Cheap Sky/Sky+ boxes [Archive]

View Full Version : Cheap Sky/Sky+ boxes

wonit5times

23-09-2009, 03:49 PM

On the look out for one doesnt matter which just for the free to air channels.
Just anywhere thats doing them reasonably cheap?
Had 2 old ones in the attic and both of them are fooked:mad::mad::mad:
Thanks

Garrett

23-09-2009, 06:19 PM

Hi mate,

There must be loads of these floating about from cancelled contracts, upgrades etc, did you try EBAY perhaps ?

red1965

23-09-2009, 06:28 PM

dont bother with a sky box get a free to air box
its much easier to tune in and pick up all free to air channels and you can line them up in order that suits you

Venom1983

23-09-2009, 06:49 PM

Im looking for one of these myself

RedWally

23-09-2009, 08:14 PM

wonit5times

23-09-2009, 08:38 PM

Hi mate,

There must be loads of these floating about from cancelled contracts, upgrades etc, did you try EBAY perhaps ?

tried e-bay prob best shout bit expensive for postage but prob cheapest around

wonit5times

23-09-2009, 08:40 PM

RedWally

23-09-2009, 09:09 PM

tried e-bay prob best shout bit expensive for postage but prob cheapest around

What are old digiboxes selling for on ebay incl. postage?

thecross1

24-09-2009, 07:53 AM

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=147988&cat=all
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=148340&cat=all
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=140487&cat=all
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=146342&cat=all

these are just some of them on adverts .ie

thecross1

24-09-2009, 07:54 AM

the last 1 is only 30brick not to bad

wonit5times

24-09-2009, 07:54 AM

What are old digiboxes selling for on ebay incl. postage?

Approx €20 for the box and bout €25 for the postage

wonit5times

24-09-2009, 07:56 AM

the last 1 is only 30brick not to bad

cheers for that cudnt get on their site yesterday as it was down

thecross1

24-09-2009, 08:52 AM

yea they where do some work on the site back up now

MR KING KENNY

24-09-2009, 09:44 AM

hold on there a second, whats this all about, are these boxes working again, what hannels do we get and what do i need to get, please can someone fill me in thanks

wonit5times

24-09-2009, 09:47 AM

hold on there a second, whats this all about, are these boxes working again, what hannels do we get and what do i need to get, please can someone fill me in thanks

:o:o:o its only a sky box with the free to air channels, we're not talking dodgey boxes here as they are gone

MR KING KENNY

24-09-2009, 09:50 AM

oooohhhhhhhhhhhhh thank god, nice one,

RedWally

24-09-2009, 10:12 AM

bit steep 80 brick!!

80 isn't bad for a NEW box with a 12 month warranty. Nice epg also with only channels listed you can actually view. Ch5 is on it also.

If in Liverpool at a game you could pick the likes of this up for about 62euro at todays rate: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321571/Trail/searchtext%3EFREESAT.htm

Argos regularly have deals on this. I picked up a HD version for not a lot more during the summer. It's class for watching CL games in HD through ITV.

wonit5times

24-09-2009, 11:17 AM

80 isn't bad for a NEW box with a 12 month warranty. Nice epg also with only channels listed you can actually view. Ch5 is on it also.

If in Liverpool at a game you could pick the likes of this up for about 62euro at todays rate: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321571/Trail/searchtext%3EFREESAT.htm

Argos regularly have deals on this. I picked up a HD version for not a lot more during the summer. It's class for watching CL games in HD through ITV.

I suppose its not too bad for a new box

Not a bad idea to pick one of those lads in argos

djdwainec

24-09-2009, 11:21 AM

what exactly are u looking for , just the sky box nothing else?

wonit5times

24-09-2009, 11:32 AM

what exactly are u looking for , just the sky box nothing else?

In one mate, just the box nothing else as i just want to watch free to air channels in another room.
In other words wifey can watch X-factor and i can watch spanish football, without the multi-room bullshit:D

djdwainec

24-09-2009, 11:35 AM

i get u, i used to have sky but took it out last year as i went away for 3 months to the alps, i think i still have the sky box, i will be back on here before 6 tonight and if i have it there u can have it.

wonit5times

24-09-2009, 11:38 AM

RedWally

24-09-2009, 11:52 AM

I've purchased 3 or 4 sky dishes from a supplier on ebay which include quad lnbs for less than 50euro delivered and so far work perfectly.

That and the new box gives you very cheap multi channel tv for very little outlay if you DIY install.

Benbecul97

24-09-2009, 12:26 PM

DID and Power City stock SAT4FREE boxes which are rebadged UK FREESAT boxes. Just plug into existing dish. They sell for about 79euro in DID. If in the UK or North - Argos sell them for about 50ukp.

