Using Freesat From Sky card with Sky HD box

jaydee999 · 04-03-2010, 10:11 PM

Hi, I hope this is in the right area.
I have been using said card in an old digibox which has bitten the dust, so I decided to try out a (second-hand) Sky HD box before buying. However, when I try to watch Five, Five USA or Fiver, I get the error message that this is the wrong type of card for this type of box. Same goes for Ch4 HD, although I can receive Ch4 SD and BBC1 HD.

I found an earlier thread on AVForums that stated that it should be possible to get all FTV channels, including HD, using this type of card with the HD box.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/sky-h...ky-hd-box.html

Any advice appreciated.

jaydee

Rick1 · 04-03-2010, 10:49 PM

Have you had the card paired to the box by sky ?

jaydee999 · 04-03-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick1

Have you had the card paired to the box by sky ?

No, but I don't recall doing this with the first box. I take it this is a necessary step? I thought it was plug'n'play?

Rick1 · 05-03-2010, 12:10 AM

The new cards are Paired to the reciever. So you need to call sky, explain that you have bought a reciever to replace your broken one and ask them to pair the card. Should be fine after that.

jaydee999 · 05-03-2010, 7:08 AM

Thanks. Tried last night but deprtment was shut. Will try again tonight.

c16 · 05-03-2010, 12:11 PM

If the old box powers up reconnect it with the card inside to the satellite feed, then after a few minutes swap over to the new box, this may take a couple of attempts but the new box will accept the card without you needing to call sky to pair it.

ciaran2506 · 05-03-2010, 3:30 PM

I use an old blue Sky card in an SD sky box and that too has lost fiver, five us and sky 3. assume it is to do with the white cards being used now so you might need to get one of those, £20 from sky

Interceptor121 · 05-03-2010, 5:52 PM

In order to get free to view channels: five USA, fiver, sky3, CH4HD you need a new white sky card
If you do not get the new card you can take it out of the receiver as it won't do anything

ciaran2506 · 05-03-2010, 6:57 PM

its only worth getting the new white card if you watch these channels though

jaydee999 · 05-03-2010, 11:51 PM

Thanks for all the replies. It is a new white card. Rang Sky and got it paired easily enough with the new box, and the card now works fine. Channels were added almost immediately, even though the guy said it might take 24 hours. Only trouble is, the box seems faulty, with only one input working, but I guess that needs to be a new thread in the Sky HD section.

ciaran2506 · 06-03-2010, 9:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee999

Thanks for all the replies. It is a new white card. Rang Sky and got it paired easily enough with the new box, and the card now works fine. Channels were added almost immediately, even though the guy said it might take 24 hours. Only trouble is, the box seems faulty, with only one input working, but I guess that needs to be a new thread in the Sky HD section.

The two inputs wont work for recording as you have to have an active sky subscription or pay them £10 per month

Interceptor121 · 06-03-2010, 11:15 AM

What you can try to do is to get an HD pack only it is possible that you get that and recording for £10

ciaran2506 · 06-03-2010, 4:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interceptor121

What you can try to do is to get an HD pack only it is possible that you get that and recording for £10

You can only get the HD pack with a standard Sky subscription, minimum of £28 per month

jaydee999 · 08-03-2010, 2:51 AM

Thanks, but that is not my point. I get a signal on Input 1, but no pictures. When used as the only feed. I'm not looking to record, and never have been. I'm after not buying a faulty box, and this appears to be faulty.

Broadz · 08-03-2010, 2:27 PM

If it's a HD box, you need to tell it that it only has a single input within the Sky setup section.

amdowney · 03-06-2010, 1:04 PM

If I got hold of a HD box all I would need is a white card to get the HD channels including 4 without subsciption?

Where is the best place to get one of these cards from?

Stiggy · 03-06-2010, 1:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdowney

If I got hold of a HD box all I would need is a white card to get the HD channels including 4?

Where do you get these cards from without a subscription?

Yes you can get Channel 4 HD, BBC HD and ITV 1 HD.

To get a card call Sky on 08442 410 595.

amdowney · 03-06-2010, 2:54 PM

Just curious, why doesn't everyone do this rather than freesat as this makes more sense surely?

davemurgatroyd2 · 03-06-2010, 3:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdowney

Just curious, why doesn't everyone do this rather than freesat?

A lot of people do not like having to through lists of channels that they do not subscribe to in order to find the free ones. Others want a subscription free recording service. Others simply have an anti-Sky phobia. Others do not like buying a second hand box from ebay etc when they can get a new box from £80 upwards. Take your pick.

amdowney · 03-06-2010, 3:19 PM

Sure but Freesat = 2 HD Channels, FreeSkysat = 3 and if HD viewing is important then you are getting 50% more HD channels. I guess it depends on what matters to you most. You can simply favourite all of the free ones on sky.

Stiggy · 03-06-2010, 3:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdowney

Just curious, why doesn't everyone do this rather than freesat as this makes more sense surely?

Most people:
1) Don't know 'Freesat from Sky' exists
2) Wouldn't think of buying a used Sky HD box

Broadz · 03-06-2010, 3:52 PM

...and, as Dave has already alluded to, if anybody wants PVR functionality (and most people do) it will cost £10 per month to use Sky+ on an unsubscribed Sky HD box, but is free to use on a Freesat+ HD box.

derek500 · 03-06-2010, 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdowney

Sure but Freesat = 2 HD Channels, FreeSkysat = 3 and if HD viewing is important then you are getting 50% more HD channels. I guess it depends on what matters to you most. You can simply favourite all of the free ones on sky.

And as from next month when Five HD comes, 100% more!!

Davey H · 03-06-2010, 4:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdowney

Sure but Freesat = 2 HD Channels, FreeSkysat = 3 and if HD viewing is important then you are getting 50% more HD channels. I guess it depends on what matters to you most. You can simply favourite all of the free ones on sky.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek500

And as from next month when Five HD comes, 100% more!!

And you both forgot Luxe TV HD,so your maths is wrong... Doesn't alter the fact you still wont be able to record/live pause etc, any of them with FSFS though!

derek500 · 03-06-2010, 7:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WavyDavy

And you both forgot Luxe TV HD,so your maths is wrong... Doesn't alter the fact you still wont be able to record/live pause etc, any of them with FSFS though!

True, but you can't record/live pause etc. a channel you can't receive!!

amdowney · 07-06-2010, 8:39 AM

Just to follow up on this, I managed to get hold of a special code for half price sky for a year! That means the most basic channel package with the HD pack for £14 per month with all of the HD channels including discovery etc with the free box and installation. Over the 12 months the cost will be the same as buying a freesat box and after the 12 months I'll be left with one!

luvadealme · 11-08-2010, 10:14 AM

so what does the £20 freesat for sky card I keep hearing about actually get you?

davemurgatroyd2 · 11-08-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvadealme

so what does the £20 freesat for sky card I keep hearing about actually get you?

The correct BBC,channel 4/S4C, and ITV regions to the postcode it was issued to, Fiver, Fiver +1, Five USA, Five USA +1, Sky 3, Viva, lfc TV, Channel 4HD, Five HD and Five on the EPG (without card can only be viewed via added "Other channels) and the ability to alter, set or reset parental controls. It is now £25 not £20.