.50, this now enables me to get ITV, Channel 4 and
Five. As I have described above this new venture is not run by the BBC, in fact
the BBC has nothing to do with it. It is my understanding that once your card
(the one with the house logo) comes to the end of it’s ‘life’, a free to
view digital satellite viewer (those without a subscription) like yourself will
lose ITV, Channel 4 and Five if they do not have one of the new cards.

I hope you find this information useful and once again thank you for contacting
the BBC.

Regards

Brian McGettrick
BBC Information

sg

Do you need to have version number and serial number of digibox when you call the FTA helpline. If so whats the story if you already have a sky subscription on the same digibox...surely they will flag the serial and version number as already having a Irish Subscription on it. Also how is the card activated if you do not give a version and serial number, do you have to call the helpline again when you receive the card?

modrover

Contacted Free2view.tv yesterday evening, and opted for option 2. Asked a very pleasant spokeswoman if my 2nd generation card that was issued by the BBC about a year ago will continue to work after Xmas 2003 or would I have to order one of the new cards.
She stated that Yes my card will continue to work after the Xmas deadline.She stated that it will be good until 2005.:D

speedbird1

Can anyone confirm if replacement FTV cards are matched to original
Sky box ( I gave existing sky card number when ordering.)
I order two cards over the internet one for self and one for
a friend. One card arrived from UK contact today but when I put it
in my own ex-UK sky box it would not work. It said " initalizing card"
then reverted to previous message re non subscription card.
I guess it must be the card for my friends box ???
As regards first time cards, the ones that need to be activated
via phone call surley they are not matched to any particular box. ??

Has anyone tried one of the above in an out of contract ROI box ??
It would be interesting to see what would happen when it was
activated. !!!
Thank everyone for the informative postings on this subject.