Can I get Freesat?

[big_hard_lad]

Hi,

Apolgies if this is a stupid question, I've done some research and I think the answer is yes but wanted to ask you guys as I couldn't find anywhere which had the specific answer.

I have recently moved into a new house which has a Sky dish. In my old house I had Sky Digital (6 mixes subscription if it matters) so I have a Sky box and viewing card. Will I be able to plug my old box into the feed from the dish in my new house and watch Freeview channels? Or do I have to pay Sky this £20 for a Freesat card?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Proppinupthebar]

No as far as I know it will work. All FTV channels should be available.

[big_hard_lad]

FTV as in not C4, C5 and E4?

[Proppinupthebar]

FTV as in not C4, C5 and E4?

FTV - Free to view - Encrypted but viewable with a viewing card.
BBC and ITV are FTA - Free to Air - not encrypted.
C4 and C5 are FTV as is E4 - Filmfour is FTA.

[big_hard_lad]

So what you're sayingis that it should work and I should be able to receive all the channels that I could have received on freeview should I have had a suitable area. My things are arriving today so will try it out later.

[dms05]

Almost any Digital Satellite Receiver will allow you to watch FTA (ie BBC/ITV). The advantage of an old Sky box is the EPG which isn't available using other makes of receiver (they may have a very limited now/next EPG). In addition with a Sky card you can receive non-subscription encrypted channels like FIVE, these aren't viewable with a 3rd party box. But you do need a card from Sky (without a Sky subscription).

[Proppinupthebar]

So what you're sayingis that it should work and I should be able to receive all the channels that I could have received on freeview should I have had a suitable area. My things are arriving today so will try it out later.

I don't think you get everything available from Freeview. Dave and Sky Three are two I don't think you will get via satellite. But you will get lots more from satellite that you wwill not get from freeview.
The smartcard may need to be left for a while in the box before it shows some of the FTV channels as the entitlements may have expired (they are refreshed over air every now and then).

[big_hard_lad]

Ok well my box arrived today and I plugged the white cable coming from the wall (I'm pretty sure this is the feed from the dish) into the box as well as obviously the power lead and the scart. When I switch the box on the first message I get to tell me that t.o use all interactive services you need a phone line connected, I press back up to continue and now I'm getting error number 29 saying no satellite signal is being received. Do I need to contact Sky to get them to switch on my dish signal? I presume the person who lived here before me cancelled their Sky contract, would this have an effect?

[Proppinupthebar]

Ok well my box arrived today and I plugged the white cable coming from the wall (I'm pretty sure this is the feed from the dish) into the box as well as obviously the power lead and the scart. When I switch the box on the first message I get to tell me that t.o use all interactive services you need a phone line connected, I press back up to continue and now I'm getting error number 29 saying no satellite signal is being received. Do I need to contact Sky to get them to switch on my dish signal? I presume the person who lived here before me cancelled their Sky contract, would this have an effect?

Nothing needs activating, it sounds like theres a problem with the feed from the dish to the box, or maybe the LNB. Or maybe even the box. Can you try the box at someone elses house?
The only thing Sky activate is your smartcard, to recieve the satellite signals you do not even need the smartcard.

[big_hard_lad]

Yeah on the digital spy forums someone reckons it's a problem with the feed. Is there anyway I can check this myself or do I need to get Sky/someone else out to look at it?