We kicked sky in to touch some time ago and got a freeview box connected to a digital Ariel. However the weather affects the signal sometimes, guess a lot of people are going to be unhappy when analogue stops.
My question is, can I get a freeview box that will work off my old sky sat dish.....

No, but you can get a Freesat box which will

i connected my aunties sky dish to her new f/v box and it works great. I couldnt say if its the same for every box/dish combination tho Mike

Like martin said you can get a free sat box or just connect up your old sky box and recieve some freeview channels through that but as with the digital aerial bad weather will also affect sat signals....
If at all poss go for cable tv and take the basic tv set up you will get all freeview channels as well as some of the so called premium channels...hope this helps vamps :y

Freesat is the way to go .... wish I'd done it years ago now .. :)

I bought a cheap dish/decoder/azimetric-motor and installed it myself.....500+ channels on dozens of satellites to choose from (incl. HD and Freesat ones) and not a single-penny in subscriptions to pay each month! ;)

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj241/CleverCollies/DSCF6783.jpg

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 16:04:

I bought a cheap dish/decoder/azimetric-motor and installed it myself.....500+ channels on dozens of satellites to choose from (incl. HD and Freesat ones) and not a single-penny in subscriptions to pay each month! ;) Blimey Debs, i'm green with envy! If it's not too cheeky, can I ask where you got it & how much please?  ;) :-* :y http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj241/CleverCollies/DSCF6783.jpg

Sorry Debs, I appear to have typed between your quote marks! Doh!!! :-[

PhilRich wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 19:52:

Blimey Debs, i'm green with envy! If it's not too cheeky, can I ask where you got it & how much please?

Remarkably the dish/LNB and decoder kit were just £39. from Screwfix.....the DiSEqC dish-rotator was £50. from Maplin......and add £10. for a satellite-finder meter.

The system was easy to install, works really well and the picture quality via RGB scart is very good indeed.....no pixelation in snow/rain here at all.
*You can simply upgrade the decoder for HD channels (e.g: to a Foxsat 'free-to-air' set top box) without changing any of the rest of the system.

FTA Sat. Kit: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/80878/Electrical-Supplies/TV-Range/Aerials-Fixings/Labgear-Free-to-Air-Satellite-Kit

Dish Rotator: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47176&C=Froogle&U=47176&T=Module

Dish setup Info.: http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/AudioVisualTV/SatelliteTV/SatelliteGeneral.html

Entwood wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 09:17:

Freesat is the way to go .... wish I'd done it years ago now .. :)

Best you could have done is 12 months ago before then no easy to use PVRs

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 20:11:

PhilRich wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 19:52: Blimey Debs, i'm green with envy! If it's not too cheeky, can I ask where you got it & how much please? Remarkably the dish/LNB and decoder kit were just £39. from Screwfix.....the DiSEqC dish-rotator was £50. from Maplin......and add £10. for a satellite-finder meter. The system was easy to install, works really well and the picture quality via RGB scart is very good indeed.....no pixelation in snow/rain here at all. *You can simply upgrade the decoder for HD channels (e.g: to a Foxsat 'free-to-air' set top box) without changing any of the rest of the system. FTA Sat. Kit: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/80878/Electrical-Supplies/TV-Range/Aerials-Fixings/Labgear-Free-to-Air-Satellite-Kit Dish Rotator: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47176&C=Froogle&U=47176&T=Module Dish setup Info.: http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/AudioVisualTV/SatelliteTV/SatelliteGeneral.html

Thanks very much Debs, you've made an old man very happy  [smiley=lolk.gif]

Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video.

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08:

Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video.

Andy, are you asking if you can record from sky? Or something else? ;D ;D

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08:

Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video.

Yes! ;)

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:15:

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Yes! ;)

Thanks Debs! I shall look out for one for the M-in-law!

PhilRich wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 20:51:

Thanks very much Debs, you've made an old man very happy  [smiley=lolk.gif]

That`s twice today; already! ;D

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:17:

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:15: Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Yes! ;) Thanks Debs! I shall look out for one for the M-in-law!

You said she had sky, so why not just use a DVD/VHS recorder?

wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:12:

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Andy, are you asking if you can record from sky?  .....

Yes ..... but without the monthly subscription of Sky+
M-in-law needs a satalite/Sky to recieve because of the hill, not cos she wants the sports or films channels etc
As said, she now can't use her video for Borenation St etc so needs some other digital way.  :y

wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:18:

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:17: Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:15: Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Yes! ;) Thanks Debs! I shall look out for one for the M-in-law! You said she had sky, so why not just use a DVD/VHS recorder?

Wouldn't you have to watch what you're recording .... ?  :-/

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:20:

wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:12: Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Andy, are you asking if you can record from sky?  ..... Yes ..... but without the monthly subscription of Sky+ M-in-law needs a satalite/Sky to recieve because of the hill, not cos she wants the sports or films channels etc As said, she now can't use her video for Borenation St etc so needs some other digital way.  :y

So, scart from sky box into DVD/VHS recorder and then into telly. Seemples.

wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:22:

...... So, scart from sky box into DVD/VHS recorder and then into telly. Seemples.

