1) Can I use my English TV in France?   

YES but only with the “digi box” you will not receive any French channels as their system is different (secam). To get both you will need to purchase a set in France BUT only some makes will work on the English system! (See our info pack).

 2). Why do I need a “Digi box” for English TV?    

We are too far from the UK to receive UK TV on the normal terrestrial aerial so we have to obtain our programmes via the satellite. The digi box converts the satellite signal into a form the TV can show.

 
3). Can I get French & English TV on the same satellite?  

NO, the French satellite is at a different location with a different encryption system. You would use a normal terrestrial aeriel for French TV.

 4). Why should I buy from you, can I get a digi box from local, French outlets?  

Because of the contractual problems with Sky / BBC in France and the different systems, the local outlets do not sell the “Sky Digi Boxes”. You must deal with an importer such as us. We would warn against buying a box in the UK and bringing it over yourself. There is then a guarantee problem as most UK outlets will not cover use in France and do not have local service agents should you have a problem. We cover our guarantees from this office or with our local installers.

 5).  Is it illegal to have an English digi box in France?  

No, the box works completely legally on the “Free to Air” channels, which includes all Radio.  The grey area comes with the use of a card. Sky & BBC have not paid for a European licence to broadcast in France etc. So they have not paid the copyright fees for movies or some of the sport programmes.  There is nothing illegal about having a box in France.  BBC, ITV, etc is  “Free to Air” (No Card )

 6).  Can I get English TV from the local satellite suppliers, Canal + or Canal Satellite? 

No they may carry Sky news but that is all. If you want the full range of UK programmes you need a Sky Digi Box.

 7).  I have an old analogue (or French) satellite system, will the dish be OK for a new digital system? 

Yes, we may need to change to LNB (the signal collector in the centre of the dish) to a new Digital unit and realign the dish to the correct satellite. The size of most French dishes is fine for our signal.

 8).  How do I get the same programmes as the UK? 

You need the digi box and a  card to obtain all the stations you have in the UK plus lots more. The box provides all the UK radio without a card. See our info pack for a list of the available channels. You can also obtain a Sky package card to give you the Sport, movies, etc, (we can help with this).

 9).  Why do I need a card?  

You do not, if you are happy with only the “Free to air” channels i.e, BBC, ITV, the radio stations, Sky News, Film 4, Travel, God, and a fair few shopping channels!

10).  Why do I need a dish / can I hide it?

You need the dish to collect the satellite signal, which cannot be collected from a normal aerial. The dish must have a clear view of the sky and a South / East facing wall, so cannot be in a loft or hidden behind trees, etc.

11).  How do I get a card? 

We have a write up which gives the phone numbers and all other information you may require which is included in our info package or we may be able to help.

12).  What is a refurbished box?
 

These are ex-rental units we obtain in the UK, they go through our workshops and are tested / repaired as required. They are then shipped to France where we again test the box before dispatch to the customer. As they already have been in use we very rarely have any trouble with this type of box and sell them with up to 6 months guarantee.

13).  Can I run more than one box from one dish?  

Yes with the use of a “twin LNB” (2) or even a quad (4). This gives you the option of using 1, 2 or 3 extra boxes. There is also provision on the digi box to run 2 extra TVs via a cable. These TVs would carry the same programmes as the main TV.

14).  Can I record one channel while watching another?

No the box can only decode one channel at a time, you would need a second box. You will Not be able to use Sky “Box Office”.