[coldandwindy]

Where we're starting from is we have a Sky satellite dish connected to an Amstrad Sky box.
No Sky subscription-we only use it for free channels.
We just want a basic upgrade to HD
We don't need it to record.
We'd prefer it to use our existing Sky dish because getting it lined up to a signal was a faf here -got to point to a gap in the hills!

What would we buy ?

Thanks.

[Lardman]

It's been a while since I looked at this but if they still make them you're looking for a freesat receiver.  I think the one I had was by humax but it died within a few years a quick search on amazon should give you plenty of options.

[mumofstig]

That's what I have, bought last year. When I moved I ditched Sky and just view the free channels.
I paid for TV license last year, so can still watch BBC, atm - but there's really not much on there worth watching anyway....

[coldandwindy]

That's what I have, bought last year. When I moved I ditched Sky and just view the free channels.
I paid for TV license last year, so can still watch BBC, atm - but there's really not much on there worth watching anyway....

We are thinking ahead to the Euros football. (A family member is keen to watch it)
Half of it will be on BBC. They have a tendency to put live sport onto i-player but so as you can't Chromecast it to your tv. 

[coldandwindy]

Thank you for the replies.
OH is keen on one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-SX-Freesat-HD-Box/dp/B07CD8GHFF/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=8zhQa&content-id=amzn1.sym.444ba109-cdf8-4a96-9f01-f73a5ebc80ca%3Aamzn1.symc.adba8a53-36db-43df-a081-77d28e1b71e6&pf_rd_p=444ba109-cdf8-4a96-9f01-f73a5ebc80ca&pf_rd_r=D4Q8SGH1CA59NDZBRPNT&pd_rd_wg=VTzwa&pd_rd_r=2de1c529-b5c9-4a43-8b97-5bc8f755f531&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m

The person selling them says it would do us fine. I'm not sure it would work with our existing Sky dish.

Confused but looking into it!

[Yorkie]

Might be worth a conversation with Richer Sounds. They tend to know their stuff and therefore provide decent advice on product suitability, which you can usually trust.

[coldandwindy]

Might be worth a conversation with Richer Sounds. They tend to know their stuff and therefore provide decent advice on product suitability, which you can usually trust.

Thank you. Hadn't heard of them but will look them up now.

A seller I can trust is a big part of the problem. I have phoned two companies. One says I just buy a box from them & plug it in; the other says I need a new dish & double cable, hole drilled bigger in the wall - £150 before I even look at boxes.

[coldandwindy]

OK, so according to "Richer Sounds" and according to the BBC helpline, I shouldn't need a new dish if the current one works with non-HD.
Looks like there are sharks out there, looking for people (like me!) who are confused so be careful everyone!

I'm going to buy this & will report back if it works!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-SX-Freesat-HD-Box/dp/B07CD8GHFF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IAK1C2I1R56G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vZb7U6fnYQ3eWNgQvh7h_lasS-QArw-FNgpxdYZHdDnveLZcQ8pB5fW0eRL2QZrPlpHJVb32NyiR2m3V_sN0dQ.K094d7hE3E-DHVbkcopzw0Om5iPDUmFU2we0bI-F-Xo&dib_tag=se&keywords=freesat+boxes+for+tv+uk&qid=1704978106&refinements=p_36%3A-10500%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A12319067031%2Cp_72%3A419153031&rnid=389035011&s=electronics&sprefix=freesat+box%2Celectronics%2C167&sr=1-1

[coldandwindy]

An update:-
"Manhattan" set top box , £70 delivered. Plugged into the existing system very easily. Working well, only thing I would say is the remote is very light & flimsy, so maybe that's the difference from dearer boxes?
Thanks for the replies.
Windy.