Very old sky box

[Yorkstone7]

An elderly (95-yr old) relative has an original white non-HD Sky box which is currently used for Freesat. We would like to get her a basic Sky TV subscription but cannot find anything on Sky.com to help answer the question whether this is possible? Does anyone here know the answer, please?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Which channels might she be interested in that are not FTA ?

 

[rolfw]

I would be very surprised if the software on that unit would work with the up to date Sky digibox software, they would probably insist that you upgraded, but they would probably issue one of the single tuner HD boxes FOC with a basic subscription.

 

[davemurgtroyd]

I would be very surprised if the software on that unit would work with the up to date Sky digibox software, they would probably insist that you upgraded, but they would probably issue one of the single tuner HD boxes FOC with a basic subscription.

Why would you say that? There has been no change in transmission methods of SD channels or encryption system since they were discontinued. As box has been used for Freesat it would appear there is nothing wrong/out of date with it in that regard.

If OP were to phone Sky and ask for a new viewing card and subscription for a box they already have then Sky would probably oblige - do not start off by asking for a new subscription.

 

[rolfw]

Why would you say that? There has been no change in transmission methods of SD channels or encryption system since they were discontinued. As box has been used for Freesat it would appear there is nothing wrong/out of date with it in that regard.

If OP were to phone Sky and ask for a new viewing card and subscription for a box they already have then Sky would probably oblige - do not start off by asking for a new subscription.

I'd say that because they were actively replacing all SD single and twin tuner boxes with active subscriptions a few years back, on the basis that they couldn't take the up to date software. It may be possible, it may not be, just giving my tuppence worth.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I refer the o/p to post #2. It might be a Freesat box or replacement television gives the eldery relative a programme guide that caters for the services available on the satellite slot.

 

[Mickybod]

Would those older boxes be able to handle the updates sky made to knock out card sharing?

 

[william-1]

Maybe Yorkstone7 will come back soon & give some answers to the replies here.

 

[jeallen01]

Why would you say that? There has been no change in transmission methods of SD channels or encryption system since they were discontinued. As box has been used for Freesat it would appear there is nothing wrong/out of date with it in that regard.

If OP were to phone Sky and ask for a new viewing card and subscription for a box they already have then Sky would probably oblige - do not start off by asking for a new subscription.

"Old" Sky/Sky HD boxes are "dead cheap" on ebay (etc.!) - thus, would one of those "work" with a new card mentioned above?
(I think I still have an old PACE SD box in the cupboard - couldn't bring myself to just dump it )

I ask this because it's likely that the old lady would be used to the interface and channel listings on Sky, and thus might find a transition to those on a Freesat box to be "just too difficult"!

FWIW, I fitted a Sky SD box up for my late mother-in-law (who was in her late '80s at the time - around the early 1990s IIRC) , and she found it "very difficult" and so only ever watched channels 101-105 because those with which she was familiar!

 

[ozumo]

Thumbs up for the DRX595 non recording multiroom box. The tv guide button takes you straight to the EPG, with no nags about on demand stuff.

For those who struggle with Sky boxes I set up a favourites list of all the channels they watch, then it's just a case of them pressing blue to cycle through those channels on the now & next banner, then pressing select when they've found the channel they want.

 

[Lazarus]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Been there.

Done that.

 

[Yorkstone7]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. She is quite limited in her ability to handle anything technical. We replaced her TV remote with a very simple one because she kept accidentally changing the input source and didn't know what had happened. She cannot cope with the EPG but she can use the sky remote to enter channel numbers directly (which we have witten down for her). There are a few channels which show programmes we know she likes but cannot get on freesat, notably CBS, Drama and Alibi. She could not cope with an HD box we no longer needed since it sometimes went into standy after updating and she was helpless. The box she has is simple and all she can manage - she is just missing out on those few channels.

 

[william-1]

CBS, Drama ect are available FTA via satellite @ 28.2E where the mini dish is aimed at.

All of the free TV channels on Freesat in the UK

All of the free TV channels on Freesat in the UK

ukfree.tv

 

[ozumo]

If you get into trouble on any Sky box, pressing the 'Sky' button on the top of the remote will exit back to the channel being watched previously, or turn the box back on. I just rebooted my drx595 to test and the nag message that comes up can also be got rid of by pressing the Sky button, exactly the same as would happen after a software update.

The HD boxes have an auto standby "feature", but this can be disabled, other than that there is very little difference operation wise.

 

[jeallen01]

FWIW: Just had a dig in one of my cupboards and found my old silver PACE 3100 SD box - it worked when I put in there a long time but I don't know if still does?

If that would that be of any use for one of the subscription-free cards (and still works? - which I would try to check if it is of interest), then I would be happy to pass it on for the price of the postage. OTOH, it might need a replacement remote as well.

 

[Analoguesat]

FWIW: Just had a dig in one of my cupboards and found my old silver PACE 3100 SD box - it worked when I put in there a long time but I don't know if still does?

If that would that be of any use for one of the subscription-free cards (and still works? - which I would try to check if it is of interest), then I would be happy to pass it on for the price of the postage. OTOH, it might need a replacement remote as well.

You may find it will be stuck on whatever the firmware revision was when it was put away. I dont think the updates run are run regularly any more for the old boxes.

 

[jeallen01]

You may find it will be stuck on whatever the firmware revision was when it was put away. I dont think the updates run are run regularly any more for the old boxes.

I'm pretty sure you are correct - was just saying that it would be available if it were to be of any use!
(otherwise - having now dug it out of the cupboard - I think I'll scrap it in a week or two as it's of no use to me now)

 

[2cvbloke]

Reading through this oddly reminded me of those Pace miniboxes, never did get myself one of those, pointless now though!!!

 

[statalite]

I would look on for a DRX595 or DRX595L. These single tuner Sky boxes haven't been updated since March 2017. Although I think the OP is asking about a basic subscription which it's up to Sky to decide if they will activate any viewing card in a HD box as they are trying to sell Q which is obviously way over requirement in this case.

 

[rolfw]

Strangely enough, Sky are offering a special deal at the moment to new subscribers of basic TV and internet for £25/month on an 18month contract and the deal includes a Sky+HD box, so they are still supplying them, they must hyave a glut.