Using Sky dish and angle with other satellite box

Andrea B.

New to this so patience would be appreciated.

We have a Sky dish package and need to save a few €'s.

So, if we cancel, as Sky will leave us with dish, what can I expect to receive by using dish as is, and at same angle, by installing a set top box such as this Humax
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Humax-Digital-Satellite-Set-Top/dp/B00264GX40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346939737&sr=8-1 ?

It's an old crt TV, so what extra would I need to receive the Irish channels?

Many thanks for help here.

Chuck Stone

Andrea B. wrote: »

It's an old crt TV, so what extra would I need to receive the Irish channels?

Many thanks for help here.

You're going to need an aerial when you cancel Sky to get the Irish channels - it could range from a rabbit-ears to a chimney mounted one depending on your location/orientation.

If you're not intending to upgrade your TV you might be better off just using the Sky box as a free to air sat receiver and buying a Saorview set top box (from €50ish) with an aerial.

Or you could buy a combo box (from ~€100) which would still require an aerial feed for Saorview allowing you to combine UK and Irish channels on one box (with reduced UK epg).

Andrea B.

Thanks Chuck.
So, Sky do not take back boxes?
We have a Sky+ and a multiroom Sky. So these can be tuned to free-to-air? Is this easy? Sorry, so many questions.

SimonLynch

Got a Ferguson Ariva Combo, Irish channels crystal clear on enhanced rabbit ears in Lacken, loads of channels on Astra satellite too. Austerity TV is OK

Chuck Stone

Andrea B. wrote: »

Thanks Chuck. So, Sky do not take back boxes?

Nope. You own the equipment after you've paid for a years subscription - sat dish, boxes, the lot.

We have a Sky+ and a multiroom Sky. So these can be tuned to free-to-air? Is this easy?

Yep and yep. There's thread here on it I'll try to dig it up for you as I'm not entirely familiar with Sky. You will lose some (crappy imo) channels and some functions of the box but you will still get all the decent UK channels for free.

Sorry, so many questions.

Not at all. Wait for the experts and they will give you definite answers - I'm still learning all this stuff myself.

Edit: Here's a tutorial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYk9T1vNd-Q

Gerry Wicklow

Andrea B. wrote: »

Thanks Chuck.
So, Sky do not take back boxes?
We have a Sky+ and a multiroom Sky. So these can be tuned to free-to-air? Is this easy? Sorry, so many questions.

AFAIK without a sub you will no longer have the + or recording facilities. To see what channels you can get simply remove your card and see whats left.

Andrea B.

Thanks to all. Reset after Chuck's vid and understanding my options better.
Now for some research on Saorview/sat :rolleyes: