Sky subscriptions There are many myths about the legality of Sky subscriptions, certainly Sky themselves say that you are breaking the law if you have one outside the UK. However, as Sky do not have a licence to broadcast outside of the UK, if they knowingly supply you with a subscription service they will be breaking the law. You would be merely breaking their terms and conditions. It is not illegal in France to receive UK television. The police will not come knocking on your door! It is widely commented that Sky subscriptions are expensive for the quality of programming offered...but then, many people still have one.

Sky digiboxes Sky currently offers 3 types of digibox. The standard Sky box, the Sky+ box with built in recording facilities and Sky HD which is similar to Sky+ but offering High Definition broadcasts. The Sky digiboxes do not need a subscription to view the free to air channels. However, for most of the HD and all of the recording facilities, a subscription to Sky is required (see below).


 Freesat digiboxes Freesat currently offer a similar range of digiboxes with a standard, a high definition and an HD box with recording facilities. On the horizon is an HD recorder with built-in Blue-Ray DVD recorder! Just as the name suggests…Freesat is FREE – no subscription at all, EVER! With all digiboxes that incorporate recording facilities, a dual (or quad) LNB and 2 cables are required for the system to function fully, enabling you to watch one programme while you watch another.


 High Definition This is a new format of broadcast giving around 4 times the clarity of a normal picture. To view High Definition channels, you need an HD digibox connected to your HD ready or full-HD television via an HDMI lead (instead of a Scart lead).

Multiroom As mentioned earlier, one digibox can only supply one channel to one television at any given time. In many cases it is possible to use a video sender to transmit the signal around the house to be viewed on a television in another room. Using a Sky digibox, a cable can be run from the digibox to a second television, however only the same channel can be watched on both sets at the same time. The alternative is by using the multiple outlet LNB as mentioned earlier. Cables can be taken from the dish to other digiboxes where independent viewing is available.

                          Sky’s Multiroom package (via subscription) is not possible abroad as a UK phone line is required.