Sky Alternative

impega1 · 08-12-2025 03:30PM #1

Hi All

I have read through a few discussions here but think I am more confused than when I started.

trying to get replacement setup for my mam who was paying Sky a fortune each month for basic pack & HD.

Anyways that is being cancelled - just checking alternatives - she currently has Sky Q (looks to be 4 connectors on the little box on the dish outside) - can I get a freeview/freesat box and plug it in or do I need to change the box on the dish too?

Just basic free tv channels will do - have saorview just she is missing BBC1 and BBC2

Thanks

swoofer · 08-12-2025 04:07PM

what you need is a box that is easy to operate so go to Amazon uk and with prime you get free delivery and you can send it back etc. the one you want is the 4k one as all you have to do is take the connections off the sky a box and use them on the freesat box. It’s 262 euro but brand new . To set it up you enter a uk post code if you enter a London code you get bbc London and if you enter a Manchester one you get bbc north. You get the idea, if you enter Northern Ireland you get NI BBC1 etc.

it’s that’s simple everything is automatic from there on in.

if still confused post back.

a freesat box will be slightly cheaper but you will have to access dish and take off lnb cables, won’t be easy, not worth it.

muffler · 08-12-2025 04:07PM

Does she record or use the catchup features? If not there are lots of cheap boxes out there that will get the UK channels. The one thing you will possibly have to do is change the lnb on the dish. I'm not very familiar with these things but others will keep you right.

Acosta · 08-12-2025 04:14PM

Check out the Soarview/UK free view combi box options. I'd probably do that myself and get rid of Sky, if it wasn't for the sports.

impega1 · 08-12-2025 05:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124053120#Comment_124053120

thanks

no she doesn't need record or catch up. its just to watch pointless, countryfile and antiques roadshow on bbc

hoping not to have to go near the dish on the side of house

impega1 · 08-12-2025 05:12PM

thanks @swoofer what box should I be looking at ?

swoofer · 08-12-2025 05:57PM

it's this one

Freesat Recordable 4K TV Box 500GB

go to amazon and put it in search. Its £220 stg but my ipad showed euro €262.

impega1 · 08-12-2025 06:16PM

Thanks @swoofer it's bit pricey. Doesn't need recording functionality

The Cush · 08-12-2025 06:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124053310#Comment_124053310

Only the Freesat boxes work with the SkyQ LNB feed from the dish.

Depending on the age of the LNB you might have to go to the dish to swap cables.

SkyQ LNBs in recent years have 2 fixed SkyQ outputs and 2 fixed legacy outputs. So if you want to use the existing two cables for non-SkyQ/Freesat receiver then the cables you will most likely have swap outputs on the LNB.