What to do with old sky box?

gebbel

I had Sky+ installed yesterday and the engineer didn't take away the old box (Pace DS445NB). If they don't want it back, is it any use? Can it be used for freesat? Any tips welcome

mjsmyth

You can't use it for the BBC/ITV service Freesat, but you can get all the free channels with it that are available on Astra/Eurobird @ 28.2/.5

Basically, if you got Sky+, then chances are you have a quad lnb on your dish. Run another cable from a spare conection to where evere you are going to use the receiver and voila, bbc, itv, channel 4 and all the other free channels.

MJ

niceirishfella

keep it for a spare for blokes like me who may need it eventually. Secondhand its worth up to 80bucks

wil

2 uses come immediately to mind.
As a receiver to show all the free channels in another room.
As a receiver to show UK epg with the extra free ITV BBC channels not available from epg in ROI land.

Just connect it to one of the extra outputs on your dish lnb

Essentially you can receive Freesat/Freesat from Sky with exception of HD channels. You get the Sky epg, you wont get whatever (BBC) Freesat epg is being beamed out but you wont be aware you are not getting that as you have Sky epg.

gebbel

mjsmyth wrote: »

You can't use it for the BBC/ITV service Freesat, but you can get all the free channels with it that are available on Astra/Eurobird @ 28.2/.5

wil wrote: »

Just connect it to one of the extra outputs on your dish lnb

Essentially you can receive Freesat/Freesat from Sky with exception of HD channels.

Can you tell me how many such Freesat channels (from Sky) I would receive?

Also the original Sky card was transferred to the Sky+ box...would I need to get another card?

Thanks

wil

Well I have about 50 worthwhile channels in my Favourites.
(incl all the BBCs ITVs 4's True Movies, Zone Channels, Kids, Travel, Music, News etc, NO Shopping or Trash on my list)
And Ch4 in the Other channels (not on Sky epg)

You only need to buy new card if you want the pay channels.
You will need either new sub or multiroom with phonelines connected.

gebbel

wil wrote: »

Well I have about 50 worthwhile channels in my Favourites.
(incl all the BBCs ITVs 4's True Movies, Zone Channels, Kids, Travel, Music, News etc, NO Shopping or Trash on my list)
And Ch4 in the Other channels (not on Sky epg)

And this is free? No Sky card in the box?

John mac

yup
may have to put an old call card or the like in the slot (im not sure)
but all free:D:D:D

wil

John mac wrote: »

yup
may have to put an old call card or the like in the slot (im not sure)
but all free:D:D:D

:eek:I wouldnt recommend that.
Just leave box unplugged without card and it will eventually revert to the default UK epg. Or use the upside down card trick you will find explained in the stickies somewhere.

Anyway, yes they are all free and no card required.:)

And if you speak other languages you might find more channels of interest.

watty

mjsmyth wrote: »

You can't use it for the BBC/ITV service Freesat, but you can get all the free channels with it that are available on Astra/Eurobird @ 28.2/.5

MJ

Eh?

It won't do the FreeSat EPG, but it has SKy UK EPG and does do all Freesat channels except HD.

No card needed.

Some boxes need the card removed while you are in Sky Interactive to switch to UK EPG.

wil

Hein?
Déjà vu