topic Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish in Sky+

Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

HarryR — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:08:47 GMT

It might have been answered before but I cannot find the answer I want. I recently cancelled my Sky Q subscription and returned the Q box back. I have an old Sky + HD box lying around. I want to use them for watching Freeview channels. Is this possible?

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

GD1 — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:28:42 GMT

@HarryR Freeview is via an Aerial, you mean Freesat (there is a difference) You would need to change the LNB from the Sky Q type (Wideband) to a Universal type for Sky HD (A hybrid one would also do the job).

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

Mark39 — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:14:39 GMT

Most likely not, I'm afraid. Sky Q dishes aren't compatible with Sky+, unless you had a hybrid LNB (on the arm of the dish) fitted. Your Sky+ box won't receive a signal.

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

HarryR — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:15:05 GMT

Ta mate. Yes I did mean Freesat. Might sound a stupid question, is it fairly straightforward to change LNB or will it need an engineer?

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

GD1 — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:17:53 GMT

@HarryR If the dish is easily accessible it's a 5 minute job to replace the LNB, if the dish is high up I would recommend the services of a Satellite installer for safety.

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

HarryR — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:19:06 GMT

Thanks GD1. The dish is fairly easily accessible. Just a short ladder would do. I guess there would be some videos on YouTube or something.

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

Annie+UK — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:27:34 GMT

@HarryR wrote:

Ta mate. Yes I did mean Freesat. Might sound a stupid question, is it fairly straightforward to change LNB or will it need an engineer?

It is possible to do yourself but the install also is where the signal is fine tuned so it is better done with the correct equipment

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

GD1 — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:28:03 GMT

@HarryR There are lots of videos on Youtube, replacing one is straight forward.

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish I am getting SKY Q will the SKY HD+ LNB

Davidkerr18071965 — Thu, 16 May 2024 15:09:24 GMT

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am getting my SKY Q box installed and I understand that the LNB for SKY Q must be a Wideband LNB as the LNB I have is a Wideband LNB with two COAX connections, hopefully he won't need to change the LNB and anyway I hope to get rid of my old SKY HD+ box and any way I have no copper telephone line so hopefully the SKY Q box will use my Ethernet connection to communicate with SKY HQ.

Yours sincerely Gregory.

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish I am getting SKY Q will the SKY HD+ LNB

Mark39 — Thu, 16 May 2024 15:15:46 GMT

@Davidkerr18071965 note we're a customer Community. If your Sky+HD is currently connected to your dish and working satisfactorily, you don't have a wideband LNB unless it's a hybrid version compatible with both Sky+ and Sky Q.

Just to add: it hasn't been necessary to connect a Sky+HD box to the telephone line for many years now.

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish I am getting SKY Q will the SKY HD+ LNB

nigea99 — Thu, 16 May 2024 17:30:23 GMT

@Davidkerr18071965 wrote:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am getting my SKY Q box installed and I understand that the LNB for SKY Q must be a Wideband LNB as the LNB I have is a Wideband LNB with two COAX connections, hopefully he won't need to change the LNB and anyway I hope to get rid of my old SKY HD+ box and any way I have no copper telephone line so hopefully the SKY Q box will use my Ethernet connection to communicate with SKY HQ.

Yours sincerely Gregory.

hi @Davidkerr18071965

Is there any specific reason why you are concerned about the engineer chainging the LNB to a wideband LNB so it can work with SKY Q ?

As @Mark39 says the SKY Q box uses a broadband connection for certain services (ethernet to router is best but it can connect to your router via wifi)

You may wish to read some notes I have made for people considering switching from SKY +/HD to SKY Q

SKY +/HD to SKY Q

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

Davidkerr18071965 — Tue, 21 May 2024 19:16:11 GMT

Strange as I had a look at the LNB and it is a wideband LNB and my SKY BOX is a HD PLUS

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

nigea99 — Tue, 21 May 2024 19:28:33 GMT

@Davidkerr18071965 wrote:

Strange as I had a look at the LNB and it is a wideband LNB and my SKY BOX is a HD PLUS

May I ask how you have determned this - is it a non SKY LNB ?

Did you get the LNB reference (possibly ELB xxxx)

SKY HD + boxes won't work with a standard Wideband LNB - they need a 'Universal LNB' that uses 22KHz tone & Voltage change to select the relevant band & polarity

Aalthough for a brief period of time SKY did install a 'Smart' LNB which could work both as wideband & universal but these were only a few cases for SKY Q customers I believe

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish

Davidkerr18071965 — Tue, 21 May 2024 20:38:09 GMT

Took a photograph of my satellite dish and zoomed in on the LNB 1583D looks like a SKY Q LNB

Re: Using Sky HD box with Sky Q dish I am getting SKY Q will the SKY HD+ LNB

Davidkerr18071965 — Tue, 21 May 2024 20:42:08 GMT

Will be hard to get to as the taramac is smooth and I don't want the guy getting hurt hopefully he will have a rebaged BT Van with cherrypicker basket on it so he doesn't have to use a ladder.