Sly+ box died...time for an upgrade?

[endorium]

I have sky+ box that has died on me. I have a card that at present just gets freeview channels. Sly want to charge me a huge amount for a new box as out of warrenty so looking at getting a sky box.

With my freeview card and a sky box (not sure what it the latest version) can I unlock extra channels? New to this but wondered if I was expecting too much..

[cactikid]

yes loads to much as hd channels are going on 28.2 for users not on providers boxes.maybe left with sd but for how long?

[bbb_uk]

Look on Freeview from Sky for list FTA channels provided via Sky and then Freesat.co.uk for list of channels available FTA via a freesat box.

Do you have recording facilities still with your current setup?

If no, and you don't require recording facilities then a skybox/openbox/libertview box can be used to view FTA channels available from either freesat from sky or freesat itself.

[genam]

If you don't need HD and are happy with Free to Air channels then any cheap sat box will do...the Skybox'soffer good picture and sound quality but are generally poor for EPG.
Some more expensive boxes are much much better overall and likely to be more reliable over time but I've 2 Skybox's and so far they meet my needs after about a year.
Are you sure you need the card to get free channels....a standard old Sky+ box is dirt cheap 2nd hand and I'm sure like me lots of forum members have 1 around the house somewhere.

[bbb_uk]

Are you sure you need the card to get free channels....

I have read that Freesat from Sky requires a card and I even believe they even charge for card as well. Whether a freesat from sky card will work in any box (ie doesn't need pairing), I'm not sure.

[Hadron]

An old Sky card (or a FSFS) card only gives a few extra channels (Motors TV, Sony TV (and +1), Liverpool FC TV, plus maybe a couple of others).

Without a card, you can still view all the FTA channels.

An old card that has previously been activated, but has now been cancelled will work for those extra channels in any box, but could take up to 24 hours to reactivate. It will also regionalise the ITV & BBC1 channels according to the area where it was originally registered.