topic Re: Upgrading old PACE box in Sky+

Upgrading old PACE box

Worried_G — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:45:55 GMT

I access SKY via a satellite dish using an old PACE box which doesn't show HD channels. I don't pay a subscription. Is there any way I can upgrade my old PACE box, or buy a new one, so I can receive BBC HD channels without having to take out a SKY subscription?

Re: Upgrading old PACE box

Mark39 — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:56:28 GMT

You can't buy a new Sky+ box - there aren't any, the last ones having been made in 2015/2016. However, you can cheaply buy a used Sky+HD box from the likes of ebay. Just look for a DRX890 or DRX895 model.

With no subscription, you might encounter problems with pairing your Viewing Card and the replacement box.

Re: Upgrading old PACE box

Worried_G — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 20:24:18 GMT

Could I just buy a modern Freesat box and plug in the cable from my satellite dish? Would the old dish & cable be compatible?

Re: Upgrading old PACE box

Annie+UK — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 20:36:52 GMT

@Worried_G wrote:

Could I just buy a modern Freesat box and plug in the cable from my satellite dish? Would the old dish & cable be compatible?

If you get a wideband Freesat box then you'll need a new LNB on the arm of the dish as the current one is not wideband, the cables are OK for either type of LNB 🙂

Re: Upgrading old PACE box

TimmyBGood — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 10:16:33 GMT

@Annie+UK @Worried_G

As I understand it older LNBs are compatible with Freesat 4K boxes, just with two fewer Recordings

https://www.freesat.co.uk/help/4k-tv-boxes/first-time-installation/lnb-types