UPC Digibox - I no longer have UPC - Have I *any* use now for the box?

whirlpool

My previous post was answered, so now I'm wondering something else. Is there anything at all (tv-channels-receiving/recording related) I can use the Digibox for? Or is it entirely useless without a UPC subscription? (UPC have been telling me for two years that they'll collect it off me, but they never do.)

This is the UPC box that I have:










Original Post:
I'm in south county Galway and there is a UPC(NTL) Aerial on my roof from which we used to receive NTL Digital.

I have my UPC Digibox from 2007, but I'm not longer with UPC. The box has been out of action for about two years now. It still works, and I can connect it to the tv to watch digital recordings.

Does anyone know: Can I watch freeview channels on this the way you can on the Sky Digibox?

Also, does anybody know much about the physical setup of the cables etc? I have a little black box, with one white cable coming out saying "TV" and one beside it coming out saying "Antenna." Then, coming out from the other side is a plug and beside that coming out is the opposite end of an electrical cable which goes into some device. Anybody know what device this is meant to go into??

Cheers.

djimi

No you cant watch freeview channels on UPC. The Sky dish points at the same satellite as freeview so that is why you can pick up the channels without a viewing card (a lot of the channels on Sky are actually freeview). UPC works off a different system.

whirlpool

Cheers for that info!

whirlpool

Post updated to ask new question!

Fresh Pots

Completely useless without a sub I'm afraid.

djimi

Im surprised they havent tried to charge you for not returning it by now tbh, but if they keep saying theyll collect it then theyre obviously not that bothered!

whirlpool

djimi wrote: »

Im surprised they havent tried to charge you for not returning it by now tbh, but if they keep saying theyll collect it then theyre obviously not that bothered!

When my subscription ended in May 2008, they said they'd collect it. Instead of collecting it, they (3 weeks later) took €160 from my bank account. I rang up and got it sorted. However, two years later and numerous requests to get them to collect it from me, I still have it.

djimi

Their loss I guess!

watty

It's their box and useless for anything other than UPC subscription cable.

Satellilte is a different system with many free channels and people own the Sky box from day1, though on a 6mth or 1 year minimum contract. (shorter than 1 year only for subscribers that already have a sky box).

UPC may often not remove a box at once in case you renew, as then that saves them money and you can get re-connected faster. But it's always their box.

whirlpool

Cheers, watty.