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Sky box

Sky box

Postby frenchie » Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:05 pm

Question for paul tv technology may be
Have had my own 1.9 dish for years and always used sky boxes like pace
If i use a non sky box like a free to air type box will it still work or is it that the dish points to astra satellite so will only unscramble with sky box.
Someone offered me what they called a dark box saying they are fab but not sure if this would work

Am i making sense?
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Re: Sky box

Postby PeteKnight » Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:02 pm

The Sky box doesn’t unscramble the signal, unless you’re watching a subscription channel and have a Sky card with an appropriate subscription in place for that channel.
The free to air channels aren’t scrambled, and any receiver capable of receiving the signals from the Astra satellites should be fine, although the quality of the EPG and user interface leaves a lot to be desired.
The “dark box” is probably one that aims to give you access to the Sky subscription channels by ticking the box into thinking that it’s authorised to view these channels by doing some clever trickery with a server that spoofs the box. Fine while it’s all working, but disappointing when the box stops working after a few months and the person who sold it has gone “dark” on you.

Pete.
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Re: Sky box

Postby mrchips » Thu Jul 18, 2019 4:58 pm

I have a Sky + box with remote 25euros if interested p.m.
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Re: Sky box

Postby MickH1 » Thu Jul 18, 2019 5:59 pm

I have used Freesat in San Fulgencio for years on a 1.9mtr dish after leaving Sky.

I now have 3 Humax Freesat HDR (Hard Disk Recorders) boxes working in Spain and they work well and are very user friendly.

My wife and I actually prefer them to my old Sky units. Although I favour Humax as a brand, most of the UK recognised Freesat boxes are OK.

Look up Freesat.co.uk for other box manufacturers and channel availability.

With the Humax box it is easy highlight and record a single future programme or the whole series in the EPG, plus you can record 2 programmes at the same time and watch a third or a previous recording at the same time. My wife records all the soaps and does catchup in the evenings, skipping through the advertisements!


The best thing about a Humax box is that easily de-select all of the channels you would never want to watch. Although they can be reinstated with a retune.

Genuine Freesat boxes (particularly Humax) are a bit pricey here in Spain. Ours were bought over by us or family from the UK on visits. Don't worry about connection compatibility, and in setup you can change language etc, but don't forget to use UK a postcode in setup.

I agree with everything Peter says about some digi boxes out there with poor EPG and whilst the boxes pick up multiple channels, the problem is remembering the different channel numbers to swap between channels.
If you are a channel hopper like me, your in for a long night of searching.
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Re: Sky box

Postby frenchie » Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:07 pm

Thanks mick and pete for info
Sky boxes used to be ten a penny her could pick em up at auction for 5euro. Think most just get chucked now cos not much demand
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Re: Sky box

Postby PeteKnight » Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:34 pm

The other advantage of a FreeSat box over Sky box is that you can record, and pause live TV, on a FreeSat box. You can’t do that on a Sky box unless you have a card installed that’s linked to an active Sky account.

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Re: Sky box

Postby Paul - TV Techie » Fri Jul 19, 2019 7:33 am

A darkbox maybe an old satellite reciever ( I know this name from a few years back), they probably used it to decode Sky back with card sharing was working properly, but now generally not used. If a newer Darkbox (or any receiver running the Enigma 2 software - worth checking), is an absolute nightmare to use for the average home user - better 'home hobbyist', as the moment there is an issue with the software (usually at some point), it's horribly complex.

As Pete points out, if you would a good quality box, that records, with a weekly program guide - but WITHOUT the Sky channels, then you can't go too far wrong with a Freesat box - which are only available in the UK - Amazon stock & ship them. The downside is if you have a warranty issue, then will need to send back to the UK - though generally reliable.

If you do want premium channels, then of course Sky or IPTV type subscription. Though for FTA, can't go wrong with satellite / Humax Freesat


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Re: Sky box

Postby CraigJ » Mon Jul 29, 2019 2:28 pm

I am confused slightly but so wanting to understand...

If i buy a freesat box in the UK will it automatically work in spain with all free to air channels BBC ITV etc, is this just plugged into the net?
I have a dish but i thought they had switched the beam so UK TV was impossible to receive?

Maybe somebody could give me dummies guide to options for cheapest way to get free to air channels with catch up etc.
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Re: Sky box

Postby Paul - TV Techie » Wed Jul 31, 2019 8:56 am

Hi Craig,

If you buy a Freesat box from the UK (note Freesat not FreeVIEW), then it is simply a satellite receiver with the UK Freesat program guide - so you need a satellite dish - minimum, of 1.4 metres to plug it into.

However, the catch-up and on-demand services will not work out of the box. The moment these boxes are connected to the internet (which is needed for the catch-up and on-demand, but NOT live TV), then the box detects it's outside of the UK and will not allow access. So as a satellite receiver that records, free to air TV, with a good program guide - it's fine. If you want the catch-up and on-demand, elsewhere better options.

Ultimately you can actually navigate a way around the boxes to get the internet services working in Spain, but then need to add in a VPN router, VPN subscription - more hardware etc. So do-able but a faff.

If wanting the on-demand & catch up with the live TV, but WITHOUT the satellite dish, then a decent IPTV service can offer you terrestrials, premium content, the channel guide, the on-demand and the catchup. All in one box/service. However, for this type of service in a stable manner, you are looking at a subscription charge. Whereas the satellite is subscription-free, but you won't get the additional content or services.

Ultimately cheapest, is a Kodi type IPTV system, which is ok for on-demand type content, WHEN IT WORKS - and this is the problem with internet systems which do not have a hosted provider. You are reliant on finding content on the internet, which plays in a stable manner, not overloaded servers or dead links & as soon as we start talking 'subscription free' IPTV, I roll my eyes as know from personal experience is a frustrating experience & if wanting FREE, use a satellite system and have UK terrestrials, which you can record and forget the catch up.

If you want all the channels, sports, films, catch-up on demand - everything - then the most economical (not free, but not expensive) option is IPTV - as long as you have a reasonable internet connection.

Paul
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Re: Sky box

Postby Paulwilko10 » Tue Aug 20, 2019 3:01 pm

This is all a bit of a head scratcher for me right now.

I am quite a technical guy, but i am struggling with the best route.

I get my Villa on Friday and I know there is a large dish there and the current owners use SKY with a subscription although of course that won't be left there.
So I know i can probably have FreeSat but i actually want more, as I would like to watch the football amongst other stuff.

I was going to go for a Fire TV with an IPTV sub but i feel that would be too much for anyone renting the property.

Really am struggling to know what to do for the best.

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Paul
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