Sky box has spillage

pookiesboo

This morning I went to put on TV, it stayed on for about two minutes and then went off. Discovered something spilled on top of sky box and then I heard a crackling sound and a burning smell coming from sky box. Was on the phone to sky for 45 minutes and it could take over 10 days before engineer comes. I have an old sky box (new one is hd) but the old one isn't. She said i cant receive sky through this box, is there any way around this? Don't think i can do without TV for a fortnight.

Gerry Wicklow

The old box should still give you the free to air channels while you're waiting.

pookiesboo

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

The old box should still give you the free to air channels while you're waiting.

There's no remote to the old one though so cant tune in other channels.

muffler

Maybe buy one on Adverts.ie

You should pick up a reasonably good Sky+ HD box for around €50. You just need to ring Sky to have the card paired with the box.

pookiesboo

muffler wrote: »

Maybe buy one on Adverts.ie

You should pick up a reasonably good Sky+ HD box for around €50. You just need to ring Sky to have the card paired with the box.

Thanks I've been looking so fingers crossed. I'm going through TV withdrawals already and its only been a couple of hours!

muffler

Is your telly fairly new? If it is there is a possibility that you may get the FTA channels by just plugging one of the satellite cables directly into the back of the telly. Its just a thought but worth checking out if you have a look at the spec.

Firewalkwithme

I think Sky boxes are paired to the card you use so you should check with sky before you go and buy a used one. They may or may not be able to pair your card to the box you buy.

Also, shops like Eurogiant (Euro 2) sell remotes that will work with your old Sky box in the meantime.

Firewalkwithme

muffler wrote: »

Is your telly fairly new? If it is there is a possibility that you may get the FTA channels by just plugging one of the satellite cables directly into the back of the telly. Its just a thought but worth checking out if you have a look at the spec.

The tv would need a satellite tuner in it for that to work and I would think that is unlikely.

Are you confusing this with Saorview / Freeview? If so, you don't plug the sat cable into the tv, it's a normal antenna.

The tv probably only has a coax connaction anyway.

pookiesboo

muffler wrote: »

Is your telly fairly new? If it is there is a possibility that you may get the FTA channels by just plugging one of the satellite cables directly into the back of the telly. Its just a thought but worth checking out if you have a look at the spec.

only bought the telly in December so Il get my oh to have a look at it when he gets in from work or knowing my luck I'll end up blowing up the place.

muffler

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

I think Sky boxes are paired to the card you use so you should check with sky before you go and buy a used one. They may or may not be able to pair your card to the box you buy.

They can be paired all the time unless there was outstanding money due on the box owners (seller) Sky account or it was stolen etc.

There's a couple of good sellers on Adverts including one shop so it should be safe buying from them. I would avoid private sellers with little or no feedback.

pookiesboo

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

The tv would need a satellite tuner in it for that to work and I would think that is unlikely.

Are you confusing this with Saorview / Freeview? If so, you don't plug the sat cable into the tv, it's a normal antenna.

The tv probably only has a coax connaction anyway.

Hopefully it might work, cant do without telly for two weeks which is a joke.

Firewalkwithme

pookiesboo wrote: »

Hopefully it might work, cant do without telly for two weeks which is a joke.

Well as I said, you can just but the 2 euro remote control in the meantime and use it with your old sky box so at least you have something.

muffler

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

Are you confusing this with Saorview / Freeview? If so, you don't plug the sat cable into the tv, it's a normal antenna.

The tv probably only has a coax connaction anyway.

No, my own is FTA compatible as is my sons and Im aware (from reading other threads here) that quite a few sets have the satellite tuner built in these days.

Firewalkwithme

muffler wrote: »

No, my own is FTA compatible as is my sons and Im aware (from reading other threads here) that quite a few sets have the satellite tuner built in these days.

Fair enough, it's worth having a look at it so, would be easier than setting up the old Sky box and having to buy a remote as a stop gap before the HD box is replaced.

pookiesboo

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

Well as I said, you can just but the 2 euro remote control in the meantime and use it with your old sky box so at least you have something.

Thanks, will come to that I'd say

pookiesboo

muffler wrote: »

No, my own is FTA compatible as is my sons and Im aware (from reading other threads here) that quite a few sets have the satellite tuner built in these days.

Sorry I'm having a blonde moment but how would I know its FTA compatible?

Firewalkwithme

pookiesboo wrote: »

Sorry I'm having a blonde moment but how would I know its FTA compatible?

Take a look at the back of the tv and if there is a connection that has the same screw in type as your satellite cable (not the round smoothe edged one that's used for and aeriel), then attach the cable and take a look at your tv manual for instructions on how to tune it in.

If you can't find the manual, search for it online by useing the model code.

Mountjoy Mugger

pookiesboo wrote: »

Sorry I'm having a blonde moment but how would I know its FTA compatible?

See if there's a connection similar to the attached on the back on the TV.

pookiesboo

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

Take a look at the back of the tv and if there is a connection that has the same screw in type as your satellite cable (not the round smoothe edged one that's used for and aeriel), then attach the cable and take a look at your tv manual for instructions on how to tune it in.

If you can't find the manual, search for it online by useing the model code.

Thanks, bought in Argos and just checked online there it says in the specs "Freeview digital tuner and saorview digital tuner". Does that mean I should be able to do it? Sorry for wrecking heads!

Mountjoy Mugger

No - you need freesat (or mention of a satellite tuner), I'm afraid.

Firewalkwithme

pookiesboo wrote: »

Thanks, bought in Argos and just checked online there it says in the specs "Freeview digital tuner and saorview digital tuner". Does that mean I should be able to do it? Sorry for wrecking heads!

Doesn't sound like it will work from that since there is no mention of a satellite tuner but you will be able to get the Irish channels with an aeriel and depending on where you live, you might get the UK Freeview channels too.

For the Freesat channels, you will need to use the old sky box

pookiesboo

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

No - you need freesat (or mention of a satellite tuner), I'm afraid.

of course not! Ah well, thanks for all the help guys!

radiowaves

pookiesboo wrote: »

There's no remote to the old one though so cant tune in other channels.

Your Sky HD remote can control your older Digibox.

Do this on the remote:

Press TV
Hold Yellow and Select until LED flashes twice
Press 0
Press Select
Press Sky