when analogue gets turned off in Yorkshire (2011?) to go digital, will freeview boxes become redundant? They need the aerial to receive signal, so thats why im wondering. Thats why freeview boxes are so cheap now?
Freeview boxes are cheap in order to get people to convert to digital. Once the analogue signal is turned off then, in order to still receive TV signals, you will need a digital source, at the moment that means either Sky, cable or Freeview. Newer TV's should also be produced with integrated Freeview digital receivers, so eliminating the need for a set-top box. (Why are they called set-top boxes, everyone I know has it under the TV!)
I don't understand how they can turn the analogue signal off . . . . . . when not everywhere can get freeview (we can't in our place in the UK). And we can't get cable either so basically they're saying we have to buy Sky if we want to watch telly? And presumably we still have to pay our TV licence for this level of service?
They won't! Analogue signals will only be switched off in an area when they've upgraded the transmitters to a digital service. Don't panic.
RE: I don't understand how they can turn the analogue signal off . . . There is FreeSat, BBC are also looking to launch a similar service, so essentially freeview via satellite. Can already get free view cards for Sky boxes. Also, as analogue signals are turned off it increases the bandwidth available for digital (digital uses less bandwidth than analogue) which should increase the areas that receive it.
You can have analogue rooftop aerial replaced by a digital roof top aerial. Don’t know what the difference is but at the moment it makes a big difference in the portable one I have at the moment when I switch it to the analogue and digital settings As we don’t have an analogue rooftop area I am on the verge of sorting out a digital rooftop aerial which after phoning a bloke who does it will cost me about £85.
RE: Where can you get freeview cards for sky boxes? nt http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/?pID=1 One off payment of £150 for the equipment and card. £20 just for the card. Although, unlike on Freeview, you don't get E4 and More4 I've noticed.
RE: Where can you get freeview cards for sky boxes? nt Cheers, bit of a crossed wire there, I've got 2 sky boxes I don't use and I read the initial post as meaning you could use those like a freeview set top box. I then realised that they would obviously need to be plugged into a dish to work!</p> </p> It is Friday.....(doh) </p>
So if you cancel sky im told you will still be able to get the freeview channels without paying but you may need an engineer to do something to the sky box,is that right ?
Don't need anything doing to the box - you need a freeview card though, not sure your existing card would work
You should not need to buy a Freeview card .... ... even if you cancel your SKY subscription as your SKY box shouldget the Freeview channels provided the SKY card is still inserted. </p> However, SKY periodically issue new cards (probably about once every 5 years or so) which ifyou no longer subscribe toSKY you would not get so at this point you would probably have to buy one of the 'freeview' cards</p>