I'll have a look, once she's got the Sky sorted, she's lost a load of the ordinary channels  since the analogue was turned off  :-/  :-/  must just be coincidence.

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:17:

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:15: Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Yes! ;) Thanks Debs! I shall look out for one for the M-in-law!

It`s called Freesat+ , Andy.....there are various choices of standard or HD and hard drive capacities:

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/digital-boxes

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:26:

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:17: Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:15: Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Yes! ;) Thanks Debs! I shall look out for one for the M-in-law! It`s called Freesat+ , Andy.....there are various choices of standard or HD and hard drive capacities: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/digital-boxes

As for as I can gather Debs, MIL has sky, not free-sat. Phew.

What I've got Andy is sky SD, a DVD recorder and a telly with a digital tuner. I can record from sky but I can only watch freeview while I'm recording. The only way you can watch another sky channel whilst recording is sky+.....I think. ;D

wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:27:

...... As for as I can gather Debs, MIL has sky, not free-sat. Phew.

She has at the moment, but she doesn't want the monthly subscription of Sky+, but would like the ease of recording of Freeview+ & Sky+. Freesat was a consideration  :y

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:26:

...... It`s called Freesat+ , Andy.....there are various choices of standard or HD and hard drive capacities: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/digital-boxes

Thanks Debs, obvious really when you say it!  ;D   ;D  ;D

wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:30:

What I've got Andy is sky SD, a DVD recorder and a telly with a digital tuner. I can record from sky but I can only watch freeview while I'm recording. The only way you can watch another sky channel whilst recording is sky+.....I think. ;D

Thanks. But you have the option of watching the digital TV via its tuner when you're recording from Sky. Unless she has 2 recievers she'll only be able to watch what she's recording as she has a hill in the way of the aerial signal.  ;)  ;) Which is why she's on basic Sky (with a dish) now.

Debs. wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:26:

..... It`s called Freesat+ , Andy.....there are various choices of standard or HD and hard drive capacities: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/digital-boxes

And it looks like the Sky Dish should work OK with the Freesat+ box  :y  :y

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08:

Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video.

Humax HDR :y :y :y :y

Martin Imber wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 22:23:

Andy B wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 21:08: Next question  ........ if you have a dish & Free-sat, how do you record? Is there a Free-sat version of something like my Humax Freeview hard drive recorder? Mother-in-law lives in an area where there is a bloody big hill click in the way of being able to get Freeview via her aerial. She has a basic Sky package at the moment but now want to be able to record, but the analogue has been turned off around here now so no video. Humax HDR :y :y :y :y

Thanks Martin. It's at the top of the list that Debs posted the link to, seems pretty much the same kind of thing as my Humax PVR9300T which couldn't be easier to use.  ;)   ;)

A very informative thread this, thanks guys and girls.. :y

HUMAX HDR is a luverly piece of kit .. but does need 2 satellite feeds.  

Once you have that you can watch one channel and record another simultaneously. There are some restrictions but depending on which channels are involved it is actually possible to watch 1 and record 2 others !!

It is so easy to use even SWTSMBO has now got the hang of pausing the current programme if the phone rings (time slip recording) and the simple one-touch selection of what you want to record.

I have a quad LNB with the 3rd one going to cheapy freesat decoder in the kitchen. 

Entwood wrote on 10. Dec 2009 at 23:20:

... but does need 2 satellite feeds.   .......

I knew there had to be a catch, why's nothing easy?  :(

:y  :y  :y

A quad lnb .......  :-/ I assume they're cheap enough & universal enough to add to A N Other satalite dish?  :-/

AFAIK they are pretty universal ... but a google has found some that appear to be for certain dishes ...  ie

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/home/product/39641/Quad-LNB-Freesat-for-SKY-Minidish---Replaces?source=googleps

but others are listed as universal   ie

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47174

I guess you'll have to search using the characteristics of your dish.. ...

:(


or you could head of in this direction ..

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/11399589/Humax-Foxsat-HDR-HD-PVR-Set-Top-Box-Kit/Product.html?ptsl=1&ob=Price&fb=0&&_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:11399589|cat:Freeview

:)

Entwood wrote on 11. Dec 2009 at 00:04:

AFAIK they are pretty universal ... but a google has found some that appear to be for certain dishes ...  ie http://www.microdirect.co.uk/home/product/39641/Quad-LNB-Freesat-for-SKY-Minidish---Replaces?source=googleps but others are listed as universal   ie http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47174 I guess you'll have to search using the characteristics of your dish.. ... :( or you could head of in this direction .. http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/11399589/Humax-Foxsat-HDR-HD-PVR-Set-Top-Box-Kit/Product.html?ptsl=1&ob=Price&fb=0&&_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:11399589|cat:Freeview :)

Thanks for links Nige! very helpful  :y