Freesat Using sly Q dish

[sneaker]

A mate of mine lives in an old stone cottage and doesn't have a tv ariel. He has been watching tv using a Sly Q Box so they could also record programs. He now has decided he doesn't need Sly anymore for tv and wants to switch off the tv service and was wondering if there is an Linux box that would use his Q Dish to recieve freeview after he sends his Sly Q box back. Cheers for any info.

 

[kegnkiwi]

How difficult is it for him to get to the dish as he may be best changing the lnb on the end of the dish to a universal lnb or if he thinks we may want to go back to sky q then he is best getting a hybrid lnb. If he changes the lnb then he can get any of the linux boxes out there.

 

[sneaker]

Thanks for that @kegnkiwi, I think the reason he asked was he was hoping just to unplug the sly box and throw on a new one. He said he will use his firestick for catchup then he said.

 

[Spud1966]

Off topic a little but he could get a bt youview box

You can record 2 channels and watch another one live at the same time

Ebay

Plus i don't know how good the TV single is in his area is but i know this works quite well as a friend has one

If he is not bothered about recording stuff just use the firestick

 

[Abu Baniaz]

It's not the dish that is the issue, it's the LNB. They use wideband LNBs for SkyQ. As above, changing it is the best option, only costs about 15 for a new LNB.

You can get the Arris Freesat receiver which works with wideband LNBs. They are not cheap, will just work and you can get official catch-up services.

Enigma2 receivers will not work with wideband LNBs. However, you can get unicable switches that work with wideband LNBs. I have not seen any posts by anyone using them.

You can use also use Freely TV which uses IPTV.

 

[nara]

You can use also use Freely TV which uses IPTV.

That's an option, but you can't record Freely content. That doesn't bother some people, they're happy to use catch-up.

The problem with catch-up is that you can't fast forward through the ads, so I've been happily using a BT Freeview box as @Spud1966 suggested.
I got it off ebay for peanuts years ago and it's never put a foot wrong.

As for Freesat, it's also an option, but be aware that it could possibly be closing down in eight years when current legislation for satellite broadcasting ends. That's why SKY is gradually moving over to internet delivered content.

 

[Oggiman]

Freeview is currently set to end under legislation in 2034 as well, so a small cost outlay maybe worth it for under 8 years.

 

[sneaker]

The reason he was looking at reusing the dish is because it was already installed, and he can't be bothered fitting an ariel and as nara points out it may not last much longer, also the walls on this house are over a foot thick and he didn't want to be drilling any holes in it for any more cables. As for freely, that would mean a new set and he's just been given a 42inch tv. I'm sure he'll get by with the Firestick.

 

[Abu Baniaz]

Please find out if he can reach the dish. The dish doesn't have to be changed, only the LNB on the dish has to be changed.

 

[sneaker]

I told him m8, he doesn't want to mess about. I think he was hoping to plug and play. Thanks for the replies though guys.

 

[matty125]

Just a thought, would the new (ish) Manhattan S4•R work? - it's compatible with the skyQ lnb and has a range drive sizes for recording? Im thinking of getting one when my sky contract comes to an end and looks plug and play...

 

[sneaker]

I'll tell him @matty125, but he's a little reluctant to part with his money (I think he breeds moths in his wallet) and the Manhattan boxes aren't cheap.