SKY+HD contract ends soon can I use my box with a freesat user card,without having sky subscription

[michaelH0903]

Hi folks Im coming up to contract end shortly and will probably not continue with my entertainment only package.I have recently purchased a new LG 4K smart tv with freesat tuner i was wondering whether i can use my exising dish and box with a Freesat card being sold on Ebay.as sky dont sell them anymore.we dont watch mutch tv now as we are both in our eighties and want to avoid cost of subscriptions.but would like the freesat extra channels and the record facility.would the box still work? reply appreciated Michael

[Mark39]

You can receive all the free to air Freesat channels on a Sky+HD box, without a subscription (or a different Viewing Card). However, the ability to record does require a subscription. 

[nigea99]

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@michaelH0903 wrote:

Hi folks Im coming up to contract end shortly and will probably not continue with my entertainment only package.I have recently purchased a new LG 4K smart tv with freesat tuner i was wondering whether i can use my exising dish and box with a Freesat card being sold on Ebay.as sky dont sell them anymore.we dont watch mutch tv now as we are both in our eighties and want to avoid cost of subscriptions.but would like the freesat extra channels and the record facility.would the box still work? reply appreciated Michael

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hi @michaelH0903 

The Freesat Tuner in the TV can take the feed from your dish instead of plugging it into the SKY box.

I would be wary of a Freesat card from ebay as I am not sure it would let a different user Record & playback especially as SKY no longer allow cards not paired last October to be paired

Your new TV might allow you to record from the TV by plugging in a external USB HDD. I have no personal experience of this so not too sure of any limitations 

[Annie+UK]

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@nigea99 wrote:

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@michaelH0903 wrote:

Hi folks Im coming up to contract end shortly and will probably not continue with my entertainment only package.I have recently purchased a new LG 4K smart tv with freesat tuner i was wondering whether i can use my exising dish and box with a Freesat card being sold on Ebay.as sky dont sell them anymore.we dont watch mutch tv now as we are both in our eighties and want to avoid cost of subscriptions.but would like the freesat extra channels and the record facility.would the box still work? reply appreciated Michael

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hi @michaelH0903 

The Freesat Tuner in the TV can take the feed from your dish instead of plugging it into the SKY box.

I would be wary of a Freesat card from ebay as I am not sure it would let a different user Record & playback especially as SKY no longer allow cards not paired last October to be paired

Your new TV might allow you to record from the TV by plugging in a external USB HDD. I have no personal experience of this so not too sure of any limitations 

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My 2019 LG has a Freesat tuner and can record to a USB strorage device 🙂 You just screw the dish cable into the Sat port on the TV and it also saves on power usage ( only one device ) 🙂

[TimmyBGood]

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@michaelH0903 wrote:

would like the freesat extra channels and the record facility.would the box still work? 

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Recording is a subscription feature requiring monthly payment: any card acquired second-hand with someone elses subscription attached would clearly be illegitimate to use.

[xenon81]

There is still a common belief that a Freesat card is needed if you cancel Sky, but that's not the case.

Also, with Sky+HD the box is yours to keep so you can still use it to access free channels after cancelling Sky (but won't be able to record)

[michaelH0903]

Hi and thanks to all of you who replied to my question.I take the point that buying a freesat sky card from e bay would be a futile exercise,but can anyone advise me whether there would be a an epg available,viewing freesat without the freesat boX?as ive heard from a different souece that the Satellite Tuner thats fitted in some later LG Smart TVs is not spefically for freeview?if this is the case then how would you be able to"sort" the programmes and times etc? any advice appreciated  Michael

[nigea99]

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@michaelH0903 wrote:

Hi and thanks to all of you who replied to my question.I take the point that buying a freesat sky card from e bay would be a futile exercise,but can anyone advise me whether there would be a an epg available,viewing freesat without the freesat boX?as ive heard from a different souece that the Satellite Tuner thats fitted in some later LG Smart TVs is not spefically for freeview?if this is the case then how would you be able to"sort" the programmes and times etc? any advice appreciated  Michael

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hi @michaelH0903 

May I suggest you try swpping one of the leads over to your TV and see what you get (you might need to get an extension leadif the lead doesn't reach)

SKY HD boxes will let you watch freesat without a card with an EPG but can't record from it without the sub.

I don't know about the LG but Panasonic definitely replaced Freesat functionality with Generic tuner features  several years ago - I  havent actually tried mine on Astra2 for a while & don't remember what I got there. On other Satellites I do get some info but it is generally just Now & Next  rather than a full epg  

Edit : Just swung my multisat dish over & retuned my Panasonic TV tuner on Astra 2 & as above I just get Now & Next info  rather any full guide 

[robsie]

Hi, do you know the cost of using  record facility only on Sky plus HD box, contract ends soon.

[Mark39]

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@robsie wrote:

Hi, do you know the cost of using  record facility only on Sky plus HD box, contract ends soon.

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I believe Sky no longer provide the recording facility only for Sky+ boxes. Previously customers were paying £10-£15 per month.

[robsie]

Thank you  Mark,  for your help, saved me contacting sky.

Regards

robsie

[michaelH0903]

hi robsie  there is a basic subscription of £15 for using the record function of the box i was told by sky that this isnt advertised! i believe that it used to be £10 Hope that helps  michael

[Annie+UK]

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@michaelH0903 wrote:

hi robsie  there is a basic subscription of £15 for using the record function of the box i was told by sky that this isnt advertised! i believe that it used to be £10 Hope that helps  michael

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Was this before or after Sky dropped support for Sky+GD and earlier?

[robsie]

Hi Michael.

Thanks for the info, i will contact Sky tomorrow.

[robsie]

Hi Annie.

Thanks for the info, the freesat tuner in the TV is not good system i would only use as a last resort.