Page 1 of Sky Digibox playing up (Freezing channels)...my options

Guys,

I have a SKY digibox (a Panasonic model 1.1U) which has begun freezing channel selection. What I mean by that is that if I attempt to select some particular channels (like channel 513 (CNN)) the SKY digibox accepts the numbers 513 but refuses to switch to that channel and the red "COMMAND" light on the digibox then remains on - giving the impression that the remote control is always sending codes (which is isn`t). I cannot get the digibox out of this condition ie cannot change to another channel (digibox now frozen) unless I unplug the the digibox from the mains.

This behaviour seems to occur when I select some particular channels but not all. So I can go to channels 101 (BBC), 330 (Horror Channel) but not some of the Indian ones
(say channel 833)

Any ideas whats wrong. I have updated the software on my digibox but that didn`t help and the signal strength as far as the digibox is concerned is quite good.

The digibox is around 4 years old and I had cancelled by contract with SKY over 4 months ago so that we now use the digibox to look at the free-to-air channels only. I assume that after 4 years the digibox is mine to do as I please.

What options do I have other than getting the digibox seen to. I would prefer the following

1) Go back on contract with SKY with a view they might provide a new digibox - but obviously I will need to have a min 1 years contract with them and I`m not sure if they would provide a new digibox.

2) Buy a new digibox off (say eBay) but I have been told that the viewing card is matched to the digibox. If so, how will I get the new digibox to accept my existing SKY card. Is there a way to do this or do I need to pay a backhander to some "nice" gentleman.

Regards
Sultan

Quote:
I have been told that the viewing card is matched to the digibox.

This is true, but it only applies when watching subscription channels. As you`re not a Sky subscriber, it doesn`t matter.

For watching ITV1, Channel 4, and Channel 5, any viewing card will work in any box. For watching the other free channels (BBC etc), you don`t actually need a card in the box at all.

Personally I`d give Sky a wide berth, and get yourself a second-hand box off Ebay. Your existing box is - and always has been - yours to do with as you please.

Mike

This item was edited on Friday, 4th June 2004, 11:07

Thing to remember is these boxes are basically computers inside, and like computers, they sometimes tie themselves up in knots!! If you are getting the freezing problem, pull out the mains cord (or switch off at the mains, whichever is easiest..leave it for a minute or so, then plug back in. Don`t press anything on the remote or the buttonms on the box for two or three minutes, then press the power on button..you`ll start on the SKY info page (998), but all the other other channels will be fine. Might also be a good idea to take your card out of the slot and wipe it gently.

As for any card working in any box..this isn`t true...up to about a year ago, any card that had been a part of a contract would function as a `Free To View` card, or you could phone up for a free `Free To View` card if you`d got a second hand box without any card (just give them the box number, they send out a card).. but with BBC going FTA, this all stopped..the old free FTV cards started to display on screen messages about how they`d stop working, but a new card called a `Solus Card` became available...this costs around £25 and will give you access to the free but scrambled programs and is matched to your box number... if you use an unmatched card, it will not work on most of the encrypted but free channels.

Quote:
with BBC going FTA, this all stopped..the old free FTV cards started to display on screen messages about how they`d stop working

Yes, I know - but if Sultan was a Sky subcriber until as recently as 4 months ago, he`ll have one of the new-style cards, which can still decrypt C4/C5/ITV in any box.

Mike

Hi Sultan, I had that exact problem with my panny box. Probably the same model

It was over a year ago now, got this advise from a friend who works for Avonline, sky`s South Wales installation company. It is basically the box overheating

Disconnect the box completely, take the top cover off, use a good paint brush/airduster to get all the dust out of the box, espcialy around the transformer, chips and under the curcuit board, then vacuum the case and board to make sure all of the dust is out.

Connect the box back up apart from the power cord, maybe re-locate the box to a cooler or better ventilated place, when it is all set up, turn tv on to sky channel, then put the power cord in while holding down the back up button on the front of the box, keep holding it down and after a few seconds a message will come up on the screen saying updating system software.

After 10 mins the message will go and fingers crossed the box will work ok, ours did, it used to lock up 5 or more times a day, did this and it must be 18 months later and it has worked ok, a couple of times it has played up but nothing to get to concerned about and much cheaper than a new box.

All the best

Ger.

Read my older posts as Gerald here

Seen how little boxes are on e-bay ?
Get yourself a new `un.

Cheers Guys,

Much as I like replacing my digibox (with the new slim-line SONY one for example), I have traced the fault to our DECT cordless phone which is in the vacinity of the digibox. Moving the cordless phone away from the digibox has apparently cured the problem.

Regards
Sultan

same problem with an amstrad sky digibox. it`s been getting worse by the week.

i`m a sky subscriber but the box`s warranty expired after a year. called sky support a few times and all they can suggest is switching the box off & on again! it `s works some times but the problem returns pretty soon and worsens.

i`ll try superted`s method this evening to see if it has any effect.

(failing that i`ll cancel my sky subscription then re-subscribe and get a new box & warranty. anyone done this before?)

thanks for any advice

parick

I`m actually selling my old Pace box, which I no longer (as now have Sky+) need if anybody is interested ?

I also have two remotes spare too.

Let me know if interested.


Pete ;)

This item was edited on Wednesday, 16th June 2004, 23:23

I opened and cleaned inside the unit and all connections as well as carrying out the upgrade but still the same problems.

Looks like a long (& no doubt fruitless) call to the Sky technical department again...