Sky converting SD channels to DVB-S2 - will no longer be viewable on certain older receivers

mackersdublin

Another TP changed from DVB-S to DVB-S2 on Tuesday -

https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/comment/105278148#Comment_105278148

TP 112 https://en.kingofsat.net/tp.php?tp=1239 27500 2/3 DVB-S2 8PSK

Seanh111

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122390202#Comment_122390202

My dad had a Sky SD digibox which I recently replaced with a secondhand Freesat HD box, mainly to keep the BBC channels he had lost.

With the digibox, we were able to watch whatever channel was being watched in the living room on all other TVs in the house by (I think) tuning in an analogue channel. The Freesat box did not have the correct input/output for me to replicate this set up.

I had thought I would be unable to get this back but is a digital multiplexer the solution? Are there any other, ideally cheaper, solutions?

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122740566#Comment_122740566

My brother uses one of these. Read the product reviews.

https://www.freetv.ie/hd-to-rf-modulator/

c2r

It depends what you're after doing really, but a better solution would probably be to get other freesat boxes linked to a quad/octo lnb or quattro LNB linked to a multiswitch unless you need particularly to push the same signal around…

Or you could get RF modulator potentially and use analogue distribution if your freesat box has an appropriate connection..

Seanh111

Thanks for the replies, I fear this may be beyond my technical abilities! Freesat box only has one satellite in connection and one HDMI (plus scart) connection. From research online our previous set up was over an analogue modulator set up and the Sky digibox had an RF in and RF out. The signal was tuned in on other TVs on the analogue and not digital menus. The digital modulators I can find seem to require a HDMI cable running to the other TVs which wouldn't be worth the work personally as those TVs are rarely used.

Quad LNB would be great but again, satellite on other TVs would be nice but not essential so was looking for a quick win, alas.

swoofer

Say the make and model of that freesat box as its quite likely when you use hdmi no output on scart but what you can try is connect a scart lead from the freesat box to the old scart in on sky box and that should output tv signal. But I would need to check that freesat box. There used to be a scart RF modulator but like hens teeth now and with brexit cost an arm and a leg from ebay.

If you are baffled say so.

Seanh111

It's a Bush Freesat HD FSATHD, thank you

swoofer

I checked that box and my idea will work you can have hdmi to tv and scart to old sky box in and it will work as before.

dublinman1990

Some more TPs have been upgraded to DVB-S2 on Sky & Freesat over the past few days.

They are 10936 V 23000 which has all of Channel 4 offshoot +1 channels, Channel 4+1 North & Channel 4+1 Scotland.

The other TP converted to DVB-S2 is 11343 V 27500 which includes channels like PBS America, Talking Pictures etc.

Seanh111

Amazing, thank you I'll try this today!

decor58

Sky has announced it is to end the free sd receiver replacement offer in the next 7 days, those with sd boxes need to take action now. They have also announced that those who have moved from sd to HD boxes, without going through Sky may be cut off, presumably because their records have an sd box registered to the account.

Mickey Mike

After a long time, Channel 4 have moved to DVB S2, Maybe ch5 might move all their channels too before Xmas.

lgs 4

I wish the Great TV would move it's channels to DVB-S2.To improve it's picture quality.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122873020#Comment_122873020

S2 doesn't improve picture quality as such, it increases transponder capacity. It'll be for the channel owner to pay for a higher SD bitrate or convert to HD if capacity is available.

RockOrBog

Are less channels coming in on a FTA scan now, I used to get 370 ish now I get 300 approx?

I'm not sure if the dish has moved slightly or if the ongoing changes mean less repeats etc....

dxhound2005

354 according to KingOfSat.

https://en.kingofsat.net/freqs.php?&pos=28.2E&standard=All&ordre=freq&filtre=Clear

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122879467#Comment_122879467

Some FTA channels are tagged as encrypted and during a scan may not show up as a FTA channel. I wonder if this is an issue with your receiver?

RockOrBog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122879642#Comment_122879642

It is an Amiko mini combo, blind scan/ FTA only... I think my dish may have moved slightly, I must check it when the weather improves.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122880019#Comment_122880019

*FTA only*

If I do a FTA only scan on my satellite TV it will ignore FTA, tagged encrypted, channels and not store them, maybe it differs between receivers.

jc bamford

Since the change over in channel frequencies I have been trying to tune in transponder 11344V to get the ITV+1 channels and a few others. I am getting Level reading of 98% and a Quality reading of 50 to 60%. I am finding the channels but no picture or broken up picture. Reception is fine on other transponders eg BBC channels are fine. I have a standard 60mm Sky dish. If I upgraded to an 80mm dish would it solve the problem? (Sorry if I am jumping in here)

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122881929#Comment_122881929

Yes.

Realigning the existing dish to the weaker transponders could also help.

Mickey Mike

Channels on my sky box is getting less and less, down to ch5, sky news and a few others.

decor58

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122905320#Comment_122905320

I read elsewhere that there are 22 channels still using standard sd.

swoofer

to get them all back you either need a sky hd box with uk card or a free to air box. I have both going spare.

jc bamford

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122883063#Comment_122883063

Advice was spot on. Dish was ok but LNB was off. I rotated it clockwise slightly and moved it as far forward in the bracket as possible. Reception is fine now on all channels. I had replaced the LNB a couple of years ago and obviously didn't do a great job! Thanks again.

FriendlySpider

Where would you get a uk card and would it bring back all the missing channels or do you still have to manually add them?

10000maniacs

Why are people using SD televisions coming towards 2025?

When was the last time an SD television was made? Surely its capacitors are starting to leak.

Truly bizarre.

All channels should be at least HD now.

dxhound2005

A lot of stuff being shown is old. Just now there is a Heartbeat from 1999 on ITV 3 HD, and a NCIS from 2004 on 5 USA. Whole channels are devoted to showing stuff which probably was not filmed in HD.

Joe1919

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122918558#Comment_122918558

I wonder also does the HD channels use more bandwidth than the SD channels and hence perhaps this may be an additional reason to retain some channels on SD ?

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122918820#Comment_122918820

HD bitrate is higher but the changeover to -S2 increases the transponder capacity. The higher bitrate will of course cost more.