Cheap satellite box with EPG?

my3cents

I was just looking on Amazon for a neighbor because their old Sky box that they used for FTA stuff without a subscription has packed up (picture is fine but sound has stopped working) and their are just too many choices.

So any recommendations for something cheap that has the channel guide for FTA stuff the same as the old Sky box, or do they all have an EPG of some sort now?

keepalive213

Freesat box probably best bet, good epg and no tuning, just type in UK postcode. They start from around e100
Generic sat receivers can be hit or miss.
No sound could be loose or damaged scart btw

mikeecho

Freesat box can be got for about €60, if you want one that records, it'll be more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?k=Freesat+

Just make sure that it's says "Freesat"

For a full list of channels check out Freesat.co.uk

my3cents

keepalive213 wrote: »

Freesat box probably best bet, good epg and no tuning, just type in UK postcode. They start from around e100
Generic sat receivers can be hit or miss.
No sound could be loose or damaged scart btw

Wish it was the scart cable, swapped that over and replaced everything before discovering the real problem. User had messed badly with the dish so I had replaced everything before getting to the bottom of the problem

He's up and running with an another old Sky box he has borrowed only it needs to be returned sometime as that box is used to watch football in another mates shabeen.

Its one of those "budget" jobs for a non techie he's been told he only need to spend 50 quid max for a box which was one of the reasons for looking for advice.

So far I'm looking at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-SX-Freesat-HD-Box/dp/B07CD8GHFF/ as about as good as I can get for 50 quid.

mikeecho

my3cents wrote: »

Wish it was the scart cable, swapped that over and replaced everything before discovering the real problem. User had messed badly with the dish so I had replaced everything before getting to the bottom of the problem

He's up and running with an another old Sky box he has borrowed only it needs to be returned sometime as that box is used to watch football in another mates shabeen.

Its one of those "budget" jobs for a non techie he's been told he only need to spend 50 quid max for a box which was one of the reasons for looking for advice.

So far I'm looking at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-SX-Freesat-HD-Box/dp/B07CD8GHFF/ as about as good as I can get for 50 quid.

It's cheap and cheerful, and the reviews are good.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-SX-Freesat-HD-Box/product-reviews/B07CD8GHFF

I'd say that the Manhattan SX will do what you need it to do.

keepalive213

That's a great deal

digitaldr

Second hand Sky HD boxes can be had for around €20 - just look on adverts or Donedeal. I have a Humax freesat PVR 1100s and TBH menus are slower and not as intuitive as sky although the picture is better.

my3cents

digitaldr wrote: »

Second hand Sky HD boxes can be had for around €20 - just look on adverts or Donedeal. I have a Humax freesat PVR 1100s and TBH menus are slower and not as intuitive as sky although the picture is better.

Thanks, thats an option that has been suggested to my neighbor so the balls in his court. If he wants me too I'll get the box linked to above from Amazon but I'm not spending my time chasing around after a S/H unit.

I did however buy myself one of these GTMEDIA V8 Satellite Finder so next time I need to sort out my or any of my neighbors dishes I won't have to change everything if the problem is the box itself. If anyone has any questions on that device fire away, essentially its just a satellite box and TV all in one so you can see check you are going to get a picture by actually seeing it on the screen when stood on top of ladders moving the dish around.