A couple of Sky tips

[Will]

While looking for some info to answer another question, I came across these two snippets. Apologies if they have been mentioned before. They're lifted from other sites, so I can't speak for their validity.

A cheap but legitimate source for Sky Digiboxes in the UK
Get along to a local Police Recovered Stolen Goods Auction - usually loads of Digiboxes from between 18 to 25. You can presumably contact your local Police Station to enquire when and how often these auctions are held. Because the boxes will have been unplugged for some time, they will almost certainly need a software reload. And it's possible they won't come with a remote control either, but those are freely available and quite cheaply from a number of suppliers (try Dixons or Maplin Electronics, www.maplin.co.uk.)

Is it possible to get foreign-language stations using a Sky digibox?

The Astra 1 system (which used to carry Sky's analogue service) now transmits digital stations to Europe. Most of the main European languages are available together with several more obscure ones such as Basque and Arabic. Most of the stations on Astra 1 are transmitted unencrypted and don't need a viewing card.
Look up the information you need on http://www.ses-astra.com/tv-radio/guide/lineup/markets/ALL192_all.htm. RAI Uno for example is 10.788 Ghz, V, 22.0, 5/6. Point your dish at 19.2E and find the satellite. You will not get anything on the 'Signal Quality' bar and 'Lock Indicator' says 'Not Locked'. 'Network ID' and 'Transport Stream' will remain at '0000'. You should get plenty of 'Signal Strength'. Now choose 'Add Channels'. For 'Frequency (GHz)' type '10788', for 'Polarisation' select 'V', for 'Symbol Rate (mbaud)' select '22.0' and for 'FEC' select '5/6'. Now select 'Find Channels' and a list will pop up. Move cursor to 'RAI1' and press the yellow button then 'Select'. Back out and select 'Other Channels'. Select RAI1 and enjoy!

You will find more information here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/de.sullivan/foreign.htm

There's a load of other useful satellite stuff on this site. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/de.sullivan/

Will (50)