Setting up Sky Freesat in Communal setup

[maltesedog]

I am looking to set up Sky Freesat. There is a Communal satellite already in the block of flats I am residing.

In this respect, Sky are providing little assistance, and referred me to a company called Campbell and Kennedy, who informed me that they no longer to freesat by Sky.

However, I am still interesting in the benefits of setting up Freesat by Sky, and I'm looking for suggestions on the way forward.

I am understanding that if I buy a Sky setup box, a satellite connection cable, and the Sky freesat card standalone £25.00 this should work. Am I correct? The satellite is already in place, and is communal in the building I am renting.

Any suggestions on which box I should buy and how to go about setting up this?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Analoguesat]

You dont get much choice of Sky receivers these days. The HD box is the standard box, its more which hard drive size you want.

Do you want recording facility? If so you would be better off getting a Freesat receiver.

 

[maltesedog]

I'm not after a normal Freesat box, reason being I am a BTSport subscriber, and BT offers free BTSport on the tv for people having the Sky connectivity. I am not interested in recording.

 

[Analoguesat]

Fair enough.

In that case box, card, and connect it all yup and away you go.

 

[maltesedog]

Fair enough.

In that case box, card, and connect it all yup and away you go.

The problem now is which box, there are plenty of boxes on Ebay, some of which are 'fake'. I saw one on Amazon, but the seller would not guarantee that the setup I am suggesting would work. Keep in mind there is a communal sky dish in the building.

I greatly appreciate your help as its my first time dealing with Satellite TV.

 

[Analoguesat]

As long as the cabling from the dish to your apartment is ok there is absolutely no reason why it wouldnt work.

Stay away from any Grundig, or elderly Pace boxes - they have power supply issues.

 

[Tony1A]

If you're not bothered about HD, you could try to get hold of a Panasonic box. TU-DSB30 is the one I had if I remember right!

 

[mariust5]

There is no such thing as Fake Sky boxes , there are FTA satellite receivers and official SKY boxes , make sure you ask that a Sky card will work with the Sky box and you will get the right one , i suggest a Sky + HD , maybe one day you want to record something .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRX890-50...on_Satellite_TV_Receivers&hash=item338cfd3b1d

 

[maltesedog]

There is no such thing as Fake Sky boxes , there are FTA satellite receivers and official SKY boxes , make sure you ask that a Sky card will work with the Sky box and you will get the right one , i suggest a Sky + HD , maybe one day you want to record something .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRX890-50...on_Satellite_TV_Receivers&hash=item338cfd3b1d

Thanks for this, so basically you're saying that any Sky Plus box would work with a Satfree Sky card, connected to a communal system. Am I correct? I quite like this Amstrad DRX890 you are suggesting.

All I need is the box, a cable, and the £25 card given there is already the communal satellite?

 

[Lazarus]

You won't get Sky Plus Recording enabled with a £25 FreesatfromSky Card ................. I think they charge ten pounds per month for the privilege of actually being able to use the box properly.


Edit: sort of reinforces what marius said (Sorry, failed to read in detail!)

 

[maltesedog]

As I'm said I'm not interested in recording. I just want to confirm that it works before investing in the box and the card!

 

[smoggy07]

As I'm said I'm not interested in recording. I just want to confirm
Sky Plus box would work with a Satfree Sky card, connected to a communal system.

Yes a Sky+ box will work with a Free Sat From Sky card with your communal system.
If BT will activate their channels on a FSFS card, any bog standard Sky+ box will do the job, the communal system will morethan likely be for UK Sky on the Astra 2 satellites at 28.2E and Hotbird at 13E (or UK Sky and 19.2E Astra 1 satellites)

Do you know anyone with Sky (or an old Sky box) who could call round and try their Sky receiver at your place for 5 minutes?

 

[maltesedog]

Yes a Sky+ box will work with a Free Sat From Sky card with your communal system.
If BT will activate their channels on a FSFS card, any bog standard Sky+ box will do the job, the communal system will morethan likely be for UK Sky on the Astra 2 satellites at 28.2E and Hotbird at 13E (or UK Sky and 19.2E Astra 1 satellites)

Do you know anyone with Sky (or an old Sky box) who could call round and try their Sky receiver at your place for 5 minutes?

Unfortunately, I've just moved to this place and I don't know anyone. To make matters worse, I won't be moving the tv until the 26th May, and so I'm preparing everything for the move beforehand. I've been told by the landlord that the satellite is for Sky. BT can activate the channels on a Sky card (see https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Sport/BT-Sport-and-my-Freesat-set-up/td-p/987194)

 

[smoggy07]

Unfortunately, I've just moved to this place and I don't know anyone. To make matters worse, I won't be moving the tv until the 26th May, and so I'm preparing everything for the move beforehand. I've been told by the landlord that the satellite is for Sky. BT can activate the channels on a Sky card (see https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Sport/BT-Sport-and-my-Freesat-set-up/td-p/987194)

So all you need then is a Sky+ box, the card from sky and the cables to connect it all up then and you're in business

 

[mariust5]

Ok , i have been giving people white sky cards so they can activate BT Sport on them , it worked a while ago , so it doesn't need to be an expensive card , you can sometimes buy the box with the card , have a look on ebay close to you and ask a question or go to a boot sale .

And if i'm not mistaken if you activate BT on the card the recording facilities will also work but don't quote me on that .
Get a Sky+ HD box as it's more future proof than the others . Make sure you get the smaller size box as that is newer and looks better .

 

[maltesedog]

Sky is offering a viewing card for a one-off payment of £25, (http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/)

 

[mariust5]

If that makes you happy go for it , i was giving you advice on how to get one for free or next to nothing .

 

[maltesedog]

If that makes you happy go for it , i was giving you advice on how to get one for free or next to nothing .

Obviously I appreciate but I know nothing about this. How do you obtain it? Will that give you the free sat channels anyway?

 

[mariust5]

This is what you need http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/sky-hd-bo...on_Satellite_TV_Receivers&hash=item27e32bfc24

Once you get it , give BT the card number and they will activate it on that card .
If they don't accept the card number go ahead and get one from sky but you should be fine , as i said , done it many times .
Enjoy .

P.S. Let us know how you get on , and if the recording works . Good luck .

 

[maltesedog]

So I'll get sat free as well automatically with this card?