[Brigon]

I bought a house a few months back and the house had a satellite dish already attached to it. I just figured I would use the aerial and have been using the Freeview built into my tv for months, but with all the Olympic channels on Freesat it got me thinking about whether I could plug the satellite into a Freesat box and get all those extra channels.

I haven't ever used a satellite dish before. The cables that seem to come from the dish to the wall where the tv is look like two aerials connectors. Is that normal?

Is there anyway to test if the satellite is actually working before I spend the money on a Freesat box? I don't think my tv is Freesat compatible without a box (though even that I don't know for sure).

[REPASSAC]

Originally Posted by Brigon

I bought a house a few months back and the house had a satellite dish already attached to it. I just figured I would use the aerial and have been using the Freeview built into my tv for months, but with all the Olympic channels on Freesat it got me thinking about whether I could plug the satellite into a Freesat box and get all those extra channels.

I haven't ever used a satellite dish before. The cables that seem to come from the dish to the wall where the tv is look like two aerials connectors. Is that normal?

Is there anyway to test if the satellite is actually working before I spend the money on a Freesat box? I don't think my tv is Freesat compatible without a box (though even that I don't know for sure).

The connectors should terminate in a screw in F connector. My guess would be that as you mention cables there are two which would be very suitable for a freesat recorder.
To make sure do you know anyone with a freesat box that would bring it around for a test?

[grahamlthompson]

Satellite dish connections use a screwed connection (called a f connector). Looks like this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faceplate-In.../dp/B002JUZA4K

Push on connectors (Belling Lee) are used for normal terrestrial aerials. You may have one or two coax cables with f connectors on the end.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...9QEwBQ&dur=268

If you have two, chances are you can simply connect a Freesat+ pvr.

Edit Repassac beat me to it (in defence I had to look up the images )

[Brigon]

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

Satellite dish connections use a screwed connection (called a f connector). Looks like this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faceplate-In.../dp/B002JUZA4K

Push on connectors (Belling Lee) are used for normal terrestrial aerials. You may have one or two coax cables with f connectors on the end.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...9QEwBQ&dur=268

If you have two, chances are you can simply connect a Freesat+ pvr.

Edit Repassac beat me to it (in defence I had to look up the images )

Yes that's what they look like. Think I will have to find someone with a freesat box.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by Brigon

Yes that's what they look like. Think I will have to find someone with a freesat box.

You don't actually need a freesat box. Freesat is a convenient way of geting access to satellite channels via a posh epg. Any digital satellite box including an old working sky box will confirm the connections are working.

Basically connect an old Sky box you should get a fancy epg, most of which you can see what's on you can't watch. Connect a Freesat box you will get a similar epg, but everything on it you can watch (and record if it's a pvr).

Connect an el cheapo fta box (from about £20.00) , you can watch but don't have any fancy programme guide just whats on now and on next.

Basically any digital satellite box will confirm it's working.

You can buy SD working SKY SD satellite boxes for peanuts. Everyone wants HD now.

Basic idea, lots of channels on satellite are free. Sky and Freesat have a posh guide as to what's on. If you don't need the guide there are lots of ways of watching the free content.