Can't access Other Channels on skybox

tony1kenobi

Hi folks. I searched the forum but can't find a solution to this one. I got a second skybox in for the free channels but I can't access "other channels". I can add channels and store them but when I go to other channels I get the "insert sky viewing card" message. Any idea why this is and how to remedy it? It's the UK listings so I have no channel 4 or 5 on it and there are a few other channels I'd like to put on it aswell. All help appreciated!.

FreedomJoe

You need a card, try inserting a real card or a dummy card, i.e a creditcard.

steveon

what channels are you trying to put in the other channels section??? If its an english box i.e. 101 = BBC1 then all the channels you can view for free have a channel no...and so dont need to be added to extra channels..

tony1kenobi

Yea 101 is bbc one and so on...it doesn't have channel 4 on it. I tried the credit card thing but then it defaulted to the Irish EPG (Rte one on 101 etc.) and when I tried to go to other channels I got message "there seems to be a problem with your viewing card...." or something like that. I have a box in the kitchen with no card and that lets me access the other channels. Just hoping it is something that has a quick fix. It isn't even that big of a deal. I just think if one box does it the other should too. Any thoughts?

fat-tony

steveon wrote: »

what channels are you trying to put in the other channels section??? If its an english box i.e. 101 = BBC1 then all the channels you can view for free have a channel no...and so dont need to be added to extra channels..

Hey steveon - you've come back! Tony, Watty and I are having a debate as to why CH4 does or doesn't appear on position 104 on the EPG when you take the card out. I suggested it might be because of an "english" box, but Tony tells me there is no such thing... it's the card that is relevant. I'm stumped as I can't get CH4 on 104 on either my HD box(Thomson), SKY+ box (Pace) or other SKY box (Panasonic), when I remove the viewing card. What's the secret

byte

Not relevant to this thread.

On topic...

boyzie

Not sure if it's the same thing,but even with my old card it took 2 or 3 days to update so I could get all the "free" channels.

watty

tony1kenobi wrote: »

Hi folks. I searched the forum but can't find a solution to this one. I got a second skybox in for the free channels but I can't access "other channels". I can add channels and store them but when I go to other channels I get the "insert sky viewing card" message. Any idea why this is and how to remedy it? It's the UK listings so I have no channel 4 or 5 on it and there are a few other channels I'd like to put on it aswell. All help appreciated!.

If the PIN featue is used (even indirectly by "remove Adult Channels" from EPG listing), then the box needs a real sky card and known PIN to access "Other Channels".

You usually can't get C4 on EPG 104 without a real UK card and often can't access "Other channels" without real card and known PIN.

For folks generally, try this to get UK EPG (less 104 & 105):
1) Put Irish Sky card in (from other box or borrowed)*
2) Go Sky News 501
3) Press red for interactive
4) Wait till it's loaded and unplug card
5) Press "backup"
6) Don't re-insert any card. Ignore error messages.

This will have to be repeated anytime the box loses power. Standby should be OK.

*I've not tried this with a blank card. It doesn't work with no card. The Irish card doesn't need to be paired with box or even subscribed.

Basically since a few software upgraded ago, it's nearly impossible to use "Other Channels" at power on via different satellite or without card (as PIN is tied to card, not box).

An additional "Gotcha" is that if a card was a replacement ever for the original
type card or a replacement for broken/lost card the PIN is NOT the last 4 digits of the card, but the PIN of the PREVIOUS card, proving that the box does "remember" cards when an upgrade card for the same account is supplied. I've "upgraded" an Irish and a UK replacement cards on the SAME digibox and even on a different Digibox the PIN of BOTH cards is the respective PIN of the previous IRL and UK cards. Neither old or new cards nor IRL or UK cards ever paired to either Digibox! Pairing is only needed for Premium Channels.

steveon

On and off the net at the moment as been working flat out, you can get Ch4 on 104 if you insert a Uk viewing card and then remove it, it will remain on 104 and remain un-encrypted..

Think they are finally free from the 18th of this month so they mite appear on the epg after that date

tony1kenobi

watty wrote: »

If the PIN featue is used (even indirectly by "remove Adult Channels" from EPG listing), then the box needs a real sky card and known PIN to access "Other Channels".
I've not tried this with a blank card. It doesn't work with no card. The Irish card doesn't need to be paired with box or even subscribed.

Do I need to keep the card in the box or will this just free up the other channels?

What I mean is, if I put my subscription card into the box, can I access other channels then remove the card, allowing me to access other channels from then on?

Or is there even any kind of reset option?