Terrestrial signal -> Sky dish -> digibox

[Softus]

This problem is outside my usual domain, but am hoping someone with The Knowledge will see this...

A tenant has just moved into a flat that has a satellite dish on the wall outside, but the landlord had removed the receiver/decoder box from inside the house, hasn't provided anything else, and is now uncooperative.

The agent installed a Freeview digibox, thinking that this would decode the signal from the satellite dish. I said that it wouldn't, but the agent's manager say that it can, 'cos he does the same thing at home.

I see only two alternatives:

1. Install a roof aerial (narrowband, wideband, whatever) and connect that to the digibox (or TV or whatever);
or
2. Install a satellite receiver/decoder.

Is this right? Are there any other alternatives?

Thanks.

 

[blondini]

The agent is talking pants. What a laugh.

Your two stated options are both valid and the choice would depend on how good the terrestial signal is in the area. If it's poor then go for Sky. A Sky digibox should just plug and play and you don't need a subscription to receive the free channels.

 

[Softus]

Thanks blondini. Just to confirm - is the agent's idea pants because the two signals are incompatible?

The local terrestrial reception is very good as long as the aerial is high enough to clear all the new townhouses.

When you say "Sky digibox", am I correct in believing that any digibox will work with a terrestrial aerial?

 

[Lectrician]

For sky, you do need a one of card for free view channels (you get BBC1, BBC2, CH4 only with out card). The card is around £90, and is a one of fee.

 

[plugwash]

digital satalite and digital terrestrial are different systems and need different decoders.

you can buy non sky digital satalite decoders ( http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?detail=full&ModuleNo=97892&doy=25m3#more_info ) that will decode anything unencrypted. I belive there are less channels availible unencrypted on satalite than on terrestrial.

 

[cyndi]

For sky, you do need a one of card for free view channels (you get BBC1, BBC2, CH4 only with out card). The card is around £90, and is a one of fee.

if you already have a sky digibox you can get free to view card for £20pounds ,just ring sky when you get the card you will have to tell them the box serail number etc etc to activate it

see http://www.freesatfromsky.com/?pID=6

a sky digi box and a terrestrial digi box are both different they receive digtial signals but at two differents frequncys

 

[Softus]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

There's a satellite dish outside. Does this have to be Sky, or could be for another service?

If Sky, then a Sky (or compatible) decoder can be bought outright, and quite cheaply.

And if that's done, then a 'viewing card' can be bought outright, and for merely £20.

Is that all correct? If so, then it sounds like there's an easy way forward.

 

[cyndi]

a dish is a dish . not sky not any one ,a dish receives both anologue and digital singals there not two sseperate dishes as some people like you to belive .
but if you want to receive sky then it must be facing the right direction 28degrees due south ,if in uk then is probally already is .

if you already got a old sky box then buy a £20 pound card and away you go ,if you havent got a box try boot sale, local adds etc as lots of peeps now have sky plus boxes and the old one s a going cheap

or if youu got good tv reception and a aerail on roof get a freeveiw box cheap from hight street supermakerts its up to you

 

[Softus]

OK - I believe I've got this straight now.

Last question - who sells the viewing cards? Sky, or high street retailers?

 

[cyndi]

sky

see http://www.freesatfromsky.com/
then http://www.freesatfromsky.com/?pID=6

you will get a card and then will have to phone them to get it activated

you will need bow type make and model ,box serial number and software version etc this wil all be in the menu of the box ,you may have to leave it for upto 24hrs swithced on if its a old box to update the box software

 

[Softus]

Thanks to all who've answered - it's been... an education.