Do FTV cards expire?

BuddyList

Hi there

I am new to this FTV card stuff, I am getting one next week and I heard that they get renewed every year so I will have to hassle my friends across the water to get me a new one every year!

Does anyone know if this is true?

Jungle Boy

Is it a freesatfromsky card?
an extract from T&C

If we replace Viewing Cards within 3 years of your card’s first enablement, then a replacement Viewing Card will be provided to you free of charge. If we replace Viewing Cards after that period, you will need to purchase a new one by paying our then applicable charge (which shall not be more than £20).

BuddyList

No its a free to view card from http://www.freetoview.co.uk

So its a UK FTV card that I have in my Irish SKY box but a friend told me that these get renewed every year!

DigiDec

This service is the UK DTT service, you receive the signal through a rooftop aerial not a satellite dish.
What you need to get ITV/CHL4 and five through your digibox is a viewing card from the freesatfromsky website as mentioned in the previous post.

BuddyList

OK I am confused now, the Sticky on FAQ, specifically mentions how to get a FTV card and lists the number and website http://www.freetoview.co.uk

So is this information no longer valid now?

Tony

are you referring to the terrestrial or satellite service? For satellite info look here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/howtoget.shtml#satellite

BuddyList wrote:

OK I am confused now, the Sticky on FAQ, specifically mentions how to get a FTV card and lists the number and website http://www.freetoview.co.uk

So is this information no longer valid now?

DMC

BuddyList wrote:

OK I am confused now, the Sticky on FAQ, specifically mentions how to get a FTV card and lists the number and website http://www.freetoview.co.uk

So is this information no longer valid now?

I think the link is a bum steer. That site has nothing to do with FTV cards, but the DTT Freeview.

www.freesatfromsky.co.uk is the best place where you can get info on them.

MrLNB

He's talking bout the Solus Cards for the Sly Doggy Box, which give u access to UTV/ITV Chl 4 & 5, and thats really all. BBC is already free to air.

and to answer your question, the cards are usually renewed every 2 or 3 yrs, now the last release of new cards was early 04 if not late 03!! my advice on these cards is wait and hold out, UTV/ITV may go FTA as well, and the others may follow in the yrs to come. but if u can get them easy 'bang away'

BuddyList

Thanks MrLNB, yes I was talking about the card that gives you ITV1,2, Channel4, Channel5. These cards are free to people in Northern Ireland and UK and I have a friend who rang up, and they sent him out the card so when ever I want to watch one of these channels I take out my SKY sub card and put in my FTV card and I can watch them.

So thanks everyone for the replys, my origional question "Do these cards Expire" has been answered by MrLNB, sorry if I confused everyone!

MrLNB

BuddyList wrote:

Thanks MrLNB, yes I was talking about the card that gives you ITV1,2, Channel4, Channel5. These cards are free to people in Northern Ireland and UK and I have a friend who rang up, and they sent him out the card so when ever I want to watch one of these channels I take out my SKY sub card and put in my FTV card and I can watch them.

So thanks everyone for the replys, my origional question "Do these cards Expire" has been answered by MrLNB, sorry if I confused everyone!

Likewise with me, make sure not to leave the ITV/CH4 CH5 card out for too long a period, say max 2 wks, they could Zap it.

Heinz

MrLNB wrote:

Likewise with me, make sure not to leave the ITV/CH4 CH5 card out for too long a period, say max 2 wks, they could Zap it.

I think you have misunderstood what happens.

The cards need to receive 'stay awake' signals periodically and leaving one out (or the STB unpowered) for weeks may mean one or more of those signals is missed - and the card fails to work until it has 'caught up'.

Sky only 'zap' cards which have been reported lost or stolen or which have been replaced after a 'the dog ate it' or similar report.

DigiDec

UK FTV cards are not free, they cost £20stg, available from
www.freesatfromsky.com