Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Yes, but only "sort of".
Freeview is the name of the (BBC-backed) digital TV system that uses hilltop transmitters to rooftop aerials. It is run separately from the "Sky" satellite-to-dish service.
free-to-VIEW is a term for satellite channels that need a viewing card to watch, but not to collect a subscription. free-to-AIR channels are ones that can be received without needing a viewing card or subscription.
The free-to-AIR satelite service backed by the BBC and ITV is called Freesat. The free-to-VIEW service operated by Sky is called fSfS or Freesat from Sky.
As long as you have finished your first year, you can leave Sky when you want.
To do this just give Sky a call and tell them you don't want to subscribe any more.
If you stop subscribing you will be able to watch the hundred or so free-to-air channels listed on free channels list. This service is called Freesat from Sky (fSfS).
Some of the channels on the Freeview service are subscription only on satellite, specifically: 4Music, Challenge, Dave, Dave ja vu, Quest, VIVA and Yesterday . See these links to compare the TV channels on Freesat-from-Sky and Freeview, and to compare radio stations on Freeview and fSfS. Many homes have free satellite and Freeview to get the full range of channels.
You will still need to keep your Sky viewing card. If you stop subscribing on a Sky contract, you can keep using that card to watch 5USA, 5* and PICK TV, the so-called "free-to-view" channels. (All ITV channels are free-to-air).
It is not possible to plug an aerial into a Sky Digibox to receive Freeview channels because the boxes have not been designed this way.
You will continue to get the full Sky EPG listings; you just will not be able to watch subscription channels.
If you want to go for High Definition, HD, you can swap out your Sky box for a Freesat one very easily.
A card is not needed to watch BBC services, but it is needed to get the correct BBC ONE and BBC TWO regions on 101 and 102.
Another option is to disconnect your Sky Digibox altogether and Upgrade from Sky to Freesat - ukfree.tv. If you have an HD-Ready TV and a standard Sky box, this is a good option.
5:49 PM
KennyT: You have to look at it from the point of view insomuch that to you its a satellite dish, but to the Freeview receiver its purely a length of cable, and likewise if you took a length of thin lighting flex, bared one end and connected it into the inner part of the aerial socket, then threw the other end out of the window you would most likely find that you can receive Freeview with that as well, because a piece of wire (albeit normally only about 18" or so) is a standard non-technical test to reveal if a person resides in a strong signal area.
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11:32 AM
Can I use a Sky HD + box to receive Freesat and use the recording facility on Freesat?
Also if I get the Sky Freesat installation for £175, will they do the necessary installation to enable the + / recording facility?
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8:10 PM
David Jones: Is there any particular reason for you wanting Sky's "free to view" channels? because if you already have a dish installed providing twin input leads then you would be far better off purchasing a Freesat HD twin tuner recorder, as that should satisfy all your requirements without involving Sky.
Quite a few brands are available, although I personally rate Humax as being one of the best albeit a tad more expensive.
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9:09 AM
Stourbridge
Hi jb38,
No real need for Sky no. Just wondered if it was worth having sky for a year and then using Sky HD+ box (if you can still record when it's Freesat). Or paying £175 for sky Freesat and buying Sky HD + box off eBay.
Main thing is do Sky let you use recording facility on Freesat I suppose?
Or
How much approx is a dish and installation?
We have humax freeview HDR at the minute and having reception problems with it. But tv running from mac and not using box is fine.
Thanks
David
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David's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
8:42 PM
Hi, Just in case this is needed to answer my question, I live in CT203NJ
I currently have virgin everything and Ive just realised its getting quite expensive. I used to have sky about 4 years and the dish is still on the wall. I dont have an aerial socket so never been able to have normal tv without either sky or virgin.
Now, because Im having to cut costs and thinking of either freesat or freeview. Which of these systems are best with not having an aerial socket. Im not too worried about the difference in channels, more concerned if Ihave the setup ready for either freesat or freeview, any help welcome.
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Eddie: Freeview requires a terrestrial aerial, you can use Freesat with your existing dish. If you want a Freesat recorder, then you need two cables from your dish.
As you're only five miles from the Dover transmitter, you "may" be able to receive Freeview with a suitably placed set-top aerial.
This is particularly so if your window faces the transmitter and there aren't other buildings in the way.
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Eddie: I should point out that reception "could" be hit and miss with a set-top aerial.
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11:51 PM
Folkestone
Thanks Dave, so will my dish still be able to receive freesat, sorry, I have no idea how it works, I thought that once I changed from sky that my dish would no longer work, and also, how do I know if I have 2 cables from my dish for a recorder?
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Eddie's: mapE's Freeview map terrainE's terrain plot wavesE's frequency data E's Freeview Detailed Coverage
7:24 AM
Eddie: Sky and Freesat are exactly the same as far as the dish is concerned, and if your previous Sky box was only just that and not a Sky+ box which can also record Sky programmes, then you will likely only have one coax lead coming into your house from the dish.
If you are not too bothered about being able to record then a Freesat receiver only requires one coax input from the dish exactly like the previous Sky box "if" it wasn't Sky+.
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6:34 PM
Stourbridge
jb38 / anyone?
Any ideas on my comments please?
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David's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage