Freesat from Sky Setup and Equipment Options

To set up Freesat from Sky, you'll need a satellite dish and a Freesat box, which can be purchased separately or as a bundle.

The satellite dish can be installed by a professional, but it's also possible to do it yourself if you're comfortable with DIY projects.

A Freesat box is the brain of your system, and it's available in various models with different features, such as built-in Wi-Fi and recording capabilities.

The Freesat box will need to be connected to your TV via an HDMI cable, and you'll also need to connect the satellite dish to the box.

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You can use your existing Sky dish for Freesat as both services use the same satellites in space. No need to change your satellite dish alignment.

If you're leaving Sky for Freesat, you won't need to alter your satellite dish itself, but you may need to swap over the coaxial cable connections/LNB outputs at the dish to support Freesat.

For standard Sky, Sky+, and Sky+ HD, the exact same satellite dish and LNB can be used for Freesat. You won't need to make any changes to your dish.

However, if you're leaving Sky Q, you'll need to change the LNB on the satellite dish itself, as the existing wideband LNB used for Sky Q is not currently compatible with any Freesat related service.

You can use your Sky dish for Freesat without changing the alignment, as both services use the same satellites in space. The exact same satellite dish and LNB can be used for standard Sky, Sky+, and Sky+ HD.

If you're leaving Sky Q, however, you'll need to change the LNB on the satellite dish itself, as the existing wideband LNB is not compatible with Freesat services. Some Hybrid LNBs require you to connect the cables to certain outputs.

When choosing a Freesat box, consider whether you want to be able to record on it, as recordable boxes are generally more expensive. You'll also need to decide how much recording space you want, with options typically ranging from 500GB to 2TB.

You can use your Sky dish for Freesat without changing the satellite dish itself. Both services use the same satellites in space.

If you're leaving Sky for Freesat, you don't need to adjust your dish alignment. The satellites are the same.

For standard Sky, Sky+, and Sky+ HD, you can use the exact same satellite dish and LNB. No need to swap anything out.

However, if you're leaving Sky Q, you'll need to change the LNB on the satellite dish itself. The wideband LNB used for Sky Q isn't compatible with Freesat.

Universal LNBs, Quad LNBs, and Octo LNBs are compatible with both Sky and Freesat.

Additional reading: 20 Starlink Satellites Fall from Sky

If you're considering using your Sky box with Freesat, you'll want to know that Sky Q boxes cannot be used for Freesat.

Sky may want their equipment back if you cancel your subscription, so it's best not to try selling it online.

Once your Sky subscription is cancelled and your contract is terminated, you'll lose access to recording and existing recordings on the internal hard drive.

You won't be able to record onto the internal hard disc drive (HDD) or access existing recordings on your Sky box after cancelling your subscription.

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If you've decided to ditch your Sky box and opt for a Freesat box, you'll want to consider a few things before making a purchase.

Freesat boxes can vary in price between £50-£300, depending on the features you want.

When choosing a Freesat box, think about whether you want to be able to record your favourite shows. Recordable boxes are usually more expensive than non-recordable versions.

If you do want to record, consider how much space you need. Typically, recordable Freesat boxes come with 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB options.

On a 500GB HDD, you can store either 300 hours of standard definition content or 125 hours of high definition content.

If you want access to smart catch-up services like BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, most boxes can do this now, but some lower-cost ones may not.

For video-on-demand/streaming services, an internet connection is required, usually via WIFI or Ethernet.