Sky Problems

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

Hi,
I have a pre digital sky box.
It's a Panasonic and I think it is the box that is giving problems.
The problems started earlier in the year when the weather was really bad and high winds.
We started to have no signal and had to unplug the box, wait 5 minutes etc to get the picture back..
Now, whenever we don't use the sky offering for a couple of days the same thing happens - the picture always returns, but it's starting to get annoying, particularly as the weather has been ok recently.
We never actually switch off the sky box, just the tv.
So has anyone got any ideas as to whether it is the box or something else on the system please ?

I can't contact Sky, as we no longer subscribe, just use the crad as a freeview offering, with their blessing.

 

[Sam Gangee]

It's clearly NOT a "pre digital" Sky box, otherwise it would have stopped working when Sky switched off its analogue service last century. So what's the model number on the label? TU-DSB??

Anyway, your answer is here: http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/no_satellite_signal.htm

 

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

Thanks :-
For the info and the *******ing !!

I know what I meant, but I know now that it sounded mad.

Let's just say that it is an old box.

 

[mimilovell]

We had a problem and called up sky and they sent us a new box. Im not sure if this will sort it, hopefully it will.

 

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

We had a problem and called up sky and they sent us a new box. Im not sure if this will sort it, hopefully it will.

They won't send us a new box, we don't have a contract with them anymore.

 

[Lucid]

Just get a secondhand box. I've picked them up from the local classifieds for customers for £20-£30.

 

[ericmark]

Just get a secondhand box. I've picked them up from the local classifieds for customers for £20-£30.

I am not sure on the idea of paying so much for an old sky box! I got a new free to air for £40.

It would seem there are three types of box which will receive the satellite broadcasts. I am sure Lucid will correct any mistakes but as I understand it we have.

1) Free to air often either no program guide or only now and next but in standby mode they use so little power you can't measure it. They also allow you to either only scan for free programs or delete any which are not free or rubbish so you only flick through channels you can watch.
2) Freesat is like free to air but it uses the sky 7 day program guide and program numbers never used one so don't know any more except they cost more.
3) Sky box these never switch off the LNB so in standby mode still use a lot of power. You can't hide programs as as you progress up the scale for those not subscribing they become worse and worse. Which the Sky+ hard drive still fires up but can't watch any thing recorded so uses even more power.

 

[Sam Gangee]

2) Freesat is like free to air but it uses the sky 7 day program guide and program numbers never used one

No, it uses the Freesat EPG. No connection with Sky.

 

[xr4x4]

Just get a free sat box from Argos or whatever, cheap.

Or a freesat + box, humax for example.

 

[Lucid]

I am not sure on the idea of paying so much for an old sky box! I got a new free to air for £40.

It would seem ... yadda yadda yadda

.... so uses even more power.

[big sigh] To be honest, I don't really care.

This isn't singling you out, so please don't take offence. It's just that your reply is kind of symptomatic of the forums mentality. It's only my opinion, but I do think folk spend far too much time worrying about the little stuff. Debating the in's and out's of Sky box power consumption when all the OP really wants is to watch Sky.........really??? Life's too short.

I think I'm getting to the point where I can't be bothered any more.

 

[Sam Gangee]

I can't contact Sky, as we no longer subscribe, just use the crad as a freeview offering

I interpreted this as not wanting to watch Sky. So the yadda yadda was partly relevant - although I merely skimmed the jumble of words. Sorry, Eric, but you should seriously consider checking your posts and correcting so they make more sense. Ditto the OP.

 

[streetlighter]

The last of the Sky analogue channels on Astra 19.2 east where turned off in September 2001.
For Watching the free to air channels including HD I don't think you can go wrong with a Amstrad DRX595 Sky HD box they can be had on ebay for less than £50 and you the the easy to use Sky remote and programme guide.

 

[cajar]

I am not sure on the idea of paying so much for an old sky box! I got a new free to air for £40.

It would seem ... yadda yadda yadda

.... so uses even more power.

[big sigh] To be honest, I don't really care.

This isn't singling you out, so please don't take offence. It's just that your reply is kind of symptomatic of the forums mentality. It's only my opinion, but I do think folk spend far too much time worrying about the little stuff. Debating the in's and out's of Sky box power consumption when all the OP really wants is to watch Sky.........really??? Life's too short.

I think I'm getting to the point where I can't be bothered any more.

I found his reply quite interesting tbh, surely that's what the forum's for, not one line answers.

 

[Marticus100]

The problems started earlier in the year when the weather was really bad and high winds.

seems like everyones overlooking the obvious here...

OP have you checked the signal strength on the box?

It's very coincidental that this has just started occuring after high winds, at a guess i would say your dish is very slightly out of alignment leaving you with a borderline signal, this can manifest it'sef even when the weather is good and only on certain channels for example.

 

[Sam Gangee]

I suspect that - after 3 months of "long time no hear" - the OP has sorted his problem or lost the will to live!