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Upgrading from Sky to Freesat

It takes less than five minutes to replace an existing satellite box with a Freesat one.

It takes less than five minutes to replace an existing satellit
published on UK Free TV

If you have an existing Sky or fSfS (Freesat from Sky) installation and want to go to upgrade to Freesat, it is a simple process.

First, buy the Freesat box from a Argos, Curry.digital, Comet, John Lewes or your local independent shop:



In the box you will find the Freesat box:



Also included will be a remote control, and this model also comes with a SCART cable, a HDMI cable and a stereo-with-composite cable. Unpack the ones you need:



You old Sky box looks like this:



Unplug the mains first from the Sky box, then pull out the SCART (or SCARTs) and then unscrew the connection to the satellite dish.



Remove the Sky box and fit the Freesat box. Reconnect the satellite cable (take care as to not damage the connection) and then the SCART and finally connect the mains power:



The box will look like this:



The box also contains the manual, which has full installation instructions. Finally fit the batteries into the remote control.



The TV screen first displays the box's logo



The first set-up screen allows you to select the TV type, widescreen mode and resolution:



Next the box checks for the satellite signal:



Then there is a check for updated software:



Then you enter your postcode and the box checks it:



The next step is a scan for channels. This takes about 30 seconds:



And that's it. You can now view channels, like 108 for BBC HD:



Or press the GUIDE button for the EPG:



(Apologies for the photos not being of the top quality)



Help with Free satellite?
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau1
Can I receive UK TV in Ghana?2
What is a CA module?3
My box says "No Satellite signal being received"4
Is there any way I can get free channels via satellite and have the kind of hard5
In this section
Freesat adds a plethora of new channels in time for Christmas including channel 1
A tale of a two Freesat boxes2
Yesterday, Drama and Really joining Freesat this month3
PBS America joins Freesat for Halloween4
Fixing the Freesat Freetime internet connection problem5
Satellite TV operators FRANSAT, TIVUSAT and our Freesat launch FreeTV Alliance 6

Comments
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:08 PM

John Mackie: It depends where you are, what is your full postcode?

A Freesat HD box will usually come with an HDMI cable, you can get them for about £6 if not.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
J
John Mackie
8:12 PM
Southampton

My postcode is SO19 8GA

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John Mackie's 3 posts GB flag
John's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:35 PM

John Mackie: If your aerial points to Mendip, you are not likley to ever have a Freeview HD service, the signal is poor now for you from there and won't improve.

From Rowridge, Freeview HD starts on 21st March 2012.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
J
John Mackie
9:01 PM

I wasn't thinking of freeview, but freesat to get HD. I have the sky dish. Would this be the right way forward?

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John Mackie's 3 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:52 AM

John Mackie: Yes. Sorry for the confusion, but you did say "It has Freeview HD".

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
D
david lee
9:23 AM
Nottingham

i have virgin cable will i get all the channels ???? thankyou

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david lee's 2 posts GB flag
david's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

10:33 AM

david lee: You will get the channels in the Virgin Media package you subscribe to.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Monday, 23 May 2011
R
Ray Brayne
6:02 PM

I am a sky customer, at present I have a sky+ box, if I wish to cancel sky but watch Freesat do I need to buy a Freesat box or can I watch Freesat through the sky+ box.

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Ray Brayne's 1 post GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

9:11 PM

Ray Brayne: You can watch the Free to air channels, but you can't play/pause/record any more. To play/pause/record you will need a Freesat+HD box.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
K
Keith
10:21 PM

Hi Ihave a Mini sat system fitted in my motor home (Labgear 28208lab)I use Astra 2A.I would like to change the reciever for a Free sat (Bush BFSAT02SD)or simular Is there any complicatioms.

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Keith's 1 post GB flag
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