Can't view other channels on sky box

emmisaro

Hi everyone

I got a secondhand sky box my bedroom to get the freeview channels and have tried installing itv, channel 4 etc but when I then go into other channels it says to insert viewing card. Ive looked up the problem on google and apparently I need the original viewing card to take off a parental lock. As this is a secondhand box, I.don't have the viewing card and was hoping there's a way around it

Digifriendly

emmisaro wrote: »

Hi everyone

I got a secondhand sky box my bedroom to get the freeview channels and have tried installing itv, channel 4 etc but when I then go into other channels it says to insert viewing card. Ive looked up the problem on google and apparently I need the original viewing card to take off a parental lock. As this is a secondhand box, I.don't have the viewing card and was hoping there's a way around it

I would have thought any UK FTV card would unlock these channels.

muffler

You definitely should be able to tune them in and view them in "other channels". Make sure you store them after tuning ...from memory I think its the yellow button you press to store them but it will tell you on screen anyhow.

The problem with most of these boxes is that they are locked into the Irish EPG e.g. RTE1 on 101 etc. As stated above if you get yourself a UK card then that will bring up the UK EPG and you will have BBC1 on 101, BBC2 on 102, ITV1 on 103 etc etc.

Look on Adverts.ie or ebay and you should pick one up for about €5.

icdg

We can't discuss buying or selling of Sky viewing cards here, they are Sky's property

winston_1

emmisaro wrote: »

Hi everyone

I got a secondhand sky box my bedroom to get the freeview channels

You can't get Freeview on a Sky box Freeview is the UK terrestrial service received via an aerial.

muffler

winston_1 wrote: »

You can't get Freeview on a Sky box Freeview is the UK terrestrial service received via an aerial.

Very helpful :rolleyes:

Everyone else knew what the OP meant but instead of offering him some constructive advice your post is just coming across as being dickish which is what we come to expect off you at this stage.

winston_1

muffler wrote: »

Very helpful :rolleyes:

Everyone else knew what the OP meant but instead of offering him some constructive advice your post is just coming across as being dickish which is what we come to expect off you at this stage.

It is important to use correct terms. In some industries people can get killed when incorrect terms are used.

You may be a moderator but swearing at posters is not on.

jca

winston_1 wrote: »

It is important to use correct terms. In some industries people can get killed when incorrect terms are used.

You may be a moderator but swearing at posters is not on.

Are you for real???

icdg

Okay cool it everyone. Winston_1 you are not a moderator here (neither is Muffler, in Cable and Digital). No one has ever gotten killed because an incorrect name was applied to a TV platform. In all the circumstances of the case, and because you've been warned tons of times about your ongoing pendantry, you can take a 48 hour ban and when you come back you can make your contributions more constructive.

danm14

If you call up Setanta Sports, you can ask them for a free viewing card to 'view programming funded under the BAI Sound and Vision Scheme', which they have to send you free of charge. If you DO NOT phone Setanta to activate the card, it'll put BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 etc on 101-105, and you won't need Other Channels.

You can never get any of the Irish channels on that box without subscribing to Sky, but you'll get all the main British channels for free.

lgs 4

Get A Freesat HD box.Your pocket will love you.

StreetLight

The Original Poster is absolutely correct. I bought a second-hand Sky HD box with a UK EPG from a Dublin dealer. I can't add to Other Channels without being told to insert a viewing card.

I also Googled this problem and discovered that I need the Parental Lock PIN code that was set with the original viewing card.

Before the Talking Pictures channel joined the Sky EPG, it was broadcasting Free To Air, but I couldn't add it to Other Channels. Since I couldn't find anything on Google on a workaround, I assume there's nothing I can do.

Johnboy1951

sugarman wrote: »

That has ended and setanta no longer provide viewing cards unless you want to subscribe

The offer is still on their site - I checked the other day.


See the last Subscription Question
http://edit.setanta.com/ie/join-now1/satellite/satellite-faqs/

danm14

Setanta are still getting funding for programming under the Sound and Vision scheme, and are still transmitting it scrambled, so they should still be providing the cards free of charge..... I'd try calling again or asking to speak to a supervisor, I'd say either the people on the phone just aren't aware, or they were told to fob people off as I assume Setanta have to pay to issue the cards and know what most people are using them for isn't Setanta.

ftakeith

danm14 wrote: »

Setanta are still getting funding for programming under the Sound and Vision scheme, and are still transmitting it scrambled, so they should still be providing the cards free of charge..... I'd try calling again or asking to speak to a supervisor, I'd say either the people on the phone just aren't aware, or they were told to fob people off as I assume Setanta have to pay to issue the cards and know what most people are using them for isn't Setanta.

I have now a Setanta card as Sky cut off my tv package

Setanta pack channels are subscription and I still have it

Sir Osis of Liver.

emmisaro wrote: »

Hi everyone

I got a secondhand sky box my bedroom to get the freeview channels and have tried installing itv, channel 4 etc but when I then go into other channels it says to insert viewing card. Ive looked up the problem on google and apparently I need the original viewing card to take off a parental lock. As this is a secondhand box, I.don't have the viewing card and was hoping there's a way around it

Isn't it possible to reset a box to factory settings by holding the "back-up" button while applying power to the box.

jca

Sir Osis of Liver. wrote: »

Isn't it possible to reset a box to factory settings by holding the "back-up" button while applying power to the box.

That isn't reset, it forces the box to download the latest available software. Once the box is made "Irish" I don't think it's possible to make it UK afterwards.

Sir Osis of Liver.

jca wrote: »

That isn't reset, it forces the box to download the latest available software. Once the box is made "Irish" I don't think it's possible to make it UK afterwards.

You may well be right JCA,but anytime I did it(on older boxes,without sat connected) I was left with the English EPG.

StreetLight

Sir Osis of Liver. wrote: »

Isn't it possible to reset a box to factory settings by holding the "back-up" button while applying power to the box.

I tried this just for the hell of it, but no joy :-(

jca

Sir Osis of Liver. wrote: »

You may well be right JCA,but anytime I did it(on older boxes,without sat connected) I was left with the English EPG.

I've never tried it without being connected to the dish. It would be great if it did, although I think it might only work on the older boxes, not the HD box.

Seve OB

StreetLight wrote: »

The Original Poster is absolutely correct. I bought a second-hand Sky HD box with a UK EPG from a Dublin dealer. I can't add to Other Channels without being told to insert a viewing card.

I also Googled this problem and discovered that I need the Parental Lock PIN code that was set with the original viewing card.

Before the Talking Pictures channel joined the Sky EPG, it was broadcasting Free To Air, but I couldn't add it to Other Channels. Since I couldn't find anything on Google on a workaround, I assume there's nothing I can do.

If your box already has a uk epg why would you need to ad other channels?

StreetLight

Seve OB wrote: »

If your box already has a uk epg why would you need to ad other channels?

For channels that are broadcasting Free To Air, but not on the Sky EPG.

Sir Osis of Liver.

StreetLight wrote: »

I tried this just for the hell of it, but no joy :-(

Forgot to mention ,you need to put your card in upsidedown or insert any type of card(bankcard etc).
But as JCA said may only work on the non HD boxes.

Seve OB

StreetLight wrote: »

For channels that are broadcasting Free To Air, but not on the Sky EPG.

What channels are they?