Two NTL boxes, one subscription. Is it possible.....

Noobsaibot21

Hi all,

I admit i'm a bit of a noob when it comes to this type of thing so this question will probably sound pretty dumb.

When i moved out of the house I was renting and back into my parents, I brought along my NTL digital set top box. MY subscription is closed/cancelled/whatever and my dad has a current subscription in the front room. Is there any way of using the second digibox in the backroom with just my dad's account? As far as i know, you have to buy an extra box from NTL to do that generally but I already have a box. Would i need to buy a card for both boxes?

Also, i've heard of a Freeview service in the UK which has BBC, ITV ect... through a special set top box (and i don't think you even need a card). Does this work through NTL boxes?

Finally, Is this question okay to ask?

Many thanks,
Noobsaibot21

watty

ASk NTL :-)

You don't buy an NTL card either. They "loan" it while you have a subscription. For encrypted channels, both boxes need legitimate NTL cards. NTL may let you have your second box for basic channels. Ask them. Some of the basic channels do work without a card.

In Ireland it is an offence (theft) to have pay TV you are not entitled to , so don't take opinion of anyone including me, but do ask NTL.

The NTL boxes are only for Cable.
Digital Cable, Digital Terrestrial and Digital Satellite use different frequency bands and different modulation schemes. So the NTL boxes do not work for UK Freeview wihich is Digital Terrestrial.

Nor do they work for Satellite.

You don't ever own Cable TV boxes. You pay for install and you pay a subscription. The box generally belongs to the Cable TV company. No subscription = no channels.

On Freeview or Satellite (with or without Sky) you can get most or many channels with no subscription. Even with Sky you own the box, though there is usually a minimum contract period. With Satellite you can get the Free "Sky" channels without a Sky box. Such a concept does not exist on Cable.

Noobsaibot21

Hello,

Thanks for that rather knowledgeable answer. I guess i'll ask NTL. There's an NTL van across the road every 2 days - I'll ask him/her

I have a Grundig Sky digital box and satellite dish from way back. It hasn't been set up since long before Free to Air digital. The last time i had it set up, the likes of BBC and MTV went when we ended our subscription and we only had a few channels like Game Network. We have channels like BBC 1+2, Sky One, Paramount ect... on teresterial TV anyway. Do you think that these channels would be unlocked (free to air) on the Sky digibox since we unhooked it?

Regards,
Noobsaibot21

watty

Yes. much better quality then NTL
See
http://bytelive.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Free+To+Air+on+Sky

on our ICDGopedia!

paulm17781

Have you tried it yet? Hooking up the box would probably be the best way to find out.

snaps

A mirror sub from your dads account is only an extra €5 a month.