Using Sky Digibox for FTA

[imported_Jill]

I am totally new to all this - but I have a Sky Digibox BSKYB 250085, which I believe is an old PACE model. If I turn my satellite to 19 degrees East, will I be able to pick up the signals on this digibox (without subscribing to Sky?). I want to watch German channels (which always used to be available free on Sky until Sky switched them off).

[robbo71]

Hi Jill
:welc3: to the forum,

It is possible to use a sky digibox, but not reccommended. Too much faffing about needed.
You need to go into the setup somewhere and add additional channels, then individually type in the transponder frequencies that you want.

Here is a list of all the channels on Astra 1 (19.2E), including the analogue ones ,(analogue rec required)

A general purpose FTA Digital satellite receiver would do the job perfectly for you, prices range from about £30 upwards and upwards

No subscription to SKY is needed, in fact no subscription to anyone for the FTA channels

Robbo


It's here :nahnah:

http://www.lyngsat.com/astra19.html

[Analoguesat]

Wheres a list :? :roflmao:

[imported_Jill]

Hi! I can't see the list? Also Robbo you say I need a digital receiver - but also mention an analogue one for the analogue transmissions? Does that mean I need two receivers? Of course, the list may make clear which channels are which. Thanks for the earlier reply

[robbo71]

Originally Posted by Analoguesat

Wheres a list :? :roflmao:

Link to Lyngsat now posted :roflmao:

@Jill,

Analoguesat is the expert on Analogue sat'

But as far as I know the analogue tranmissions on there will not last much longer, and many of them are also in digital anyway. Only the Germans, and the enthusiasts tend to go for the analogue tranmissions as far as I'm aware. No doubt AS will correct me if I'm wrong

[imported_Jill]

Thank you for this. OK, I did say I was really ignorant - so here goes again, I'm sorry. Will I be able to watch PAL and DVB through the same receiver? How many of the programmes are Free To Air?

[robbo71]

Hi Jill,

The channels that have an F - next to them are free to air. (in the lyngsat list)

Digital satellite receivers can only be used for DVB transmissions. So, if you really wanted to also watch the analogue tranmissions then an analogue receiver would also be required.
But basically analogue is old technology, and some time or another analogue transmissions will cease.

Here's another list from flysat, organised slightly differently. It shows other sat's as well, but the main German one ist 19.2E. But all on this list are FTA.
http://www.flysat.com/tv-de.php

Robbo

[imported_Jill]

Thank you Robbo. I really appreciate your patience. I am off to buy a digital satellite receiver and I guess my next set of questions will be on tuning or reception - but I will try and give you a few days rest from me first! I am most grateful for your very helpful advice.

[robbo71]

Originally Posted by Jill

Thank you Robbo. I really appreciate your patience. I am off to buy a digital satellite receiver and I guess my next set of questions will be on tuning or reception - but I will try and give you a few days rest from me first! I am most grateful for your very helpful advice.

Not a problem

Feel, free to ask any questions you want, the more the merrier.
The tuning of a digital receiver is relatively easy, as all that is usually needed is to perform a 'scan'.
A receiver with a 'blind' scan capability is also useful, if frequencies change.
Repointing the dish from28E to 19E is a relativily simple operation, depending on where it is situated.

Have you decided what receiver to buy yet?

[imported_Jill]

Not really. I was going to PC World to see what they might have on offer. In my home town (E Sussex) the only boxes on offer are Sky ones. I would like to work to a budget not exceeding £50 - but perhaps I am being optimistic here. I have had a look on the Web, but because I am such an amateur I am worried that if it does not work I would not have any come back. Do you have any suggestions?