Getting English channels: Newbie Question

Idoubtit

This might be a stupid question, regularly asked, but I'm intested in getting bbc, Itv, Channel 4 etc. I don't want to pay monthly subscriptions and I believe that freeview wouldn't work (In Dublin).

I've seen in other threads that buying a second hand sky box from England with card etc is a good way of going about this but I wouldn't have a clue how to install.

I was wondering if there are any other methods of getting these channels or if it is easy to get someone to install the skybox?

Thanks

pH

You can get everything apart from C4 & C5 using a FTA (free to air) satellite receiver. By going sky and using a UK FreeSat card you add C4/C5 and have the 7 day EPG.

Plenty of sat installers will put up and align the dish and run the cable. Most won't supply a 2nd hand skybox with freesat card but some might. They are easy to get on ebay though.

These are the people who did mine -
http://www.satellite.ie/acatalog/FreeToAirSatelliteSystems.html

299 including install for an FTA system. You could get him to put up a quad LNB and run 2 or 4 cables (that will be extra) then just simply plug in the Sky box/freesat card you buy on ebay - couldn't be simpler.

byte

If you're wanting Channel4, you'll need the Skybox and FTV viewing card. As pH says, the FTV cards (aka Freesat cards) are available on eBay etc.

The FTV card will also get you Channel 5 (now just known as five) and Sky Three.

Also, a Skybox will allow you to use interactive features like Sky News Active, and BBCi. BBCi particularly is very good. Interactive features do not work on FTA systems.

Just get a local installer to install a dish etc.

Idoubtit

Thanks alot, I appreciate your replies. I will probably do as suggested.

Just as a matter of interest (getting cheeky now), if I was to get sky digital installed, monthly fees etc, is it possible in any way to get ITV and Channel 4 which aren't offered in Ireland. Would this Freesat card work?

byte

You can get ITV by just tuning the channel in manually.

For Ch4, you'd still need the Freesat/FTV card. Then to watch it, you'd have to swap your cards around depending on what you wanted to watch. Some do this, though it can be a pain.

hargo

Can anyone tell me with with a skybox and FTV card do you get the Sky EPG and what channels come in on it. For instance will you get those late night "babe" shows and if so can they be blocked?

bpmurray

You get a load of channels, some of them total dross, including some of those awful babe shows. And child-proofing the box is easy enough - you put a PIN on the channels you don't want accessed. Be aware, though, that kids tend to remember your PIN better than you do ...