Advantage of sky box over FTA reciever

brightkane

Hi folks,

I am looking to put a sencond box into a bed room as i have sky already installed downstairs.
I have a quad lnb also for the dish.

My questions is, whats the advantages/disadvantages of getting a FTA reciever as the 2nd box, or can i just get a cheap 2nd hand sky box from adverts and use it as my 2nd box.

Thanks

GerardKeating

brightkane wrote: »

Hi folks,

I am looking to put a sencond box into a bed room as i have sky already installed downstairs.
I have a quad lnb also for the dish.

My questions is, whats the advantages/disadvantages of getting a FTA reciever as the 2nd box, or can i just get a cheap 2nd hand sky box from adverts and use it as my 2nd box.

Thanks

A generic FTA box only has now/next rather than the Full 7 day EPG one would get with a 2nd hand sky box, and no need to update it if stations change transponder etc.

But the FTA box will allow you to re-order the station and not have to navigate past all the subscriptions stations you do not have access to

The best options is proper FreeSat box with the 7 day EPG.

montgolfiere

to my mind a 'cheap' second hand digibox is the best option.
regarding 'favourites' , you can always set them up and then only view them thru the TV Guide and blue button.
The Skyman

gamer

SKY BOX has a full epg and gets rte,tv3 tg4 etc My pal got philex fta box it has 100 favourites,NO epg at all, So far he cant tune in rte 1,2 ,tv3 ,it has no uhf out so it can only watched on one tv at a time unless he gets a remote video sender.
I PRESUME you can buy sat4free freesat recievers with epg program guide etc
see www.powercity.ie freesat recievers.
I DONT know if a freesAT box can recieve irish stations since freesat broadcasts from astra d 28.2 degrees.IT may just be setup for british official freesat channels.

sesswhat

gamer wrote: »

SKY BOX has a full epg and gets rte,tv3 tg4 etc

Not without subscription.

kbell

gamer wrote: »

SKY BOX has a full epg and gets rte,tv3 tg4 etc My pal got philex fta box it has 100 favourites,NO epg at all, So far he cant tune in rte 1,2 ,tv3 ,it has no uhf out so it can only watched on one tv at a time unless he gets a remote video sender.
I PRESUME you can buy sat4free freesat recievers with epg program guide etc
see www.powercity.ie freesat recievers.
I DONT know if a freesAT box can recieve irish stations since freesat broadcasts from astra d 28.2 degrees.IT may just be setup for british official freesat channels.

If you haven't a clue what you are talking about then don't post here.
People are looking for good informed, advise and help not rubbish.

snaps

If you do get a second hand sky digibox, dont get a grundig as it wont show the uk epg channels when it has no card in it. (EG BBC 1 on 101, BBC 2 on 102)

I personally would suggest a freesat box (Would have to buy from uk), Red button, full epg etc.

slave1

I DONT know if a freesAT box can recieve irish stations

No Irish channels now and highly unlikely going forward

linky

snaps

On the Freesat note, ive been looking on the argos.co.uk site, some real bargins.

Bush HD receiver £67
Standard SD receiver £48

Ive a Bush Freesat receiver in the bedroom, fantastic bit of kit for what i paid for it.

Didnt realise sagem are now making freesat receivers/Pvrs.

montgolfiere

snaps wrote: »

If you do get a second hand sky digibox, dont get a grundig as it wont show the uk epg channels when it has no card in it. (EG BBC 1 on 101, BBC 2 on 102)

I personally would suggest a freesat box (Would have to buy from uk), Red button, full epg etc.

All Sky standard digiboxes work in the same way and will show all the channels in the same manner, unless of course they are faulty!!! when they can show such symptons.
I am sure the problem with your Grundig Digibox is a 'fault' to your particular digibox( the capacitors in the power supply 'failing'). This fault can be remedied fairly easily, but of course requires skill in the soldering department!!
so it may be wise to avoid buying this particular make unless you know that this fault has been resolved. They are actually a good receiver apart from this weakness
I would personally reccomend the Pace DS430N or Amstrad 550 as a couple of good models to look for!!
The Skyman

brightkane

Cheers for the replies folks,

to recap, a good free sat will have the uk epg and wont show channels that I cant get,

a sky box will have all the non subscribed channels but i can use the favourites.

And With the sky box I dont need a sky card to get the free, and for the irish channels just a rabbit ears if needed?

John mac

yup.

snaps

brightkane wrote: »

Cheers for the replies folks,

to recap, a good free sat will have the uk epg and wont show channels that I cant get,

a sky box will have all the non subscribed channels but i can use the favourites.

And With the sky box I dont need a sky card to get the free, and for the irish channels just a rabbit ears if needed?

With some of the FTA channels on a skybox you have to put them in the other channels section on the menu. A bit long winded. Freesat receiver i think is your best choice. If you have a spare lnb output you can get a decent twin tuner freesat pvr for 200£

snaps

montgolfiere wrote: »

All Sky standard digiboxes work in the same way and will show all the channels in the same manner, unless of course they are faulty!!! when they can show such symptons.
I am sure the problem with your Grundig Digibox is a 'fault' to your particular digibox( the capacitors in the power supply 'failing'). This fault can be remedied fairly easily, but of course requires skill in the soldering department!!
so it may be wise to avoid buying this particular make unless you know that this fault has been resolved. They are actually a good receiver apart from this weakness
I would personally reccomend the Pace DS430N or Amstrad 550 as a couple of good models to look for!!
The Skyman

Ive got 2 Grundig skyboxes that wont show the UK epg with no card in. With a FTV card in they are fine.

brightkane

Dont need an expansive option as it wont be used that often,
have some money in my paypal account and was looking at this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300365990902&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

seems ok?

montgolfiere

snaps wrote: »

With some of the FTA channels on a skybox you have to put them in the other channels section on the menu. A bit long winded. Freesat receiver i think is your best choice. If you have a spare lnb output you can get a decent twin tuner freesat pvr for 200£

only Channel 5 and Channel4+1 have to be manually added to a SKY Box. in fact many more FTA Channels have to be added to a Freesat box!!!

there are different benefits to both systems, but in my humble opinion :

if requiring just the FTA Standard channels go for a 'Cheapie' Sky Box as it does provide more channels on the EPG.
If requiring HD or Recording go for a Freesat HD or HDR
the skyman

montgolfiere

brightkane wrote: »

Dont need an expansive option as it wont be used that often,
have some money in my paypal account and was looking at this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300365990902&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

seems ok?

Looks a good Deal!!
the Skyman