I've just done exactly the same using the built in Freesat tuner on my Panasonic tv, also saving around £70 a month.

Sky isn't Free, that's why, it's freeview over freesat review !

Title says Freesat Vs Freeview or Sky . Doesn't mention Sky once.

Im only getting 48 channels. Is it because im near a Freeview Lite transmitter or because i have an indoor aerial?

Yes, what many don't realise is that freesat is just an over-the-air epg that gives more than the standard now / next info broadcast by the channel, provided of course that they've paid to be on freesat. An old Sky HD box gives full epg info for more channels but you do have to wade through all the encrypted stuff which is where freesat wins by screening all of that out. It does also allow recording and easy access to the various streaming apps but I just use an old Panasonic DVR for the former and a Chromecast for the latter. In no hurry to upgrade my old Panasonic Viera plasma TVs as they're without a doubt some of the best sets ever made.

You can indeed choose your BBC / iTV region, and you can also access all the regional variants by going into 'non-Freesat mode'. You just won't get the full 7-day listings for that channel. Regarding Ireland, I believe that you can get RTE Radio but not TV. That's because they have their own free satellite service called Saorview which uses a different satellite with a beam that's very narrowly focused on Ireland. It means that they don't have to negotiate UK rights to show a movie (for instance) which would cost a lot more than the Irish rights alone due to the much bigger population. As for receiving Continental stations, yes it's possible but you would need a bigger dish, pointed at the Euro satellites, and a generic fta (free to view) receiver as a Freesat or Sky box isn't designed to recognise those channels in its epg, which is set to the UK Astra-based service. (If you want to view channels from more than one sat, you'll need multiple LNBs on a special bracket, or a steerable motorised dish - big bucks and arguably not worth it unless you're *rrally* into foreign telly!)

Only had mine 2 year and the hard drive as gone but seen a video how to replace it so did that now it's good as new but we're did you get yours for next to nothing as I nearly paid full price again before stumbling across the hard drive video

It was from a second hand shop that didnt think it was worth anything. I got lucky. @@dawnhebb

Try resetting the box.

Sammylpt9076 you may need a aerial guy to connect it from internal cable box with another aerial link to TV. Only way it will work, unless you have figured it out yourself.

I can definitely tell you sky is much clearer With better image quality.... The big issue is the BBC broadcast quality....

Yes you would likely need an engineer to fit a new LNB (the thing at the end of the arm that sticks out and faces the dish). Sky Q uses a 'wideband' LNB that isn't compatible with most freesat boxes and TVs. Unless Sky fitted a 'hybrid' LNB that works with both, but the only way you'll know that is by connecting a Freesat box to it and letting it scan for channels. If you don't want to buy a box before knowing for certain what type of LNB you have, see if you can borrow an old Sky box (lots of people have them hanging around doing nothing following upgrades.) They work on the same system and an old Sky box will pick up all the free channels without an active card inserted.

I thought the newer Freesat boxes where universal to either wideband or standard LNB now, the one sky Q uses would let you record upto 4 channels on a freesat recorder box where standard LNB is 2, think you should be fine to get a box and plug the leads into the back 👍

Yes. Nine on Freeview, 17 on Freesat (and more still in non-freesat mode.) Plus the SD stuff is broadcast in higher quality on satellite too.

No you need to purchase the new Arris Freesat HD box or change the LNB on the end of the dish, back to a universal one, for your old Sky HD and older Humax Freesat HD receivers to work.

Your free sat input on the tv will be for live tv which you shouldn’t be viewing if you’ve cancelled you licence

@@shush_ya_mush 🚔 🚓 👮‍♀️ 👮‍♂️ 🚨

@@shush_ya_mush I meant so I can use the chn5 and4, itv player apps for catchup as I don't have the apps on sky now. Lol is that OK 😂 Seriously tho, what gets me angry is that places like America(just an example) get all the bbc programs to watch free and even have KZfaq channels where they react to uk tv shows, many bbc shows. They charge monthly subscriptions for members to watch the entire show,shows we have already payed for and they get for free and charge or try to. Bbc seems to not bother those kind of things but hassling a 70 year old for a licence in the uk is normal.

@@allanallen1835 There is a difference, the international regions get it via BBC worldwide which is the commercial arm of the BBC so there are adverts and subscriptions involved. TV licence is the licence to watch tv in the UK, majority of the money goes to the BBC and is advert free.

@@DazzaS83 thanks for clearing that up for me.

Is that easy to set up? I was thinking of doing the same, and getting rid of my BT box. What size usb stick are you using ? Many thanks in advance of your answer 👍

@@arryt3912 Depends on your TV. Check your TV manual and TV remote for a record button.. If it is fairly new and has a USB port it probably will be able to record. Any USB stick should work (164gb). The software in the TV will format it. You use the TV schedule to record the programmes.

Agreed, one thing that's always struck me about the Sky boxes is how reliable they are. They're also cheap and plentiful. I wish there was some way of flashing a different EPG onto them, or even just hiding all the encrypted channels!

I got rid of Sky a few months ago. Best thing I ever did! I bought a freeview recorder, and soon realised that most of the content I watch and record, was available on most catch-up services. I then sold the freeview recorder and just use the freeview built into my smart TV. Good luck!

Best move I done, I just had to change LNB on Satelite dish. Plug and play..

Even if you miss some of the Sky shows/ Sports etc if your TV has the NowTV app (pretty much every smart Tv does) you can access them for as little £10 a month and you can cancel at anytime without the fuss.