What to do with an old Sky+ 80 GB box

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Elliot Bridgewater

Member
Since having this spare Sky+ box, we have upgraded to Sky+ HD.

We don't wish to use Sky Multiroom and Sky said it belongs to us so they won't take it back.

Any ideas what to do with the box?

What is normally done with them?
 
Just use it as a FTA satellite receiver, for 28.2E, they're not much good for other satellites.
 
I took the hard drive out. And bought an external case for about £7 and now have an external hard drive
The unit can still be used for free channels or sold carboot
 
shamonee said:
I took the hard drive out. And bought an external case for about £7 and now have an external hard drive
The unit can still be used for free channels or sold carboot
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Some models wont boot if the hard drive is removed.
 
You can always of course keep it as a spare for when the HD box breaks down.
 
Mickha said:
Just use it as a FTA satellite receiver, for 28.2E, they're not much good for other satellites.
Click to expand...
shamonee said:
I took the hard drive out. And bought an external case for about £7 and now have an external hard drive
The unit can still be used for free channels or sold carboot
Click to expand...
Are you both saying the Sky+ box is also a Freeview box?
rolfw said:
You can always of course keep it as a spare for when the HD box breaks down.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure Sky will replace the Sky+ HD box if it breaks down.
 
Elliot Bridgewater said:
Are you both saying the Sky+ box is also a Freeview box?
Click to expand...

Freeview wasn't mentioned - unsurprisingly, as the term refers to a Digital Terrestrial platform at UHF.

Free To Air (FTA) was, however. Many of the "Sky" Channels are unencrypted and can be received without a Viewing Card.
 
Tivù said:
Freeview wasn't mentioned - unsurprisingly, as the term refers to a Digital Terrestrial platform at UHF.

Free To Air (FTA) was, however. Many of the "Sky" Channels are unencrypted and can be received without a Viewing Card.
Click to expand...
Oh, excellent.

I'll try and find a way to "split" the satellite connection that currently only goes into the Sky+ HD box downstairs :)
 
You can't ............. !

Each tuner needs a separate feed from the LNB as the boxes send band & polarity switching signals to the LNB, so splitting a feed not only diminishes the wanted signal but will cause conflicts between tuners.

Are there any spare ports on your current LNB?

Unless it's ancient, the LNB will be a quad output device and I think (not sure) you're currently only using two feeds.
 
Or run another cable from the lnb(satellite) if there is a spare place.
Usually sky put quad lnbs in (upto 4 cables) and you will only have 2 used for sky+(HD)
Oops Tivu beat me to it
 
Tivù said:
You can't ............. !

Each tuner needs a separate feed from the LNB as the boxes send band & polarity switching signals to the LNB, so splitting a feed not only diminishes the wanted signal but will cause conflicts between tuners.

Are there any spare ports on your current LNB?

Unless it's ancient, the LNB will be a quad output device and I think (not sure) you're currently only using two feeds.
Click to expand...
No idea (what that even is :P). We had Sky+ installed by Sky about five years ago and upgraded to Sky+ HD a year ago.
 
The lnb is the thing on the end of the arm of the satellite where the cables connect
Is there 2 holes underneath or 4? In which case 2 unused
 
shamonee said:
The lnb is the thing on the end of the arm of the satellite where the cables connect
Is there 2 holes underneath or 4? In which case 2 unused
Click to expand...
Oh. I can't really get to that, it's outside (of course) at the highest point of the wall :/

Is the cable that is required expensive?
 
With the benefit of hindsight, the Sky guy might have bunged a couple of extra feeds in for a few quid in the back pocket.

But it can be done DiY without too much knowledge.

Just a matter of sourcing Satellite grade cable and a few "F" Connectors. Guides to fitting are freely available.
 
If you see a sky van local ask him (oops or her) (s)he will probably put it in for you cash in hand to a room of your choice for no more than £20
 
Elliot Bridgewater said:
I'm pretty sure Sky will replace the Sky+ HD box if it breaks down.
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No, they'll try and charge you until you threaten to quit
 
fergyc said:
No, they'll try and charge you until you threaten to quit
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And when they do give in and offer to have it fixed or replaced they`ll give you a stupid appointment say in a week or 2 just to be funny, atleast if you have a spare sky+ box you can get them to pair the card back to that box untill your HD box is repaired or replaced
 
Good point, smoggy.
 
smoggy07 said:
And when they do give in and offer to have it fixed or replaced they`ll give you a stupid appointment say in a week or 2 just to be funny
Click to expand...

Exactly, done it many times. Keep ringing up asking if we want insurance!
 
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