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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, 29 November 2011
D
Derek Butlin
3:23 PM

I have recently had the Freesat dish and set top box installed on 2 of my older tvs which have been installed and are working well. I have 2 small older tvs stil on terrestrial.
Question 1: I have had to get a RF modulator box to put on, to go with the Bush set top box as I do not have scart sockets on tv. Also the tv remote only lets me change the 4 channels and volume, so how can I get the tv to connect with modulator and set top box. TV is Orion C14LXG teletext
Question 2: the other older small TV is Toshiba but does not work off a remote, so is it not possible to fit Freesat set top box?

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Derek Butlin's 1 post GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:38 PM

Derek Butlin: There isn't really any great problem involved with what you intend to do, as the TV's in question simply receive the modulators output signal irrespective of what it (the modulator) might be connected to.

Both your TV's will have to be left on the channel that matches the modulators output, this found by simply carrying out a re-scan on each of the TV's whilst connected to the modulator, then storing the channel found.

As far as the remote is concerned, you don't require one, as you will just continue as before with the TV that doesn't have a remote, that is manually switching it off and on and adjusting the volume, the remote on the other TV simply being used to control the volume plus switching off and on.

You could connect the RF modulator into one of your Freesat boxes and run a lead from the modulator to the two TV's, although these would have to view the same channel as the Freesat box is on, as the channels cannot be changed on the TV's connected to the modulator as they have to watch the same programme as on the Freesat box.

The best way to look at it is, that all a modulator does is to provide an analogue TV with another analogue channel in exactly the same way as though its being picked up via an aerial.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:44 PM

Derek Butlin: Meant to add the undermentioned link as an example of one type.


Programmable Universal Modulator : Video Switches : Maplin Electronics


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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Friday, 9 December 2011
D
Daniel Madge
7:10 PM
Coleford

hi is south park on sky 3 please let know soon ok by Daniel Madge

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Daniel Madge's 2 posts GB flag
Daniel's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 11 December 2011
E
Edna Ogden
1:51 AM
Betws-y-coed

At the moment we have a Sky box, paid once for installation and no further monthly payments so it now costs nothing. Is there any advantage for us in changing to FREESAT with sky. If so, what are they? And if it is advantageous do we need further equipment of any kind?

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Edna Ogden's 1 post GB flag
Edna's: mapE's Freeview map terrainE's terrain plot wavesE's frequency data E's Freeview Detailed Coverage
R
Rob
2:56 PM

I have a Sky HD+ box and have just completed a 1st year of contract. I find very little use for Sky specific channels and have no interest in SkySport or SkyMovies so am getting very little from the monthly subscription. I am thinking of closing the subscription and switching to FreeSat. I understand I can still use the box for this but will I still be able to get HD? Also is there any way I can use the box as a PVR to record or do I have to bite the bullet and purchase something like a Humax Foxsat HDR ?

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Rob's 1 post GB flag
P
Peter Henderson
6:25 PM

Rob: You will still receive the free to air HD channels that are currently available on Freesat i.e. BBC1 HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD etc.

You will not be able to use the Sky+ HD box as a PVR unless you pay Sky a £10/month subscription.

If you need the PVR facilities a Freesat box might be a better choice.

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Peter Henderson's 12 posts GB flag
Monday, 12 December 2011
M
Martin
4:51 AM
Cardiff

hi just to say i sorted my openbox s9 viewing probs in the end i replaced the lnb from a quad to a single feed and it started working straight away was told i was only getting high banned and not the low band signal channels this was by a neighbour not a pro so not sure just happy all the channels are now working i have an aerial in my attic pointing at the wenvoe mast but the signal is terrible would a booster help or should i put it outside of my house my post code is cf3 0bf cheers .

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Martin's 9 posts GB flag
Martin's: ...
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

7:55 AM

Martin: Regarding the LNB, if replacing it cured your problem then it must have been faulty, as all blocks used for Sky purposes are dual band in operation.

On the subject of your aerial, albeit that its likely that you are, but you should first of all check to make sure that you are receiving Wenvoe (@ 9 mls / 241degrees) as although being further away (@ 29mls / 135 degrees) Mendip is indicated as being superior for reception, so carry out a signal check on BBC1 / ITV1 / ITV3, noting the channel numbers and cross check them against these.

Mendip: (BBC1)Ch61 - (ITV1)Ch54 - (ITV3)Ch48

Wenvoe: (BBC1)Ch41 - (ITV1)Ch44 - (ITV3)Ch42

If you are receiving Wenvoe, then your aerial should be perfectly OK in the loft provided you don't have any form of roof insulation of the more modern metallic content variety.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
M
Martin
2:13 PM

hi jb 38 i will try looking at what the channel numbers are when i get off as working until tomorrow but thanks for your help

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Martin's 9 posts GB flag
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