BBC Channel 4 and 5

[Mickha]

Hi Newbie1001,
you would still need a digibox to activate the card so it would be cheaper to buy a second hand digibox, or get one of skys offers and subscribe to the basic package for a year. Or if you know someone with a Digibox activate it in their box and if necessary put it back in every few months to keep it alive.

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, unless you have a good reason not to, I agree with Mickha. A cheap digibox might take up a bit more room under the telly, but you insert the card and forget it. I have a Dreambox, but it still sits on top of a digibox.

The Dragon CAM is usually bought for it's very advanced capabilities, not just carrying a Sky card.

If you want to do the Dragon CAM thing, (bearing in mind that you'll need access to a digibox anyway) they are now called 'T-Rex' CAM.

Any of the first three packages here: _http://unapit.com/Dragon.html will cover everything you need. Predator is the software you load onto the CAM.

You can either load your CAM with the CAS3, CAS2 or a loader card. If you go for the card, you'll need a programmer to program the card. The card then programs the CAM.

I'd buy a digibox

[Analoguesat]

I have to agree with the others. Get yourself up and running with a sky digibox - it doesnt have to be a great one. This will keep swmbo happy. Then learn your trade with the other kit when you have time to desnag the inevitable problems.

[Newbie1001]

Right. I got the message loud and clear.

I will get the sky digibox off ebay first, then play around with the difficult stuff later.

Many thanks for all your explanations.

[Jimdefruit]

If you get a digibox off fleabay, or anywhere else, try to make sure it is from your area if it is complete with a sky card.

Ex contract cards wont be region changed by sky so your default BBC and ITV regional channels 1, 2 and 3 will be based on the region the box was originally registered.

You will still be able to get your region but not on default positions 1, 2 and 3. You will have to search the channels 0970 ish and others.

[Newbie1001]

Mostly fleabay digiboxes are advertised without Card.

I presume I just purchase a card from Sky, ask Sky to authorise it and all works fine in my region after a day or two?

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes m8. That would be my advice. Nice and straightforward, correctly regionalised and with some comeback if you have any problems. Should work pretty much straight away.

[Analoguesat]

When you go to the freesatfromsky site, ignore the exhortations to buy a complete system for 150 quid. They will sell you just the card, although you need to poke around a bit on the site.