Buying an old Sky box to pick up Free To Air

Dats_rite

Hi All,

Just moved into a new house.  The old owner had sky and a subscription so the satellite on the house works etc.

I don't want to get a sky Subscription.  I just want to get Free to air - RTE, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc.  I don't even care about recording etc.

If I buy an old sky box from ebay and plug it in what are the chances it will work? Or am I being too simplistic and missing something.

Thanks.

Agent Smith

Dats_rite wrote: »

Hi All,

Just moved into a new house.  The old owner had sky and a subscription so the satellite on the house works etc.

I don't want to get a sky Subscription.  I just want to get Free to air - RTE, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc.  I don't even care about recording etc.

If I buy an old sky box from ebay and plug it in what are the chances it will work? Or am I being too simplistic and missing something.

Thanks.

get this,

http://www.satellite.ie/acatalog/Ariva-153-combo-box-Free-to-air-HD-Freesat-and-Saorview-Ariva153Combo.html#SID=1


You wont get RTE on an old sky box. (its encrypted)

With the attached box, you'll get the UK free channels, plus the irish channels via saorview

Agent Smith

Agent Smith wrote: »

get this,

http://www.satellite.ie/acatalog/Ariva-153-combo-box-Free-to-air-HD-Freesat-and-Saorview-Ariva153Combo.html#SID=1


You wont get RTE on an old sky box. (its encrypted)

With the attached box, you'll get the UK free channels, plus the irish channels via saorview

Or ebay for a freesat /saorview combo box.

Dats_rite

Agent Smith wrote: »

Dats_rite wrote: »

Hi All,

Just moved into a new house.  The old owner had sky and a subscription so the satellite on the house works etc.

I don't want to get a sky Subscription.  I just want to get Free to air - RTE, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc.  I don't even care about recording etc.

If I buy an old sky box from ebay and plug it in what are the chances it will work? Or am I being too simplistic and missing something.

Thanks.

get this,

http://www.satellite.ie/acatalog/Ariva-153-combo-box-Free-to-air-HD-Freesat-and-Saorview-Ariva153Combo.html#SID=1


You wont get RTE on an old sky box. (its encrypted)

With the attached box, you'll get the UK free channels, plus the irish channels via saorview

Thanks for the reply.

Having a look at the details it says I will need a small aerial to watch Saorview.  Any idea what this is? I don't have an aerial on the roof, I assumed all the channels came in via the dish.

Cheers

Agent Smith

Dats_rite wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Having a look at the details it says I will need a small aerial to watch Saorview.  Any idea what this is? I don't have an aerial on the roof, I assumed all the channels came in via the dish.

Cheers

If you live relativity close to a city, Rabbit ear's will be able to pick up Irish stations.

lawred2

Agent Smith wrote: »

If you live relativity close to a city, Rabbit ear's will be able to pick up Irish stations.

not guaranteed

Dats_rite

Agent Smith wrote: »

Dats_rite wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Having a look at the details it says I will need a small aerial to watch Saorview.  Any idea what this is? I don't have an aerial on the roof, I assumed all the channels came in via the dish.

Cheers

If you live relativity close to a city, Rabbit ear's will be able to pick up Irish stations.

North Donegal....So definitely not guaranteed!

Johnboy1951

Dats_rite wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Having a look at the details it says I will need a small aerial to watch Saorview.  Any idea what this is? I don't have an aerial on the roof, I assumed all the channels came in via the dish.

Cheers

If you pay Sky for the privilege you get the Saorview channels, otherwise stick up an aerial somewhere handy (I have mine on a gable wall) so that it can point to the nearest mast and use a combi-box as has been suggested.
Are you close to a Saorview mast? Something less than an outdoor aerial might do if you are.

Attempting to use an old Sky box for FTA will soon provide you with a lesson in frustration

You might be able to find a used Ariva 120 combi-box for sale if cost is a large factor.
The Ariva 153 is a newer model which has the same functions and some extras.

decor58

Dats_rite wrote:

I don't want to get a sky Subscription. I just want to get Free to air - RTE, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc. I don't even care about recording etc.

How old is your tv, if it has a digital tuner you may be able to get Saorview, being in North Donegal you may be able to get freeview, check the spec on your tv, both need an aerial rather than a dish.
As for the sky box the older sd boxes pick up the fta channels, in a reasonable order, (put the fta channels on a favourite list) the hd boxes are another matter.

winston_1

Dats_rite wrote: »

Agent Smith wrote: »

Dats_rite wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Having a look at the details it says I will need a small aerial to watch Saorview.  Any idea what this is? I don't have an aerial on the roof, I assumed all the channels came in via the dish.

Cheers

If you live relativity close to a city, Rabbit ear's will be able to pick up Irish stations.

North Donegal....So definitely not guaranteed!

Particularly as so called rabbits ears are VHF aerials for FM and DAB radio and are unsuitable for UHF TV.

winston_1

Dats_rite wrote: »

Agent Smith wrote: »

Dats_rite wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Having a look at the details it says I will need a small aerial to watch Saorview.  Any idea what this is? I don't have an aerial on the roof, I assumed all the channels came in via the dish.

Cheers

If you live relativity close to a city, Rabbit ear's will be able to pick up Irish stations.

North Donegal....So definitely not guaranteed!

Particularly as so called rabbits ears are VHF aerials for FM and DAB radio and are unsuitable for UHF TV.

Capt'n Midnight

Use your TV to pick up Terrestrial Channels and a Freesat box for the UK stuff. Use a universal remote or get a freesat box with one to make life handy.

Nearest you''ll get to full SKY ease of setup is a Freesat box
you'll pick up one new or second hand across the border.

Real Freesat boxes just work. Series link , proper RPG easy to use.
Linux boxes offer more features but are trickier to setup.