1st time install of a Sky+ box.

[sonnetpete]

So, I took my car to have the bottom ball joints changed and in chatting to the (english) mechanic he said was having problems with his sat dish. I think it was the original one from the last French occupants, as it's fitted with a 3° monoblock. He's tried to align it himself but can't get above 40% quality on the French receiver he's using. Anyway, in an exchange of labour costs I've offered to align his dish, swap out the monoblock for a new single LNB he has and install his Sky+ box. (He's replacing the nearside ball joint on my car for free)

Thing is, I haven't installed a Sky+ box before. Is there an installers menu to find and does anyone have a few tips? Or is it just as straightforward as plugging in and switching on? (I don't think he has a subscription) Will the fact he's using a single LNB complicate matters? (obviously he can't use the PVR feature to it's full extent)

 

[satelliteman]

As long as you are seeing 28e the box should boot and load. Using a single LNb won't complicate matters, these receivers don't have DiSEqC control.

If using the signal screen, look out for 0002, stream 07d4.

P.S... put him in a new cable feed as well, you might be able to blag an off-side ball joint too

 

[Lazarus]

Have they dropped the £10 recording tax for no (or lapsed) subs yet?

ie Can he use the PVR at all, notwithstanding the feed limitation?

 

[sonnetpete]

P.S... put him in a new cable feed as well, you might be able to blag an off-side ball joint too

Nah, he's just replaced that but was going to do both until the nearside bush refused to come off, so it needs cutting off and he'll have to order one. Still not costing me any labour though.

@Tivù : Not sure about the recording tax but he's adamant he doesn't need to record anything (which begs the question, why a Sky+ box?).

 

[Lazarus]

Ah, ok: I was a little worried you'd have an angry mechanic wielding a self-grip wench (sic.) in your general direction.

 

[Analoguesat]

Have they dropped the £10 recording tax for no (or lapsed) subs yet?

ie Can he use the PVR at all, notwithstanding the feed limitation?

Nope - its still required.

In the medium long term suggest a Freesat PVR to them sp

Oh and if its an old Thomson or Amstrad remind them them power supplies tend to self destruct.....

 

[sonnetpete]

In the medium long term suggest a Freesat PVR to them sp

Oh and if its an old Thomson or Amstrad remind them them power supplies tend to self destruct.....

It's new and boxed and though I couldn't see which brand it was, it should last them a while (at least till I drive away). ;)

 

[sonnetpete]

A quick update. Realigned the dish, fitted a twin LNB (for which he'd provided a second feed) and installed his Sly+ box. He'd bought two from Fleabay, which was just as well as the first one I tried refused to boot and had a permanent red light. Is that terminal or does it just require a cold start after a rest of 10 minutes or so?

 

[smoggy07]

A quick update. Realigned the dish, fitted a twin LNB (for which he'd provided a second feed) and installed his Sly+ box. He'd bought two from Fleabay, which was just as well as the first one I tried refused to boot and had a permanent red light. Is that terminal or does it just require a cold start after a rest of 10 minutes or so?

Leave it ten mins then try the sky button on the remote

 

[sonnetpete]

Thanks for that, I'll let him know.