Channel listings on Freesat from Sky

[techyknowsbest]

I'm thinking about getting one of these fancy new Sky HD digiboxes (Basically the Multiroom box) off of ebay to use as a Freesat from Sky box, with a fSfS viewing card. Is there a way to clear the channel listings on the box, so it only shows the channels available on the card's listings, or will I have to climb over the 17 million other channels to find a free one I like? I thought a software reinstall using the power off and holding the back up button would work, but I don't really know if that is a Sky+ only deal. Someone please help me?

[seawright]

You should be able to force a firmware update using the same technique as with Sky+ HD boxes but it will not change the epg to only show free channels. Could you include the model and version number of your box obtainable on the system details page? Sky would dearly like you to subscribe to their pay TV service so from their point of view allowing the occasional nag screen when you select a subscription only channel could be useful. You could always set up a list of favourites which only include free channels. On a slightly different topic could you enlighten me as to whether the Sky remote provided with your box is a cut down version or does it have all the buttons, play/pause etc. required to control a Sky+ HD set top box?

[techyknowsbest]

Well, I don't currently have the box, but I know the remote is the same as the Sky+ HD remote, record button and all (I think)

[Scubbie]

The SkyHD STB (aka DRX595) does indeed share the same remote used with the Sky+ HD STB but there is no hard drive available to allow you to record anything.

Personally if I were going for a Freesat option I would go for one with a drive that I could record programmes or films on and a dual tuner so that I could watch one channel, whilst recording another.

[techyknowsbest]

Well, I'd really prefer the fSfS, as it has more channels and don't care about recording. This is only going to be in a bedroom/home cinema room anyway, so recording will be a lower priority. Is there really no way of clearing off all the subscription channels, as the box will never be used for a paid service anyway?

[Scubbie]

Unfortunately the software to reprogram the Sky STBs is not available outside of Sky. There is no current method to 'hide' all those channels which you do not want.

[techyknowsbest]

If you buy the pack from the Sky site (FREESAT from Sky - Call now to order) will the box have the sub channels displayed or not?

[Scubbie]

If you buy the pack from the Sky site (FREESAT from Sky - Call now to order) will the box have the sub channels displayed or not?

As I said:

There is no current method to 'hide' all those channels which you do not want.