Full details of freesat system and channels here: http://www.freesat.co.uk/

There is a HD equiv also. I have a humax branded one which cost 150ukp and a Bush one which cost 79ukp. There is also a hard disk recorder version out for about 299ukp.

Subscription free tv.

Argos products here: http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&langId=-1&searchTerms=freesat&Submit=GO+%3E

Very interesting option.
Can you get all of the channels listed above in Ireland?
Do you not have any subscriptions at all then?

I've purchased 3 or 4 sky dishes from a supplier on ebay which include quad lnbs for less than 50euro delivered and so far work perfectly.

That and the new box gives you very cheap multi channel tv for very little outlay if you DIY install.

Is the dish easy to install with the right co-ordinates for getting the best picture/most channels?
This setup sounds interesting for a second room.

RedWally

24-09-2009, 02:11 PM

Very interesting option.
Can you get all of the channels listed above in Ireland?
Do you not have any subscriptions at all then?

Yes - all as on Freesat site. The SAT4FREE boxes in DID/Powercity etc default to the NI version of the channels - ie BBC1 NI, UTV etc.[/QUOTE]

Is the dish easy to install with the right co-ordinates for getting the best picture/most channels?
This setup sounds interesting for a second room.
If you're a confident person with a drill etc and DIY then it's ok. I use a meter purchased in Currys UK which cost 9.99ukp. I've installed dishes in 2 houses and got both flying within 5-10mins max of moving dish.

It helps if there are dishes near you already so you know the rough direction to use. The dishes I purchased had a angle degree marks marked on the back - there is a recommended elevation angle for Astra (SKy sat) so it's a good idea to start with this angle if wall dish is mounted on is level in the vertical plane. Then slowly swing dish from west towards north and you'll hit the Astra sats first. If you do it from Nth to West you will lock onto the wrong satellites.

I had a dish professionally installed in 2001 and was losing Setanta on wet days due to it's misalignment due to rust on the fittings. When I installed a new one myself using method and meter mentioned above I have perfect signal 100% of the time.

A quick youtube search on youtube returned this demo video. There are better out there if you do a search. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qMbbi2l9JA&feature=related

Benbecul97

24-09-2009, 02:35 PM

Yes - all as on Freesat site. The SAT4FREE boxes in DID/Powercity etc default to the NI version of the channels - ie BBC1 NI, UTV etc.

If you're a confident person with a drill etc and DIY then it's ok. I use a meter purchased in Currys UK which cost 9.99ukp. I've installed dishes in 2 houses and got both flying within 5-10mins max of moving dish.

It helps if there are dishes near you already so you know the rough direction to use. The dishes I purchased had a angle degree marks marked on the back - there is a recommended elevation angle for Astra (SKy sat) so it's a good idea to start with this angle if wall dish is mounted on is level in the vertical plane. Then slowly swing dish from west towards north and you'll hit the Astra sats first. If you do it from Nth to West you will lock onto the wrong satellites.

I had a dish professionally installed in 2001 and was losing Setanta on wet days due to it's misalignment due to rust on the fittings. When I installed a new one myself using method and meter mentioned above I have perfect signal 100% of the time.

A quick youtube search on youtube returned this demo video. There are better out there if you do a search. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qMbbi2l9JA&feature=related

Thanks RedWally for your answers!

Yeah the DIY bit should be ok and there is a Sky dish on the house next door - I presume it would be ok to use this as a reference? I already have an NTL grid at the back of the house - would it be ok to locate a dish beside this grid?

Do you only use this setup in one room in your house?

So for €79 for the SAT4FREE box from DID, €50 for the dish from eBay and the meter £10 you have subscription free tv - nice!

RedWally

24-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Do you only use this setup in one room in your house?

So for €79 for the SAT4FREE box from DID, €50 for the dish from eBay and the meter £10 you have subscription free tv - nice!

I have 3 boxes off the one dish using the quad lnb (= 4 connections)

Extras would include f connectors (2 per connection - like screw on coax connections) and cable. 20euro would buy you a lot. Buy the cable in an electrical wholesalers or general hardware store where it would be cheapest. Maplin etc is more expensive. I bought a long roll in B&Q some years ago which lasted me a few years for different applications. The Sat cable is higher grade than regular tv cable to prevent signal loss.

titicamara

25-09-2009, 10:47 AM

I'm considering going for the freeview option, I have a Sky subscription and I am sick of paying them every month. The only problem is I'm having problems getting the Irish channels.

I get nothing on a normal aerial and I tried one like this but no joy. http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=221007

Any tips would be appreciated.